This handwriting is hers!
Upon confirming that it was Rin’s handwriting, Kakashi felt a flood of emotions surge within Him, nearly overwhelming his rational mind.
He almost broke down, but he was Kakashi, and rationality prevailed in the crucial moment.
Clenching his fists, he suppressed all his emotions and removed his mask, revealing his eerie Sharingan.
His crimson eye fixated on the name Rin Nohara.
Indeed, it was Rin’s handwriting.
But just handwriting alone wasn’t enough.
Kakashi calmed down and noticed something else with his Sharingan that immediately dispelled his doubts.
In a barely noticeable corner was writing done with a unique substance, faint and fragrant.
Kakashi noticed it because of the Sharingan.
He read the tiny words aloud.
“If you don’t believe it, come to Kirigakure and see Rin.”
“And Kakashi, look at the writing and make your choice.”
“Rin’s future is in your hands.”
See Rin?
Naoki Kaguya is so confident.
It seems real.
Rin is alive.
Kakashi’s eyes welled up with tears, which he tried to keep from falling on the scroll.
So, Naoki Kaguya wants me to make a choice.
Tilting his head back to let the tears flow away, he allowed the breeze to dry his eyes.
Then he looked back at the bold, inked words and read them softly.
“Tell Rin Nohara the future you see, Kakashi.”
“Will she live as a sewer rat or under the sun? It’s your choice.”
After reading, the room fell into absolute silence, and his hands involuntarily clenched.
Rin is alive.
Did Naoki save her?
Just like how he saved me once.
Kakashi fell into deep thought, staring at the scroll.
So, is this scroll a threat?
He shook his head, recalling Naoki Kaguya’s passionate speech about Konoha’s darkness.
More likely, it’s a recruitment effort.
He smiled bitterly.
As the future Sixth Hokage, Kakashi understood the implication behind Naoki Kaguya’s scroll.
Rin was a bargaining chip to get him to join Kirigakure.
Naoki Kaguya, you are indeed a purposeful person.
But.
What does it matter what his goal is?
Kakashi’s eyes showed determination.
At least he saved Rin.
At least he saved me and gave me a chance to find Obito.
So why not trust him and let Rin stay in Kirigakure for now?
After all, Rin is a rat.
A rat caught in a conspiracy can never see the sunlight in Konoha.
Unless ready to die.
Kakashi looked at the inked words.
Rin, stay in Kirigakure.
Stay in Kirigakure and live well under its sun.
If I can’t save Obito, we will meet in another world.
But if one day, I manage to rescue Obito.
Then we can go
Kakashi wavered, looking confused.
Konoha, Kirigakure?
Or somewhere else?
Where should we go?
This confusion lingered only briefly before fading away.
I’ll decide when the time comes.
For now, I need to tell Rin to live well.
And tell Naoki to protect Rin.
I will repay him in the future.
Kakashi wrote for a long time, filling the entire scroll before finally stopping.
He rolled it up, sealed it, and stood up.
“Pakkun, please run one more errand for me.”
Pakkun rubbed his eyes, looking at Kakashi.
He noticed a slight change in Kakashi’s usual gloomy demeanor but shrugged it off, took the scroll, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Kakashi glanced at the clock and quickly got ready.
The Hokage meeting was about to start.
If it involves Naoki Kaguya, I must pay close attention and analyze it well.
Since I’m entrusting Rin’s fate to him, I must do something in return, right?
Kakashi pulled up his mask and silently walked out.
Opening the door, the sky was slightly overcast, blocking the sun.
Is the weather in Kirigakure like this, too?
Kakashi sighed, feeling a bit pregnant.
I do like cloudy days.
. . . . .
“Hello, my name is Rin Nohara.”
Suppressing her complicated emotions, Rin Nohara finally spoke, realizing that her life depended on this man for now.
In her heart, she sighed. I can’t die before seeing Kakashi.
“Hmm, Rin, just call me Naoki.”
Naoki Kaguya replied calmly.
“Naoki.” Rin felt a bit uneasy.
She only addressed Kakashi and Obito so intimately.
But before seeing Kakashi, she didn’t want to give this man a negative impression because of such a small thing.
She hesitated and asked.
“I want to know, what happened to you and Kakashi afterwards?”
“Nothing much.”
Naoki shook his head.
“I told you, your fate is in your hands.”
“So, whether you know what happened after you were unconscious is up to Kakashi to decide.”
Rin nodded, suddenly feeling that Naoki wasn’t so hard to talk to.
Her courage grew.
“Then, if Kakashi makes a decision for me, will you really do as the scroll says?”
“Of course.”
Naoki nodded slightly.
Rin’s lips curved into a small smile, which she quickly hid.
If Kakashi decides, we’ll return to the village soon, right?
But will Naoki, this Shikotsumyaku user, really agree to such an extreme decision?
Rin’s heart sank again, uneasy and wanting to probe further for reassurance.
Just as she was about to speak, Naoki interrupted.
“That’s enough for now.”
Naoki paused.
“Pakkun is arriving.”
“Pakkun?”
Rin exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise.
“It’s Kakashi, isn’t it?”
Naoki nodded, pointing to the mask and robe.
Rin understood and quickly put them on.
By the campfire, they waited quietly for Pakkun.
“Rin, I want to remind you, Pakkun and Kakashi are companions, but not on the same side. Your identity must remain hidden.”
Rin nodded, knowing she had to obey as long as her fate was in Naoki’s hands.
【Kakashi Hatake’s fate has shifted, detected as a non-Kirigakure ninja, countdown to defection to Kirigakure (4/10)】
【Kakashi Hatake’s fate has shifted, detected as a non-Kirigakure ninja, countdown to defection to Kirigakure (5/10)】
Two mechanical sounds echoed, followed by a puff.
White smoke dispersed, revealing Pakkun.
The next moment, Pakkun skillfully placed his paw on his nose, showing the scroll in his mouth.
“Kakashi sent you this scroll, kid.”
Naoki took it with a nod, speaking calmly.
“Thank you, Pakkun.”
Pakkun lowered his paw and sighed.
“You’re just like Kakashi, I don’t hear any gratitude in your tone.”
“But, kid, if you have nothing else, let me go back quickly. Not smelling these scents is the best reward!”
Naoki smiled.
“Pakkun, you can go back. There’s no more to be done.”
Pakkun didn’t linger, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Naoki turned, handing the scroll to Rin.
“Here, this is Kakashi’s decision based on his judgment.”
“Whether you accept it is up to you.”
Rin took the scroll.
Seeing the familiar sealing script, she bit her lip and unsealed it.
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