Captain Blues: Let's fucking get this chapter done!
Ansatsuken
Chapter Seventeen: The New Mission
[Theme of Konoha (Evening):
Spiran Scenery from Final Fantasy X (Remastered Ver)]
The trip to Akimichi's BBQ restaurant was a quiet affair between Naruto and Kakashi. Not because the pair wasn't willing to talk but due to the myriad of thoughts running through their minds.
For Naruto, despite the truth finally coming out, there was a sense of betrayal that he felt from Kakashi and the Sandaime.
And for Kakashi, it was the guilt for hiding everything from his student and would-be adopted son, had the Hokage approved of his various requests to adopt the child.
But eventually, one of the two was going to break the silence between them.
And it was Naruto who broke the silence with, "So, how long did you know?"
"I was out on a mission during the birth, but the second I came back, I was informed and saw you," Kakashi explained.
"So you were my father's student, and you were there from the start?" Naruto questioned before he sighed.
Kakashi nodded.
Naruto lowered his gaze and murmured, "I just want to know why, you know? You knew who I was this entire time, and yet…I don't know, it's stupid."
Kakashi turned his head to watch Naruto for a second and stopped in the street, prompting Naruto to stop as well. "Naruto, I understand exactly how you're feeling," Kakashi softly told him. "You feel betrayed and confused about why I was never there despite knowing, right?"
Naruto nodded, his eyes glistening with tears as he stammered out, "I understand that you were probably busy being a-a shinobi and everything, but I-I really needed someone, y-you know? W-Why weren't you there?"
[Theme of Heart to Heart:
Turnabout Sisters (Music Box Melody) from Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]
Kakashi's eye began to water at the confused and heartbroken tone that Naruto's voice held. "Oh, Naruto…." Kakashi shakily breathed out. "I wanted to be there for you. More than you could ever know…."
"T-Then why, S-Sensei?" Naruto asked.
"When I found out Minato and Kushina had passed on, I was grieving," Kakashi began, thankful that the road was currently empty for this talk. "I lost a lot in my life, Naruto. But the second I got to see your eyes, I requested the Hokage to allow me to adopt you. He denied my request…."
"He did?" Naruto breathed out.
"Before you get angry, let me explain," Kakashi said. "The Hokage explained to me that because I was still heavily grieving and deep into my work as an ANBU, it would be too dangerous to add someone, even as someone important as you, to that large workload that was my life…."
Kakashi ran a hand through his hair and said, "And to my eternal regret, I wound up agreeing. But he swore that you would be okay and that he would look after you in my stead. After that, I was placed on a four-year undercover mission."
"So I guess he was right in that regard. ANBU work had you gone for the first four years of my life," Naruto sadly murmured.
"Yeah…" Kakashi sighed out. "It wound up being a critical mission not only for the village but for getting my life sorted out again. So when I returned with my head on straight, I rushed back to the Hokage's office to formally adopt you again."
"You did?" Naruto asked with a surprised tone.
"I did. It was then I found that things weren't going too well with you. You had just been kicked out of the orphanage, and the Hokage put you in an apartment. I begged for hours to him, but he denied it again, stating my ANBU work was far too important. I even threatened to quit," Kakashi told him truthfully, which caused Naruto's eyes to widen.
"But once again, he denied. He stated I was far too valuable to lose and told me that any other request would result in the same answer. After that, my ANBU workload became busier and busier, but I always made time look after you the best way I could," Kakashi told him. "Sometimes, that would be replacing spoiled food with fresh food, leaving money in random places so you can find and use if you were broke, gifts on your birthday and Christmas, or just watching you throughout the night…."
"Wait, that was you replacing my food and leaving those gifts all these years?" Naruto asked with awe, tears falling down his eyes.
"Not just me, up until her death, Uchiha Mikoto would and Jiraiya as well," Kakashi answered. "But even then, I knew it was never enough. These secret acts of kindness, while good, could never make up for you not having the proper guidance a parent or dedicated guardian could give you. So when I heard you had finally made it to Genin, along with Sasuke and Sakura, I personally requested to have you bunch on my team."
"Wow…." Naruto whispered. "I never knew…."
Kakashi knelt on one knee, and without looking around, he removed his mask and lifted his headband, showing Naruto, thus leaving himself fully vulnerable to his student.
"I know that I should have fought harder to be the presence that you needed in your life. That is a failure that I will always hold in my heart, " Kakashi said to the stunned Naruto. "But now, I can be the person you've always needed without being denied or hiding in the shadows. And If you give me this second chance, I will always be there for you, no matter what happens."
Naruto stared at him for what felt like an eternity as tears fell down his eyes.
Kakashi took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions at bay. He had laid both his truth and his feelings on the table. All Kakashi could hope for was that Naruto would allow him to fill the role Kakashi had always wanted to fill in Naruto's life.
After another heart-racing minute passed, Naruto softly asked, "So, if you had adopted me, you would have been my dad, right?"
Kakashi slowly nodded.
Naruto allowed a slight smile to appear on his face as he teased Kakashi with, "Then I guess you owe Emi so many Christmas and birthday gifts."
Kakashi was confused for a moment before he let out a laugh and said, "I better get to work then, huh?"
Naruto fully smiled as he responded with, "You're damn right."
Kakashi let out a soft, relieved laugh before bringing Naruto into his arms with a tight hug, which caused Naruto to stiffen against him before hugging him back. "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei…." Naruto whispered into his neck.
"Anytime, Naruto," Kakashi whispered back.
Kakashi then pulled away and placed both hands on Naruto's cheeks and said, "I won't let you down from here on out, alright? I won't waste this second chance…."
"Alright," Naruto said with a shaky breath.
Kakashi then lowered his headband back over his eye and pulled up his mask, after wiping his cheeks, before he stood up and suggested, "Let's go grab that food, shall we?"
[Theme of Namikaze Residence:
Aoba Park from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment (PSP Ver)]
The night at the Namikaze residence was filled with warmth and laughter as Kakashi regaled Naruto and his family with stories of his time with Kushina, Minato, and his teammates. Of course, there were moments of sadness when Kakashi recounted Obito and Rin along with his last memories of Kushina and Minato alive. Still, in the end, both Naruto and Kakashi were grateful for the experience.
Naruto got to hear more about his parents, and Kakashi released some pent-up sadness regarding his past.
"Wait, Kakashi-san, you mentioned Uchiha Mikoto quite often in these stories," Haku began with a curious expression. "Who was she exactly?"
"Oh, I never expanded on her," Kakashi said. "She was Kushina's best friend and Sasuke's mother."
Naruto, who had just taken a sip of water, spat it out sharply, which made Emi giggle at the goofy face of her father. "Wait, the bast-I mean Sasuke's mom was my mom's best friend?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, those two got along famously," Kakashi said. "They were always talking about how their sons would become best friends and how they would watch them grow up together. Minato-sensei used to joke that Mikoto and Kushina were soulmates with how much of their lives intertwined together."
"Weird…." Naruto murmured.
"I think it's cute," Haku said with a smile before she looked down to Emi and asked, "What do you think?"
Emi tilted her head and said, "I think Daddy should be friends with Uncle Sasuke like Grandma and her friend wanted."
"Uncle….Sasuke…." Naruto cringed out.
Sure, Sasuke somewhat lightened up since Wave, but that was a massive title Emi had just given him.
"Why do you think that, little smile?" Haku asked as she petted Emi's hair.
"I don't know why but Uncle Sasuke seems lonely all the time," Emi murmured with a worried frown. "But he seems happy when he's around daddy."
"That's because Daddy likes to antagonize Sasuke," Haku joked with a wink to Naruto, who smiled and leaned over to ruffle Emi's hair.
"Tell you what, Emi-chan. For you, I'll think about it," Naruto told her, which caused Emi to beam at him.
Just then, there was a knock on the patio door, which prompted the little family and Kakashi to turn to the knocker, only for Kakashi to pale.
Standing on the patio with a wide smirk on her face was Mitarashi Anko.
"Um, who is that?" Haku asked.
"No idea," Naruto replied.
"That's Mitarashi Anko," Kakashi sighed out with a bowed head. "That's my best friend."
Emi wiggled off Haku's lap as she chirped, "Then let's let her in!"
"Emi," Haku began, but Emi had already made it to the patio door, and after hopping twice, she was able to unlock it before pulling it open for the woman.
"Hello, Kakashi-Jiji's best friend!" Emi chirped out.
Anko tilted her head at the girl before she knelt to her level and said, "And hello to you too, kiddo. You got a name?"
"I'm Uzumaki Emi!" Emi introduced as she held out her hand.
"Oh, are you?" Anko questioned as she shook the little girl's hand with an amused expression.
Emi nodded and turned to point at Naruto and said, "That's my Daddy." Emi then moved her hand to Haku and said, "That's my Mommy!"
Anko blinked and slowly looked at Kakashi, who said, "I'll explain the whole story later."
Anko slowly nodded and said, "Well, Gaki, Lady Gaki, the name's Mitarashi Anko. Nice to meet you two and your baby child."
"Nice to meet you too, Mitarashi-san," Haku politely said while Naruto gave a smile and thumbs up.
Anko hoisted herself up while Emi ran to Naruto, who instantly put him on her lap, and said, "Sorry to interrupt whatever was going on, but Kakashi, Hokage wanted me to grab you for a meeting. Said it was hella important."
Kakashi frowned at this then turned to Naruto, who held a now-tired Emi. "No worries, Sensei. Haku and I need to put our little smile to bed."
"I'm not tired," Emi mumbled as she rubbed her eyes, which caused the four shinobi to chuckle.
"You sure, Naruto?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm sure. Plus, Haku and I should snag some sleep too. Considering Haku has her shinobi test coming up in the morning," Naruto said.
"I forgot all about that," Haku grumbled.
"Alright," Kakashi said as he stood up. "You three get some rest. Naruto, no team meeting tomorrow or the day after, alright?"
Naruto nodded with a smile.
Kakashi smiled and ruffled Naruto's hair before Emi sleepily murmured, "Hug goodbye, Kakashi-Jiji?"
Kakashi laughed as Naruto held Emi out for Kakashi to take her into his arms in a hug, which she softly returned. "Get some rest, kiddo. I'll stop by tomorrow," Kakashi told her.
"Okay…." Emi mumbled before she was sat back in Naruto's lap.
"You guys sleep well," Kakashi said with a smile and with a goodbye from Naruto and Haku; Kakashi and Anko walked out of the Namikaze home and darted into the air.
[Theme of Hokage Tower:
Royal Castle from The Legend of The Dragoon]
Kakashi and Anko landed in front of the Hokage Tower, and the second they landed, Anko's hand whipped up and smacked Kakashi in the back of his head.
"Idiot!" Anko exclaimed as Kakashi groaned out in pain and rubbed the back of his head.
"What was that for?" Kakashi questioned with a squinted eye.
"Oh Anko, I know we just had the best drunken sex in the world, but I'm going to run on a mission without talking about what we did and leaving you to find out from fucking Izumo of all people," Anko recounted with a mocking voice.
Kakashi winced.
"Sorry," Kakashi whispered out. "I didn't intend to leave like that, but when I woke up, I saw the time and quickly had to jet…."
"You're lucky you're cute," Anko said with a shake of her head. "And a very understanding best friend." Anko then grabbed Kakashi by the flack jacket and pulled him close until the tips of their noses were touching. "Do it again, and I will have Kotoha swallow you whole. Got it?" Anko threatened.
"Got it," Kakashi squeaked.
"Good," Anko said before she released him with a wide smile. "So "Kakashi-Jiji" what was that with the Uzumaki family about?"
"It's a long story," Kakashi sighed out, but he couldn't help but smile.
"It must be a good one considering how happy you looked back there and now," Anko noted as she and Kakashi walked up the tower walls to the Hokage's balcony.
"It was the best," Kakashi whispered happily. "I haven't felt this good since we met truthfully."
"Awww," Anko said as she reached over and pinched his cheek, which caused Kakashi to swat her lazily. "You're just buttering me up because you know you're in the doghouse. Sweet but not working."
"Damn," Kakashi said with a snap of his fingers.
"Nice try, though," Anko said as she put her hands behind her head. "You know, we'll have to talk about eventually, right? The only reason we're not right now is because of your meeting with the Hokage."
"I know," Kakashi said with a serious tone.
Kakashi and Anko had been best friends for the last few years due to their shared broken past. The pair often straddled the line between friends and potentially something more with their reckless flirting and teasing glances.
But on the eve of the Wave mission, the combination of Green Tea Fireball shots from the Jackrabbit and reminiscing on their separate broken pasts caused the two friends to cross that line.
"I have a mission tomorrow, so maybe when I come back, we can talk about it?" Anko reluctantly suggested with an uncharacteristic shy tone.
"I'd like that," Kakashi replied with an unsure tone.
"Good," Anko said as the duo leaped over the balcony bars and landed on the Hokage's balcony, where Kakashi could see Gai and Kurenai waiting inside with the Hokage. "Well, this is your stop," Anko announced.
"Thanks for keeping me company," Kakashi told her with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't forget; you have a story to tell me," Anko told him before she got on the balcony's railing, only to turn around and tell him, "For what it's worth, I'm not angry it happened."
"Neither am I," Kakashi told her.
Anko snorted and said, "Better not be. That's the best drunken sex you'll ever have."
"Hmmm, seven outta ten," Kakashi smugly retorted, which caused Anko to lose her balance briefly.
"You sassy bitch," Anko noted with a smirk when she saw the teasing glint in Kakashi's eye. Their teasing stares turned into a soft expression before Anko gently mumbled, "See you later, Hatake."
"Later, Anko," Kakashi softly replied.
Anko jumped off the railing as Kakashi turned away and entered the Hokage's office behind him and ignored the smug looks of Kurenai and Gai as he said, "Sorry I'm late. Traffic."
"Traffic?" The Sandaime said with a look of disappointment. "I don't even get a "Road of Life" excuse this time?"
"After the night I've had, that's the best I've got," Kakashi happily joked as he joined Gai and Kurenai and gave them a nod.
"Well, I apologize for the late meeting, but now that all three of you are here, I can discuss your next assignments," The Sandaime said. "And also some temporary team arrangements."
The trio of Jōnin blinked.
"I'm sorry, what?" Kurenai questioned.
"You heard correctly, Kurenai-san," The Sandaime said. "With Asuma wounded after his mission and the lack of spare Jōnin, we'll have to add another member to your teams. Also, the rearranging of the teams is to teach the batch of new Genin that their regular status quo can sometimes change."
The trio nodded.
"Yūhi Kurenai, you will have Aburame Shino, Nara Shikamaru, Hyūga Neji and Kiba Inuzuka on your squad. Your mission is to locate the Bikōchū beetle for Aburame Shibi," The Hokage explained. "This beetle can track any target as long as it had the target's scent. It's been several generations since the Aburame clan had them, and they request for Shino to acclimate his body to them."
Kurenai nodded.
"Maito Gai, you will have Hayabusa Tenten, Uchiha Sasuke, Akimichi Chōji and Haruno Sakura go to the village of Takigakure no Sato. This is an escort mission to lead their leader, Shibuki, back to the village," The Sandaime said.
"it shall be done, Hokage-sama!" Gai said with a salute.
"And last but not least," The Sandaime said as he looked to Kakashi. "You will have Uzumaki Naruto, Hyūga Hinata, Rock Lee, and Yamanaka Ino. You three will be heading to the village of Faiāgāden. A group of shinobi from the Hachijo Clan is in danger of being wiped out by a rival group. Their clan leader, Hachijo Kazumi, has requested aid."
Kakashi nodded, but he noticed that Gai's eyes slightly widened at the name.
"Good. Your teams leave in two days. I suggested gathering your temporary teams and have them meet tomorrow. Dismissed."
Captain Blues: And that is the end of this chapter and the official start of "Riot of the Devil" Arc so until the next chapter! See you later!