[A/N: If you've enjoyed the story so far, please consider leaving a review—it really helps a lot.]
Kiyoshi navigated the familiar streets of Konoha, his mind still buzzing from the day's training. The scent of fresh broth and sizzling ingredients guided him like an invisible thread, and before he knew it, he was standing in front of Ichiraku Ramen.
The shop was a small, yatai-style stall with a red awning, a simple wooden structure, and a few tables. It wasn't grand or flashy, but the inviting warmth and mouthwatering aroma made it one of the most beloved spots in the village.
At this hour, the shop wasn't too crowded—just a few scattered customers enjoying their meals. Teuchi, the ever-friendly owner, looked up as Kiyoshi stepped inside.
"Welcome! What'll it be?"
Kiyoshi dropped onto a stool, sighing as he rubbed the back of his neck. "One large portion of tonkotsu ramen. And throw in some side dishes."
"Coming right up!" Teuchi grinned before turning to his workstation, expertly preparing the order.
As Kiyoshi waited, enjoying the comforting sounds of bubbling broth and clanking utensils, the shop's entrance slid open again. A father-and-son duo entered—both unmistakably white-haired.
His breath caught for a moment. Sakumo Hatake. Kakashi Hatake.
Even as a child, Kakashi already had an air of quiet sharpness about him, his tiny frame dressed in a standard blue yukata. Sakumo, on the other hand, carried a different presence—calm yet commanding.
They walked in with little fanfare, silently taking the seats right beside Kiyoshi.
Neither said a word as Teuchi turned to them. "The usual?"
Sakumo gave a small nod. "Yes. One for me and a small portion for him."
Teuchi got to work, leaving the three in silence.
Kiyoshi, trying not to act like a total fanboy, sneaked a glance at Sakumo—the legendary White Fang of Konoha. He had heard countless stories—how his blade was as swift as lightning, how his very presence could turn the tide of battle.
Beside him, little Kakashi sat still, his feet dangling slightly off the stool. Even at his young age, his sharp onyx eyes scanned the shop, missing nothing.
Still, the atmosphere was… quiet.
Too quiet.
Kiyoshi felt the weight of Hatake silence pressing down on him.
Maybe I should say something…?
Would that be weird? Would Sakumo find him annoying?
After a moment of internal debate, he decided to just focus on his ramen.
Just as Teuchi placed Kiyoshi's bowl in front of him, Sakumo suddenly spoke—his voice smooth yet firm.
"Training hard?"
Kiyoshi almost choked on his own breath.
Of all things, Sakumo had noticed that?
He quickly straightened. "Yes, sir!"
Sakumo simply gave a small nod, as if approving his answer.
Beside him, little Kakashi stared at Kiyoshi for a moment before casually turning back to his own bowl as it arrived.
The silence stretched again, but this time, it felt a little different.
Kiyoshi exhaled. This is fine.
The three of them ate in quiet companionship—
---
As Kiyoshi enjoyed his rich, steaming tonkotsu ramen, he couldn't help but glance at the silver-haired duo beside him. Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, quietly ate his meal with an air of calm authority, while little Kakashi, almost four years old, sat beside him, legs dangling off the stool as he methodically ate with impressive discipline for a child his age.
Kiyoshi suppressed a sigh. He's still normal.
There was no trace of the broken man who would one day take his own life. No signs of regret, guilt, or the weight of the infamous mission that would lead him down that dark path. By his estimate, at least three years remained before that fateful event. As Kakashi was already a chunin when that happened.
He dipped a piece of pork into the broth, swirling it absentmindedly as his thoughts ran wild.
How could I stop it?
Sakumo Hatake was a legend, a man of honor who valued his comrades above all else. But the same virtue that made him so noble would one day lead to his downfall. The village, which once praised him, would turn its back on him the moment he placed human lives above mission success. And without support, without anyone standing by him, that isolation would break him.
But when?
That was the problem. Kiyoshi didn't know exactly when Sakumo would receive that mission or what specific factors would push him over the edge. He only knew the end result: death by his own hand.
If he had more concrete details, maybe he could act—maybe he could find a way to change the outcome. But at this moment, he was nothing more than a stranger sitting beside the man, eating ramen.
Thinking about it now is useless.
Kiyoshi exhaled slowly and took another bite, forcing himself to focus on the meal in front of him rather than the grim thoughts plaguing his mind. The best he could do for now was observe, learn, and wait.
A quiet moment passed before little Kakashi spoke up.
"Father," he said in a small but serious voice, "is it true that ramen isn't a 'nutritionally balanced meal'?"
Kiyoshi nearly choked on his food.
Sakumo paused mid-bite, then slowly turned to his son, his expression unreadable. "...Who told you that?"
Kakashi frowned. "The lady at the training center."
There was a long silence.
Then, Sakumo let out a sigh and patted his son's head. "Kakashi."
"Yes, Father?"
"Forget what she said."
"...Alright."
Kiyoshi struggled not to laugh, quickly shoving another bite into his mouth to cover it up.
Maybe… for now, this moment was enough.