Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

Why do they hate themselves so much?

Because I am an orphan?

There are many orphans in the ninja academy, but none of them are as rejected by the whole world as he is.

Because I used to be naughty and mischievous?

But ever since I started training with Kakashi-sensei, I've clearly gotten rid of all my bad habits and have been working very hard to change...

What could be the reason?

This problem, like a tangled mess, had troubled him for a long time.

Until he could no longer bear the loneliness, he studied desperately, just so he could graduate from that suffocating school as soon as possible.

......

Late at night, in the restricted area of ​​Konoha's archives.

Kakashi Hatake stood alone in front of a dusty bookshelf, flipping through a top-secret scroll that had long since yellowed in the dim light.

four years ago.

Since being awakened by Sasuke that day, he began a secret investigation into the truth behind his father's death.

However, he was facing an impenetrable wall.

All records of that mission were classified as top secret and completely sealed away by Danzo in the name of protecting the village.

All details about the father's mission were erased, and the ninjas who participated in that mission all mysteriously "died in the line of duty" in the following years.

The deeper one goes, the more one can feel an invisible darkness shrouding the sky above Konoha.

All the clues point to one person—Shimura Danzo.

But Kakashi had no evidence.

He once tried to question the Third Hokage, but all he got in return was a cold, "Sigh, Kakashi, some things are better left unknown than known."

All he could do was search through this pile of old papers for the slightest, overlooked clue.

"Is it... that it will break here again?"

Kakashi looked at the deliberately erased information about the mission client on the scroll and rubbed his temples wearily.

Over the past four years, he has thought more than once about whether he should storm into the "Roots" base and confront the person hiding in the shadows.

But he can't.

He knew that if he did that, not only would he likely be branded as a traitor to the village, but he could also implicate Sasuke and Naruto.

Even once, after getting drunk late at night, he confided a hint of his inner confusion to his close friend Matt Kay, who simply patted him heavily on the shoulder.

"Kakashi! Whatever decision you make, I will support you! That's what youth is all about!"

Kai's enthusiasm comforted him, but it couldn't give him an answer.

Kakashi closed the scroll, put it back in its place, and vanished into the darkness of the archives in a flash.

When he reappeared, he was already at the memorial stone at the entrance of the village.

On the cold stone tablet was engraved a name he knew all too well.

Sakumo Hatake

"Father......"

Kakashi reached out and gently brushed away the fallen leaves from the stone tablet. "I'm sorry, I still couldn't do anything."

He leaned against the cold stone tablet, slowly sat down, raised his head, and cast his gaze to the other side, to the cemetery that belonged to the Uchiha clan.

Itachi, what exactly are you doing this for?

He didn't know the answer.

All I know is that I can't stop.

He sensed that the same darkness had begun to quietly envelop his two students with very different personalities.

One is an avenger burdened with the blood feud of his entire family.

The other is the Jinchūriki who embodies the hatred and fear of the entire village.

He must find the answer before they are completely swallowed by this darkness.

Kakashi slowly straightened up, and his usually droopy, dead-fish eyes shone with an unprecedented determination at this moment.

This is his promise to his teacher, Minato Namikaze, and also his...redemption to his father, Sakumo Hatake.

Chapter 57 Mission

The Hokage's office was filled with smoke.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took the pipe from his lips, looked at the figure by the window, and slowly spoke.

"Kakashi, I have a suggestion regarding Team 7."

Kakashi turned around and gave a soft reply.

"It's to balance the combat strength of Squad 7."

The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke, adopting a businesslike demeanor, "In order to help Sasuke better learn how to cooperate as a team, I plan to select an outstanding female ninja from this year's graduates to join them."

His true purpose, of course, went beyond that.

Four years have passed, and Sasuke and Naruto's strength has grown rapidly, but the shadow in their hearts seems to have become even deeper.

The addition of a relatively normal member is undoubtedly the best way to balance their mental state.

Kakashi's shoulder twitched slightly.

Surveillance...

"I refuse, Hokage-sama."

"Oh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow slightly; the refusal was so decisive that it surprised even him.

Kakashi didn't give him a chance to ask further questions, and gave a good reason: "You know Sasuke's personality. In the past four years, he has only barely accepted Naruto."

"The sudden addition of a new member will only exacerbate the conflict and disrupt the balance that has been painstakingly established."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. He looked into Kakashi's determined eyes and recalled his decision four years ago to "give sunshine and companions." He also remembered Sasuke's cold demeanor, yet always standing in front of Naruto at crucial moments.

perhaps.......

I was really too hasty.

"Ugh……"

After a long silence, the Third Hokage sighed heavily and picked up his pipe again. "Alright, Kakashi, since you insist, let's put this matter aside for now."

Thank you for your understanding.

Kakashi nodded slightly, and with a flash, disappeared silently from the spot.

......

Third training ground.

"ha--!"

Naruto Uzumaki exhausted his last bit of chakra and collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.

He looked at Sasuke, who was still practicing Blade Zen not far away, and Kakashi, who was leisurely reading a book under a tree, and a certain emotion finally erupted at this moment.

"I'm so bored!"

Naruto suddenly jumped up from the ground and yelled at the two of them, "I've been out of school for two years already, why am I still training here every day?!"

"I also want to go out on missions like a real ninja!"

Sasuke was startled awake. He slowly sheathed his sword and took out a cloth to carefully wipe the black blade of "Indra".

Hearing Naruto's complaint, he snorted coldly without even looking up.

"Task?"

Sasuke's voice was full of disdain, "You haven't even mastered the most basic chakra nature transformation, and you want to carry out a mission? Don't go and cause trouble for others, you idiot."

"What did you say?! I've already tried my best!" Naruto immediately jumped up to retort.

"Even a hardworking idiot is still an idiot."

"You bastard—!"

Kakashi looked at the energetic Naruto in front of him, finally closed the book "Make-Out Paradise" in his hand, and fell into deep thought.

He understood Naruto's desire for recognition, and completing the mission was the most direct way to prove himself to the village.

More importantly...

Kakashi's eyes deepened.

He could no longer protect them like flowers in a greenhouse, keeping them safe in the village.

The cruelty of the ninja world, and the conspiracies hidden beneath the surface of peace, are realities they will have to face sooner or later.

Only a knife that has truly seen blood can become sharp.

"Ok."

Kakashi finally stood up straight, a long-lost serious expression on his face. "Since you're so enthusiastic, let's go and try out a mission."

"Really?!" Naruto cheered instantly.

Kakashi paused deliberately, looking at his excited expression, and then grinned, revealing a malicious smile.

"But don't come crying and begging to go home when the time comes."

"Who, who would cry!" Naruto immediately retorted, his face turning red as he excitedly waved his fist.

......

Task posting center.