Ever since being put in his place by Kai, Kakashi's mood had taken a downturn.
It wasn't resentment.
Rather—
he had come to realize that, all these years, he had failed to take care of his junior… Uzumaki Naruto.
For the first time—
he felt a trace of guilt.
…
It was a day off.
The sun was bright.
Kakashi removed his ANBU mask, took off the standard-issue uniform, and changed into ordinary clothes before stepping outside.
The warm sunlight fell across his face—
a stark contrast to the darkness he was used to.
For years now, his life had been nothing but loss.
First, his father, Sakumo Hatake, was driven to suicide after abandoning a mission to save his comrades.
Then, Uchiha Obito "died" saving Kakashi during a mission.
After that, Nohara Rin chose to die by his hand to prevent the Three-Tails from rampaging in Konoha.
And finally—
his teacher and his wife—
the Fourth Hokage and Kushina—
perished under the Nine-Tails' claws.
In just ten years—
everyone close to him was gone.
The blow was devastating.
The once-proud youth had become an emotionless ANBU operative.
Day after day—
missions.
Then returning home to stare blankly at nothing.
His only hobby—
Make-Out Paradise.
…
These painful experiences had nearly shattered his heart—
and caused him to completely neglect Naruto.
…
Following a familiar route, Kakashi made his way to Naruto's apartment.
He climbed the stairs—
and arrived at the door.
He didn't knock.
Peering through the window—
he saw Naruto wasn't home.
After a moment's thought—
he slipped inside through the window.
…
The table was covered with empty instant noodle cups.
Cockroaches crawled beneath it.
The living conditions—
were terrible.
"…Living on instant noodles isn't good. He needs vegetables for proper nutrition."
Kakashi sighed.
"That kid is really something…"
Yesterday, he had wanted to step in.
But Naruto's identity as the "demon fox"—
and the Hokage's orders—
held him back.
Hiruzen was his superior.
He had to obey.
…
Walking over, he picked up a carton of milk.
"…Expired."
He shook his head.
"He'll get a stomachache at this rate."
…
After leaving, Kakashi made a decision.
Maybe—
it was time to report to the Hokage.
Something had to change.
After all—
Naruto was Minato and Kushina's son.
…
"…I'll go to Shueisha Hall."
The latest volume of Make-Out Paradise had just released.
The story had reached a particularly… compelling stage.
Kakashi had been waiting for over two months.
Yesterday, he had been too busy with missions.
But today—
nothing would stop him.
…
Ten minutes later—
he arrived.
"What!?"
"Sold out?! Already?! Didn't it just release yesterday?!"
Kakashi stood frozen.
Eyes wide.
Disbelief written all over his face.
Each shipment had hundreds of copies.
How could they be gone in a single day?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
…
"You don't know? The latest volume is amazing! Everyone loves it!" the shop owner said enthusiastically.
Hearing this, Kakashi's curiosity only grew stronger.
But something felt off.
Very off.
…
"Boss, I'm a regular here," Kakashi said politely. "Can you tell me how it sold out so fast?"
The owner grinned.
"Since you're a regular, I'll tell you."
"I met a kindred spirit yesterday!"
"A young guy came in and bought over a hundred copies in one go!"
…
Kakashi's brows furrowed.
A bad feeling crept in.
"…Do you know who it was?"
He only needed one copy.
If he could track the buyer down—
maybe he could purchase one back.
Even at double—
triple the price—
he didn't care.
The story had reached the hot spring arc.
The scenes.
The tension.
It was like ants crawling all over him—
unbearable.
He needed to know what happened next.
…
The owner hesitated.
Then said righteously:
"We may be a small shop, but we have principles!"
"We never reveal customer information!"
"We must protect our customers' privacy!"
His tone—
firm and noble.
…
Kakashi silently took out 500 ryō.
The owner's expression turned cold.
"You think I'd sell out a customer for 500? Impossible."
Kakashi increased it to 1,000.
The owner laughed disdainfully.
"My reputation is built over years. I've never leaked information!"
1,500.
"Stop wasting your time!"
Kakashi's patience snapped.
"2,000."
"My final offer."
He could've used ANBU resources—
but that would be humiliating.
A squad captain using ANBU to track down a romance novel buyer?
Absolutely not.
…
"Deal!"
The owner instantly grabbed the money.
Without hesitation.
"It was a boy—about eight or nine."
"Wearing Uchiha clothing."
…
Uchiha.
The moment he heard it—
Kakashi's bad feeling intensified.
"And he had one distinctive trait!"
"What trait?"
"He was extremely handsome!"
…
Kakashi stared at him—
resisting the urge to strangle him.
That's a trait?!
Ridiculous.
…
At this point—
he was almost certain.
That Uchiha brat from yesterday—
Kai—
was behind this.
"To even know I like Make-Out Paradise…"
"…this kid is troublesome."
The angle of attack—
too precise.
Too cruel.
…
"No."
"I must stay calm."
"I won't bow to an Uchiha."
…
"…No, I can't take this anymore!!!"
Kakashi suddenly roared in public.
In the next instant—
he vanished.
Body Flicker.
Gone without a trace.
Destination—
obvious.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/MythArcStudio