Kakashi Hatake walked out of the Hokage Building.
On the way to Konoha Hospital, the one eye revealed by his mask still held lingering shock.
Having just returned to Konoha after completing a mission, he received a barrage of news from the Hokage.
He found it hard to digest all at once.
The Uchiha clan exterminated.
Itachi Uchiha listed as an S-rank rogue ninja.
Just one trip out of the village, and such a huge event happens?
Even during the Ninja Wars, the extermination of a major clan like the Uchiha rarely occurred.
Itachi Uchiha... that man... to think he could do such a thing!
Of course, besides that, there was another matter that shocked him.
Musashi Ryomiya had actually saved two people from Itachi Uchiha's hands.
Based on the intelligence, the two had clearly engaged in formal combat.
After all, the commotion that night had alarmed the entire village.
As his former subordinate in the Anbu, Kakashi knew something of Itachi's strength.
He was a genius no less talented than Kakashi himself.
Moreover, to be able to slaughter almost the entire well-prepared Uchiha clan, one could imagine his strength.
Yet, Musashi Ryomiya was able to fight him and survive.
Such strength far exceeded his expectations.
In his impression, Musashi Ryomiya was just a little brother, a junior who spent all day burning with "Youth" alongside Guy.
Although he worked hard and received the teachings of the Eight Gates Released Technique.
But to grow up, it would take a considerable amount of time.
It would be fortunate if he could reach Guy's level one day.
However, now someone told him that Musashi's strength was already enough to truly clash with Itachi Uchiha.
"Did Musashi... use the Eight Gates?" Kakashi Hatake muttered softly to himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's request just now flashed through his mind.
"Kakashi, originally Guy, Kurenai, and the others asked me to transfer you out of the Anbu, and I had agreed."
"But this incident happened suddenly. Musashi entering the Anbu might be unfamiliar at first, so I need you to lead the team for a while longer."
He couldn't help but think back to the past.
Might Guy's firm words to him.
Wait and see, Kakashi. That child's talent in Taijutsu will surprise you.
How long has it been since then?
Walking into the hospital ward, the scene was different from the agonizing, wound-covered image he had imagined.
He saw Musashi with one leg in a sling and one arm bandaged.
Beside him, a little munchkin with big eyes was feeding him apple slices one by one.
Occasionally wiping his mouth for him.
Looking quite comfortable.
"Ah! Senior Kakashi!"
"En, Musashi. The Hokage asked me to come over." Kakashi Hatake looked Musashi up and down with his single eye: "How are the injuries?"
"One arm and one leg. It'll take at least a few months to fully recover. Senior Kakashi, do you always visit patients empty-handed?"
Kakashi: "...Forgot."
Thinking only about Musashi's Taijutsu strength, how could he remember the etiquette of not visiting patients empty-handed?
He looked at the little girl who was still earnestly feeding him and asked.
"Is this the child you saved?"
"Yeah, Aoi Uchiha, Izumi's sister. Aoi, say hello to Senior Kakashi."
"Senior Kakashi," Aoi Uchiha greeted politely. Then she focused on peeling the fruit in her hand.
The fruit knife looked particularly large in her small hand, but she used it deftly.
One could only say Uchiha children had excellent talent.
"Alright Aoi, go play. I'm full."
"No, I want to stay here with Big Brother Musashi," Aoi Uchiha said.
"Alright then, stay by yourself for a bit."
Musashi looked at Kakashi Hatake.
"Senior Kakashi, what did Lord Hokage call you here for?"
"Nothing much. The Hokage told me that you'll be joining the Anbu under my command, so I thought I'd come see you." He paused, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer.
"Musashi, that jutsu... to what extent have you mastered it?"
Musashi thought for a moment and gestured a 'six'.
Although he could open the Seventh Gate, his body couldn't handle it, so he didn't count it.
Even so, it was enough to shock Kakashi.
Guy, your judgment was indeed correct.
Musashi's talent is outstanding.
During his recovery, Musashi's Taijutsu training was paused again.
He wasn't Rock Lee; he didn't have the stubbornness to train while seriously injured.
He focused on healing his body peacefully.
Aside from simple physical activities, all his training energy was focused on Ninjutsu.
The Phase Two Lightning Chakra Mode still needed continuous optimization.
After opening the Sixth Gate: Gate of View, he could no longer maintain the Lightning Chakra Mode.
His exploration of nature transformation and mastery of the jutsu were still too shallow.
The battle with Itachi exposed the fact that his Lightning Style training was still weak.
The Raikage of the Cloud Village could break Susanoo with just his physical body in Lightning Chakra Mode. Such Lightning Style was far beyond what Musashi could compare to at this stage.
He could only arm-wrestle ordinary ninjas with his Phase Two Lightning Chakra Mode.
Once he encountered a truly powerful opponent, it wouldn't play a key role.
Over ten days later, with the help of medical ninjutsu, Musashi had regained his mobility.
According to the medical ninja, he could go home and recover slowly.
Beside him, Izumi Uchiha helped him pack his things. Amidst a chaotic clatter, a familiar voice echoed in the hospital.
"Musashi! Musashi! How are you!?"
A green figure kicked up dust all the way to Musashi, none other than Might Guy, who had heard from Kakashi about Musashi's injury.
Musashi felt a warmth in his heart.
Truly my good big brother.
The next moment, a solid embrace squeezed him tight.
"That's great! Musashi, you're okay!"
Sharp pain shot from the just-healed fracture, making Musashi's voice stutter.
"Guy... Big Brother Guy, if you keep hugging... I won't be okay."
"Oh! Sorry, Musashi, I was too excited." Might Guy scratched the back of his head with a laugh. Izumi Uchiha was used to this, but little Aoi Uchiha was startled by the green uncle's appearance.
She looked at his outfit, identical to Musashi's, and tilted her head.
Same clothes as Big Brother Musashi, but... so weird, and not as handsome as Big Brother Musashi.
"Musashi, I just got back from outside. I heard from Kakashi that you've opened the Sixth Gate? Good job, young man!"
"Yes, the situation was urgent. Only by opening the Eight Gates did I have the strength to fight."
"Musashi, I know everything. Before a powerful opponent, you risked your life to protect your teammate and a child."
"This is the power of Youth! Wuwuwu~" Two streams of clear tears rolled down Might Guy's face. Once again impacting Aoi Uchiha's small world.
"Big Brother Guy, let's head back first. There are other patients here."
"Yosh, Musashi, since you're injured, let me carry you." Might Guy leaned over slightly, pointing a thumb at his back.
Musashi thought about Kakashi Hatake's treatment and shook his head.
"Big Brother Guy, I'll walk by myself. The doctor said I can move on my own now. In that case, how can I be lazy? Even if it's slow, I will walk home step by step!"
"Good! In that case, Musashi, I will handstand-walk you all the way home!"
Thus, on the streets of Konoha, two green figures, one upright and one upside down, walked slowly. Behind them followed two girls, one big and one small.
Along the way, pedestrians looked sideways and whispered.
"Those two, are they sick?"