Konoha Hospital, Kakashi's room.
The invincible Kakashi-sama is hospitalized again!
The afterglow of the setting sun crept in through the window frames, dyeing the frosted glass a warm, melting orange.
Kakashi, in a blue and white hospital gown, leaned half-against a fluffy cushion, a book spread across his lap—'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja'.
Kakashi had retreated to the Village with Kirigakure army; the process was somewhat easy, as he was carried back as a wounded soldier.
Although he was Konoha's youngest Jonin, he was truly fragile. Youth is great—one touch and he's out.
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya's inspirational novel. The protagonist was named 'Naruto', and the main storyline followed Naruto's tenacious will in fighting the curse of war and hatred in the Ninja World.
Kakashi closed the book and stared at the off-white ceiling. Although the story was inspirational, he felt nothing towards it.
Whenever he closed his eyes now, he would recall the day Obito was crushed by the giant boulder.
"Rin, take my left eye... along with the optic nerve, and transplant it into Kakashi. Consider it... a gift to celebrate him becoming a Jonin."
"Kakashi, I will become your eye and help you see the future."
"Obito!"
Kakashi clenched his fist tightly and punched the flower-filled ceramic vase beside him. With a bang, the vase shattered, and Kakashi's palm began to bleed.
But Kakashi didn't care about the injury on his hand. He lowered his head, tears streaming down, and said, "Why? Why didn't I cherish you sooner, Obito?"
People only learn to cherish what they have after they lose it!
After Sakumo's death, Kakashi became the cold-blooded Kakashi who prioritized missions above all else.
In his eyes, there was no trust for his comrades, only a zeal for missions.
This kind of person is like a 'hatchet runner' teammate; his eyes held no concern for his comrades, only greed.
Kakashi pressed his left eye. It wasn't until he had Obito's eye transplanted that Kakashi saw the value of comrades.
"In the Ninja World, those who break the rules and regulations are called trash. But those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than trash."
"Knock, knock, knock—"
The sound of knocking on the ward door rang out. Kakashi quickly got up to clear away the fragments of the vase on the table, then lay back down to hide his injured hand.
"Kakashi, we're coming in!"
Kushina pushed the door open boisterously, followed by Rin from Minato's Squad and Kakashi's classmates.
Kurenai, Asuma, Shizune.
Guy, Ebisu, Genma.
Guy, Ebisu, and Genma were all in the same team and had also retreated to the Village from Kirigakure front.
Kakashi had been carried back by Guy.
The girls brought flowers to visit Kakashi. Kurenai and Shizune brought carnations and sunflowers, symbolizing health and vitality.
Rin's gift was somewhat unusual: pink roses, flowers of secret love and confession.
No one intended to mock her; it was common knowledge that Rin liked Kakashi.
Guy, on the other hand, gave Kakashi a barbell: "Kakashi, youth is not for you to slack off with!"
"Even if youth is tainted with illness, it must bloom with the most beautiful colors."
Kakashi looked at Guy, who was flashing his bright white teeth, and didn't know how to complain.
Ebisu pushed Guy aside: "Enough, Guy. What Kakashi needs most right now is rest."
"Kakashi, I was afraid you'd be bored here, so I'll give you this novel I've treasured for a long time!"
Kakashi was about to take it, but suddenly saw the title—'the mirror of romance and lust'.
He didn't know whether to take it or not!
At this time, Kakashi had not yet degenerated into the kidney-deficient Kakashi of later years who read little yellow books; his mental outlook was still very healthy.
Kushina transformed into the bloody red pepper and knocked Ebisu to the ground with one punch.
"Ebisu, you brat, don't think Kakashi is like you!"
Rin, Shizune, and the others all agreed.
Kakashi's current style was like Sasuke's in the future, taking the cool and aloof route, which was quite popular with young girls.
Ebisu clutched his head and said somewhat bitterly, "My eyes won't deceive me; Kakashi must be a closet pervert!"
"You're still talking!"
Rin had already rolled up her sleeves, ready to act.
Ebisu noticed one of Kakashi's hands hidden under the covers and reminded everyone: "Look at Kakashi's right hand, it's been hidden under the covers the whole time. He must have been doing that just now!"
"Kakashi, what are you hiding? Quickly show your true colors! You white-haired pervert!"
Ebisu yanked Kakashi's blanket away, and suddenly Kakashi's bleeding hand could no longer be hidden.
"Kakashi—"
Kushina's angry voice echoed throughout Konoha Hospital... Yakushi Nono carefully bandaged Kakashi and warned, "Don't hurt yourself anymore in the future. You must take care of your body."
Kushina thanked Nono: "Thank you so much, Nono!"
Kushina had been to the hospital several times and had become acquainted with this kind Medical Ninja over time.
Later, she heard that Nono was also the director of an orphanage. Because the orphanage lacked funds, she came to Konoha Hospital to work and earn money.
Kushina admired her even more after hearing this and developed a desire to befriend Nono.
Nono pushed up her glasses: "No need to thank me, Kushina. We are friends."
Kushina smiled happily: "Yes, we are friends."
Because she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina had few female friends her age in the Village. Mikoto was one, and now Nono could be considered one as well.
Nono looked at Kushina's somewhat silly smile, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes.
"Priestess, find a way to get close to Kushina, observe her every move, and keep an eye on her pregnancy at all times."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
That hint of complexity was immediately severed by Nono. Root had already set its sights on the orphanage; Nono absolutely could not let Lord Danzo down.
Otherwise, Danzo would have Root members go to the orphanage and play 'Only Mother is Good in This World'.
"I still have things to do, so I'll leave first, Kushina!"
"Take care!"
"By the way, Kakashi's injuries are mostly healed. He can be discharged in two days after the stitches are removed."
"Is that so? That's great."
After Nono left, Kushina pinched Kakashi's ear and said angrily, "Kakashi, who told you to punch things?"
Kakashi apologized in pain: "Sister Kushina, I was wrong. I won't do it again."
Rin also spoke up for Kakashi: "Sister Kushina, Kakashi already knows he was wrong, so please let him off!"
Kushina snorted and let go of Kakashi's ear: "If I see you punching things and doing such stupid things again, I'll punish you—"
Kushina looked around and her eyes lit up when she saw Guy: "—by making you wear Guy's clothes and cutting your hair into a bowl cut!"