Early in the morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window of Kakashi's house, illuminating the pale-faced teenager who stood in silent contemplation.
Kakashi, who hadn't slept all night, donned a black mourning robe, tied his forehead protector snugly in place, and stepped outside.
On the worn streets of Konoha, people walked in pairs and small groups, all dressed in black, holding white flowers for the memorial service. The village was draped in sorrow, mourning the loss of the Fourth Hokage and countless others who had perished in the Nine-Tails' attack.
The bright sunlight stung Kakashi's uncovered eye, making him frown. He wasn't yet accustomed to the one-eyed perspective, and the exhaustion from a sleepless night made him feel lightheaded. His body swayed slightly.
"Kakashi, are you alright?"
A firm grip steadied him, accompanied by a rough yet familiar voice.
Turning his head, Kakashi saw the unmistakable figure of a young man with a bowl-cut hairstyle, dressed in a green jumpsuit—thick eyebrows, boundless energy. There was no mistaking him.
"Ah, Guy. I'm fine," Kakashi replied, shaking off his friend's hand and standing straighter.
Guy furrowed his brows. "You don't look fine. You're pale."
"It's nothing, just a little tired."
Guy exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. "Kakashi, my eternal rival, let's see who gets to the funeral first!"
Kakashi gave him a tired glance and sighed. "Not today, Guy."
Guy's eyes burned with the familiar intensity of youth. "But Kakashi, we must never let sorrow dull our flames!"
A faint smile crossed Kakashi's lips. "Today isn't the day for that, Guy. Let's just go."
Guy scratched the back of his head and then suddenly produced two white flowers. "I had a feeling you'd forget."
Kakashi accepted one with a quiet nod, feeling a warmth he hadn't expected.
The two continued toward the memorial site, their steps heavy with grief.
At the center of the funeral, a framed photograph stood tall. A man with a warm smile and golden hair, shining like the sun itself—Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Konoha's Yellow Flash. A hero. Now, a memory.
Kakashi's mind drifted, his emotions an unreadable storm.
"Kakashi," Guy said quietly, "the Fourth Hokage gave his life to protect the village. He was a great man."
"Yeah," Kakashi murmured. "A great man."
Guy's eyes turned solemn. "One day, I hope to die a hero's death, just like him."
Kakashi turned to his friend, seeing an unfamiliar seriousness in his usually exuberant face.
"Guy, I'd rather you live a long life. I don't want to attend your funeral."
Guy looked surprised. "Kakashi, that's not the way of a ninja."
Kakashi exhaled, shaking his head. "Maybe not. But if you must die a hero, do it after me."
"Kakashi…"
A voice interrupted them. "Kakashi, Guy."
Both turned to see an elderly man approaching, clad in Hokage robes. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama," they greeted respectfully.
Hiruzen's sharp gaze softened as he studied Kakashi. "You've changed."
Kakashi remained silent.
Hiruzen sighed. "As long as there are leaves in the village, the fire will burn. The shadow of the flame will illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout. When you fight to protect those you cherish, that is when a true ninja's strength emerges. Do you understand?"
Kakashi hesitated, then replied, "I understand… but I don't want to lose those I cherish."
"Then grow stronger. Strong enough to protect them all."
Kakashi's single eye sharpened. "I will, Lord Third."
Hiruzen nodded. "Come, it's time."
Kakashi glanced at Guy. "Let's go."
Guy hesitated for only a second before following. "Right behind you."
The funeral lasted until evening. By the time Kakashi returned home, exhaustion weighed heavily on him.
The Hatake residence remained unchanged since his father's passing—silent and empty.
Lying on his bed, Kakashi reached up to touch his left eye. The warmth of the Sharingan never ceased, always consuming chakra. No wonder the original Kakashi struggled in prolonged battles.
"This eye drains my strength constantly… No wonder I could never sustain long fights," Kakashi muttered to himself. "The original Kakashi never sought a solution. A part of him held onto Obito's will… but I can't afford to be bound by sentimentality."
He frowned in thought before his eye lit up with realization.
"If I could seal it when I don't need it, that would solve the problem."
But sealing techniques weren't his forte. The Evil Sealing Method he would learn in the future wasn't ideal for this purpose, even if he had access to it now.
"If Minato-sensei were here, he could help…" Kakashi sighed, but he wasn't ready to give up.
The Hatake clan may not have been known for sealing jutsu, but his father, Sakumo, had left behind many scrolls on advanced techniques. There had to be something useful there.
Moreover, Minato's wife, Kushina Uzumaki, had been a sealing master. Before her passing, she had gifted him a scroll on sealing techniques for his birthday. At the time, he hadn't paid much attention.
And if all else failed, the Third Hokage had a vast knowledge of ninjutsu. While asking him directly would be complicated—especially given the politics surrounding the Uchiha clan—Kakashi believed he could find a way.
"First, I'll check what Kushina-sensei left me," Kakashi decided.
Following his memories, he retrieved a dusty scroll from a drawer and unrolled it, scanning its contents.
Hours passed.
Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sealing jutsu is ridiculously complicated… If not for the knowledge left in this body, I wouldn't understand any of this."
Still, his efforts weren't in vain. Though Kushina's scroll didn't contain the exact technique he needed, it held valuable insights into sealing principles. He even found the basis for the Evil Sealing Method he would one day use.
"Looks like my father's scrolls are my next best bet."
Determined, Kakashi set the scroll aside and prepared to continue his search.