Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 135 Everything Will Be Different

Kakashi isn't incapable of protecting anything.

But fate is too cruel.

The deep, unhealable scars that etched his past trapped him in its mire, making it impossible for him to move forward even a step.

The child in front of us has had no parents or relatives since birth.

Yet she can still smile so brightly.

They can still offer kindness to a stranger without reservation.

He, who clearly possessed far more power than this child, chose to confine himself to the shadows, denying and giving up on himself.

Kakashi stood still, letting the small figure clutch the hem of his clothes.

The melancholy in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a gentleness he had never shown before... He gently raised his hand, his fingertips carefully touching Naruto's golden hair.

Soft strands of hair brushed against my fingertips, carrying the warmth unique to children.

At this moment, the defenses that had been taut in my heart for many years completely loosened and softened, and even my breathing became gentle.

Tianzang stood aside, watching the scene before him. The doubt in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep admiration for Qingwu.

Unexpectedly, the place Qingwu brought them to had such a significant impact on the captain.

Looking at the scene before her, Qingwu's eyes also softened with a gentle smile.

He didn't go up to disturb them, but just watched quietly.

Kakashi's inner knot may not be untied immediately, but this ray of light from Naruto has surely planted a seed of hope in his heart.

"Kakashi-nii-san, will you play with me?"

Naruto tilted his head back, completely unconcerned about Kakashi touching his hair, his bright blue eyes sparkling with anticipation:

"I can play hide-and-seek, and I can also play ninja games—throwing shuriken, even though they're made of wood."

As she spoke, she proudly puffed out her chest, her little face beaming with an air of "I'm so awesome."

The wind swirls fallen leaves as it drifts by...

Naruto suddenly noticed a small pebble rolling on the ground. His eyes lit up, and he grabbed Kakashi's hand, pulling him towards the pebble with a gentle but persistent tug.

"Kakashi-nii-san, let's play pebbling! I'll teach you, it's super easy!"

Naruto squatted down, rummaged through the pebbles with his little hands, and then looked up at Kakashi with longing eyes, gesturing for him to squat down as well.

Looking at the pure expectation in Naruto's eyes, Kakashi actually bent his knees and slowly squatted down.

The movements were somewhat clumsy, but if the other members of Konoha's Anbu saw it, they would surely think they were under a genjutsu—

The cold, mission-first "Copy Ninja" Kakashi Hatake is actually playing with children? Genjutsu, it must be genjutsu!

Seeing Kakashi squat down, Naruto immediately and happily stuffed the pebbles into Kakashi's hand.

Then she placed her little hand on the back of his hand and instructed, "Do it like this, bend your fingers a little, then flick it hard, see!"

As he spoke, Naruto picked up another pebble, flicked it with his little hand, and the pebble rolled far away.

The child clapped his hands and laughed out loud, "That's it! Kakashi-nii, give it a try!"

Kakashi looked down at the small pebble in his palm, then at the tiny hand covering the back of his hand. The warmth of the child's touch his fingertips made the soft spot in his heart even more tender.

He flicked it lightly, just like Naruto had done, and the pebble rolled a short distance.

But Naruto cheered, "Wow! Kakashi-nii is amazing! He got it right on his first try!"

Their jubilant expressions made it seem as if Kakashi had accomplished something earth-shattering.

The pure and undisguised praise stirred a slight warmth in Kakashi's heart.

He watched Naruto skip and hop away to pick up pebbles, a faint smile playing on his lips beneath his mask.

Naruto ran back with a handful of pebbles, as if he had just remembered that there were other people around.

He distributed pebbles to the three men, shouting like a "street bull," "One, two, three, four... Let's all play together, let's have a race, ahahahaha..."

Qingwu and Tianzang, each holding a pebble, smiled at each other and joined in.

It must be said that Naruto was born with the ability to influence others, but... in the original story, he endured many things he shouldn't have had to endure from a young age.

Now that Qingwu has arranged for Kakashi and Naruto to meet ahead of time, perhaps... everything will be different.

……

The autumn sun is setting in the west.

The three members of the Shadow Guard, who had spent the entire afternoon playing with Naruto, walked through the alley.

The mask was put back on, concealing the previous warmth and leaving only a cold, hard outline.

The Third Hokage's idea was not wrong. The Anbu... were indeed always in the shadows, hiding all their emotions and living in the shadows.

How could Kakashi not be influenced so subtly?

However, times have changed.

Compared to Kakashi's melancholic demeanor a few years ago, the coldness and solitude of the Anbu truly suits his temperament.

A gentle breeze swept through the alley, and Kakashi paused slightly. His voice, low and clear, came through the mask, reaching Qingwu's ears.

"Thanks."

Two simple words, yet they carry immense weight.

This was the first time Kakashi had personally thanked Qingwu.

Even when he was saved by Suma Shiwa and Kari, he did not thank them. Even when he desperately blocked the Jinchūriki Rōshi, he did not thank them.

Qingwu paused, and when she turned around, her gaze inevitably held surprise.

Tianzang, who was following closely behind, raised his head slightly and revealed a knowing smile.

"Uh, Captain, you're welcome." Qingwu scratched his head. "I just think you should take a look at these."

He didn't expect any thanks; he simply wanted Kakashi to break free from his obsession, nothing more.

"When did you first learn about Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Last year," Qingwu thought for a moment and replied, "During the Chunin Exams, before I joined the Shadow Guard, I met her by chance."

Kakashi didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded slightly and stepped forward.

He had already made up his mind that he would formally resign from his position as captain of the Shadow Guard tomorrow, but he would not leave the Dark Division.

because……

While playing with Naruto earlier, he had already sensed that there were ANBU members watching from the shadows.

Since that's the case, instead of handing it over to someone else, let... I be the one to protect little Naruto as he grows up.

This can be considered... a way of repaying the teacher's guidance and kindness.

Qingwu had no idea what Kakashi was planning, but seeing the captain take a step forward, he quickly followed. Tianzang also hurried after him.

The three figures gradually walked out of the alley and blended into the twilight of Konoha's streets.

……

Back in their territory, Qingwu and Mumu "communicated" for a while.

After exchanging goodnights with Tianzang, he lay down on the bed in the wooden house and closed his eyes.

Soon, only the chirping of insects and the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze remained in the woods.

Thinking of Yugao's injuries and the difficulty of finding Tsunade, his brow furrowed involuntarily.

However, when he thought about the interaction between Kakashi and Naruto, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Naruto is indeed a natural little sun, very healing.

Qingwu let out a soft sigh, her brows relaxed, and she turned her head to look out the window.

Moonlight streamed through the wooden window, casting a soft glow across the floor.

He closed his eyes, temporarily putting aside his chaotic thoughts.

We must set off tomorrow, no matter how many difficulties and dangers we face, we must find Tsunade!