Chapter 209 The Most Important Thing
Sarutobi Asuma couldn't help but recall that one day after that incident, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned home early for the first time in a long time. Seeing him standing there in a daze, Hiruzen waved to him, signaling him to come and play chess.
That game of chess was a scene he had longed for but had never even considered, but it happened on an ordinary day, with his father's casual greeting.
With the game decided, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke, "Be wary of arrogance and impatience. 'Jade' has more than just the meaning you currently understand."
Sarutobi Asuma gripped the Go board tightly. Despite being rejected again, strangely, he felt no anger. Instead, he calmly asked, "What exactly is that 'Jade'?"
"This may require you to spend your whole life pursuing it."
...
"The meaning of 'jade'?" Might Guy stroked his chin, unable to figure it out.
Sarutobi Asuma nodded. "Hmm, what do you think the meaning of 'jade' is?"
"Isn't the 'Jade' the king in shogi?" Obito Uchiha didn't quite understand. "Shouldn't you lose if you lose it?"
Kakashi Hatake chuckled. "It's not that simple."
"Then what's the point?" Obito Uchiha pointed at him indignantly.
"Asuma's father must have had his reasons for saying that," Kakashi Hatake pondered for a moment. "Because the jewel is the king of shogi, it must be protected even at the cost of sacrificing other pieces. Does that mean he's not afraid of sacrifice?"
“It’s not good to advocate for the spirit of sacrifice,” Haruko retorted, raising her hand.
Nohara Rin tentatively said, "Perhaps it refers to something that needs to be protected? Because jade is something that needs to be carefully protected!"
"Protecting the most important thing..." Kurenai Yuhi pondered for a moment, "What would be the most important thing to you?"
Meeting Kurenai Yuhi's gaze, Asuma Sarutobi scratched his head. "Protect the Hokage?"
“Asuma is too mature for his age.” Haruko sighed. “You’re just a child now. Leave things like protecting the Hokage and protecting the world to the adults.”
“No, Asuma is right too.” Kakashi Hatake looked at her seriously and said coldly, “In the world of ninjas, it’s about fighting for the leader and the village, even if it means sacrificing yourself.”
His words caused the lively atmosphere to cool down slightly.
Indeed, as Kakashi Hatake said, in this era of war, there are many ninjas who have sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, and even this younger generation is a reserve force of combat power.
However, they were still under the protection of Konoha, and the cruelty and brutality of the battlefield had not extinguished their innocence and naivety.
"Doesn't Kakashi have anything else he considers important?"
Haruko's slow, deliberate question broke the silence, striking Kakashi Hatake's heart with tremendous force.
Kakashi Hatake opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Before he thought it through, he subconsciously agreed with Haruko's words; he could sense that there were other important things in his life.
But after thinking it over, he became confused again.
What could be as important to him as Konoha?
This was the kind of education he received: for the sake of Konoha, he, his father, and everyone in the village were willing to sacrifice themselves heroically.
But is that really all there is to it?
Seeing that he had fallen silent, Haruko spoke again, "For me, there are many important things."
"There's Fugaku, there's Mikoto, there are Uchiha clan members, there's a cat lingering near Rin's house, there's Obito's favorite tonkatsu, there's the newly opened Ichiraku Ramen, there's Kakashi's pan-fried river fish, and many, many more..."
"Although they all belong to Konoha in the end, they are not the same as the pure Konoha. You could say that what I want to protect is not Konoha, but everything I cherish in Konoha."
"What about Kakashi? Is Kakashi only protecting Konoha because he wants to protect it, and not because of anything else that exists in Konoha?"
Haruko's questions gradually shattered Kakashi Hatake's stubborn ideas. His mind was in chaos, but under her calm gaze, he slowly broke down his long-held beliefs and pieced them back together again.
So, the Konoha he kept saying he wanted to protect wasn't just Konoha?
Asuma Sarutobi was also deep in thought, even though Haruko's words were too scattered, like a wildly imaginative description of happiness.
But for some reason, Sarutobi Asuma vaguely grasped the meaning of "jade" from it.
"Why is it that the fried pork cutlet I like is more important than me?" Obito Uchiha still childishly asked.
Haruko really wanted to throw this mood-ruining guy out, but considering his competitive and assertive personality, she ended up answering him politely.
"Because seeing tonkatsu reminds me of Obito, tonkatsu is very important to me."
"So the most important one is still me!" Obito Uchiha was satisfied now.
Haruko: ...Open the door! Throw this narcissistic guy out!
Ignoring him, Haruko looked at Kakashi Hatake and asked, "So, Kakashi, do you have an answer yet?"
"The most important thing to me..."
Kakashi Hatake hesitated, but under the encouraging gazes of those around him, he blurted out, "Seeing Dad every day, watching you two bicker and argue, occasionally thinking about our aspirations for the future, and... frying fish."
"Fried fish?" Nohara Rin's initial感动 (feeling touched) was suddenly disrupted by the fried fish, and she chuckled, "Kakashi really likes to eat fish."
Kakashi Hatake didn't mince words and readily admitted, "Yes, the fried fish is delicious."
"Hmph, you're acting like a child!" Obito Uchiha finally felt he had won back a point, realizing that Obito didn't have the self-awareness to be evenly matched with him.
Haruko mercilessly exposed his pride, saying, "Obito is clearly a much more childish kid."
"I didn't!"
They started making a ruckus again, surrounding Kakashi Hatake without saying a word.
They laughed, talked, and pointed, their faces beaming with joy and excitement.
I didn't feel annoyed like before, or rather, I never felt annoyed when I was around them before.
Kakashi Hatake has always held an indifferent attitude towards the concept of "friendship." He doesn't necessarily need to make friends, nor does he necessarily need to exclude friends from his world.
He always thought he didn't care...
Only now does he finally understand that his indifferent attitude stemmed from a complete lack of understanding of the existence of friends.
Friends can be like you, different from you, or even as shameless as someone else, but being around them makes you feel relaxed without even realizing it, and you don't feel lonely even if you don't talk to them.
When he finally understood the existence of friends, the constant changes in his life and the companionship he experienced redefined them for him.
It turns out that friends can be important, even the most important, and should be protected by oneself, just like Konoha.
Kakashi Hatake gently placed his hand on his heart. It was beating steadily and rhythmically, but why did it feel warm, making him feel cozy...?
He let out a long sigh, his nonchalant tone revealing a resolute understanding that had come to a conclusion.
"There's no other way. It seems I not only have to protect Konoha, but also you all."
"Kakashi, what are you talking about?"
Haruko's questioning voice startled Kakashi Hatake. As his mind went blank, Haruko added with a smile—
"Kakashi is someone we must protect too!"
After his initial surprise, Kakashi Hatake felt a strange, inexplicable joy and couldn't help but chuckle.
Now he understands that friends are still a reassuring and trustworthy presence.
So... protect me, Haruko.
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