The hospital room fell into a brief silence with Kakashi's arrival.
Naruto had been about to complain about how badly he'd been beaten earlier, but before he could open his mouth, young Sasuke suddenly forced himself upright in bed. Ignoring the sharp pain from his torn wounds, his dark eyes locked onto Kakashi with fierce intensity.
"Kakashi!"
He didn't even add sensei. His voice carried an urgency so raw it trembled.
"That person… that one-armed man… is he really my future self?!"
His gaze never left Kakashi's face, as if trying to read the truth from every subtle twitch and expression.
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
He understood Sasuke's state of mind far too well.
That future version of him possessed overwhelming strength—enough to battle a monster of that level head-on. If that truly was his future self, then had that man already died? Had the hatred of the Uchiha Clan been avenged?
If Kakashi tried to dodge the question with vague excuses, Sasuke's obsessive nature would only drive him to investigate on his own. He might even recklessly sneak toward the Hokage Building to eavesdrop. Letting that happen would only invite greater trouble.
It was better to keep control of the situation.
Without answering, Kakashi turned and walked to the door.
Click.
He locked it.
Then he closed his eye. His powerful sensory perception expanded instantly, sweeping through the entire ward and the surrounding area. After confirming there were no ANBU or Root surveillance methods nearby, he opened his eye again and stepped to the space between the two beds.
The usual laziness had completely vanished from his face.
The single visible eye now held a chilling seriousness as his gaze swept over Sakura and Haku.
"What I'm about to say is classified at the highest level in Konoha," Kakashi said softly. "It is a taboo that concerns the lives of Naruto and Sasuke."
His voice was quiet, yet it struck their hearts like a hammer.
"Haku, Sakura. As Team 7's jōnin commander, I order you—everything you hear in this room today must never be spoken to anyone."
A trace of killing intent flickered through his gaze.
"If even half a word leaks out, not only will you die, but Naruto and Sasuke will be placed in grave danger. Do you understand?"
The overwhelming pressure made Sakura pale. She clapped a hand over her mouth and nodded frantically.
Haku set aside the apple and knife, knelt on one knee, and spoke solemnly. "I swear on my life, Kakashi-sensei."
"Good."
Kakashi withdrew his killing intent and turned to face Sasuke, whose eyes were practically burning holes through him.
"You guessed correctly, Sasuke."
With his hands in his pockets, Kakashi delivered the answer calmly.
"That man is your future self."
Sasuke's breathing instantly became ragged.
His pupils constricted violently as his hands clenched the bedsheets, veins bulging across the backs of his hands.
"Then… then I…"
His voice shook uncontrollably. He wanted to ask the most important question of all, yet his throat felt blocked, the words refusing to come out.
"You want to know whether your future self killed Uchiha Itachi," Kakashi said for him.
Sasuke snapped his head up, teeth clenched tight. He didn't speak, but his eyes screamed the question.
Naruto, though completely lost, sensed the tension and—rarely—kept his mouth shut.
"On that point," Kakashi continued, "your future self didn't tell me. To avoid altering history, he refused to say anything."
Disappointment and agitation flickered across Sasuke's face.
Then Kakashi's tone changed.
"However."
He leaned forward slightly, meeting Sasuke's gaze head-on.
"Sasuke, you're a smart ninja. Some answers don't need to be spoken. You can see them yourself."
"That future version of you—despite losing an arm, despite looking worn down by countless battles…"
Kakashi's voice was soft, yet unmistakably clear.
"The way he looks at Konoha. The way he looks at Naruto. The fact that he protected you without hesitation… do you really think those are the actions of someone who's been completely consumed by revenge, a shura who's walked a path of pure destruction?"
Sasuke froze.
Scenes replayed in his mind—the tall figure in gray repeatedly stepping in front of Naruto, standing firm no matter the danger.
Those eyes were cold, yes, but they weren't empty. There was no madness, no despair.
They were the eyes of someone protecting something at all costs.
"Revenge can grant power," Kakashi said quietly. "But it's hollow power. It drags people into the abyss."
He straightened and rested a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
"I don't know what your future self experienced, and I don't know how things end with Uchiha Itachi. But from that man alone, I can be certain of one thing."
He spoke slowly, deliberately.
"The tragedy of the Uchiha Clan didn't turn you into a mindless monster. In the end, you found something more important than hatred."
Sasuke lowered his head, his bangs shadowing his eyes.
But the hands gripping the bedsheets trembled faintly.
"Something… more important than hatred…"
He murmured the words under his breath.
Kakashi didn't press him further. Instead, he turned to Naruto.
"As for you, Naruto."
His tone lightened slightly.
"That Ōtsutsuki creature's target is the Nine-Tails inside you. And in the future… that blond idiot—cough—in short, your future self seems to turn into someone pretty impressive."
"Really?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, all gloom vanishing. "I knew it! I'm gonna be Hokage! If future Sasuke's that strong, then future me has gotta be even stronger! Hahaha!"
The tension in the room finally eased.
"Get some proper rest," Kakashi said, turning toward the door. "You'll be staying here for the next few days. Leave what's happening outside to the adults."
He unlocked the door, then paused and glanced back at Sasuke, who was still staring down at the bed.
"Don't let the future bind you, Sasuke," Kakashi said quietly. "The future is carved out step by step by the present you. If you feel weak now, then fight like hell to become stronger."
He left behind one final sentence:
"Only when you're strong enough will you have the power to choose when facing fate."
Bang.
The hospital room door closed.