Those who barely knew him scoffed and called him lazy. Those who knew him well assumed that he spent far too much time agonizing over the past as he traced the names of his dear friends etched into the Konoha memorial. His students thought it was some sort of test, although mostly, they just found it annoying.
All of them were right to a certain extent, but there was a hidden reason that no one would ever voice out loud. It was an obvious reason, but it seemed too sentimental and weak for such a battle-hardened man.
He did not want to send any more of his comrades to their deaths.
This was especially true when it came to his students. True, he called them his soldiers, and he would not hesitate to send them on any mission required by the Hokage, but he could give them those extra moments…allow them to be children for a few extra hours each day before asking them to risk their lives. He would always be on time when it was truly necessary…he would never play such games in a time of need…but for now, he would give his young charges as much time as possible before he was forced to one day send them to their deaths.
It was the least he could do.