"The reason Kakashi became like this," Qianyu told Obito, his voice flat, "is Konoha."
Obito stared back, his eyes clouded with confusion.
"Back then," Qianyu continued, "Kakashi was someone who loved his comrades, who loved the village. You were his classmate. His friend. You should understand that much.
"What Minato-sensei said wasn't wrong. The beginning of Kakashi's change was Lord Sakumo's death.
"A man who believed in the Will of Fire, Lord Sakumo chose to abandon the rules to save his comrades. Was he wrong? Yes. But only by the rules. So, he should have been punished by the rules.
"But the entire village condemned him. Every single person. Wasn't that the same as condemning the Will of Fire itself? Saying that spirit was a mistake?
"Lord Sakumo didn't kill himself because he couldn't bear the criticism. He wasn't that weak.
"The real reason was that his faith shattered. His entire world broke. So, he chose to leave it.
"And even if we say Lord Sakumo was wrong… why did it fall on Kakashi? Back then, even Kakashi was blamed. A child. Innocent.
"Lord Sakumo gave everything for Konoha. One mistake, and they threw it all away. They dragged his completely innocent son through the mud with him.
"Tell me, Obito." Qianyu's gaze sharpened. "What did Kakashi do wrong?"
Obito could only shake his head. How could any of it be Kakashi's fault?
"Since Kakashi did nothing wrong," Qianyu pressed, "why did they blame him?"
Obito opened his mouth. Closed it. Finally, he forced out three quiet words. "I… don't know."
A cold laugh escaped Qianyu. "You have the answer in your heart. You just don't dare say it. Fine. I'll say it for you. The ones who were wrong were the people of Konoha!
"Then let me ask you this. After going through that… why should Kakashi smile at them? Is it only 'normal' if he greets them with a happy face?
"You all say Kakashi changed. You even say it's because of me. Fine, I won't deny I played a part. But the biggest reason? Isn't it Konoha itself?
"Konoha made Kakashi this way. You all call me cold. You say Kakashi became cold after following me. So I ask you… is Konoha not cold?
"What did I do wrong? What did Kakashi do wrong, to deserve that?
"The Will of Fire is Konoha's spirit. Lord Sakumo chose to follow it. Was he wrong?
"Now, all Kakashi talks about are rules, regulations. That's because Konoha forced him to. Who can guarantee that if he doesn't follow the rules, he won't end up like Lord Sakumo? Can you guarantee that, Obito? Can Minato Namikaze guarantee it?"
Obito's mind was a storm. Something foundational was cracking, crumbling inside him. He stayed silent for a long time before finally looking up, confusion etched on his face.
"Qianyu-sama… why are you telling me all this?"
Qianyu's expression softened into a faint, knowing smile. "I despise the Uchiha clan. That's common knowledge. But you… you're different. I have high hopes for you, Obito. That's why I don't want you to misunderstand me. Or misunderstand Kakashi."
Obito felt a flush of embarrassed pride. High hopes? For me?
"It's fine if you don't understand now," Qianyu continued. "You will, someday. You'll see if what I said today was right or not. Who knows… we might even have a chance to work together in the future."
Obito scratched the back of his head, awkward. "There's no way. Qianyu-sama, someone as strong as you wouldn't need to work with me."
"I'm not joking, Obito." Qianyu's voice was utterly serious. "I mean it. I said I have high hopes for your future. I believe you will stand at the peak of the shinobi world.
"You don't have to believe it now. Just remember my words. If you ever need something, come find me. We can work together. On anything. Of course, cooperation means both sides are equal. You'd need to pay a fitting price.
"And if I come to you for help in the future, I'll bring the same. Don't turn me away then."
Obito could feel the sheer weight of Qianyu's sincerity. He nodded firmly. "I would never turn you away, Qianyu-sama. I'll remember."
Qianyu gave Obito's shoulder a light pat. "Good. Now get some rest. I won't keep you."
"Yes! Good night, Qianyu-sama!" Obito offered a quick bow before scampering off.
Qianyu watched him go, his eyes deep and unreadable.
The next day, the six of them regrouped.
"Alright," Minato announced, his tone all business. "It's time to move. We proceed as planned, in two teams. Stay sharp. The enemy we encountered yesterday was a lone scout. From here on out, expect team-based combat. Be careful."
Obito turned his head, a hint of stubborn pride in his voice. "Let's go then… Captain."
Kakashi, Minato, Rin, and Takeshi all looked at Obito in surprise. Just yesterday, he'd been a ball of defiance, refusing to acknowledge Kakashi's leadership. Now… 'Captain'?
Minato smiled inwardly, believing his words from the previous night had finally taken root.
"Kakashi," Qianyu said, drawing the silver-haired boy aside. "A moment. I have something to tell you."
Once they were alone, Qianyu fixed him with a hard stare. "Don't let your guard down in the coming fights. Stay alert. Stay cautious. And above all… protect your eyes. Do you understand?"
Kakashi was puzzled. Why the specific warning about his eyes? But he nodded. "Understood, Qianyu-sensei."
Qianyu still felt uneasy. A Transcription Seal: All-Rejection was already woven into Kakashi's left eye. But 'All-Rejection' couldn't stop a physical blade.
They rejoined the group. The teams split. Qianyu and his squad headed for the front lines, while Kakashi's team set their course for the Kannabi Bridge.
The journey was a gauntlet of traps. Kakashi's experienced eye spotted them all, his hands moving swiftly to dismantle wires, pressure plates, and hidden tags.
Deep in a dense forest, two figures watched from the shadows.
"Hey," Katon muttered to his partner, Ōishi. "Mogura went scouting and never came back. You think these brats took him out?"
"Let's ask them ourselves."
Ōishi's hands flew through a series of seals. "Ninja Art: Camouflage Concealment!"
His form shimmered, blending perfectly with the light and foliage. Invisible, he began to stalk silently toward the unsuspecting team.
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