Hatake Kakashi, often seen as lazy and indifferent, was shaken to his core by the name that Kuzo had just spoken.
That name—**Obito**—represented one of Kakashi's deepest and most painful memories.
Kuzo knew this, and so he chose to use it as a point of leverage. He maintained his calm smile, looking directly at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-senpai," Kuzo said, still smiling, "As long as you give me the book in your hand, I will tell you some information you want to know. For instance, his current identity."
There was a long pause. Kakashi sat there, staring at Kuzo, his mind racing.
Finally, Kakashi's expression began to shift, the initial shock slowly fading. He still fixed his gaze on Kuzo, his teeth clenched as he spoke solemnly.
"I... don't even know your identity or your intentions. How can I trust your information?"
Kuzo tilted his head slightly, a chuckle escaping his lips.
"Don't believe me?" he asked, feigning disappointment. "Well then, goodbye."
Kuzo stood up, casually slipping his hands into his pockets as he turned to leave.
"...???"
Kakashi blinked in confusion. What kind of person makes an offer and then just leaves if it's rejected?
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Kakashi gritted his teeth and stood up quickly.
"Wait!" he called out, his voice tinged with urgency.
Kuzo stopped and, with an amused expression, turned back toward him.
"What's wrong, Kakashi-senpai? Changed your mind?"
Kakashi didn't respond immediately. Instead, he glanced reluctantly at the "Intimate Paradise" in his hands before closing it with a resigned sigh. Without further words, he threw the book to Kuzo.
The yellow book flew gracefully through the air, landing directly in Kuzo's hands with a soft *snap*.
A satisfied smile appeared on Kuzo's face as he caught the book.
"Ding! Congratulations to Host, the side mission has been completed!"
"Collect a copy of Jiraiya's novel *Make-Out Paradise* (1/1), completed! Reward: Reiatsu +1000!"
The notification was almost instantaneous. Kuzo could feel a slight boost to his spiritual energy, a welcome reward for his efforts.
Kakashi, meanwhile, sat back down, his composure carefully maintained, though his voice betrayed his underlying tension.
"Now... about that 'information' you mentioned," Kakashi said, trying to sound casual but failing to mask the slight tremor in his voice. "What exactly are you talking about?"
Kuzo watched Kakashi carefully. He had expected the jōnin's reaction, but he could see the deep emotional conflict in his eyes. Kakashi had not heard Obito's name in years, not from anyone. Everyone had forgotten the Uchiha who had died in the war. But not Kakashi. He had never forgotten.
For Kakashi, the memory of Obito—the boy who had given him his Sharingan, the boy who had been his comrade—was a wound that had never fully healed. If Obito was alive, it would change everything. And so, Kakashi leaned forward slightly, his curiosity and hope piqued.
Kuzo smiled, his expression gentle yet cryptic.
"What I'm about to tell you may not be what you expect, Kakashi-senpai," he began slowly. "So please... don't be too shocked."
Kakashi simply nodded, though his eyes revealed a growing intensity.
Kuzo continued, "As I said before, your best friend, Uchiha Obito, didn't actually die at the Battle of the Shinobi Bridge. He was saved by an old man—a kind old man."
A pause lingered in the air as Kakashi absorbed the words. Kuzo went on:
"Under this old man's guidance and brainwashing, Obito survived, adopting a new identity and purpose."
Kakashi's heart raced. This wasn't what he had expected.
"And so," Kuzo said with a wry smile, "If one day you encounter a man wearing an orange mask, wearing a red cloud cloak, who claims to be Uchiha Madara... don't hesitate."
He leaned forward, his smile deepening. "Try to hit him with your Raikiri directly in the face. Because when you break that mask, you might just see... a familiar face."
Kakashi froze. His entire body went still.
Kuzo's smile widened. "That's all I know. Goodbye, fifty-five."
With that, Kuzo snapped his fingers.
*Snap.*
In the blink of an eye, Kuzo's figure blurred, and he vanished from the noodle shop, leaving only the faintest echo behind.
Kakashi sat there, utterly stunned. His eyes were wide, and his mind raced. His heart pounded as he processed what he had just heard.
Obito... still alive?
The name had not passed his ears in years, and now, here it was again. Kuzo's words struck like lightning, bringing with them both hope and dread. The revelation shook him to the core.
---
Later, on the streets outside the noodle shop, Kuzo walked leisurely, flipping through the small yellow book with a satisfied smile on his face.
Today had been productive. He had not only completed his mission but also managed to spark something within the heart of Konoha's greatest jōnin.
"The light of the righteous way is sprinkled on the land of the Ninja World," Kuzo thought with a quiet chuckle.
Another small victory in his ongoing game.
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