Two days later, the Third Hokage handled the matter, and only then was the B-rank mission considered complete. Minato returned to Konoha with the remaining team members.
The team disbanded on the spot. Minato and Kazama Resshou, as the leaders, went to the Hokage Building to submit their mission report and detail the mission in person.
Naraku and Kakashi had only just arrived home and hadn't even had time to eat a hot meal when Uchiha Fugaku sent someone to invite Naraku to his home as a guest, agreeing to Kakashi's request to come along.
The two clan members Fugaku sent, who usually had stern, unsmiling faces, now looked at him with a hint of surprise, secretly observing him several times along the way.
It wasn't even night yet, and there were still many Uchiha clan members busy on the streets. Seeing Naraku pass by, they all glanced at him, intentionally or not.
"That's the child, right?"
"It's him, alright. Last time, the Clan Head also sent someone to bring him to meet."
"I originally thought he was just an unremarkable fellow; this is truly unexpected."
"How many years has it been since an Uchiha under ten years old awakened a two-tomoe Sharingan?"
"He also knows White Fang's sword style; he must be quite strong, right? I really want to fight him and see!"
"Tch, a guy who takes outsiders as teachers, unwilling to return to the Clan Compound... I wonder what he's thinking..."
"If you don't like him, just challenge him. I'll support you, you know."
"..."
Although there was much discussion, overall there was no malice, mostly curiosity and surprise. Some even had eyes gleaming with eagerness to try.
After all, in the eyes of the proud Uchiha, challenging stronger opponents is worthy of praise, and Naraku, at this moment, could indeed be considered a "strong one"... It was still the same reception room.
Fugaku was already waiting there. Seeing Naraku and Kakashi enter, his attitude was even more cordial than before.
"Naraku, Kakashi, you've arrived."
Though his smile was polite, his eyes could not hide his excitement and eagerness. "It is said that Naraku successfully awakened his Sharingan during this mission? And a two-tomoe Sharingan?"
Naraku remained silent, merely blinking his eyes. His dark pupils instantly turned blood-red, and two tomoe slowly rotated around them.
"It really is true!"
Fugaku almost slammed his hand on the table, but considering the dignity of his position, he still discreetly clenched one hand into a fist, bringing it to his mouth and clearing his throat.
"Ahem, excellent. Naraku, you truly have great talent."
He then pulled out a scroll from his robes and handed it directly to Naraku.
"These are some insights recorded by the clan, which should be helpful for familiarizing yourself with the use of the Sharingan. Also, the clan is very pleased with your progress, so they have given you some rewards."
"Thank you, Clan Head-sama."
Naraku put away the scroll and politely thanked Fugaku for his help.
After exchanging more pleasantries, Naraku and Kakashi finally had a chance to say their goodbyes and walked out of the Clan Head's residence.
Just as they were about to leave the clan compound, the Uchiha clan members who had led them had already left, leaving only the two of them walking side by side under the streetlights.
A figure suddenly darted out from a nearby alley and grabbed Naraku's wrist.
Naraku instinctively tried to shake off the man who had suddenly appeared, but his body stiffened and he couldn't move when he saw the man's face.
Kakashi quickly twisted the man's forearm behind his back, pressing his knee into his back, and his free hand went to the hilt of his chakra blade.
"Who are you?!"
The man didn't answer but chuckled softly, then his laughter grew louder, echoing through the empty street.
"Hahahahahahahahaha... I'm right! I'm right!... Naraku, good boy... you've awakened your eyes!..."
Naraku finally spoke his name, his voice dry and hoarse. "Father..."
Kakashi was startled. Looking at the man's face again, if one removed the stubble and messy hair... it was indeed Uchiha Shinji.
In his surprise, his grip loosened, and Uchiha Shinji immediately broke free.
"I knew what I did was right! I wasn't wrong!"
Uchiha Shinji's large hands grabbed Naraku's shoulders, his gaze at Naraku filled with such madness and fervor, as if looking at his most satisfying work.
"They said I didn't deserve to be an Uchiha! They all looked down on me!"
"But, look, my son is the youngest two-tomoe Sharingan user, awakening it even earlier than Uchiha Kagami back then!"
"Kako, you can finally rest in peace! Kako!"
"Did you see? Our efforts have paid off!... I wasn't wrong, I wasn't wrong!... Hahahahaha..."
Kakashi looked at Naraku with concern.
That face, which always wore a smile, was once again tinged with sadness. He just stared at his almost deranged father, his eyes brimming with tears.
He trembled his lips, only a choked sob escaping from deep in his throat.
It felt as if a large hand had tightly clutched Kakashi's heart. He felt a dull ache in his chest, and even his breathing stopped.
Without thinking, he pushed away Uchiha Shinji, whose mind was already pickled by alcohol and body hollowed out, and, grabbing Naraku's hand, he strode forward.
They walked out of the alley, out of the Uchiha Clan Compound, all the way to the front door of the Hatake household.
Kakashi stopped and, without looking back, called out a name he had uttered countless times before.
"Naraku."
"...Hm?"
The reply carried a barely perceptible tremor; he had, of course, heard it.
Kakashi turned around and hugged Naraku, pressing his head against his shoulder.
"Cry if you want to. This time, I won't call you a crybaby."
"..."
He felt Naraku's hands tightly clutching his sleeve. Though no sound was made, a damp sensation gradually spread across his shoulder.
After a long while, he suddenly turned and ran to push open the courtyard gate, dramatically tilting his head back and complaining loudly, "Your Clan Head really talks a lot; I'm starving!"
Naraku walked beside him, his eyes a little red at the corners, but his expression had returned to his usual gentle smile. "I'm hungry too... How about Ise Udon for dinner?"
"Well, let's do that then."
He pushed open the door, and the two of them walked inside together.
With the soft click of the door closing, all worries were shut out.
The previously dark windows lit up with warm light, flickering in the night like stars growing from the ground...