Chapter 13

Perhaps it was the passing of her parents that made Yuki less sensitive to death. When she heard the news that Hatake Sakumo had committed suicide because he couldn't bear the rumors, she was only slightly taken aback before continuing to devote herself to the D-rank missions that every genin had to go through—searching for lost pets, working in the fields, cleaning and maintenance, and so on.

Although Uchiha Yuki, Nara Shikara, and Shiranui Genma were assigned to Kato Dan's class, they have only received written notification so far. Kato Dan is still on the front lines carrying out post-war restoration work and is not in the village. Under the Third Hokage's supervision, the three of them can only undertake D-rank missions for now, ostensibly to familiarize themselves with the village environment, cultivate a sense of responsibility and basic labor skills, and provide convenience for the villagers.

"Rumor has it that after Lord Kato returns from the front lines, he might become the prospective Fourth Hokage." Shikara lay lazily on the rooftop, which everyone had just washed and dried, the sunlight softly filtering through, not glaring. Genma Shiranui was tidying up the cleaning tools under the eaves, while Yuki sat beside Shikara. Shikara turned his head, looking at Yuki, who had been lost in thought ever since that day.

I don't know where Nara gets its inside information from, but it's always incredibly accurate.

Xue snapped out of her daze and replied, "Then does that mean we're going to become the next Hokage's prospective disciples?"

"It's hard to say for sure right now. Maybe they'll train us into the elite guard force for the future Fourth Generation." Lu Liang had a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. A gentle breeze ruffled his long, snow-white hair, and a few strands drifted to his nose, carrying a faint scent of lilac. He yawned.

"Hey, come down." Genma waved.

When the three parted, they divided the mission reward money among themselves. After returning home, Lu Liang continued practicing his clan's secret techniques, while Genma arranged to spar with another genin. Xue was left standing alone; she looked up at the sky—it was still early.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the village's dango shop, bought two servings of three-colored dango, and stopped in front of the Hatake residence. Yuki rang the doorbell, and only a small, silver-haired dango about the same height as Obito came to open the door.

Yuki then realized that Lord Hatake was no longer there.

"Who should I look for?"

"Is that Kakashi?"

Kakashi's expression was hidden by his mask, but Yuki could sense that he was somewhat surprised that someone was looking for him.

After all, the reputation of the Hatake clan is currently very bad within the clan... I heard that even vegetable vendors will stop selling vegetables as soon as they hear that it's from the Hatake family.

The two stood at the doorway, remaining strangely silent for a moment before Kakashi stepped aside.

"Please come in."

Xue couldn't help but look around. The huge mansion looked desolate and barren, but it was very clean. Even the fallen cherry blossom petals in the courtyard had been carefully swept away. Kakashi, who was just up to her shoulder, brought out a cup of warm tea and said politely, "My humble abode is simple and has nothing to offer our guests."

Yuki stroked the rim of her teacup, her gaze falling on Kakashi across from her. She felt like she'd forgotten something; the Kakashi she remembered was a very reliable and powerful teacher, a copy ninja with the Sharingan… Oh, she remembered. Yuki paused, picked up the three-colored dumplings from the bag, and said, “Want something sweet? It'll make you feel better.”

Kakashi felt that her smile was even uglier than her crying. Although he was still young, he understood the feeling of losing a loved one.

In some ways, they were in the same boat.

He nodded, removed his mask, and symbolically took a bite of the dumpling. Xue felt a little dizzy; she rubbed her temples and also took a bite of the dumpling. The sweet taste, combined with the chewy texture of the rice cake, made her feel much better.

Feeling much better, Xue suddenly asked, "Can I take a look?"

Kakashi asked in confusion: ?

"White teeth".

Kakashi paused for a moment, thought for a long time, and finally nodded.

Yuki took the short sword Kakashi handed her. The blade was short and very lightweight, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. After she channeled her chakra into it, the blade was covered in a pale layer of chakra, like moonlight in the night.

"It's a good knife."

"Mm," Kakashi replied.

Xue, trying to make conversation, asked, "Is Kakashi the only member of the Hatake clan?"

Kakashi looked at her, somewhat confused. It was only then that Yuki belatedly realized that her question was no different from asking Sasuke, whose clan had been wiped out... Before she could even open her mouth to say anything...

“Senpai’s condition is not right…” Kakashi reached out, removed the headband from her forehead, and placed his small hand on her forehead to check her temperature. “It’s so hot! Senpai, you have a high fever.”

"Are you sick..." Xue belatedly realized what was happening. She held her headband in her hand and was about to get up and leave when, in the next moment, darkness enveloped her.

-

When Xue woke up and opened her eyes, she was greeted by an unfamiliar wooden ceiling.

She slowly sat up, and the towel that had been draped over her forehead, still warm, slipped off, which she caught steadily.

Right… she should be at the Hatake residence. Is the person taking care of her Kakashi? This child is much more mature than Obito. This September, both Obito and Kakashi are going to the Ninja Academy… If only Obito didn't have to go to the Ninja Academy, he could stay by her side forever… She will work hard on missions, earn mission rewards, and become a strong ninja as soon as possible… That way, even if Obito doesn't become a ninja, she can still protect him…

She raised her hand to her forehead and sighed softly. What was she thinking? How was this any different from arbitrarily depriving someone of their freedom?

"Xiaoxue, are you awake?"

Xue looked in the direction of the voice and frowned slightly: "Senior Minato."

It seems Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Underneath his pink apron, he was still wearing his Special Operations Force uniform. As Jiraiya-sama's disciple, he had been actively engaged in frontline missions. Aside from Senju Nawaki's funeral, Yuki hadn't seen him in a long time.

"Xiaoxue, aren't you welcoming me?" Minato Namikaze smiled, holding a bowl of hot porridge in one hand and a spoon in the other.

Xue subconsciously shook her head; she didn't have the habit of taking her anger out on others... it was just Senju Nawaki's fate.

She avoided Minato Namikaze's gaze, after all, she still remembered those words... She could only hope that Minato Namikaze hadn't taken them seriously, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

Minato Namikaze lowered his head, gently blew on the porridge in the spoon, and then brought it to her lips.

Startled, Yuki instinctively reached for the spoon. Minato Namikaze, though smiling, brooked no refusal.

She had no choice but to obediently open her mouth; the porridge was at the perfect temperature.

"Minato-senpai, why are you back all of a sudden?"

"Because my heart was inexplicably aching, I thought of Xiaoxue."

"Huh?" Is there any connection between the two? Xue looked puzzled.

Minato Namikaze smoothly changed the subject: "Koyuki is already a genin. I thought I could make it back from the front lines in time for her graduation ceremony."

"Yes, senpai. I will try my best to become stronger, and then protect Obito properly." Yuki lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on her hands.

Minato Namikaze frowned, sighed, and gently stroked her head: "Don't push yourself too hard, Yuki."

After Senju Nawaki's funeral, Minato Namikaze vaguely sensed Yuki's estrangement.

However, he was currently unable to attend to everything. He could only have a proper talk with Xue after the work at the front lines was completed.

After all, Xue is his future wife.

When Kakashi returned from the pharmacy after buying medicine, he saw this heartwarming scene: the "Yellow Flash," who was quite famous in the ninja world, and Uchiha Yuki were having a very warm and cozy time together.

He coughed lightly a few times, and Minato Namikaze looked at him, but his hand still didn't go down.

"Oh, right, Kakashi also helped take care of you." Minato Namikaze put on a kind senior's demeanor. "Then I'll leave Yuki in your care for now. Kakashi, you have to take responsibility."

After saying that, he formed a hand seal and disappeared.

Xue felt much better and sat up straight: "Thank you for taking care of me. Kakashi is such a kind child... I'll ask you to take good care of my Obito after he enters the academy."

Kakashi was a little unhappy, but he couldn't explain why.

He handed over the bag: "This is the medicine I just bought. Please take it properly when you get back."

Xue smiled and reached out to ruffle his silver hair.

"Thank you, Kakashi. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

Kakashi grabbed her hand and said bluntly, "Then please be my older sister, senpai. Is that alright? Senpai and Obito aren't related by blood, are they?"

Kakashi had this thought the moment he stepped into the snow. Since his senior, like himself, had no family, why not make them family? Even if they didn't share the same surname or the same clan, so what?

As long as we live together, that's fine.

As for Obito Uchiha, who cares about him?

After waiting at home for ages for Yuki to return, Obito started asking around the village. He stood at the gate of the Hatake residence, ringing the bell for ages. When no one answered, he had no choice but to climb over the wall. As soon as he landed, he heard Kakashi, whom he disliked the most, talking about "taking away" his sister!

Obito was instantly enraged. He strode forward, separating Kakashi and Yuki, and stood in front of Yuki, shouting, "Yuki is my sister! Kakashi, you can forget about taking her away from me! You have so many girls who like you, and you still want to fight me for her!"

Kakashi stood up, clearly feeling a little embarrassed, but he forced himself to remain calm and said condescendingly, "Hmph, Senpai didn't refuse me either."

"Sister is just too shy to refuse!" Upon hearing this, Obito immediately bristled like an enraged little beast. He abruptly turned around, threw himself into Yuki's arms, looked up at her with his big, wet eyes, and pleaded pitifully, "Sister, you can only be my sister, right?"

Xue was momentarily stunned; her high fever had just subsided, and her mind hadn't fully processed what was happening. However, ever since her family left, she had always been there for Obito, fulfilling his every request. Her fear of Obito leaving her made her dote on him even more than she had on her own parents.

"Let's go home first, Obito, okay?" Xue said, gently placing her hand on Obito's prickly head to soothe him. She thought to herself that Obito must have asked around the village looking for her; she felt sorry for him.

As she left the Hatake residence, Yuki said to Kakashi with a face full of apology that Obito was already her family and hoped that Kakashi would not bring up anything about not being related by blood, otherwise Obito would be sad.

On the way home, Obito held Yuki's hand tightly the whole way, as if declaring his possessiveness. But his face was puffed up and turned to the side, muttering, "Doesn't Kakashi have a father? He still wants to steal my sister from me."

"Kakashi's father has passed away..." Yuki said softly.

The little dumpling's face scrunched up in a conflicted expression as it said, "Ah... but, my sister can only be my sister. I don't want anyone else to..."