Kakashi glanced at Danzō, his expression unchanged.
This was the man who had once instigated him to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi—and who had colluded with Orochimaru in conducting human experiments.
He could never quite understand why the Third Hokage would keep someone like this by his side, even entrusting him with the important position of Hokage Advisor.
But after years in the Anbu, Kakashi had grown far more mature. Some questions simply weren't meant to be asked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shot Danzō a look.
"Everyone, return for now. We'll convene a pre-war meeting tomorrow."
As for driving a wedge between the Uchiha and the Hyūga, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to act personally. That task could only be handed over to Danzō.
Kumogakure's declaration of war against Konoha had already spread throughout the shinobi world. It was indeed time to hold a pre-war conference.
Kakashi was the first to leave. He quickly returned home and changed out of his Anbu uniform.
When he stepped outside again, Might Guy was, unsurprisingly, already waiting at the door.
"Kakashi, let's have a youthful duel!"
Guy struck a pose, burning with passion.
Kakashi rolled his eyes, ignored him, and headed straight toward Ichiraku Ramen.
It was dinner time. He had no intention of fooling around with this muscle-brained idiot.
Guy didn't press him. He simply followed alongside him.
He had no mission today and had trained all day. He was genuinely hungry.
They could have their hot-blooded duel after eating—it wouldn't be too late.
"One large tonkotsu ramen."
"Same for me."
Upon entering the shop, the two immediately placed their orders with Teuchi.
"You're here. Long time no see!"
Just as they sat down, someone beside them—who had been eating quietly—suddenly greeted them.
Kakashi and Might Guy turned at once to see their former classmate, Uchiha Akihito, enjoying his noodles.
"Akihito?"
Might Guy shot to his feet in shock, disbelief written all over his face.
Akihito might be their old classmate, but he was now the Clan Head of the Uchiha.
It wasn't every day that such an important figure could be seen eating at a ramen stand.
Kakashi, however, didn't react much. He merely nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
He had graduated from the Academy earlier than most and hadn't been particularly close with Akihito.
But because of Obito, he paid more attention to the Uchiha than usual.
And through his work in the Anbu, he had learned quite a bit of information about the Uchiha as well.
"What? Surprised?" Akihito asked with a smile, looking at Guy.
Though he was the Uchiha Clan Head, he had never indulged in special privileges, nor arranged for attendants to take care of his daily life.
He lived alone and rarely cooked for himself.
Either he ate out, or he went to freeload meals at Fugaku's, Masato's, or Tetsuya's homes.
He trained hard every day—who had time to cook?
Most of the time, when eating out, he would go to restaurants owned by Uchiha clansmen.
Today, however, he had suddenly felt like having ramen. He hadn't expected to run into Kakashi and Guy.
"Uh…"
Guy scratched his head, unsure what to say.
Was it strange?
Not really.
There was no rule saying the Uchiha Clan Head couldn't eat ramen.
"Haha, come to think of it, it really has been a long time!" Guy laughed awkwardly and sat back down.
"Oh right—congratulations on becoming the Uchiha Clan Head!"
Suddenly remembering, Guy spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
After all, they were former classmates. Akihito had become Clan Head, and he hadn't gone to offer his congratulations.
It wasn't awkward when they didn't see each other—but face to face, it was hard not to feel a little self-conscious.
"I never expected your strength to improve so quickly," Guy said with emotion.
Back at the Academy, Akihito's performance had been average.
Not a dead-last like Obito—
But only slightly above average. Nowhere near a genius like Kakashi.
Yet after graduation, Akihito's strength had soared. During the Third Shinobi War, he had earned the nickname "Flame Demon."
Now, his power had even surpassed the extraordinarily talented Kakashi.
The Uchiha bloodline was truly terrifying.
Once the Sharingan awakened, one's strength could skyrocket.
Ordinary jōnin were no match at all.
"Heh, I was just lucky," Akihito said stiffly with a light laugh.
He knew Guy's temperament well—whenever he saw a strong opponent, he'd want to have a hot-blooded duel.
"Kakashi, have you mastered the Uchiha Sharingan yet?"
Akihito quickly changed the subject, turning toward Kakashi.
He had no intention of being pestered by someone like Guy.
Kakashi was known as the "Copy Ninja." Compared to Akihito's title of "Flame Demon," Kakashi seemed to grasp the true essence of the Sharingan even more deeply.
Kakashi lowered his head and remained silent, lost in thought.
A trace of melancholy passed through his eyes.
Every time he saw Uchiha Akihito, he couldn't help but think of Uchiha Obito.
If Obito were still alive, he probably wouldn't be any worse than Akihito, would he?
"Sorry. I'll be going first."
Kakashi suddenly stood up, left the money behind, muttered softly, and walked away.
Judging from the direction he was heading, it was toward the Konoha Memorial Stone.
Akihito calmly watched his departing figure and sighed.
"Seems like seeing me stirred up memories for him again."
He clearly noticed the guilt lingering in Kakashi's eyes.
As long as that feeling remained, there was still a chance to win Kakashi over—turn him into one of the Uchiha's supporters. From the original story, one could see hints of this in Kakashi's favoritism toward Sasuke.
When Uchiha Itachi had served in the Anbu, he had also been Kakashi's teammate.
Given Kakashi's personality, the fact that he could team up with Itachi for so long likely stemmed from that lingering guilt toward the Uchiha.
What?
Obito isn't dead?
Does that matter?
Not at all. As long as Kakashi believed Obito was dead, that was enough.
"Kakashi…"
Guy stared at Kakashi's retreating back in silence.
Even he understood that now wasn't the time to disturb him.
Akihito and Guy said nothing more, each quietly finishing their ramen.
Guy ate extremely fast, finishing even before Akihito, who had arrived earlier.
The moment he put down his bowl, Guy's gaze locked onto Akihito.
"…Hm?"
Under Guy's intense stare, Akihito felt a headache coming on.
Don't tell me this guy wants to have a youthful duel with me?
With Guy's perseverance, even if you dodge him on the first day of the lunar month, you won't escape him on the fifteenth.
He was exactly the type who wouldn't turn back until he hit the Yellow River—or crashed headfirst into a wall.
Sure enough.
The moment Akihito set down his chopsticks, Guy's challenge followed immediately.
"Akihito, let's have a youthful duel!"
Guy cracked his knuckles, eager and brimming with fighting spirit.
Ever since Akihito made a name for himself, Guy had wanted to test himself against him.
Now that he finally had the chance, how could he let it slip?
Akihito paused briefly before reluctantly nodding.
If he refused now, it would only become more troublesome later.
"A spar is fine."
"But you must agree to one condition—this duel happens only once. No repeats."
His tone shifted, turning serious.
As the Uchiha Clan Head, he absolutely couldn't lose.
But winning had its drawbacks too.
What if Guy started pestering him the way he harassed Kakashi?
He had no desire to become this muscle demon's free sparring partner.
If he held back and forced a draw, Guy might see through it.
That would hurt his pride even more—what if he went all out and activated the Eight Gates against him?
Rock Lee could open five gates at thirteen.
Guy was already seventeen. Opening the Seventh Gate was probably no problem.
Seventh Gate Guy might not be able to kick down a god—but taking down an ordinary Kage-level shinobi?
That was entirely possible.
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