Chapter 45 – Yusuke's Dream
"You came too, huh?" Hatake Yusuke turned around just as Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara stepped into the recovery room to check on Kakashi.
"Yusuke, what happened? Who hurt Kakashi?" Rin asked worriedly, her face filled with concern.
"That would be... me," Yusuke replied, his voice awkward.
"How could you do something like that?" Rin snapped, clearly blaming him.
"I'm fine. This happened because I'm still too weak," Kakashi interjected firmly, trying to ease the tension.
Rin fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
"Did you two fight?" Kurenai asked softly, watching the atmosphere. She knew how close the two brothers were and couldn't help but be curious.
"No, we were just sparring," Yusuke replied calmly.
"Still, you went too far!" Rin insisted, clearly still upset.
"You're wrong, Rin. If that had been a real battle, Kakashi could've lost his life," Yusuke said, his tone serious. He had realized something important: even though Kakashi was stronger than his canon self, he was still too dependent on others. If Yusuke wasn't around one day, would Kakashi survive? That thought terrified him.
"But—" Rin tried to argue.
"That's enough, Rin. This isn't my brother's fault," Kakashi cut in sharply. He knew Rin meant well, but he also understood his brother would never hurt him without good reason.
"Alright, Kakashi. Don't be so stubborn. Rin came here because she's worried about you, y'know," Yusuke said, glancing at his younger brother with a mix of affection and exasperation.
Though he didn't realize it, he himself was even worse when it came to emotional awareness. If he hadn't known the original story, he probably wouldn't have noticed Rin's feelings for Kakashi either.
"Yusuke, why don't we go for a walk? Let Rin stay with Kakashi," Kurenai suggested.
"Sure," Yusuke nodded.
They wandered through the village aimlessly, the recent events still lingering in their minds.
"How's Uncle Sakumo doing these days?" Kurenai asked carefully. She'd heard about the incident that shook the village. At the time, Yusuke had been away on a mission, and she'd worried how he'd take the news.
"He's doing better. He's retired from ninja life and is enjoying some peace," Yusuke replied with a soft smile.
"By the way... do you have a dream, Yusuke?" Kurenai asked out of nowhere. She had known Yusuke since they were kids—their families had always been close. But not once had she heard him speak about his dream. Her thoughts drifted back to their early days at the Academy.
— — —
"Nice to meet you! I'm Yuhi Kurenai. My dream is to become a Genjutsu specialist like my father," said a younger Kurenai, sneaking glances at Yusuke, who was dozing off at his desk.
"And… I want to get married and live happily with someone I love…" she added, cheeks blushing.
"Wow, Yuhi Kurenai is sooo cute! She's my goddess now!" one of the boys shouted.
"She really is adorable!"
"I'm Nohara Rin. My dream is to become a Medical-nin as amazing as Lady Tsunade! My hobby is... xxxx."
"I'm Uchiha Obito! I'll bring pride to the Uchiha Clan and become Hokage one day!" Obito struck a dramatic pose, pointing to the clan symbol on his back.
"Idiot," muttered Kakashi, rolling his eyes.
"What did you say, white-haired jerk?" Obito shot back, glaring.
"Alright, enough of that. Next student, your turn," their teacher quickly interrupted.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi. My dream is to surpass my father. My hobbies are Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu," Kakashi said coolly and confidently.
"Whoa, so cool..." whispered some of the girls.
"Okay, okay, next—" the teacher tried to keep the class in order.
"Hey, wake up." Kakashi nudged his brother beside him.
"Hmm? Is it time to go home already?" Yusuke sat up, confused.
Laughter broke out across the room.
"This kid fell asleep on his first day," the teacher muttered, trying not to explode.
"Sorry, Sensei. I stayed up too late last night," Yusuke mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Alright, introduce yourself then," the teacher said with a sigh, letting it go.
"My name's Hatake Yusuke. My hobbies… are too many to list. As for my dream… I guess it's nothing that noble," he answered lazily.
The teacher silently branded him as a slacker with no ambition.
— — —
Back in the present.
"My dream, huh… Ore wa kaizoku-ō ni naru!" Yusuke declared, mimicking Luffy's pose.
"Pirate King? You want to be a pirate now?" Kurenai blinked.
"Ahaha, just kidding," Yusuke laughed.
"My real dream is to protect the people I care about," he said more seriously.
"Is that really your dream?" Kurenai asked, touched. It wasn't the kind of dream people shouted from rooftops, but it felt genuine.
"Yeah. I don't have some grand goal like most people. But in this world full of darkness, if I can help change it by protecting the ones who matter to me... then that's enough," Yusuke said with quiet resolve.
"By the way, when are you graduating, Kurenai?"
"In about three months."
"Then I'll give you a graduation gift. What do you want?"
"You should figure that out yourself," she murmured shyly.
Yusuke looked puzzled, unsure of what would be appropriate.
They strolled a bit more before deciding to return to the hospital.
— — —
"Let's buy something for Kakashi and Rin to eat," Kurenai suggested.
They made their way to Ichiraku Ramen.
"Four bowls to go, please," Yusuke called out.
"Well, look who it is! Been a while, Yusuke," said Teuchi cheerfully.
"Haha, I just got back from a mission," Yusuke replied.
"Alright, give me a minute. I'll have them ready soon."
"Yusuke-nii! You're here!" Ayame beamed as she stepped out.
"Yeah, helping your dad again, huh?" Yusuke grinned.
"Yusuke-nii, sit tight! I'll help Dad finish this real quick."
"Sure thing, Ayame. Go ahead."
Soon, the ramen was ready, packed up and steaming.
"Eat it while it's hot! It won't taste the same if it gets cold," Teuchi warned.
"Got it, Uncle. Here's the money."
"Just pay for two. The other two are on me."
"Whoa, thanks a bunch!"
After grabbing the ramen, they headed back to the hospital.
"Oh yeah—" Yusuke suddenly stopped walking.
"What is it?" Kurenai looked at him, puzzled.
Yusuke reached out into thin air, making a gesture like he was pulling apart the sky. A door shimmered into existence before them.
"Come on, Kurenai."
"What is this…?" she wanted to ask, but followed him without another word.
They stepped through and emerged on the other side—right in front of a startled Kakashi and Rin.
"You two… where did you come from?" Rin gasped.
"Forget that—look what I brought!" Yusuke grinned as he held up the Ichiraku ramen bags triumphantly.
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