Chapter 17: Dinner

Chapter 17: Dinner

Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction, turning his gaze toward Kakashi, who seemed lost in thought.

There was something about that white hair that made you just want to ruffle it…

Feeling a heavy hand on his head, Kakashi looked up and met Jiraiya's eyes.

"As for you, Kakashi, you'll need to pass the next test!"

"I understand... Jiraiya-sama," Kakashi replied without any hint of disappointment, still pondering Kagami's words from earlier.

The prejudice in people's hearts…

He had seen the pressure his father endured lately. The Uchiha... they'd been enduring this bias forever.

Even he felt that, aside from Obito the fool, the other Uchiha were hard to get along with.

Wasn't that a form of bullying, too?

He thought Kagami's words were a criticism. But Kagami's real thought was…

Since everyone already thinks the Uchiha will bring disaster to Konoha… let's make that wish come true.

…

At that moment, Minato let out a small sound from the hospital bed, showing signs of waking up.

Jiraiya hurriedly called out to Kushina, who was waiting outside.

Tsunade had left, feeling uncomfortable about her earlier overreaction.

Watching Minato and Kushina embrace on the bed, Jiraiya and the two boys tactfully left the room.

Walking down the hospital corridor, Kakashi couldn't resist asking Kagami softly, "What was that monster, exactly?"

Kagami shook his head. "I don't know. You should ask Jiraiya-sensei about that."

Overhearing, Jiraiya led them to a more secluded spot before he explained.

"In the war-torn history of the shinobi world, there exists a terrifying force deeply associated with calamity. These beasts of mass destruction are called tailed beasts."

"Out of concern for their immense power, the First Hokage captured and distributed the tailed beasts to the villages, hoping they would serve as deterrents against war."

This wasn't something to tell ordinary kids, but Jiraiya knew neither Kagami nor Kakashi were ordinary.

Jiraiya knew Kakashi—although different from Minato or Kagami, he was extremely gifted and would likely become his student after a little more testing.

"Our village holds the most powerful of them all, the Nine-Tails—that's the creature we saw…"

"The one who holds a tailed beast is called a jinchuriki."

Jiraiya's tone turned serious.

"Remember, you absolutely cannot talk to anyone about the Nine-Tails. The identity of a jinchuriki is a village secret!"

If they weren't becoming his students, there would be an ANBU team handling their memories right now.

Noticing the setting sun, Jiraiya dismissed them.

"Alright, it's getting late. Head home and get some rest."

"Meet me at Training Ground Four at six tomorrow morning!"

"Dismissed!"

With Minato safe, Jiraiya was eager to resume his "research."

The two walked a good distance from the hospital.

Kagami glanced back at Kakashi, who was following him. "Why are you following me? Your house is in the other direction."

"Ah…" Kakashi snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he wasn't on the path home.

But…

There was no one waiting for him there…

Kagami, once having been without family himself, understood Kakashi's situation. Although Sakumo hadn't committed suicide, Kakashi was still something of a "latchkey kid."

"Come have dinner at my place. But remember, just this once."

…

"Thank you, Kagami."

"Thank you... for saving my father's life."

After a moment of silence, Kagami said indifferently, "It has nothing to do with me. You don't owe me anything."

"Let's get this clear."

"If what I do benefits you, there's no need to be grateful. If it causes you pain, you're free to hate me."

"Kakashi, I don't care about your feelings."

…

Then why invite me over for dinner…

Kakashi felt he was starting to understand how to deal with a typical Uchiha.

Don't listen to what they say. Watch what they do.

Despite the terror of that tailed beast, Kagami had risked his life to help protect his village.

—

Kagami's home was on the outskirts of the Uchiha clan grounds, a sizable property.

The courtyard and other facilities were well-kept, marking Kagami's family as one of the more well-off Uchiha.

His grandfather's pension and clan subsidies ensured that Kagami never had to worry about money.

Once he became a shinobi, a portion of his mission earnings would go to the clan to support families struggling financially.

The Uchiha weren't like the Hyuga, who divided their members into masters and servants. Even the Uchiha leader had no authority over the lives of the regular clan members.

Kagami had thought a lot about why Itachi could do what he did, ultimately coming to a reasonable conclusion:

Because he never really connected with ordinary Uchiha.

A child prodigy, Itachi experienced the battlefield at four and was contemplating the relationship between the village and his clan at seven.

That was Fugaku's mistake in raising him.

Such an education could lead a genius into self-destructive thinking.

Because… even a genius cannot change the world or people's hearts.

Those who are too perceptive often suffer and rarely meet a good end.

Would a different approach to raising Itachi have helped?

Maybe, but Kagami didn't have the time or energy to reform him.

Itachi didn't love the Uchiha. He only loved Sasuke.

It'd be easier to destroy him than to change him.

…

"Has Shisui already started chakra training?"

Seeing little Shisui sitting properly in the courtyard, Kakashi asked.

"He's not a baby anymore. It's time to start learning."

Noticing his grandmother preparing vegetables, Kagami quickly took off his shoes and ran over.

"Grandma, I told you I'd be back to cook! You need to rest!"

Kagami's grandmother had been a ninja in her youth but retired after a severe injury.

Although she wasn't very old, lingering injuries had left her with many health problems.

It wasn't just physical; her husband's death had been a heavy blow. These were wounds time couldn't heal, only worsen.

His grandmother looked lovingly at Kagami bustling around, then noticed Kakashi.

"I remember you… You're Sakumo's son, aren't you? This is the first time Kagami has brought a friend home!"

Kakashi nodded politely, feeling a bit awkward and wanting to help.

Noticing the river fish in the basket, he took it out and skillfully began cleaning it.

"When my father wasn't around, I'd cook for myself."

"I didn't ask you."

Kagami prepared the ingredients while Kakashi used the other stove, each working in silence.

Kakashi was usually quiet, but with Kagami even quieter, he couldn't help but start a conversation.

"Is Obito's place nearby?"

"Of course, he's an Uchiha," Kagami replied while stir-frying some greens. "Head left for 300 meters, and you'll reach his house."

"You seem to really dislike Obito."

"It's not just 'seem to.'"

"Is it because you think a slacker like him taints the Uchiha's reputation?"

Kagami was silent for a while, the only sound being the sizzle of Kakashi's pan-fried fish.

"I guess you could say that."

…

"Your fish is overcooked."

"It's not overcooked. This is the Kakashi style: dry-fried river fish."

"Your greens are too mushy."

"Grandma's teeth aren't great; she likes her greens that way."

…

"Kagami, you're a really warm person."

Kakashi's confusion faded, and his smile was almost visible even beneath his mask.

Kagami gave him a cold look and warned, "My preferences are perfectly normal. Don't try any of that sappy nonsense on me. It's gross."

---

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