Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Team Bonding
Kakashi had invited his three students to his home, not just to celebrate their success in the bell test but because his father, Sakumo, wanted to meet them. His father had been away on missions but was now steadily recovering, his legs mostly healed after a long period of rest. While he still took on some lighter missions, he was finally able to return to the village.
The four of them sat around the table, a hearty meal spread before them. Sakura, still a little embarrassed from the bell test, buried her face in her hands as Naruto retold the story with his usual flair.
"Then Sakura swallowed the bells, and we passed!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Sakumo burst into hearty laughter, slapping the table so hard that the house shook. Despite his weakened condition, it was clear that he still had the strength of a seasoned warrior. Kakashi shot a bemused glance at Sakura, who looked even more embarrassed, while Sasuke patted her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.
As Sakumo finished placing food on the table, Kakashi sat back in his chair, thinking about what to say to his father. They had been talking for a while, but now, Kakashi’s mind drifted toward something important.
After dinner, Sakura promised to bring the bells back washed and safely packed. She stood up, awkwardly waving goodbye along with the others. Kakashi couldn’t help but smile as he watched them leave. The team had grown close over the course of the bell test, and he was proud of them.
Once they were gone, Kakashi turned to his father, a sense of purpose in his eyes. "Let’s adopt Sakura."
Sakumo, who had just taken a sip of his water, spluttered in surprise, spilling it across the table. "Where did that come from?!"
Kakashi leaned forward, his voice is soft yet determined. "She’s orphaned, and... she’s been through a lot. I want to help her. She helped me before, and I think she needs someone." His tone trailed off, unsure how to explain further, but his mind was set.
Sakumo frowned, his brows furrowing. "Have you asked her?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice.
Kakashi hesitated. "No, she didn’t seem to like the idea, but... there’s something else. During the test, I saw something strange about her." He explained what had caught his attention: the faint silver hue in her chakra, something he’d only seen in those with Hatake blood.
Sakumo’s face grew serious as he listened to his son. "I never had a child besides you," he muttered, his voice trailing off. He turned his gaze toward a dusty file near the shrine of Petal, his eyes narrowing. The name Petal caught his attention, and his hand instinctively reached for the file.
Kakashi watched his father’s reaction, his own mind racing. Was Sakura Petal? His heart skipped a beat as he considered the implications. But if she was, why had she been reported as dead in the files?
Sakumo glanced at his son, his face full of concern. "Kakashi... we need to look into this. This could be something more than what it seems."
Kakashi nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "I’ll get to the bottom of this. Fortunately, I have you on my side, Dad."
Together, they exchanged a silent agreement. Whatever secret Sakura was hiding, they would find it out—no matter what it took. The shadows of the past were never far behind, and now, they had to uncover the truth.
The evening ended with Kakashi feeling more determined than ever. His bond with his students was strong, but now, there were bigger questions to answer—questions that could change everything for Sakura, and maybe even for the entire village.