Nara Kazuki smiled as he waved at Kakashi, who was holding two bouquets of flowers. Just seeing them, Kazuki already knew where he was headed.
Every time this day came around, there was that same familiar gloom in Kakashi's eyes.
"You going to pay your respects again today?" Kazuki asked, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
He'd woken up early on purpose—just to catch Kakashi and go with him to Konoha's cemetery.
Of course, the real reason was more than just paying respects. He wanted to discreetly remind Kakashi to watch his mouth, especially around Obito's grave.
After all, Uchiha Obito learning that Kushina Uzumaki's due date was near wasn't just coincidence. Kakashi, even if unknowingly, played a part in leaking that information.
"...Yeah." Kakashi gave a quiet reply.
Kazuki noted that Kakashi had brought two bouquets—both with chrysanthemums, symbolizing remembrance. It was clear he'd taken the time to pick them properly.
Kazuki summoned a shadow clone, sending it off to grind Great Fireball Jutsu proficiency while he followed Kakashi to the cemetery. Though Kakashi seemed a bit stiff, he didn't object.
Konoha's cemetery was well-kept, peaceful—but the atmosphere was always heavy. Kakashi led them straight to two gravestones: Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha.
Rin's body rested beneath her tombstone.
Obito's grave, though, was an empty cenotaph—he'd been presumed KIA, with no remains recovered.
Kazuki noted it right away.
There were flowers and offerings placed at Rin's grave. Obito's had nothing.
Kakashi didn't flinch. Calmly, he placed his prepared bouquet and items on Obito's stone, then did the same for Rin.
"I'm going to pay respects to my parents too," Kazuki said, clapping Kakashi on the shoulder before moving to another part of the cemetery. His parents were buried here as well—despite being offered a place in the clan's ancestral grounds, they had requested to rest here instead.
With Kazuki gone, Kakashi relaxed a little. Then, in a low voice, he began talking—to Rin and Obito.
He spoke about recent events, things he wished he could've told them. Memories. Regrets. Hopes.
Kazuki, watching from afar, sighed. He didn't sense anyone nearby... but knowing Obito's skills in stealth, there was no doubt in his mind: Obito came here often, hiding in the shadows, eavesdropping on Kakashi.
What a twisted cycle.
When they finished, Kakashi unexpectedly offered to treat Kazuki to lunch.
"You said something while you were at the graves. What was it?" Kazuki asked over a bowl of soy-broth tonkotsu ramen.
Kakashi nodded. "Just... things I wanted them to hear. It makes me feel like they're still with me."
Well, yeah. Obito's literally there with you, Kakashi. Kazuki didn't say it aloud, but the irony was hard to ignore.
"Still," Kazuki said meaningfully, "even if there's no one else around... maybe keep the truly classified stuff out of the cemetery."
Kakashi's eyes widened—pupils shrinking slightly.
He wasn't supposed to. Only the Fourth Hokage had told him, and only because it was necessary. Kakashi hadn't breathed a word.
"You're talking about..." Kakashi's voice dropped, serious.
Kushina-sama's pregnancy was the village's top-level secret. Even saying it aloud was dangerous. Had Kazuki really figured it out?
"I'm talking about why we've been kept inside the village," Kazuki replied, keeping his tone casual. "I'm a Nara, you know? We're pretty good at putting two and two together."
Kakashi glanced around, confirming that Kazuki hadn't said anything too specific.
"I understand," Kakashi said, his expression still tight. He'd need to report this to the Fourth. If Kazuki had figured it out on his own, fine—but he'd need to be looped into the appropriate clearance protocols.
Kazuki, for his part, just kept eating his ramen with a smile.
When they finished, Kakashi brought him to a remote training field, only to leave again in a rush.
Kazuki watched him go. "Running off to tell the Fourth, huh?"
That was the plan all along.
Kazuki didn't expect to be given full access, but if he could just get stationed nearby when Kushina went into labor, he'd have a shot at intercepting Obito before disaster struck.
Exactly where Naruto had been born was fuzzy in Kazuki's memory. The anime had shown glimpses, but back then, he was too busy watching the flashy fights to commit the setting to heart.
Not long after, Kakashi returned.
He didn't say much—just formally asked Kazuki to keep everything secret. The matter was classified at the highest level.
Kazuki readily agreed. He didn't want to blow the lid off anything; he just wanted to be there when it counted.
Time passed like a thong—barely covering anything and slipping away too fast.
Kushina's due date was now dangerously close.
Konoha looked normal on the surface—but ANBU was on the move.
The village was quietly preparing for the night that would change everything.