At the beginning

Minato made his way to the training ground. He was determined to talk to Kakashi this time and not let himself be brushed off. After yesterday, he didn’t want to ignore the issue any longer. Kakashi needed to know that he wasn’t alone and that Minato was there for him. But he knew it wouldn't be easy. Kakashi had become very closed off and focused solely on training, avoiding any personal conversations. But Minato couldn’t just let it go. He had to try.

After talking with Kakashi, he planned to assign him a light training session and then talk to Sakumo. The older Hatake needed to know about the recent incident and be informed about the upcoming Chunin Exams. Minato hoped Sakumo would support him in keeping Kakashi from participating just yet. But he couldn’t be sure. Minato didn’t know how Sakumo was doing. Somehow, he had a bad feeling, but he pushed it aside. He needed to stay strong and take action.

One good thing about yesterday was that Minato realized how much he needed a day off. It was time to relax again, and thanks to Kushina, he managed to. They spent a few lovely hours together, allowing him to forget his problems for a moment.

When Minato reached the training ground, Kakashi was already waiting for him. As he approached the boy, he observed him closely. He had noticed over the past few days that Kakashi looked tired and his face seemed paler than usual. Minato suspected he wasn’t sleeping well.

Minato put on a warm smile as he stopped in front of Kakashi. "Good morning, Kakashi. How are you?" he asked, genuinely interested.

Kakashi nodded slightly and responded, "Good morning, Minato-sensei. I’m fine."

Minato frowned slightly and crouched down in front of Kakashi. "Before we start training today, I’d like to talk about what happened yesterday," he said calmly. Minato watched Kakashi closely, waiting for his reaction.

Kakashi turned away slightly. "There’s no need. Everything’s fine," he murmured softly, clearly uncomfortable.

But Minato was determined not to give up easily. He gently nudged Kakashi. "Please look at me," Minato requested calmly but firmly.

Slowly, Kakashi met Minato’s gaze, and Minato could see clear uncertainty in his eyes. "You don’t have to feel embarrassed. It’s not your fault. I’m here to listen and to help. We’ve never really talked about what’s happening," Minato began cautiously and sympathetically. He had to be careful with his words. "You’re not alone. I won’t abandon you, and I don’t judge you or your father."

Kakashi stared at Minato intensely, clear uncertainty in his eyes. But he remained silent. Minato took a deep breath before continuing. "We’re friends, right? Friends talk about everything. That’s what friends are for," Minato explained, hoping desperately that Kakashi would respond.

Kakashi flinched slightly and avoided Minato’s gaze. He seemed to be thinking, and Minato gave him a moment. They stayed silent for a bit before Kakashi cautiously looked at Minato. "Why are people so mean? I don’t understand. Papa always taught me how important the team is, and he just wanted to save his team," Kakashi began hesitantly. "But he also broke the rules and aborted the mission. As a shinobi, you’re supposed to follow the rules. That’s what they taught us at the academy."

Minato could clearly hear the desperation in Kakashi's voice, and he understood his student's thoughts all too well. For a moment, Minato lowered his gaze, carefully considering how to choose his words. It wasn't easy for him to find the right ones. Then he looked back at Kakashi. "You know that your father and I taught you that rules aren't everything. You have to act according to the situation, and that's what your father did. He knew he should have completed the mission according to the rules, but he adapted to the situation and chose to save his team."

Kakashi nodded, still watching Minato attentively. Minato cleared his throat before continuing. "Not everyone can understand that decision and think it was wrong. They believe the rules are the most important thing. Sometimes people are hard to understand, and we can't always figure out what they're thinking. Nevertheless, what’s happening right now is unfair, and I don't think it's justified. But do you know what really makes me angry?"

Kakashi shrugged and shook his head. Minato continued, "That people are also against you." Then he paused briefly and took a deep breath. "Please be honest with me now, it's important. How often has something like this happened?" Minato looked at Kakashi intently.

Quickly, Kakashi averted his gaze and took a small step back. Minato placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "Hey, you can tell me. I won't judge you. Please, Kakashi!" Minato encouraged him gently and compassionately.

Kakashi cautiously looked at Minato. "Not often, it was only the second time. The same shopkeeper threw me out the week before, but that's the only place I can get Dad's favorite cookies, and I really wanted to make him happy," Kakashi explained with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Minato smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Okay, thank you for telling me. Has anyone else ever said anything mean you?" Minato tried to remain as calm as possible to avoid putting too much pressure on Kakashi.

Kakashi just shook his head in response, and Minato sensed that he didn't want to talk any further. To avoid scaring him off, Minato decided to end the conversation for now. He had enough information for the time being to talk to Sakumo. Slowly, Minato stood up from his crouch with a smile. Just as he was about to discuss the plan for the day, Kakashi spoke up. "Dad has changed," he said quietly, looking at Minato.

Minato looked at Kakashi for a moment, surprised by his words. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts and consider what Kakashi had told him. "How has he changed?" Minato asked calmly and empathetically.

Kakashi looked down and began to explain. "He's become quieter and spends a lot of time alone in his room. It's getting worse. Dad doesn't leave the house anymore and hardly takes care of the household." He paused briefly. "He didn't even keep his promise." Minato immediately sensed the sadness in Kakashi's voice.

"What promise?" Minato asked, his curiosity piqued.

Kakashi looked up at Minato. "He promised me, before he left for his mission, that we would celebrate my birthday and go on a picnic when he got back. But we never did it," Kakashi explained with clear disappointment in his voice.

Minato swallowed hard. He didn't recognize this behavior from Sakumo. Sakumo had always been a caring father to Kakashi, doing everything for his son. It didn't make sense that he would break such a promise. Minato was shocked by Kakashi's account. He placed a comforting hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "Should I talk to your father?" he asked cautiously.

Kakashi averted his gaze again and nodded hesitantly. Minato's heart ached as he realized how much Kakashi was suffering from the situation. He could feel Kakashi's hope for Minato's help. Minato wondered what Kakashi had already tried in the past few weeks to help his father. But from Kakashi's stories, it was clear that it wouldn't be easy to fix everything.

At the same time, Minato was alarmed by the stories. He couldn't imagine it. He had known Sakumo differently, thinking of him as a strong man who wouldn't be easily defeated. But when Minato tried to put himself in Sakumo's shoes, he realized it wouldn't be so easy to stay strong. The whole village seemed to be against Sakumo, even his own teammates blamed him. Perhaps it was understandable that Sakumo wasn't doing well.

Still, Minato had to try talking to him. He saw a glimmer of hope in Kakashi's eyes, and he wouldn't disappoint him by not even trying. Minato had promised Kakashi his help, and he meant it. So, Minato nodded and smiled reassuringly at Kakashi. "Alright, I needed to talk to your father anyway. I'll ask you to train alone for now. You can start by warming up, then do some chakra control exercises, and if I'm not back by then, start your strength training."

Kakashi nodded dutifully and was about to move when Minato stopped him again. "Kakashi!" The boy turned to Minato and looked at him attentively. "No practicing the new jutsu while I'm gone!" Kakashi snorted but nodded obediently and then set off.

Minato smiled reassuringly and watched Kakashi for a moment before turning and continuing on his way. He tried to prepare the right words in advance. But after what Kakashi had told him, Minato was unsure what to expect. He hoped that he could achieve something with this conversation. From his talk with Kakashi, he sensed that Kakashi wasn't doing as well as he pretended.

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Minato strolled through the front yard, his gaze sweeping over the garden. His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed that it wasn't as tidy as usual. It wasn't dramatic and barely noticeable, but Minato saw the small details that were usually never missed. Determined, he continued towards the front door and knocked once. After waiting a moment, nothing happened. Minato sighed and knocked again, this time a bit louder.

After a brief silence, Minato heard footsteps approaching the door. When it opened, he saw Sakumo, but unlike usual, he wasn't greeted with a friendly smile. Only when Sakumo recognized Minato did a tired smile appear on his lips. "Hello Minato, I didn't expect you. Shouldn't you be training with Kakashi now? Did something happen?"

Minato tried to hide his growing concern for Sakumo, but it was relentless. The once friendly and balanced man appeared tired and listless. Minato could no longer feel the pleasant atmosphere that usually surrounded him. Immediately, a somber mood settled around them. Sakumo's voice sounded exhausted, and Minato began to understand what Kakashi meant when he said his father had changed. Even though Sakumo tried to hide it from Minato, he couldn't.

Minato wouldn't directly say that Sakumo was unkempt, but it was obvious that he wasn't well. Deep eye bags indicated sleep deprivation, and his paler face revealed exhaustion. His beard was bushier than usual, and his hair looked disheveled. The overall appearance and demeanor were significantly different from what Minato remembered.

"Don't worry, Kakashi is fine. He's currently focused on his training," Minato reassured Sakumo with a charming smile. "I just wanted to have a private word with you. I thought it would be fitting while Kakashi is training. Would it be possible for me to come in for a moment?" Sakumo regarded Minato thoughtfully for a moment before stepping aside to let him in.

Minato entered the house, leaving his sandals outside, and walked through the inviting hallway. His gaze wandered through the rooms; everything appeared tidy. No changes were noticeable. It was likely Kakashi who ensured the house remained orderly. That would also explain why he seemed tired—besides training, he probably took care of the household.

"Why don't we sit in the kitchen?" Sakumo suggested, indicating a door. Minato nodded in agreement and followed him into the kitchen. Sakumo pointed to a chair, and Minato immediately took a seat. Slowly, Sakumo sat down opposite Minato and studied him intently as a tense silence filled the room. The atmosphere in the house felt oppressive.

Minato cleared his throat softly before taking the lead in the conversation. "Sorry for dropping by unannounced, but there are some important matters I'd like to discuss with you," he began, his gaze fixed on Sakumo, who showed no emotions. Minato continued, undeterred. "It's about Kakashi. I'm seriously worried about him."

Sakumo leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow. "What about him?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice that Minato didn't miss.

Minato moved a bit closer. "There are a few points I'd like to address. Firstly, it concerns Kakashi's future as a shinobi." He paused, considering how to proceed. "The Hokage has informed me that the Chunin Exams will be happening soon, and Kakashi is supposed to participate. Personally, I think he's still too young for it."

A silence settled between them as Sakumo remained stoic, his gaze neutral. After a moment, he sighed softly. "If you think he's not ready, you should discuss it with the Hokage," he suggested.

Minato confessed without hesitation, "I was hoping for your support. As his father and a senior shinobi..."

Sakumo raised a placating hand, and Minato immediately fell silent. "I have nothing left to say. The respect for me is gone. Even if I tried to speak with the Hokage, I don't know if he would listen. The pressure would be too great. I see no way to prevent it," Sakumo began, a trace of frustration in his voice. "I have discussed Kakashi's future as a shinobi with the Hokage extensively. I've always tried to do what's best for him. But my concerns weren't always adequately considered."

Minato raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at Sakumo questioningly. "What conditions weren't accepted?"

Sakumo leaned back comfortably in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "When Kakashi had the opportunity to become a Genin, I suggested assigning him his own sensei first. I also insisted that he shouldn't take on missions outside the village initially. My thought was that he could gain his first experiences as a shinobi and receive training suitable to his abilities, so he wouldn't feel underwhelmed. In my opinion, he should remain a Genin for now and deal with D-Rank missions," Sakumo explained calmly.

He paused for a moment in silence, took a deep breath, and continued. "After the Hokage received your weekly reports and recognized Kakashi's talent, he decided to promote him further and gave you this mission. Of course, he didn't mention to me that he was considering him for the Chunin Exams. To be honest, I'm not pleased about it. But in my current situation, I don't feel capable of doing anything about it."

Minato bit his lip thoughtfully, realizing that Sakumo had a valid point. Before he could dwell on it further, Sakumo spoke again. "If you want him not to participate, you need to speak with the Hokage. But that won't be easy."

Minato let his gaze wander through the room, becoming increasingly aware of how limited his options were regarding Kakashi. "You're probably right," Minato finally responded quietly, and a tense silence enveloped them.

After a few minutes, Sakumo cleared his throat. "Is there anything else?"

Minato sensed that Sakumo wanted to be left alone, but he wasn't finished yet. "Yes, there's one more thing. Yesterday, I met Kakashi at the market," Minato began cautiously, leaning forward. "I saw how Kakashi was thrown out of a store by the owner. He didn't want Kakashi shopping there."

Sakumo flinched briefly, but his face remained impassive. His gaze wandered to the window, remaining silent. Minato watched Sakumo uncertainly, unsure of what to say next. Eventually, Sakumo's gaze returned to Minato. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll talk to Kakashi about it." Sakumo shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and Minato sensed that Sakumo wanted to be alone.

Minato sighed softly. He had promised Kakashi to address another issue, even though he didn't like closing the conversation so quickly. "I'm sorry, but there's one more thing I need to mention. Kakashi asked me to."

Sakumo raised an eyebrow but showed no other reaction, so Minato continued. "Kakashi told me about your promise to celebrate his birthday. He's sad that you haven't done it yet," Minato explained gently. "He's worried about you. I think he's also suffering from this situation."

Sakumo's gaze remained inscrutable as he looked at Minato. Throughout the conversation, he showed little emotion, but Minato sensed that something was stirring within Sakumo. The atmosphere in the house grew increasingly oppressive, and Minato felt as if his throat was tightening. "As I said, I'll talk to him calmly, but for now, I'd like some time to myself," Sakumo explained quietly as he stood up. "Thank you for coming by."

Minato sighed softly and slowly stood up. The conversation had gone very differently than he had expected. Now, however, he could understand what Kakashi meant when he said that Sakumo had changed. A feeling of disappointment spread within Minato as he realized that he hadn't achieved anything for Kakashi. His heart ached painfully.

Minato slowly put on his sandals, stood up, and reached for the door handle. But as he grasped it, he hesitated. His gaze remained on the closed door. "Sakumo, I want you to know that I admire your decision in this difficult situation," Minato began quietly. "I'm pretty sure Kakashi is proud of you too."

Minato slowly turned around and noticed Sakumo's slightly surprised expression. "Please don't give up, Sakumo. Kakashi needs you. He loves you, but he can't do this alone. Now, in this difficult time, he needs you more than ever," Minato explained firmly.

A smile flashed across Sakumo's lips, an expression Minato couldn't quite interpret. "Is that so? But all of this is happening because of me," he said, studying Minato in silence. Minato didn't quite understand what Sakumo meant and looked at him questioningly. Sakumo shook his head. "Forget it, it's okay. Thank you, Minato."

For a moment longer, Minato looked at the older Hatake before turning around. Just as he was about to press down on the door handle, Sakumo spoke suddenly. "Thank you for taking care of Kakashi. Please never stop, no matter what happens," he said quietly. Minato flinched slightly and immediately turned to Sakumo, who smiled at him tiredly. An uneasy feeling rose in Minato, a sense of something unspoken that he couldn't explain.

Minato simply nodded in response and left the house. He quickly hurried through the front yard. When the house was out of sight, he suddenly stopped. His heart was pounding wildly, and the uneasy feeling within him intensified. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. Quickly, he felt his thoughts calming and the tension leaving him.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and cast one last glance back. Quickly, he shook off the uneasy feeling and continued on his way—after all, Kakashi was waiting for him. He decided to ignore the feeling. It was just a feeling, nothing more.