New Paths

Kakashi sighed in annoyance as his father paused at yet another stall to inspect the vegetables. They had been wandering the market for an hour already, shopping for ingredients for a shared dinner. His father would leave on a mission tomorrow and wanted to prepare Kakashi's favorite meal. Although Kakashi tried not to worry too much, knowing that Sakumo was a capable shinobi who could protect himself, he sometimes felt a pang of fear about what the future held for his father.

Kakashi didn't mind spending time with his father, but he didn't enjoy strolling through the crowded market. Still, Sakumo insisted that he come along instead of staying home alone. Kakashi hoped that his father would be more relaxed after his mission when he saw that everything was going well. Until then, Kakashi had to practice patience. Slowly, they resumed their walk, Kakashi casually slipping his hands into his pockets as he followed his father.

However, it wasn't long before Sakumo stopped again, this time engaging in a conversation with another shinobi. Kakashi huffed lightly and decisively pulled his hands from his pockets. With a sharp tug on Sakumo's vest, he caught his father's attention. Sakumo looked down at Kakashi, a questioning expression on his face. "Can I go home now? This might take a while," Kakashi remarked, irritated.

Sakumo smiled slightly and shook his head. "It won't take much longer, we can leave soon."

"Can I at least sit on that bench?" Kakashi pointed to a nearby bench. At least there he could find some peace.

Sakumo considered for a moment, then finally nodded. "But stay there!" he said in a stern tone.

Kakashi nodded in agreement and turned around. It felt like a small victory that his father allowed him to sit alone there. He leisurely strolled to the bench and sat down. He cast one last glance at his father, who continued his conversation with the other shinobi. Kakashi leaned back and let his gaze drift to the sky. It was a wonderful day, the sun had brightened the sky all day. Only a few clouds drifted by, and it was pleasantly warm. Kakashi closed his eyes and enjoyed this moment of peace and solitude.

He went over his next steps in his mind. Tomorrow, when his father went on his mission, Kakashi would stay with Minato, although he would have preferred to stay home alone. But he didn't want to take any risks. It would be unfair to Minato, who would get into trouble if it was found out that Kakashi had stayed home alone.

But Kakashi knew that Minato would let him go off on his own as well. So it wasn't that bad. He tried to see it positively; after all, he would have the chance to spend more time with his sensei. Kakashi wondered if he should answer some of the blond's questions if the opportunity arose, but he was still unsure how much he really wanted to reveal. Of course, Minato wasn't dumb; from Kakashi's reaction, he could already guess that he and Kushina had died in the future. Minato was too observant for that. Kakashi tried not to put too much pressure on himself. He decided to wait for the right moment, even though he knew there was no perfect time for such a conversation.

Determined, he planned to explore Orochimaru's apartment in the coming days. Kakashi knew he couldn't rush things; first, he had to make sure the Sannin wasn't home. He could handle the rest; after all, he had enough experience. Kakashi knew exactly how to leave no traces.

Suddenly, he was pulled out of his thoughts when someone sat down next to him. Immediately, Kakashi turned his gaze to the side. His eyes widened in surprise when he recognized who sat beside him. "Master Danzo?" Kakashi's senses instantly sharpened, and he tensed slightly. He was instantly on alert.

Danzo himself seemed relaxed, his posture casual. His hand rested lightly on his walking stick, his gaze forward on the market. Kakashi couldn't sense his chakra; it seemed to be suppressed. He quickly glanced at his father, who was busy comparing vegetables.

Although Kakashi was wary and didn't particularly want to be near Danzo, he remained calm. His curiosity was piqued as to why he had sat down next to him. "It's always nice to watch the hustle and bustle of the market, isn't it?" Danzo's voice was calm and peaceful, but Kakashi knew better.

Kakashi turned his gaze away from Danzo. "It's okay. I'd rather be home alone," he admitted, keeping his voice calm, though he felt anger rising within him. "What are you doing here?" Kakashi asked bluntly. That was the good thing about being a child again; you could ask such direct questions, and no one would think much of it.

Danzo laughed softly, his gaze still fixed on the marketplace. Kakashi had the feeling Danzo was watching Sakumo. "I happened to pass by and saw you sitting here all alone. So I thought I'd keep you some company," Danzo explained.

Kakashi's instincts told him Danzo was lying. He had been waiting for this moment, for Kakashi to be alone. But Kakashi couldn't grasp Danzo's exact goal. Before he could think further, Danzo continued, "I hope you have fully recovered from your poisoning."

"Thanks for asking, I'm fine now," Kakashi replied, still trying to figure out why Danzo was there. He would never sit with Kakashi without an ulterior motive. The suspicion that Danzo already knew Sakumo was to become Hokage began to grow in his mind. Kakashi glanced at Sakumo, who was deep in conversation with the vendor.

Sakumo hadn't noticed Danzo yet. It was no wonder; Danzo had hidden his presence, and his father would sense Kakashi's calm demeanor and thus wouldn't worry. Suddenly, a thought struck him: Would his father really not notice someone sitting with Kakashi? Sakumo would never be so inattentive after being so vigilant these past weeks. No, his father knew Danzo was there but kept a calm head. It was his tactic to lull Danzo into a false sense of security. Sakumo kept a close eye on everything and knew what was happening. A slight smile spread across Kakashi's lips as he realized his father was employing the same tactic he was.

His father was trying to stay calm and observe the situation. Just like Kakashi, Sakumo wanted to find out what Danzo was up to. He would probably only intervene if he noticed Danzo doing something inappropriate or if Kakashi was in danger. Sakumo proved to be a genius and showed that he was an outstanding shinobi. Despite the unusual situation, he remained calm and didn't act rashly. This was the Sakumo Kakashi remembered, and he felt pride welling up inside him.

Kakashi turned his attention back to Danzo, who remained relaxed beside him, his gaze fixed on the marketplace. Kakashi tried to gauge what exactly Danzo was planning. A suspicion shot through his mind: Danzo was no fool; he would have noticed that Sakumo hadn't been taking missions and was still unsettled and anxious about the supposed assassination attempt. Perhaps Danzo intended to exploit this to unsettle Sakumo even more. On the other hand, Danzo must also be aware that Sakumo would not be easily unnerved just by him sitting next to Kakashi on a bench.

"How is your training going? Have you started again?" Danzo asked, pulling Kakashi out of his thoughts.

Kakashi turned his gaze back to Danzo. "It's going well. Minato-sensei is very pleased," Kakashi replied, engaging in the conversation.

Danzo maintained a friendly smile. "I've read your reports on your training. It's truly impressive," Danzo began. "Graduating at five years old is an extraordinary achievement."

"Thank you. I just do my best," Kakashi responded with a smile.

Danzo turned his gaze to Kakashi. "Don't be so modest. With such an achievement, you deserve to give yourself some credit," Danzo explained. "It's just a shame that your talent is being wasted," he added, turning his gaze back to the marketplace.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow and looked at Danzo questioningly. "I don't understand," Kakashi replied, tilting his head. "Minato-sensei trains me very well, and I also train with my father."

"Do you think either of them will really push you to your limits and bring out the best in you?" Danzo began, his smile fading from his face. "They will always hold back and go easy on you. Minato is certainly an outstanding shinobi, but he's too soft to recognize your true talent. And your father loves you too much to push you to your limits."

Danzo fell silent, and Kakashi watched him closely as he began to speak again. "I, on the other hand, could bring out the best in you and make you one of the strongest shinobi. That's what you want, isn't it?" Danzo said seriously. "I could help you step out of your father's shadow."

Kakashi's eyes widened as he looked down at the ground. Slowly, he began to understand Danzo's plan. He wanted to unsettle Kakashi and try to turn him against his father. If he really were still a child, Danzo might have even succeeded. Kakashi had loved and admired his father; his greatest wish was to become stronger than his father and make him proud. Danzo's offer would have caught his attention as a child, and he probably would have considered it.

"Out of my father's shadow?" Kakashi asked, his interest piqued by where the conversation was heading. He cast a brief glance at his father, who was still occupied at a market stall.

Danzo nodded and looked at Kakashi with a steady gaze. "You're always being compared to your father, aren't you? As the years go by, that will only increase. Your appearance and your talent are similar, so everyone will always see Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, in you. And not Kakashi Hatake."

Kakashi's gaze wandered to the ground in front of him. A smile spread across his lips as he realized that Danzo knew exactly what he was doing and what he needed to say. All these points would certainly unsettle and make a five-year-old think. Danzo would probably even go so far as to manipulate Kakashi and gain his trust. And he would do it, Kakashi knew this was just the beginning to get to him and thus to Sakumo.

Kakashi took a deep breath, looked at Danzo, and gave him a friendly smile while his eyes glinted slightly with anger. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to make a name for myself," he said calmly, noticing Danzo flinch slightly but trying not to show it. Then his gaze shifted back to the ground as he stirred his chakra slightly to catch Sakumo's attention.

He felt Danzo place a hand on his shoulder. Kakashi immediately turned his gaze to the man, who was smiling kindly at him again. "Just think it over," he said quietly.

In the next moment, he heard Sakumo's voice. "Kakashi?" Slowly, Kakashi let his gaze drift from Danzo to Sakumo, who was hurrying toward him. There was a determined expression on Sakumo's face. "Is everything alright?" he asked, slightly worried. Kakashi nodded in response. Then Sakumo turned his sharp gaze to Danzo. "Danzo."

Danzo removed his hand from Kakashi's shoulder and looked at Sakumo with an equally sharp gaze. "Sakumo."

For a moment, they stared at each other before Sakumo looked down at Kakashi and held out his hand. "Come on, Kakashi! We can go home now." Kakashi took Sakumo's hand and allowed his father to pull him off the bench. Sakumo held Kakashi's hand firmly, his eyes still on Danzo.

Just as Sakumo and Kakashi were about to turn and leave, Danzo began to speak. "I heard you're going on a mission tomorrow," he stated, standing up. "And Kakashi, my offer still stands," he added.

Sakumo paused, and Kakashi felt the grip on his hand tighten slightly. Kakashi's eyes traveled up to Sakumo, who was staring tensely into the distance. "Then so it will be," Sakumo replied calmly, glancing over his shoulder. "Don't worry, Kakashi will be well taken care of during that time." Then they walked away.

Kakashi glanced back at Danzo, who had a slightly triumphant smile on his lips. He seemed satisfied, but Kakashi knew better. Unbeknownst to Danzo, he was aiming at nothing; Kakashi was content with his own performance. But he also knew he needed to be careful. He couldn't become complacent; Danzo should not be underestimated.

Then Kakashi looked up at his father, who appeared tense but calmer than after the last encounter with Danzo. Kakashi was curious about what would happen next. If his assumption was correct and Sakumo had known the whole time that Danzo was sitting with Kakashi, his father would certainly want to talk to him and find out what Danzo wanted from him.

%%%%%%%%%%

Kakashi was just drying off after getting out of the bath. The afternoon had passed suspiciously quietly, and Sakumo hadn't yet spoken to Kakashi. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. Instead, they had cooked together and eaten a meal. Afterwards, Sakumo had sent him to the bath. Slowly, Kakashi began to doubt whether Sakumo had really known that Danzo had been sitting with him. Maybe he hadn't noticed after all, though it was hard for Kakashi to imagine that.

After drying off, Kakashi started to get dressed and then proceeded to tidy up the bathroom before leaving. Just as he closed the door behind him, his father called out, "Kakashi? Could you come here, please?" he asked politely.

Kakashi frowned briefly before making his way to the living room, following his father's voice. There, Sakumo sat on the couch, the gentle rays of the setting sun flooding the room. He held a steaming cup of tea in his hand, while another cup sat on the coffee table, inviting and warm. As Kakashi approached, Sakumo noticed his son and smiled warmly. "Come, sit with me," he invited gently, patting the soft cushion beside him. Kakashi hurried over and sat down next to his father. Sakumo lovingly placed an arm around Kakashi's shoulders and gently pulled him closer. "I made a cup of tea for you as well," he announced, pointing to the steaming mug on the table before carefully taking a sip of his own tea.

"Thank you," Kakashi replied gratefully. A peaceful silence settled between them, as Sakumo seemed to enjoy the moment of having Kakashi by his side. In Kakashi's mind, the image of Sakumo worrying about leaving him alone again, especially after the uncomfortable encounter with Danzo, surfaced.

Suddenly, Sakumo broke the silence, turning his gaze to Kakashi. "There's something else I want to talk to you about," he began, and Kakashi looked up at his father curiously. Sakumo leaned forward slightly, set his cup down, and focused entirely on Kakashi. "It's about what happened at the market today," he continued.

Kakashi nodded seriously. After bathing, he had not put his mask back on, so he had to be particularly mindful of his facial expressions. "You mean because of Master Danzo?" he asked curiously.

Sakumo nodded, removing his arm from Kakashi. "Exactly," he confirmed. "I want to know exactly what he talked to you about."

With a gentle smile, Kakashi nodded and began recounting to his father what Danzo had discussed with him. Every detail was carefully and thoughtfully spoken, as Kakashi decided not to leave anything out but to report exactly what had happened. He noticed the atmosphere in the room subtly changing as he spoke, sensing that his father was listening intently. The only thing he left out was his own response to Danzo's words.

After Kakashi had finished telling everything, he looked at his father expectantly. A brief silence settled over them as Sakumo took a moment to think, gazing out the window. Then he turned back to Kakashi. "What do you think about it?" Sakumo asked, his eyes full of interest and expectation.

Kakashi frowned and had to think for a moment. His father's unexpected question took him by surprise, and he shrugged slightly. "I'm not sure," Kakashi began hesitantly. "I'm actually satisfied with my training under Minato-Sensei and feel like I'm making good progress. But I didn't know that Danzo was also a sensei." His curiosity reflected in his gaze as he eagerly awaited his father's response.

Sakumo leaned back comfortably and crossed his arms. "He isn't directly a sensei, at least not like Minato, for example. But he always keeps an eye on talented shinobi to use them for his own purposes. He is extremely strict and ruthless," he explained calmly. Kakashi had to smile inwardly. His father kept the description very neutral, but Kakashi knew all about Danzo's harsh methods. His training program was relentless, and those who couldn't keep up were punished with additional sessions.

Before Kakashi could dwell on this further, his father turned his full attention to him. "Please look at me," he requested gently, and Kakashi's eyes met his father's, firm and determined. Then Sakumo continued speaking. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone, and you are not in my shadow. I firmly believe that you will become one of the strongest shinobi and will ultimately surpass me," he said lovingly. He ran his hand through Kakashi's hair once before gently placing it on his cheek. "Please don't let such thoughts influence you. If something is troubling you and you feel uncertain, come to me, and we will talk about it. And above all, never feel like you have to prove anything to me. I am already incredibly proud of you, no matter where your path leads."

A warm smile spread across Kakashi's face as a feeling of warmth filled his chest. "I know, Dad," he assured his father softly and added, "Thank you!"

Sakumo removed his hand from Kakashi and gave him a brief hug before letting him go. "I want to ask you to stay away from Danzo. Even though Minato is there and looking out for you, try to avoid another conversation with him," he urged. Kakashi nodded obediently, and Sakumo ran his hand through Kakashi's still damp hair. Then he looked at his hand and raised an eyebrow. "You could have dried your hair a bit better," he remarked with a slight smile.

Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest. "It can't be that bad if you're only noticing it now," he protested with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

A short laugh escaped Sakumo's lips. "I have to give you that," he agreed. Then he placed his arm around Kakashi's shoulders again and gently pulled him closer. "Let's enjoy the evening now before I have to leave again tomorrow," his father suggested with a warm smile.

Kakashi nodded in agreement and leaned his head against Sakumo's side, closing his eyes. "Starting tomorrow, I can finally relax without you," Kakashi teased his father lovingly, savoring the moment of closeness.

Sakumo let out a playful groan. "You're quite cheeky!" his father said with a mischievous smile and suddenly started tickling Kakashi. Instantly, Kakashi burst into laughter, squirming under Sakumo's playful attack, grateful for this moment.