Chapter 9: Late Night Studying!

"Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them."

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables


Minato & Naruto-Uzumaki Household

Lightning streaks across the night sky, another bout of thunderstorms coming. Spring rains come nearly every day or night now, though it never seemed that way to him back in the future.

Maybe he was just too distracted by everything else going on in his life.

'3 months.' He sighs.

Naruto studies the first torrents of rain against the back patio, considers what other books or scrolls are in the house he hasn't yet reviewed.

A cup gets pressed against his cheek and he jolts away.

"Ugh, that's hot!" Naruto yelps.

Minato chuckles, sets the mug of tea down on the table beside him. "Looks like we both can't sleep again, and I'm sure that's not just because of the rain and thunder. You know, I think this is my 2nd time catching you down here past midnight just this week."

Naruto stiffens, Minato grinning when he peers up at him properly.

He plops down into the space to the right of him, takes in the spread of notes Naruto's laid out across the wood floor.

"I take it you're getting uneasy since we haven't received any news from one of Master Jiraiya's toads in the last two weeks or so?"

Naruto shrugs, eventually nods slowly.

"Hinata reviews notes in the daytime while I cover the night shift. Every 3 days, we switch off and compare what we've gathered."

When Minato doesn't say anything on this system they've created, he goes on.

"No offense to Pervy-Sage, but Hinata and I are getting a bit restless with each passing day not knowing how the war is going! And...And at least in our timeline, going to Ame turned into a suicide mission for Jiraiya."

Minato nods patiently. "Things in Ame are probably even more tense now than they were in your timeline what with the territory constantly being used in the prior wars. But Master is strong, so I wouldn't worry-"

"Dad, like I've said before, Hinata and I were at the beginnings of a new war coming. And how can I not worry when Jiraiya is dead and unable to help in said war?! You wouldn't understand considering you're dead too y'know!"

His features falter as soon as the words leave his mouth.

Naruto drops his gaze, looks back outside.

"Sorry. That...err, didn't come out right."

Minato shakes his head, takes a sip of his tea.

Thunder crackles filling the silence, tapping at his chin.

"Oh no, don't be sorry! You have every right to be mad! I did many things in haste that fateful night it sounds like. Did...Did you really know nothing about me or your Mom until your fight with Pain/Nagato?"

Naruto rubs at his face, nods. "We briefly spoke before I could fully break the Nine Tails seal. Heh, I gut punched you for putting him in me in the first place y'know."

Minato nods quietly. 'Understandable.'

Naruto glances to him then. "For Konoha, huh? I'm starting to see why Boruto dislikes the Hokage title so much."

Minato winces, pulls out his own notebook, sets it beside Naruto's notes.

"Well, that's what your Mother and I are working to change! I think I'm making progress with Fugaku for example!"

Naruto cocks his head. "Fugaku?"

Minato smiles. "Oh, Sasuke's Father! I suppose you only really know Sasuke's brother Itachi when it comes to the Uchiha clan."

Naruto shakes his head, gestures to a photo in his office.

He knows exactly where he's looking without having to turn his head.

His team photo.

"No, there's Obito too."

'Obito? But during the Kannabi Bridge Incident wasn't he killed in action?'

Minato purses his lips.

"Kakashi mentioned that. That we needed to look back into the cave near Kusagakure where Obito died?"

Naruto sighs. "There's reason to believe he isn't dead Dad. His body won't be there I bet. We need to deal with him here and now before he possibly...does what he might do in the future."

Minato studies him, azure eyes clouding over.

'Has Obito become an enemy of the Leaf? And if so, why?'

His former student...

He straightens himself.

"Alright then. I want you, Hinata, and Kakashi to go check out the Kannabi Bridge then. The area where his body should be is layered with stones though, it will take you guys a couple of days to get there, if not a week or two to accurately check. Still, are you up for the task?"

Naruto blinks in surprise at the sudden assignment.

"Uhh, well I don't think Hinata will mind, but won't Kakashi-sensei?"

Minato rubs at his chin. He's been overall quiet and awkward since that disastrous dinner, but this will be a chance for them all to truly connect.

Hopefully.

"I'll talk to him again one-on-one. We need to plan for all major events in the future. If Obito's alive like you say, then we need to know why he didn't return to Konoha. And more importantly, learn what's he up to and who he's with."


Minato & Kakashi/Naruto & Hinata-Kakashi's Apartment

A whole entourage greets him at his door.

Minato-sensei isn't that strange of a morning visitor usually going to him first on the way to the training grounds before assignments, but his future son and his companion definitely are.

Minato grins, hair in disarray, sunrise highlighting dark bags beneath his eyes.

"Sorry for this early visit Kakashi, but it's urgent! Can we come in?"

Kakashi blinks, gaze hovering to Naruto and Hinata who don't even seem to want to be here, take in the grass and rooftop tiles respectively.

"...Sure I guess?"

'Been awhile since I've had proper guests over.' He absently notes as he leaves the door open, blows away silvery webs from the upper cabinets.

Does he even have enough tea leaves or snacks around?

He hasn't had to think about such things since Rin and Obito were alive...

At least whenever Gai is at the door, he can ignore him despite his yells for youthful runs annoying his neighbors. Lord Third has told him time and again it isn't healthy to stay so cooped up indoors too, but he never said or did anything more beyond that advice.

'I guess Minato-sensei is going to change that.'

Minato pats at his shoulder before he can get too far, nods in the direction of what was Father's study.

"I need a quick word with you, in private."

He peers back to Naruto and Hinata before they go.

"You two just get comfy here in the living room!"

Kakashi looks over his shoulder as the pair awkwardly bump shoulders, redden before Naruto moves to grab an album beneath the table.

A slow grin rises to Naruto's lips and it clicks right then that must be one of the ones from his Academy days.

"Come on Kakashi, we're gonna one day once we're all jonin with squads of our own look back at these photos and laugh!" Rin goads him to relax his posture. There are so few photos of Kakashi smiling, let alone wanting to be a part of a picture in the first place.

The cherry blossoms won't be in bloom for much longer and it's rare to catch Kakashi not being swarmed by one of their sensei or other fangirls.

'I'm not letting this chance go to waste!' Rin beams as she watches him brush white and pink petals from his hair as if they're flies.

Kakashi shoves his hands into his pockets. "You know I hate photos Rin."

Obito crosses his arms, chuckles dryly. "Why? Cuz, you know how ugly you're gonna look? Don't want that ugliness immortalized forever or-"

Rin sharply nudges him in his side.

"You said you would be nice today! This is supposed to be a celebration of Kakashi's promotion!"

Obito looks away, Kakashi noting the red hue to his cheeks. Rin oblivious as usual to his feelings as his cheeks darken when she pokes at them for him to join in beside him next.

"Whatever." Obito grunts, kicks hard at a pebble barely knocking it a foot away.

Their eyes lock and Kakashi falters, laughs before he can stop himself, flash of white enveloping his vision.

Minato turns him from the pair's view.

"I'll be quick; promise."

Kakashi nods, leads the way into the small alcove within the opposite room. It smells of dust and worn leather bound scrolls and books in here. The shelves are lined with various knickknacks and souvenirs from other nations, things his Dad couldn't bear to part with. He often liked to write scribbles in the margins the names of various merchants with wares he might want to use on an assignment in the future.

Sunlight crosses against one wrapped in red parchment, sighing and looking away when he glimpses the title.

Fundamentals of Team Building Exercises & Practice Operations.

His stomach lurches with the bit of onigiri and egg he ate earlier. 'He probably regretted buying that one.'

"Have you been eating well? You look paler than normal; you know you're always welcome to eat lunch or dinner with us if you're not on a formal assignment." Minato mentions regaining his attention.

Kakashi withers. "I don't want to create a scene like I did before."

Minato waves up a hand, all of that water under the bridge now for both him and Kushina. "I have a new task for you that will temporarily take you away from the village."

Kakashi leans forward curiously as his grin fades. "It's to Kusagakure, by the Kannabi Bridge. I need you, Naruto, and Hinata to investigate the area again."

A cold wave washes over him despite the sunshine unfurling across the room, goosebumps prickling his skin from head to toe. Minato-sensei wouldn't joke about such an assignment, hands tightening at his sides.

"Why?"

Cerulean eyes cloud with a mix of memories. "Based on what Naruto's told me; there's reason to believe that...Obito may have survived that incident."

His chest squeezes tighter, chill giving way to heat.

"Wait, what proof does he have of that? I'm not challenging your son's word, but I saw Obito's body disappear beneath the rocks."

He pauses, gripping at his mask. "Half his body was already crushed in when he gifted me this eye."

Minato shuts his eyes, swallows.

"I know it sounds bad, and it pains me to ask this of you. However, I don't believe Naruto is lying to me and he has no reason to do so that I can see. If Obito's body is truly crushed in, then...his remains will still be there."

Kakashi says nothing, gaze dropping to the ground.

He blows out a shaky breath, finds his voice again.

"What will you do if I say no?"

Minato smiles gently.

"Then I'll ask Naruto and Hinata to investigate the area alone. I would never force this order if it's too uncomfortable for you Kakashi."

Kakashi stiffens, furls and unfurls his hands at his side.

The terrain around that area still isn't safe even years later, they both know this. Previous monsoon seasons and dry summers will likely have turned it into a mix of grasslands and marshes.

He's seen some photos here that there's an overgrowth of moss, bush, and grass. Water sometimes knee high in parts shades of browns to reds crisscrossing through stone.

However, with Hinata's byakugan, she'd probably be able to detect any undetonated bombs or traps.

'Even so, that area isn't exactly the same as what they might've seen in the future. Plus, things would go faster if I went along.' Kakashi reasons.

And if it's to protect his sensei's son and partner...

"No, I'll be their guide sensei. But who will attend to monitoring Kushina's checkups in the interim?"

Minato grins lightly again.

"I think a clone is a good idea or Boruto! What do you think?! It would just be for a week or so and I don't want the kids cooped up in the house too much. Kushina can teach them more things about the Uzumaki clan between appointments and in the waiting area."

Kakashi's brows furrow. His grandchild is skilled yes, but he isn't sure how'd he fare against a true enemy shinobi.

Minato chuckles.

"I know that look of yours even with half your face covered! Boruto isn't going to grow as a person or shinobi being stuck at home. To be honest, I'm not sure if he even wants to be a shinobi or if it's only to just follow family traditions. Either way, this is a good opportunity for him and Himawari to learn what they want to do in the future."

He waits for Kakashi to counter any of his points, gets a shrug in return.

"Is your son actually going to listen to me?"

Minato blinks, smile faltering just briefly upon his face, same grin he always uses when he doesn't have an answer for him.

Or an answer he'll like.

He nods back in the direction of the living room.

"Why don't we ask him and find out?"


'That looks nothing like Obito.' Kakashi regards Naruto's crude drawing.

He stifles a snort at Minato's stare.

But then again, it's how Obito may look as an adult disguising himself.

"Don't laugh! I already know it doesn't look like a Sai-level drawing y'know! Anyways, the biggest thing is that he always has a mask on, but I've seen part of his skin, and it's scarred on the right side. He gave you his left eye for his sharingan, correct?" Naruto reviews.

Kakashi nods slowly. "And you're sure he's capable of using the sharingan in his right eye?"

Hinata points to the shadowed eye and messy scrawl of hair.

"Yes. While we don't have a 100% confirmation, the abilities he activated with his sharingan match to what your own will eventually gain too. Not to mention, in our timeline, there are maybe 3 or less living Uchiha left."

Kakashi clicks his tongue.

"That doesn't prove its Obito."

'He would've come back to the village to help out with the War. Somebody had to take care of those wounds.'

Hinata purses her lips, pearl eyes switching to Naruto instead and his heartrate rises.

'There's something else.' Kakashi notes.

"Rin. Obito might've witnessed her final moments alive..." Naruto mutters when he looks back his way.

And any argument inside him fizzles out, shoulders slumping, deflating.

The memory drills itself straight to the forefront of his mind once more, sinks him back into darkness and ache. Rin's assured smile at him despite blood dripping from her lips, eyes going blank.

His chidori tearing right through her heart.

'It's my fault he went rogue.'

Tears burn at the back of his eyes, throat seizing up looking away.

Nobody speaks, Minato clearing his throat while patting Kakashi's head.

The fog lifts from his thoughts, abated again for now.

Minato peers at each of them one by one. "I would like you all to leave about 24 hours from now before daybreak. You'll all head for Kusagakure on the pretense of collecting special herbs that only grow in that region from an old associate of mine."


Kushina & Hitomi/Boruto & Himawari-Konoha Well Woman's Clinic

"We'll get hamburgers after this y'know! Luckily they said the wait is less than 30 minutes." Kushina chimes out. Boruto hums he's heard her; idly flips through the magazines they have available in the waiting area.

'Home decorating. Fashion tips. The who's who that attended Lord Fourth's Coronation, more on page 19!' Boruto reads, rolls his eyes.

Surely even Grandma isn't interested in any of these articles, moving on to a magazine that covers shinobi essentials for travels to Iwa and Kumo.

Kushina nods to herself that he's finally found something to keep his attention, Himawari taking to reviewing the word searches and crossword puzzles in the home interior magazine.

'Biwako is a lot busier than usual. Probably a lot of newborns born this month.' She assumes, glancing around the lobby seeing other new mothers around. Most others avoid her gaze, slip her quick polite grins before returning back to reading or knitting. It's been decorated to match a Spring theme; pink flyers set about promoting parenting and breastfeeding classes to plastic leaves showing a timeline from conception to birth.

Mebuki just had a daughter from what Mikoto told her over tea. Pink hair just like Kizashi's but brighter. Hopefully though she won't inherit any of his lame jokes as she comes of age.

And a woman from a chunin family that specializes in a variety of weapons.

Kushina pats at her growing bump, barely noticeable really unless one gets close enough.

'It will be my turn too before I know it!'

Biwako's assistant Ayaki pokes her head out the main entrance, prattles off the next name on her clipboard.

"Hyūga, Hitomi!"

Kushina peers up from her cooking magazine in surprise.

'Hyūga? I figured they had their own group of private doctors.'

A curtain of violet hair jumps up from a chair from the corner of her eye, an attendant standing as well. Hitomi glances back to her, shakes her head.

"Please just wait for me out here Madam Hanake; I would rather not have too many eyes on me for today's check-up." Hitomi quietly orders, cheeks stained red at how many eyes are on them. Besides just a general head to toe assessment, she needs to give a urine sample, bloodwork, and get another ultrasound done.

Things she'd rather not have Hanake witness and surely pass along to the other attendants and Elders.

Hanake purses her lips, opalescent eyes clouding with concern. "Lady Hitomi, you know Master Hiashi along with the Elders specifically requested I listen in for every appointment you have here at this clinic to ensure nothing is missed. Please don't be embarrassed, your body is growing nicely and-

Hitomi holds up a hand. "I'm aware of what my husband ordered and I'm telling you I want to have this appointment alone."

'It's bad enough Hiashi couldn't reschedule that meeting with the Taketori clan for today.' She sighs. They sent so many gifts for the baby and her that it's only right to meet with them, outvoted when the Elders pushed for Hiashi not to delay showing his thanks for the presents.

Her gaze shifts from Hanake to Kushina studying the two, Kushina instantly twisting back in her seat when their eyes catch.

Hitomi gestures to Ayaki one moment, walks around over to Kushina. She takes in Boruto and Himawari watching her curiously now too, stomach fluttering. Before she can help herself, her eyes roam them over again for any signs of Hyūga, only sees from their physical features the Uzumaki clan.

A knot of concern lodges in her chest.

'That can't be right.'

"Big Brother, that's my pen. Yours is the one on the left." Himawari mentions startling Hitomi from her staring.

Boruto shakes at said pen, huffs. "It's out of ink. Come on, just share for a minute and then I'll give it back y'know."

White flashes through Himawari's eyes in warning and Hitomi blinks in awe at her sudden show of the byakugan.

'Nevermind. This is information I already know; I'm being silly. I almost let my worries get the best of me.'

Hitomi steps forward, taps at Kushina's back. "Umm, Lady Namikaze? Or err Uzumaki perhaps? I don't know know if you use your husband's name or title."

'Who's she talking to now?' Kushina leans her head back to try and listen in once more, Boruto poking at her leg.

"Grandma, other Grandma wants you!" He whisper-hisses before gesturing with his head behind her.

'Oh yeah, that's me!' Kushina pats down her crimson locks to hide her darkening cheeks, grins cheerily making a light smile break across Hitomi's face too.

"Sorry, I've never been one for all those formal titles! You can just call me Kushina! Did you need something?"

Hitomi nods, fidgets with her hands. "If you're not too busy after this, can we maybe get some lunch or tea together?"

Hanake looks at her behind Hitomi with a pinched expression Kushina's ignored dozens of times before, lips turned downward before she can fully hide her disdain for the idea.

Kushina's grin widens, clasps her hands with Hitomi.

"Sure thing y'know! It's such nice weather out, so let's meet in the main lobby after our appointments are done!"

Hitomi instantly brightens, nods.

Kushina watches her go, smile flattening. She's never talked with any member of the Hyūga clan outside basic pleasantries and mundane topics. Minato's stories of working with them led her to believe they deemed most of Konoha's denizens unworthy of their attention unless necessary for mission purposes.

Perhaps not.

A pat to her head breaks her out of her pondering, Biwako huffing.

"I've been calling your name for the past minute! Come on, I need to draw blood again to make sure your glucose level in particular is in normal range compared to your last visit along with a complete metabolic panel."

Kushina nods along, half-listening.

Across the hall she sees Hitomi now slipped into a white gown, hands clasped together in front of her as she gets her vitals taken. Without her attendant hovering beside her, her shoulders are relaxed, stretching out her legs not caring how much skin she exposes.

But her mask is back in place by the time both their appointments are done, lilac eyes shifting to Hanake as if she's a fly.

"You're relieved of your duties for the rest of this afternoon Madam Hanake. Please return back to the manor without me."

Hanake turns a shade paler. "Lady Hitomi, it's not recommended that you spend time alone around-"

"Do I need to replace you Madam Hanake? I'm sure my husband can find another attendant that will actually listen to orders if you're unwilling to do so." Her tone sharpens, Hanake falling into a deep bow.

"M-My apologies Lady Hitomi. I'll see to it though that you have a guard on standby in case of any emergencies and to escort you home."

Kushina awkwardly shifts from foot to foot, takes in the passing clouds amid the sky, petals swirling along the pavements.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that. Ever...Ever since the announcement of my pregnancy, Hiashi has insisted I practically have 24-7 helpers about. I don't think I'll soon be able to even breath or cough without that needing to be reported back to the clan's doctors." Hitomi twirls with a lock of hair.

Kushina snickers. "Ah, I didn't take Hiashi as such the protective type! So, which teahouse would you like to visit? I heard Manami's Teas has nice green tea and oolong tea."

Boruto raises up a hand between them. "Wait, aren't we going to get burgers?"

Hitomi smiles. "Manami's sells a variety of foods, not just teas. You all can order anything you want off the menu; my treat."

Himawari grabs at her hand. "It won't be too expensive?"

Hitomi shakes her head as they walk up to the restaurant, gestures for Kushina to order anything she wants off the menu too. Her eyes light up giddily, ordering the lunch special of katsudon and side of miso soup.

"I didn't exactly invite you out here on the best of pretenses." Hitomi admits after ordering herself a small bowl of yakisoba.

Boruto and Himawari luckily are distracted by the variety of colorful meal options.

Well maybe not Boruto fully, gaze falling back to them every few minutes. From Lord Third's report, their only living grandparent in their time period is Hiashi...

'All the more reason to gather as much information as I can without my clan trying to interfere.' Hitomi steels herself.

Kushina sips at her chamomile tea, shrugs. "I figured, what did you really want to ask me about back in the clinic?"

Hitomi keeps a steady gaze on her, swirls a spoon absently through her tea.

"Hinata. How has she been acting as of late?"


Kakashi, Naruto, & Hinata-Outskirts of Kusagakure

"Why do you have to be the leader? You don't even have any proper A or S-rank missions under your belt and suddenly you're heading our team like a bigshot." Obito snorts.

Kakashi shoots him a look. "Really? You're choosing now of all times to pick a fight when you barely passed making it out of the Academy?"

Obito's glare darkens. "So? Does that matter on the battlefield? Should I prove to you right here and now I'm not as weak as you think? So beneath you in skill like you and everyone else assumes?"

Rin's giggles cuts through the charged air. "Oh, don't be in such a rush Obito! You're going to one day be leading a squad too! Come on, give Kakashi your gift to celebrate him becoming a jonin."

Obito looks away from her smile, burrows his hands in pockets.

"Don't have one."

"Which way to next Hatake?!" Naruto's cheery voice cracks through the memory.

Kakashi glances at him over his shoulder, greeted with Naruto's bright grin in return.

Minato-sensei trusted him with this assignment and he promised him this won't reopen old wounds.

Grass changes in color from deep green to golden yellows, patches of rice paddies brushing at his ankles. He takes in a breath, scent of oak and sycamore blowing in from the forests.

They've all traveled with relative ease these past few days, no complaining, just curious on past missions he's gone on.

'I really don't talk about my past at all with him or his team.' Kakashi realizes.

Maybe that's because of rules put in place or simply because that version of himself buried all his pain away.

The remnants of the bridge is just a few meters up ahead.

"You don't need to be so formal with me." Kakashi mentions.

Naruto scratches at his cheek, shrugs. "It sounds too weird to keep calling you Kakashi-sensei though when we're like the same age currently y'know!"

He snaps his fingers at a sudden idea.

"I could come up with a nickname for you! Like Pervy-Sage with Jiraiya, Granny for Tsunade, and Old Man Third for Sarutobi! Hmm, has to be something I always associate with you."

Kakashi studies him flatly. "...Actually, you can keep calling me Hatake, Sensei, or whatever. Just none of those weird nicknames."

Naruto grins, peers to Hinata taking in the twisting grasslands and rivers quietly.

'I have no idea where Hinata's thoughts have been since we headed out.' He considers.

Time to change that!

He taps at Hinata's shoulder, bends his head towards her to whisper something Kakashi can't hear.

But whatever it is, the tips of her ears go pink. She swats gently at Naruto's arm, giggles matching his energy.

"No, don't call him that! We don't even know if he's really into those books like he is in the future." Hinata shakes her head.

Kakashi slows his pace watching them, eye crinkling.

'No, they aren't like Rin or Obito.'

Naruto might have shades of Obito's same boisterous attitude, though he's been rather reserved these past 4 days.

And Hinata, unlike Rin, hasn't pushed for him to speak up more.

In fact, their focus has been mainly on the surrounding nature...and each other.

It's him that's the 3rd wheel for once, considers if this is how Raido or even Gai feels when having to hang out with Kurenai and Asuma.

Hinata points ahead, activates her byakugan. "We're coming upon the bridge, right?"

Kakashi nods slowly as cracked pieces of brick and stone come into view.

Coils grip at his chest taking in jagged rocks still in the river, warped steel that once helped held the bridge together rusting under the sun.

He hops down to the ground level, Naruto and Hinata following.

Naruto steps forward, swirl of chakra and wind in his hands.

"I'll clear a path, you guys stay back!"

"Rasengan!"

The blast cuts through rock and vine with ease, small opening forming.

He waves over Hinata, fire igniting the tips of her hands.

"Fire Release: Scorch Palm!"

She melts at remaining steel rods and stones, Kakashi passing them each a lantern.

"Obito's body should be crushed under a boulder in the northeast part of the cave. We need to be careful considering the path will be tight, let's move slowly one by one in." Kakashi instructs.

Hinata studies every stone formation they cross, careful none of them inadvertently create another rockslide.

She halts as they come upon the largest boulder in the area.

"This must be it." Naruto walks around the rock.

Hinata scours it over, crouches low to the ground to search for any bones.

'We've come across a few animal bones here and there. Perhaps fragments too of those Iwa shinobi Kakashi and his team originally faced, but nothing definitively human.' She reviews.

Kakashi lingers back, grips at his mask.

"Heh, sorry I didn't get you a proper gift. So take my left eye instead Kakashi."

There's probably nothing left of Obito's presence here, head thrumming.

He shuts both eyes, nausea swirling at the back of his throat, chest sinking in.

'Maybe I can't handle this. I thought I could do this to at least honor you and Rin's memory...'

He sets down his lantern, amber light spilling against rock, dried blood.

"Obito's body isn't here." Naruto announces up ahead.

Kakashi forces his feet forward despite his head's pulsing.

'This is the spot; I know it. If his body's not here, did some animal drag it away?'

No, no animal around Kusagakure's parts could get through all these rocks.

Another person moved him, helped him where he, Rin, and Minato gave up.

Cracked metal shines against Hinata's lantern as she turns it over, Kakashi staring down at the object.

A Konoha headband.

Naruto gets his attention even more though at a scrap of orange and blue cloth, flecks of black hair in his hands.

"We did find these though."

-x-


I thought about including Jiraiya and Tsunade's section too, but didn't want to drag out this chapter with information overlod. So that will be for next time!

Now to figure out where Obito is!

As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters and access to bonus content. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!

Let me know your thoughts as always!

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