Chapter 11 (Patreon)

Not to mention, the deaths of Kakashi’s close friends, Obito and Rin, had left him with scars that never truly healed.

And because of that pain, Kakashi had grown cold.

During the Third Shinobi World War, he had even earned the title “Cold-Blooded Kakashi.”

Toward the comrades around him, he became distant as well.

Because he was afraid.

Afraid that anyone connected to him would be hurt again.

But precisely because of that distance—or perhaps because of that indifference—one day, a comrade who could have been saved might die because of his coldness.

Even if he never raised a hand himself, it would still be the same as having done it indirectly.

Not acting was also a kind of action.

And more than that…

If he did not cherish the people still beside him, then when the last person who remembered Obito and Rin disappeared…

Wouldn’t that mean they had truly vanished from this world?

The moment that thought crossed his mind, cold sweat broke out across Kakashi’s back.

“Yujiro… thank you.”

Kakashi stood up and bowed deeply to him.

He had finally understood many things.

At the same time, the heart he had sealed away for so long began to open, little by little.

“Yeah.”

Yujiro accepted his thanks without making a big deal of it.

“Itachi, come train with me.”

After saying that, Yujiro calmly picked up his black blade and walked outside.

Itachi stood up, gave Kakashi a polite nod, and quickly followed after Yujiro.

As for Kakashi, Yujiro guessed the guy’s head was probably a mess right now.

So it was better to let him think it through on his own.

Yujiro tilted his head slightly and glanced at Itachi, who was walking beside him with a tight frown.

“What? Something bothering you?”

“No.”

Itachi shook his head, but then stopped. A faint confusion appeared in his eyes.

“Yujiro-san… what do you think the meaning of life is?”

Sure enough.

Itachi still asked that question.

Yujiro thought for a moment before answering.

“The meaning of life is simple. Just two words.”

He turned his head and looked at Itachi.

“To live.”

“To live…”

Itachi murmured the words, but he clearly did not understand.

Yujiro smiled faintly.

“Still don’t get it?”

Itachi lowered his gaze with a little embarrassment.

“…Not really.”

“I’m going to kill your unborn otōto.”

Yujiro’s voice suddenly turned cold.

In the next instant, the air around him changed.

A murderous pressure burst out without warning.

“No!”

Itachi shouted almost by instinct.

His chest rose and fell violently, and his eyes trembled.

Yujiro withdrew his killing intent and flicked Itachi hard on the forehead.

“Now you understand?”

The aura Itachi had released just now was even stronger than when he trained seriously.

As expected of an Uchiha.

This clan really did have little-brother obsession running through its blood.

The old sayings never lied.

“It seems…” Itachi took a deep breath and bowed his head. “I understand a little now.”

Yujiro clicked his tongue.

“Good. Then let’s go train.”

“Yes.”

Itachi straightened himself and rubbed his forehead.

That one actually hurt.

A short while later, Itachi suddenly looked up from behind Yujiro.

“Yujiro-san…”

“What?”

“What you said just now… was a joke, right?”

Yujiro: “…”

…

…

After Yujiro left the house, Kakashi remained there for only a few more minutes before vanishing as well.

He had to report what happened to Minato-sensei.

Yujiro’s words contained too many things.

Kakashi could not digest them alone.

Inside the Hokage building.

Minato sat at his desk, staring at the documents before him with a troubled expression.

“Good. Very good. Just as I expected.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the office chair and slowly took a drag from his pipe.

There was a satisfied look on his face.

Yes.

Satisfied.

Minato looked at the Third Hokage in disbelief.

The report in front of them recorded the casualties along the border during this period.

People had died.

How could the Third still smile?

Hiruzen gently placed the document down and looked at Minato.

“Well? I told you my strategy was correct.”

He smiled and continued, “The weather has turned cold. The major nations can no longer afford prolonged consumption. During this period, border casualties have been reduced to the lowest possible level.”

Lowest possible level?

Minato took a deep breath.

Low did not mean zero.

“Good. For now, I’ll leave the village’s related matters to you.”

Hiruzen exhaled a ring of smoke, placed his hands behind his back, and walked out.

Minato watched the Third Hokage’s back, feeling a deep sense of helplessness settle in his chest.

His gaze lowered to the files on the desk.

Behind every number written there was the life of a shinobi.

Did the Third Hokage truly not care?

Knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door.

“Come in.”

Minato steadied himself and sat upright.

The door opened, and Kakashi walked inside.

“Minato-sensei.”

“Kakashi.”

Seeing his student, Minato’s expression softened into a warm smile.

Perhaps only in front of his own disciples could he still show that kind of face.

“Sensei… may I ask you something?”

Kakashi’s voice was low.

“What is it?”

Minato was slightly surprised.

Kakashi took a deep breath.

“How many times do you think a person dies in their life?”

Minato froze.

Once?

No.

Kakashi was his student. He would not ask something like that without a reason.

“…I don’t know.”

Minato shook his head and quietly waited for Kakashi to continue.

“Three times.”

Kakashi’s voice was serious.

Then, he repeated everything Yujiro had said to him at noon.

Word for word.

After listening, Minato sat there in a daze.

His blue eyes were filled with deep shock.