Chapter 59: The Joy of Being a “Naïve Sweetheart”

Chapter 59: The Joy of Being a "Naïve Sweetheart"

The families of Konoha's injured shinobi were overwhelmingly enthusiastic—so much so that this was likely the first time Uchiha Kei had encountered such warmth in all his thirteen, nearly fourteen, years of life.

Kei felt a strange mix of emotions. He could tell these people were genuinely grateful. But deep down, he knew the reason he did what he did wasn't out of heroism—it was self-preservation.

Still, Kei wasn't stupid. With a warm smile, he responded to the families' gratitude, greeting both them and the wounded themselves. He might've crossed paths with some of them during the Grass Country mission. A few had even shielded him from enemy kunai.

"You're very kind, Kei-kun—and popular too," Rin Nohara teased lightly once the crowd had dispersed. "But it's no surprise. You're a hero, after all."

"Hero, huh?" Kei chuckled and shook his head. "You're all heroes too. You were just forced to leave the battlefield early because of injuries."

Kei preferred talking to people like Rin—a sweet, pure-hearted girl—over political powerhouses like Uchiha Fugaku or the Third Hokage. Around her, he didn't need to second-guess every word or action.

To Kei, Kakashi fell into the same category. Unlike people like Hyuga Ayaka or Imai Kenta, Kakashi didn't leave Kei feeling drained. Around them, Kei could actually relax.

"If it weren't for you, Kei, I probably wouldn't have made it out alive," Kakashi said as he struggled to sit up. "That hit from Kitsuchi was brutal. Good thing you held him off and summoned sensei."

"You've got it backwards, Kakashi. If anyone deserves thanks, it's Rin." Kei patted his shoulder. "I only did what any team leader should. And besides, I should be thanking you—that info you gave me really helped."

Although Kei enjoyed the feeling of Kakashi's gratitude, he also knew exactly what to say. Rin still held a much higher place in Kakashi's heart than he ever would.

And Kei was genuinely thankful. Though he hadn't officially used it yet, the Chidori technique Kakashi passed on had already proven to be a tremendous asset.

No matter the reason behind it, Kakashi's help deserved recognition.

"You've already learned it?" Kakashi tilted his head, surprised. "Wow, I didn't expect you to pick it up so fast. Back in school, you never seemed like the honor student type."

"Come on. I wasn't a star student, sure—but I wasn't failing either," Kei replied with a dramatic eye roll.

His so-so academic performance hadn't been a choice. Without relying on his Sharingan, Kei's true skill level was average at best.

If not for Uchiha Keisuke giving him special training—and Kei being forced to play the long game just to survive—he might not have lived this long.

If anyone was to blame, it was Konoha… or maybe the war itself.

If Konoha hadn't "forced" him to graduate early in his second year, he wouldn't have ended up on the battlefield. And if it weren't for this war, he wouldn't have been "forced" into adulthood.

"I remember Guy giving you a good beatdown back then," Rin giggled, "just like he did with Obito."

Her words trailed off, though. Unintentionally, she'd brought up Obito—causing both her and Kakashi's mood to dampen.

Kei had indeed been thrashed by Might Guy during a practical class. He didn't mind. After all, this was the same man who kicked both Obito and Uchiha Madara around in his prime. Even Madara himself called Guy "the strongest"—what better compliment was there?

But while Kei could laugh it off, others didn't see it that way. Losing to someone like Might Guy—a guy with no ninjutsu talent—was seen as humiliating.

Glancing at the suddenly quiet Rin and Kakashi, Kei sighed. Clearly, the mention of Obito had struck a chord.

He figured it was time to excuse himself. Kei couldn't tell them the truth about Obito's situation. And in a cruel twist of fate, it had been Kakashi's actions that nudged Obito down a dark path.

Rin had a part in it too, sure. But the real puppet master behind it all was Uchiha Madara. What could ants like them do against that?

"I should get going," Kei stood. "Don't dwell on the past too much. Life has to move forward. I didn't know Obito well, but I doubt he'd want you two to spend the rest of your lives burdened by grief."

"When the time comes and you meet again in the Pure Land, wouldn't it be better if you had something beautiful to tell him about your lives, rather than just regrets?"

"…Thank you, Kei-kun," Rin and Kakashi replied quietly. Rin even had tears at the corners of her eyes.

"No need to thank me. We're friends, aren't we?" Kei smiled and waved it off. As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back to Kakashi. "Oh, and if any Uchiha ever gives you trouble—you know why—just come find me. Got it?"

"…Got it." Kakashi touched his scarred, crimson eye and nodded. "I understand, Kei-kun. And yeah… we're friends."

"I'll walk you out," Rin offered.

"No need. Stay here with Kakashi. I still have someone else to visit."

Kei declined Rin's offer and stepped out. Behind him, he could hear Rin murmuring to Kakashi, "Kei-kun really is such a gentle soul…" which made him chuckle under his breath.

Spending time with these two "naïve sweethearts" really did put him at ease. Kei genuinely liked them—not just because they were kind, but because through them, he saw something rare.

Hope. And something even more precious—purity. According to Kei's memory, that hope and purity in Kakashi might just endure.

"But not in me," Kei muttered with a sigh. "I lost that a long time ago. If it weren't for survival… who would choose to become this way? Maybe living as a blissfully ignorant sweetheart isn't such a bad thing after all."

With that thought, Uchiha Kei opened the door to Hyuga Ayaka's hospital room.