Chapter 27: Kakashi was surprised
Watching the Uzumaki clan's sealing scroll being sealed within the blank scroll, Kakashi's eyes flashed joyfully. He had learned it quickly!
Kakashi then attempted to unseal the scroll without using his blood, but he failed. This confirmed that the seal indeed required his blood to be undone.
After mastering all thirteen sealing techniques from the scroll, Kakashi went to sleep, fully satisfied. He needed to be well-rested for his first solo mission outside the village: to find the legendary Tsunade.
More importantly, Kakashi was eager for Tsunade to examine his left eye. Solving the problem with his Sharingan was crucial and urgent for him.
"Rin!"
Kakashi was surprised to find Rin waiting at his door the following day, looking anxious.
"Kakashi..."
"Are you going on a solo mission outside the village?"
Rin asked worriedly. She had learned from Minato that Kakashi would be going on a solo mission, so she waited for him early in the morning. She was understandably nervous because it was his first solo mission outside the village.
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded gently, noticing the medical supplies, soldier pills, and bandages in Rin's hands.
He also saw the slight swelling and redness in her eyes, along with traces of bloodshot veins, indicating that she had stayed up all night preparing these supplies for him. Kakashi felt a surge of emotion.
"This is your first solo mission outside the village. I know you don't like carrying useless charms, so I prepared these for you."
Seeing Kakashi nod, Rin handed him the supplies, speaking softly, fearing he might think they were a burden.
"Thank you, Rin."
Kakashi said, deeply moved by Rin's nervous demeanour. He silently cursed his past self for being a jerk.
"Ah..."
Hearing Kakashi's gratitude, Rin was surprised, her mouth slightly agape. She couldn't believe Kakashi was thanking her and felt at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing Rin's adorable surprise, Kakashi smiled, quickly taking the supplies from her hands. He leaned close to her ear and whispered before dashing off, "I'll ask you out on a date when I return from the mission."
"Ah..."
Rin's face turned crimson, her heart pounding as she watched Kakashi's retreating figure.
Thinking about what Kakashi had just said, Rin's heart raced with excitement and joy, her cheeks flushed. She murmured to herself, "Did I hear that right? Kakashi said he'd ask me on a date when he returns!"
But soon, Rin felt uncertain, fearing she might have misheard. Her heart, filled with hope and doubt, left with Kakashi.
Unaware of Rin's emotional turmoil, Kakashi quickly left the village, heading towards his destination.
"Tsunade developed a gambling habit after leaving the village. I should start by gathering information in the nearby big cities to see if there are any leads on her."
As he sped along, Kakashi thought to himself.
He had a plan for finding Tsunade. Her gambling habit was a clue the village likely didn't know about, making it easier for him to locate her.
"However, finding Tsunade within a month won't be easy. She might not even be in the Land of Fire anymore."
Kakashi muttered to himself, feeling the pressure. The village's mission was still a mission; if he didn't find Tsunade within a month, he would have to return. Failing to do so could provide others with an excuse to target him.
Kakashi didn't mind becoming a rogue ninja but couldn't bear to leave Konoha, mainly because of Rin and the yet-to-be-born Hinata, whom he adored. Among the characters in the original series, Hinata, with her gentle, kind, and strong personality, was his favourite.
Kushina was his dream goddess, and Rin was his current love interest. As for Hinata, Kakashi had plans for her as well.
However, these plans depended on him staying in Konoha. For Rin and his plans involving Hinata, Kakashi would never choose to leave the village and become a rogue ninja.
"Sensei's wife..."
Kakashi murmured, feeling a mix of emotions. Inheriting the memories of the original Kakashi, he had many fantasies about Kushina. He would often sneak glances at her figure. The thought of her dying in the Nine-Tails attack the next year made him feel a deep sense of sorrow. He had no idea how to save her.
Kushina, as the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, was targeted by the masked man. Kakashi knew he wasn't strong enough to fight him.
He had considered taking Kushina away from Minato before she got pregnant with Naruto, preventing the Nine-Tails' seal from weakening and thus stopping the masked man from summoning it. But these were just fantasies. Stealing Kushina from Minato was nearly impossible, and there was no way to constantly protect her from being targeted.
"The only way to save her is to ensure she survives after the Nine-Tails is extracted."
Kakashi clenched his fists, vowing to find a way to protect Kushina.