Kakashi… Do You Remember Me?
Land of Hot Water Violet Hot Spring.
Mist drifted gently above the surface of the spring. Steam coiled through the private bathhouse like pale smoke, carrying with it the faint fragrance of violets. The warmth seeped into every pore, washing away tension accumulated from battle and travel.
Submerged in the mineral water, Uchiha Yi slowly exhaled.
"So this is a hot spring…"
"I didn't expect it to feel this comfortable."
Even as a shinobi accustomed to bloodshed, he had to admit this was genuine relaxation. Compared to the endless rainfall of Amegakure in the Land of Rain, the mild climate of the Land of Hot Water was far more pleasant.
For a brief moment, he almost forgot the shadows of the ninja world.
But peace in this world never lasted long.
A message suddenly transmitted from the shadow clone he had left on guard duty.
Three Konoha shinobi were approaching at high speed.
Through the special perceptive ability of his evolved Sharingan, he could roughly identify them even at a distance.
One was unmistakable Kakashi Hatake.
The second Yugao Uzuki.
The third appeared to be an ANBU operative with little recorded prominence.
Uchiha Yi narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"How did they trace me here?"
The Jashin cult incident? Or something else?
Regardless, they were clearly coming for him.
A faint smile curved beneath the steam.
Perhaps… this was an opportunity.
If certain "truths" were revealed prematurely, some people in the shadows might no longer remain so comfortable.
After dressing, Uchiha Yi shifted locations and waited within the forest.
Not long after, three masked ANBU figures landed silently among the trees.
They stopped abruptly.
Before them, sitting casually atop a tree stump, was a man wearing an orange mask etched with spiral tiger-like patterns.
The air grew heavy.
The two ANBU behind Kakashi instinctively drew their ninja swords. Their instincts screamed danger.
Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed.
"Who are you?"
"What is your purpose here?"
"Are you the one responsible for the recent ritual murders?"
The masked man tilted his head slightly.
"I am… someone who was forgotten."
"This used to be my homeland."
"But everything has changed. The person I cherished is gone."
"And now… I see an old friend again."
As he spoke, he revealed his right eye through the mask's opening.
The Sharingan spun slowly three tomoe clear and unmistakable.
The moment Kakashi saw that eye, something inside him trembled.
An indescribable sense of familiarity surged forward, dragging with it memories he had buried for years.
Impossible.
He had seen him crushed beneath falling stone.
He had watched the cave collapse.
"…Captain?" Yugao asked quietly, noticing Kakashi's stiffness.
"I'm fine," Kakashi replied, though his voice lacked conviction.
He studied the exposed Sharingan carefully. Within that gaze, he sensed anger, sorrow, resentment… and something darker.
Why did this stranger's emotions feel directed solely at him?
Steel rang as Kakashi drew his blade.
"Remove your mask."
The masked man did not move immediately.
"You still draw your sword without hesitation, Kakashi."
"Just like that day."
The tone shifted calm turning sharp, laced with pain.
"You killed Rin… without hesitation."
The words struck like lightning.
Rin Nohara.
Kakashi's body froze.
The memory surged uncontrollably Chidori piercing forward, blood scattering, Rin collapsing into his arms with a peaceful smile.
His breath hitched.
Yugao stepped forward defensively.
"Don't speak nonsense! Captain Kakashi would never"
The masked man slowly raised his hand and removed the mask.
Half his face was intact.
The other half was scarred, twisted by old trauma.
It was a face carved into Kakashi's past.
Obito Uchiha.
"Kakashi…"
"Do you still recognize me?"
"I asked you to protect Rin."
"Is she safe?"
Each word felt like a blade.
Kakashi's world seemed to collapse inward.
Even though years had passed and the face was scarred, he could not mistake that expression.
"…Obito?"
His voice trembled.
The man laughed harshly.
"How rare. The genius Kakashi still remembers a failure like me."
Yugao's eyes widened behind her mask.
"Obito Uchiha? The hero engraved on the memorial stone? If he survived, why hasn't he returned to Konoha?"
Kakashi could not answer.
Deep down, he already feared the truth.
Was this all because of Rin?
Obito's gaze hardened.
"Enough nostalgia."
"I've learned what truly happened back then."
"Your Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi… and Danzo Shimura… none of them are innocent."
"I will make everyone involved pay."
He paused.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"The Nine-Tails attack years ago…"
"I was the one who released it."
The confession rang through the forest like a death sentence.
Before anyone could react, space around his body began to distort.
A spiral formed, pulling inward.
The phenomenon mirrored the space-time technique known as Kamui.
Within seconds, his figure twisted and vanished entirely.
Silence returned to the forest.
Kakashi stood frozen, the weight of the past crushing down on him.
If what he heard was true
Then the tragedy of that night, the death of Minato Namikaze and countless villagers…
Had all begun with the friend he once thought dead.