Naruto: Starting with the Two Kamui

……

The place where the Konoha people stayed.

"Kakashi, you're awake?"

Chapter 98 A Mixed Feeling!

"Kai..." Kakashi woke up and tried to sit up, lifting the covers.

"Don't move around, your arm is badly injured," Kai said.

Kakashi looked down and saw that his broken arm was in a cast and sling around his neck. There must have been a medical ninja among the people accompanying him to deal with any unexpected situations.

Kakashi lay back down, staring blankly at the ceiling with his single eye.

Kai sat cross-legged on the tatami mat beside him and said, "Kakashi, I know what you're thinking, but some things, even if you regret them, are too late. We can only cherish what we have now and try our best to salvage what 'can' be salvaged'..."

Kakashi turned his somber gaze and said, "Are you trying to remind me that Obito is beyond redemption now?"

Kai shook his head and said, "No, he could have killed us, but he let us go. If you think about it carefully, none of the Konoha ninjas who have fought him have actually died so far (except for the Root). I think he still cares about Konoha and about you. If you look at it that way, it might not be impossible to salvage the situation."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi's dim eyes brightened slightly.

“However…” Kai paused, then suddenly said seriously, “Kakashi, are you sure he’s Obito? After all, only half his face was shown. If you hadn’t called out Obito’s name, I probably wouldn’t have even considered that possibility…”

Kakashi paused for a moment, then said, "Guy, you've never been able to remember people's faces. I'm afraid even if you saw your whole face, you still wouldn't recognize me..."

At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi arrived outside the door and was about to push it open and enter.

"That's not what I'm talking about. If Uchiha Yu is Obito, their strengths don't match at all. When Obito died, he was just a Chunin. How could he have grown to a level comparable to the Five Kage in just one year? That's unbelievable!"

But when Kai's voice came from inside the door, Kurenai Yuhi's outstretched hand paused, then slowly retracted to her chest.

Kakashi said wistfully, "Maybe you're right. Actually, when we teamed up in the past, I always looked down on Obito's strength. Even after he awakened the Sharingan, I didn't think it could bridge the gap in our fundamentals."

"Until... he pushed me away to save me, and was crushed under the boulder himself, that moment changed my arrogant perception, and I began to acknowledge in my heart that he was a ninja with the same potential as me..."

"Looking back now, I was too shallow. I never saw through that guy's true potential until half of his face was revealed to me from under the mask, and then I woke up from my dream..."

Kai's expression was somewhat complicated: "Kakashi..."

Kakashi looked up at the ceiling: "I think the biggest reason he doesn't want to accept me is that I didn't protect Rin well, and secondly, I'm too weak. I can't even completely take off his mask and talk to him as an equal. If Minato-sensei were here, the outcome would definitely be different..."

"Therefore, I must become stronger. One day, I will tear off his mask, making him unable to hide his true self anymore. I will make him acknowledge that I, Hatake Kakashi, am someone who is qualified to speak with him. Then, I will try to open my heart to him and win him back..."

Hearing this, Kai smiled with relief: "Kakashi, it's great that you can think about it from this perspective. I thought this would be a big blow to you and make you lose heart again, but it seems I was overthinking it!"

Kakashi turned to Guy and asked, "By the way, Guy, you didn't tell anyone about tonight's events, did you?"

Kai said, "No, I think you would want to keep it a secret, given your personality."

Kakashi said, "Well, don't tell anyone that Uchiha Yu is Obito yet, including Minato-sensei..."

Kai nodded: "Understood."

"Red, why are you standing here instead of going inside?" At that moment, Sarutobi Asuma's voice suddenly came from the corridor, followed by the Konoha members.

Inside the room, Kakashi and Guy were both taken aback.

"Ah, I just got here and was just about to go in..." Hong said hurriedly.

"You've come to see Kakashi, right? Let's go in together." Asuma patted Kurenai on the shoulder.

Once inside the room, everyone asked Kakashi how he was injured.

Kakashi, of course, kept quiet about the mission, because that wouldn't explain why Uchiha Yu would let him go.

They only said that the roads were slippery due to snow and that he accidentally fell and got injured.

"It seems that even the genius Kakashi has his moments of stumble. Get some rest tonight, there's a lively event in the Hidden Shadow Village tomorrow..." Asuma said.

"A grand event?"

"Queen Nadeshiko has issued a challenge to Shadow Uchiha Yu. Tomorrow, no, it should be noon today, the duel will take place at the training ground behind Hidden Shadow Village. There will definitely be many people watching..."

"I see..." Kakashi lowered his eyes and thought: Even if I stand close to him now, the distance is still incredibly far. Why bother to create trouble for myself?

Looking up, Kakashi said, "I won't go. I'll go back to Konoha with Guy as soon as it's light."

"Huh? Why?" Everyone was taken aback.

Kakashi pointed to his hand in a cast and said, "Wouldn't it be a disgrace to Konoha to walk down the street like this? Besides, I have something to report to Minato-sensei."

"Members of the Dark Division are always busy~ You should get some rest, we're leaving now." The group walked outside.

"Red." At that moment, Kakashi called out to Red.

Kurenai stamped her foot, then turned around after a moment, her expression normal, and asked, "Kakashi, what's wrong?"

Kakashi gazed at her for a moment, then asked, "Nothing? Are you feeling better?"

“Much better,” Hong said.

"That's good. Kai and I will go back tomorrow. You and Asuma are the strongest among us, so lead everyone well..."

"Yes, I will." Hong nodded, walked out of the room, and closed the door.

Kakashi thought to himself: Hopefully, I'm just overthinking it...

"Red, wanna grab some late-night snacks?" Asuma, who was waiting at the door, invited Red.

"Late-night snack?" Hong Xiu frowned slightly.

Asuma said, "Yes, you seem to be in a much better mood. Have something to warm yourself up; it's been so cold lately. I heard from Genma that there's a pretty good hot pot restaurant in Dark Hidden Village..."

"Let's skip it today. I want to go back and rest early," Red interrupted Asuma.

Asma was unaware that the red thread that was destined for him was gradually breaking because of his carelessness...

If Asuma had immediately realized something was wrong with Kurenai and then shown her the caring concern she would have when she grew up, perhaps there would still have been a chance to salvage the situation. However…

Asma stared at Hong's retreating figure, puzzled, and shook his head: "Perhaps she's just too tired from her long journey."

"Asuma, stop thinking about sneaking away. Tonight, let's go to the training ground and find a good spot so we can see better tomorrow!" Genma Shiranui said, chewing on a senbon (a type of Japanese sash).

"That's true. This is a good opportunity to understand Uchiha Yu's strength."

So Asuma and the Konoha members met up and headed towards the training ground.

Hong returned to her room alone, without turning on the light. She sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, gazing at the open window and the curtains fluttering in the wind...

Her red pupils held their usual cool indifference, but within that coolness lay a hint of confusion, a touch of helplessness, and a... stirring of emotions she herself couldn't quite understand...

And so, this somewhat long night passed in their own thoughts.

The shadowy Uchiha Yu, the Nadeshiko Queen Nadeshiko Saori—a captivating duel is about to begin…

Chapter 99 The Hidden Training Ground is in an uproar!

The following day at noon, the snow-covered training ground of Anhidden Village was bustling with people. The best viewing spots had been occupied overnight by various hidden villages, who used earth-style techniques to build temporary viewing seats.

The children from Ankugakure sat on the ground in the northwest corner of the training ground, with Kirigakure and Sunagakure villages on either side. Although the location was remote, it was always near the front.

"This is clearly our village, why can't we sit in the brightest spot to watch the battle? This is outrageous..." a child from Dark Hidden Village said angrily.

"Let's go find the teacher and ask them to stand up for us!"

"That's right!"

The children from Dark Hidden Village were furious and wanted to go find their teacher.

“Sit down! Asking a teacher for this kind of thing is shameful enough. Do you want people from other villages to look down on us?” Milozin shouted.

"What do we do? This is so frustrating!"

"Bear with it. We are too weak right now. Even this position was given to us by people from other villages out of respect for our Shadow Lord!" Mirojin said, clenching his fist.

The children sat down unwillingly.

Then, the last group of people arrived late. They were visitors sent by Amegakure. They were all wearing white jumpsuits, gas masks, and Amegakure headbands.

After looking around the front row of the training ground, they spotted a group of children in a corner who were not yet wearing headbands and whose clothes were all over the place, and they showed a contemptuous expression.

Before graduating from the Ninja Academy and being promoted to Genin, one cannot be considered a ninja and is not entitled to wear a headband or ninja attire. This is common knowledge. In the ninja world, this group is called fledglings.

The Rain Hidden Clan stepped forward and said arrogantly, "You, make way!"

Yes, these fledglings are the children of Dark Hidden Village!

"You're late, why should we give up our space!" The hot-tempered Milozin immediately flew into a rage, standing up and shouting.

"Why should we? Everyone here is a ninja, but what are you? Have you graduated from the Ninja Academy? Have you been promoted to Genin? Where's your headband? Can you use any decent ninjutsu? Show it to us!" The man leading the Amegakure ninja snarled arrogantly.

“You…” Mirozin’s face flushed red with anger.

"We won't let you, so what can you do? Dark Hidden Village is where we live. Do you have the guts to cause trouble here? Besides, you've only eaten a few more years' worth of food than us. Is that something to be proud of?" At this moment, Yamashiro Ryuufu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and said something quite reasonable.

The leader, Yu Yin, changed his expression and his eyes turned fierce.

"Alright, Captain, let's not make a scene..." the Rain Ninja behind him advised.

"Hmph, a bunch of bastards without parents, I'll just take pity on you." The leader, Yu Yin, sneered.

"What did you say?!" Enraged, Yamashiro Ryuufu instantly flew into a rage, rushing forward and wrestling with the leader of the Rain Ninja.

“Liu Feng!!” Yumir cried anxiously.

"What are you all standing there for?! They've come to bully us! Fight them!!" Milozin shouted.

"Ah!!!" The children of Dark Village were excited and rushed forward, ready to fight Rain Village.

"Damn it!! These orphans and bastards have rebelled, let's teach them a lesson!!" The Rain Shadow Clan was also furious.

A corner in the distance.

"Oh dear, that's about enough. If we don't stop it soon, something bad will happen," Afei said.

"Let me go!" White Zetsu #1 disappeared from the spot.

"Stop right there! This is Dark Hidden Village, not a place for you to run wild!" A sharp shout rang out, and the fighting crowd separated.

"Our village chief is a demigod of the ninja world, Hanzo of the Salamander! If Lord Hanzo had been present at the Five Kage Summit, your village chief would never have become the Shadow!" the Amegakure members shouted.

"Hey, hey, say whatever you want. In this Dark Hidden Village, you'd better follow the rules, or I'll let your demigod take all your corpses home..." Number 1 warned coldly.