"Finally arrived, although the distance is less than our previous missions abroad, the journey took even more time." Obito made a remark while looking at the towering Konoha gate ahead.
Previously, they would travel at a brisk pace as part of their training. However, due to significant injuries this time, they couldn't push themselves as hard, resulting in a much slower pace.
Kakashi felt a wave of relief wash over him as he gazed at the Konoha gate.
On the battlefield, he might not have contributed the most physically, but he was undoubtedly the most mentally exhausted.
He believed it was his duty, as the vice captain, to ensure all team members returned safely. He meticulously planned each operation, which was mentally taxing.
"Guy, do you want to head home first, or go straight to the hospital with me?" After entering Konoha, Kakashi turned to Might Guy.
Although Mokgetsu assisted them with Shadow Clones, their Chakra was limited. If used for Guy's Medical Ninjutsu, it couldn't sustain the Shadow Clone itself, so Might Guy still needed to recuperate at Konoha Hospital.
Kakashi was in a similar situation, but he only needed a week's stay.
"Let's go directly to the hospital. My dad is still on the battlefield, so there's no one at home." Might Guy quickly responded.
Kakashi nodded and prepared to head to Konoha Hospital with Might Guy.
"Let's all go together. Even if we don't need to be hospitalized, we can still get a check-up," Rin Nohara suggested.
"Obito, what do you think?" Rin asked Obito after speaking.
Obito instinctively nodded, looking into Rin's gentle eyes.
Rin clapped her hands with a bright smile, "Great, we all had the same idea."
It was only then that Obito remembered he originally intended to go home directly to assure his grandmother he was safe.
But seeing Rin's bright smile, he eventually kept quiet, thinking a hospital visit wouldn't take long.
The four of them then headed to Konoha Hospital together.
"Huh, are you Hatake Kakashi? The 'Leaf's Little White Fang'?"
The ninja handling Kakashi's hospital registration looked at his face and then the newspaper beside him with a surprised expression.
Kakashi showed a peculiar expression, thinking, "What kind of stupid name is 'Leaf's Little White Fang'?"
"Haha, 'Leaf's Little White Fang'? What a weird nickname! Is it because you're not tall enough, Kakashi?"
Obito directly laughed out loud.
"I am indeed Hatake Kakashi, but I'm not the 'Leaf's Little White Fang'."
Kakashi, ignoring Obito, calmly responded to the hospital ninja's question.
Due to Obito's voice, the hospital ninja then realized that Uchiha Obito, Might Guy, and Nohara Rin were all present.
"You guys just came back from the frontline, right? Your exploits on the battlefield are all over Konoha thanks to the newspaper. Everyone's saying Kakashi, you might become the next White Fang of Konoha," the hospital ninja said with a smile.
If Mokgetsu was the protagonist of the latest issue of the Konoha Newspaper, Kakashi was an important supporting role. Added with his father's background, his discussion rate exceeded that of Might Guy, second only to Mokgetsu.
Though the original White Fang ultimately took his own life due to a mission failure, leaving a huge stigma, he earned his strong reputation by his strength. The nickname 'Little White Fang' didn't carry any satirical meaning. It was just hopeful about Kakashi's future.
After all, Kakashi, even at the age of ten, boasted the achievement of defeating Suikazan Fuguki. Although it wasn't solo, it was still a commendable feat.
"Your taste in nicknames is pretty bad," Kakashi said bluntly.
Even though he could tell that the hospital ninja's words were without malice, Kakashi still didn't like the name.
After going through a series of incidents, Kakashi had let go of many things, coming to terms with his past self and his deceased father, but that didn't mean he enjoyed being called Little White Fang.
He didn't need to become anyone else. If he had a goal, it was to surpass the White Fang of Konoha as Hatake Kakashi, not to become the next White Fang of Konoha.
"Indeed, Lord White Fang didn't have such achievements at ten. Using 'Leaf's Little White Fang' is really inappropriate," the hospital ninja agreed, continuing with Kakashi's point.
After all, he wasn't the one who came up with the nickname, so Kakashi wasn't criticizing him.
"By the way, since you guys are back, has Lord Mokgetsu returned as well?" The hospital ninja couldn't help but ask.
With the release of the latest Konoha Newspaper, Mokgetsu quickly became the most discussed ninja in Konoha and even in the Land of Fire, overshadowing Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Mokgetsu, though not a nobody in Konoha, was not regarded as a powerhouse like the Yellow Flash in the public's perception. This achievement caused quite a stir.
"No, please complete the registration quickly," Kakashi reminded.
Even slackers have limits. Chatting openly during work hours was a bit too much.
The hospital ninja, realizing he was still on duty, quickly helped Might Guy and Kakashi complete their hospital admission with a guilty glance.
"Hand over the newspaper as compensation for slacking off," Kakashi said, extending his hand after completing the registration.
"Please don't report me," the hospital ninja said, honestly handing over the newspaper to Kakashi, figuring it wasn't worth much since he'd already read it.
"Let me see, let me see," Obito eagerly leaned in once Kakashi received the newspaper, curious about its contents.