Chapter 55: Secret Mission
If there was anyone who could cast a shadow on Minato's radiant light, it was the pale-haired boy—Kakashi Hatake.
Between Minato and Kakashi existed a strange, unspoken rift. Both understood the reason. It was like a siege: one trying to break free, the other trying to get in.
Minato wanted to honor Aizen as his mentor, while Kakashi seemed determined to walk his own solitary path. Whenever they met, tension lingered in the air—silent but palpable. Despite the decade of age between them, their personalities clashed so naturally it was almost comical.
After all, friendships can cross generations… and so can grudges.
Minato viewed the boy with a blend of admiration, envy, and frustration, while Kakashi looked at Minato as if he were an idiot with too much free time.
Though Kakashi no longer bore any strong resentment toward Aizen Sosuke, he saw him as someone far too distant—too flawless, too untouchable. A man without emotional vulnerability was no man at all in Kakashi's eyes, just a figure on a pedestal.
So their differences became a quiet battle of conviction—a "life-and-death struggle" fought through words, silence, and glares.
They had no real hatred between them, and yet… they couldn't stand each other.
Minato knew it was childish to be angry at a kid barely old enough for the Academy, but every time he looked at Kakashi's emotionless face, something in him burned.
A prodigy like him—cold, detached, unmotivated—it made Minato want to shake him.
Why couldn't he at least emulate Aizen's brilliance, his drive, his vision for the future of Konoha?
While Kakashi was credited with developing the Blut Arterie, Minato knew full well the idea, theory, and framework had come from Aizen.
It would have been fine if Kakashi just refused to study under him—but the boy's arrogance, his complete indifference—was infuriating.
What made it worse was that Kakashi knew. He understood everything perfectly… and still chose to act this way.
He was a genius, yes—but a stubborn one who refused to bend.
And then there were his ridiculous naming conventions.
Minato prided himself on giving his techniques strong, refined names—like Sage Wheel Rotation Secret Core Turbo Nine Styles, Third Modification.
Kakashi, on the other hand, called his prototypes things like Blut Arterie: Trial Version or Unfinished Model.
Where was the passion? The grandeur? The artistry?!
Aizen had even sided with Kakashi on this, saying, "It's simple and easy for a child to understand."
That, more than anything, made Minato want to pull his hair out.
Easy for children to understand? Then why are children even on the battlefield?!
He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Forget it. He's just a kid.
Turning toward Kushina, who looked far too entertained by his struggle, Minato gave her a pleading glance—his eyes silently begging her to help him get the brat to back off a little.
But Kakashi merely arched an eyebrow, staring at Minato like he was an idiot.
"What are you twitching for? Got an itch or something?"
"…."
Don't get angry. Don't get angry. He's six. He doesn't know better.
Kushina's muffled laughter beside him didn't help. Minato exhaled slowly, forcing a polite smile.
"Kakashi, why aren't you in the Academy? I remember Aizen asked you to attend and live a normal student life. Did you sneak out again?"
"The instructor said I don't pay attention in class. If you want, you can fight him for me. Beat him and I'll leave school early."
"…And then?"
"Well, I'm here now, aren't I? Were you even listening to me?"
"…."
"Pfft—"
Kushina couldn't help it. She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.
Kakashi, sitting astride the bench with that same blank expression, looked at her and smirked.
"So, Minato, who's the fiery lady? You finally found someone who can handle you?"
"He didn't tell you?" Kushina asked with a teasing smile. "I don't believe it."
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
At this point, he was a boy who had no one left to rely on. Even Aizen's influence couldn't thaw the ice that had formed around his heart.
When Teuchi set a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him, Kakashi began eating silently, showing no interest in conversation.
Kushina, however, wasn't one to stay quiet.
Leaning forward with her elbows on the counter, she smiled brightly.
"Alright then, let's skip the small talk. I'm Uzumaki Kushina. You're Kakashi Hatake—the one who helped develop the Blut Arterie, right? I've heard plenty about you."
"Ah? I doubt it was anything good," Kakashi said flatly.
"Well," Kushina admitted, "you're just a kid—but you already try to act like a grown-up. You take on burdens you shouldn't have to, trying to prove something that doesn't need proving."
Kushina gently pressed down Minato's arm before he could interject, her vivid red hair swaying as she smiled warmly at the boy sitting astride his chair.
"They also said," she began softly, "that someone your age should be enjoying life, not being thrown into such a cruel whirlpool. That's the adults' irresponsibility—and Konoha's failure. Even if it's just feigned hostility, sometimes it's good to let it out."
Kakashi paused mid-bite, chopsticks still in hand. "Hmm. Maybe so. I can understand that, I guess. But some adults are just too stupid. I've gotten used to ignoring them."
Kushina smirked. "I see. Minato, did you hear that? Kakashi's more mature than you give him credit for."
"…."
When you're praising him, could you please stop holding me down, Kushina?
Minato sighed inwardly. He was used to her nature—fiery, compassionate, and endlessly nosy. In Konoha, the most famous shinobi were either strong or unforgettable. Kushina was clearly the latter.
She was the type who had to stick her nose into anything interesting—especially if it involved someone as peculiar as Kakashi Hatake.
But the boy himself… seemed entirely unaffected.
After a long silence, Kakashi broke his chopsticks and lowered his mask slightly, his voice as flat as ever.
"Anyway, this might be the last time we meet."
Both Minato and Kushina looked at him in surprise.
"Hokage-sama and Aizen have new missions for me," he continued calmly. "The situation's changed. Even a kid like me can be useful now."
"About that…?" Minato asked, his tone cautious.
Kakashi nodded. "The Blut Vene project doesn't need to stay secret anymore. Since I've become the face of it, I end up being treated differently—like Aizen. People act like we're some kind of rare beasts that need protection."
Kushina tilted her head. "Isn't that a good thing? Children should be protected, shouldn't they?"
"I'm not like Aizen," Kakashi replied quietly, his eyes shadowed. "He's already fallen into stagnation—he can't move forward anymore. That's why he chose that path. But me… I still want to be a ninja. I want to complete missions."
"...Missions," Minato echoed.
"Yes. I'll make up for the loss my father caused. That's my goal."
Minato fell silent.
That's right… that's how his father was. And that's how the village treated him.
Minato wanted to comfort the boy, to tell him it wasn't his fault—but the words wouldn't come. Looking at Kakashi, who quietly slurped his ramen with practiced calm, Minato realized that despite his sharp tongue and indifference, the child had already made up his mind.
He carried his father's burden alone—and had chosen to bear it without complaint.
Many assumed six-year-olds were innocent and naive. But when you stood before a six-year-old who already had a goal, a conviction, and a will hardened by grief… all you could feel was heartbreak.
Kushina felt it too. She had wanted, even if just for a while, to give him a childhood worth remembering. But seeing him like this made her realize—pretending everything was fine served no purpose anymore.
The ramen shop grew quiet. Only the sound of Kakashi finishing his meal filled the space.
When he set down his empty bowl, he stood, pulling his mask back up.
"Well, see you later, Minato. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed this."
With a polite bow, Kakashi turned and walked out of Ichiraku Ramen, his small frame disappearing into the busy streets of Konoha.
The air between Minato and Kushina shifted—tinged with the gravity of the era. Their earlier warmth faded, replaced by a mutual understanding.
After finishing their meals, they went their separate ways, each bound by a duty neither could speak of.
Each carried a secret mission, one they could not share—not with their lovers, not with their mentors, not with anyone.
Through different routes, under different guises, they made their way toward their designated meeting points.
Until, by some twist of fate—
"…."
The three of them—Minato, Kushina, and Kakashi—stood staring at one another in front of the entrance to Konoha's newly sanctioned Ninjutsu Research and Development Division.
Each had taken a detour, careful to remain unseen—only to arrive at the same door.
For a moment, none of them spoke. Their expressions mirrored the same realization:
We're all here for the same reason.
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