Three days later, Kakashi looked at the long sword in his hand. It was about one meter long, with a single-edged blade that gleamed silvery white.
He swung it twice fluidly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
The old blacksmith, Zuo Yan, said, "This sword was forged using your broken White Fang blade and the ore provided by Mifune. It took me three days to craft, and it is one of the finest ninja swords I have ever made."
"Thank you, old sir," Kakashi said, sheathing the sword.
"No need to thank me. This is my craft. I only hope that one day, this sword will make its mark in the ninja world, so my work won't have been in vain. By the way, you should give it a name," Zuo Yan suggested.
"I'll call it Chidori Blade," Kakashi said casually.
"A fine name. I have no regrets in my life after creating this sword," Zuo Yan said.
"Zuo Yan, don't lose your fighting spirit. One should always strive forward. Believe in yourself—you can still craft even greater blades," Mifune encouraged.
"Hahaha, you're right," Zuo Yan chuckled, shaking his head.
"Mr. Mifune, I've stayed here long enough. It's time for me to return to the village," Kakashi said.
"Indeed. I will be heading back to the Land of Iron in a few days. Be sure to visit if you have the chance. Xiaoxue will surely miss you," Mifune replied.
Today, Xiaoxue had remained at Mifune's house, likely sensing the impending farewell and choosing to avoid it.
"Of course, if I pass through the Land of Iron, I'll be sure to visit."
"Good."
With that, Kakashi turned and left. The mission had taken nearly half a month in total, and it was time to return to Konoha. However, this trip had been fruitful. He had faced off against the powerful Jōnin, Fangs of the Snow Wolf, gaining valuable experience. He had learned Mifune's Shunpo technique and acquired the newly forged Chidori Blade.
Kakashi was pleased with his progress. Upon his return, he planned to rest for about a week, allowing him time to consolidate what he had learned. He was also nearing mastery of the Four Symbols Seal, which would help him control his Sharingan better.
He intended to perfect the unsealing technique for the Sharingan. Otherwise, if he were ever in danger and couldn't activate it, it would be a major disadvantage. His current strength heavily relied on the Sharingan, after all. Its ability to copy ninjutsu was incredibly useful and saved a lot of effort.
With this plan in mind, Kakashi felt at ease.
His swordsmanship had reached a bottleneck, and further breakthroughs would require deeper understanding. Once he grasped the true essence of swordsmanship, he could unlock the advanced techniques of the Hatake sword style, many of which rivaled Chidori in power—some even being S-rank techniques.
Three days later, Kakashi finally arrived back in Konoha.
Hokage's Office
"Lord Third, the mission in the Land of Snow has been completed," Kakashi reported, handing over the mission summary scroll to the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took it, reviewed it briefly, and nodded. "Well done, Kakashi. You've handled this mission admirably. Rest for a week—I'll assign you another mission after that."
"Understood, Lord Third," Kakashi said before leaving.
The Third Hokage watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Kakashi performed exceptionally well in this mission. He seems different—there's no longer that lifeless look in his eyes. Has he finally stepped out of his past shadows?" he mused with satisfaction.
What he didn't realize was that this Kakashi was not quite the same as before. Though his memories remained intact, his dominant thoughts had shifted.
Back at his home, Kakashi removed his gear and collapsed onto his bed. The long journey had taken its toll, and even with his stamina, he was exhausted. Sleep quickly overtook him.
By the time he woke up, the moon had risen.
His stomach growled, and he ran a hand through his silver hair before getting up lazily. Having been away for half a month, there was no food at home, so he decided to head out for a meal.
Stepping outside, he noticed the many changes in the village. Over twenty days had passed since the Nine-Tails' attack, and much of the damage had been repaired. Thanks to the efforts of the village's ninja, reconstruction had progressed rapidly.
Scanning his surroundings, Kakashi looked for an open restaurant. His gaze soon landed on a small shop.
"Ichiraku Ramen…" A faint smile formed under his mask. In his previous life, this place had been hailed as Konoha's best comfort food. There was no reason not to try it.
"Welcome!" The shop owner, a middle-aged man in a white chef's uniform, greeted him with a smile.
At this time, the ramen stand was relatively empty, as the dinner rush had already passed. A young girl, about seven or eight years old, stood behind the counter—Ayame, the daughter of Teuchi.
"Hello, one miso ramen, please," Kakashi ordered.
"Got it! Give me a moment," Teuchi replied.
Ichiraku's ramen broth was always ready, requiring only the noodles to be cooked before serving. It didn't take long before a steaming bowl was placed in front of him.
"Here you go—one miso ramen. Enjoy!" Teuchi said cheerfully.
"Thank you. Itadakimasu," Kakashi said before taking a sip of the broth. The rich flavor spread through his mouth.
"Delicious," Kakashi murmured.
"Haha! That broth is my secret recipe—it took me years to perfect! The noodles are made with a special technique too, giving them just the right texture," Teuchi said proudly, pleased to see someone enjoying his cooking.
"Uncle, you're truly a master chef," Kakashi praised.
His admiration extended beyond just the food. In the original timeline, Teuchi had been one of the few villagers who never discriminated against Naruto. He had always welcomed the boy with kindness, even allowing him to eat on credit. That level of unwavering warmth and acceptance was something Kakashi respected.
Naruto's love for Ichiraku Ramen wasn't just about the taste—it was about the feeling of home it provided.
"Haha, thank you! Now that I think about it, weren't you a student of the Fourth Hokage?" Teuchi asked, recalling past memories.
Indeed, Minato had once brought his three students—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—to eat ramen here. Those days felt so distant now. Minato and Rin had passed away, and Obito had been lost to darkness. Now, Kakashi was alone.
"Yes… those were good times," Kakashi said with a tinge of nostalgia.
Realizing he might have touched on a painful subject, Teuchi quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up sad memories."
"It's alright," Kakashi reassured him. Finishing the last bite, he placed some ryo on the counter and stood up. "Thanks for the meal. I'll be back."
"Take care," Teuchi said, watching him leave.
Ayame, watching the masked man go, tugged at her father's sleeve. "Dad, who was that big brother?"
Teuchi smiled gently and patted her head. "He's just a man carrying a heavy past, Ayame."