The moment she spoke, Kakashi's eyes grew frighteningly cold, and the killing intent rolling off his body was impossible to hide. Kokoro broke into a cold sweat, instantly regretting her words.
"What do you know?" Kakashi demanded icily, his sharp gaze pinning her in place.
Kokoro's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Just… a little. Only things I shouldn't even know in the first place."
Then, as suddenly as it had come, Kakashi's hostility faded. His expression softened, his eyes narrowing in a faint smile. "Who are you?"
"Kokoro." The answer slipped from her lips automatically, her tone dazed, almost mechanical, as if dragged out by force.
Kakashi's eyes chilled again. That name was different from the one he had known. Completely different. "What is your real identity?"
"…Student."
Kakashi stiffened. The term was foreign, but the word student was clear enough. A student from some distant village? But why would a mere student know about him—and more importantly, know about things tied to the Third Hokage?
"Why do you know about me?" he pressed.
"I've… seen Naruto. And the story."
Naruto? That word he understood. But story? What did that mean? His eyes narrowed. "What else do you know?"
"A lot."
So much that she couldn't possibly say it all in one sitting.
Kakashi frowned. If Kokoro had fallen into an illusion, then she must have been tricked into revealing things she shouldn't. He needed to be careful. "Then tell me—what do you know about me?"
Kokoro's lips moved, her voice flat and unnervingly precise:
"You graduated from the Academy at five. Became a Chunin at six. A Special Jonin at twelve. At the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Uchiha Obito was gravely injured saving Nohara Rin. He entrusted you with his left eye, gifting you the Sharingan. Later, under Uchiha Madara's manipulation, Rin was made the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki. To protect the village, she threw herself onto your Raikiri. Obito, believing he had lost everything, turned down a darker path and began serving Uchiha Madara. At fourteen, you lost your sensei, Minato Namikaze, during the Nine-Tails' attack—an attack orchestrated by Obito. Since then, you've remained in the Anbu until—"
Her words cut off abruptly. Kokoro's body slumped forward, unconscious.
Kakashi froze, his expression shadowed. Obito. She had spoken Obito's name. She claimed he hadn't died. That he had joined with Uchiha Madara. That Rin's death was part of a larger scheme. That Minato-sensei's death had been tied to it all.
But Madara was supposed to be long dead.
Who was this girl really?
The Third Hokage had allowed her into the village. He must trust her. Considering Sarutobi Maka had been the one to look after her, she was clearly someone important. Her identity could not be simple—and it could not be revealed carelessly.
He wanted desperately to press further, to demand every detail she knew about Obito, Rin, and Madara. But he couldn't risk it. If she was harmed, the Hokage would not forgive him.
Perhaps… perhaps the Hokage already knew all of this.
But then why was Obito's name engraved on the memorial stone, honored as a fallen hero?
When Kokoro woke, the sky outside was pitch black. Midnight. Kakashi was gone.
She rubbed her temple, dazed, her memory hazy. What had just happened?
More than anything, her stomach growled. She was starving. Had she even eaten?
She frowned. The last thing she remembered clearly was asking Kakashi a question. After that… nothing. She hadn't simply fallen asleep, had she? No, it had to have been an illusion.
"Kakashi!" she shouted into the empty room. "Come out! Did you put me under genjutsu?"
Her voice rang with anger and unease. The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she felt.
"I can't stay here," she muttered. "I need to leave. Tomorrow—no, tonight."
But where could she go?
Naruto.
Yes. Naruto's place. At least she wouldn't have to worry about him suspecting her. He was oblivious at times, yes—but kind. Unlike Kakashi, he wouldn't interrogate her.
Resolved, Kokoro slipped out into the night. The moon hung directly overhead, casting silver light over the village.
She stopped only briefly, then hurried on.
Bang, bang, bang!
"Damn it, Naruto! Open the door!" She hugged herself against the cold, shivering.
But Naruto's sleep was legendary. No matter how hard she knocked, no matter how loudly she shouted, the boy didn't stir. Instead, neighbors in the surrounding apartments grumbled awake.
Her patience snapped. She kicked the door—hard. Nothing.
"I swear…" she muttered furiously.
"Who are you?" a cold voice demanded from behind her.
Kokoro turned sharply. A man in a cat-faced Anbu mask was watching her.
"Anbu?" she blinked, then waved dismissively at Naruto's door. "Perfect! You—open it for me. Or at least wake Naruto up."
The masked man tilted his head. "Why?"
"Because I have nowhere else to stay!" Kokoro snapped. "Kakashi's place isn't safe, and Naruto's the only one I know here. Where else am I supposed to go?" Her tone softened as she added, "Come on, Anbu-nii-san. You're probably used to following Kakashi around. You know how cold he is. Doesn't look like a decent man at all. Naruto's better."
The Anbu operative stiffened, sweat beading beneath his mask. If only you knew who was listening.
On the rooftop, Kakashi crouched in black, watching, his expression unreadable—but far from pleased.
The Anbu man faltered. Under Kakashi's glare, what was he supposed to do?
Kokoro clapped her hands together. "Please, brother! Just open it for me."
With no other choice, the Anbu silently twisted the knob. The door swung open.
Inside, the apartment was a disaster. Trash and half-empty instant ramen cups littered the floor. Kokoro wrinkled her nose but pressed on, flicking the light switch and stepping into one of the bedrooms.
There lay Naruto, sprawled out on his back, legs sticking out from the blanket, snoring loudly.
"Unbelievable…" she muttered, stomping over to the bed. She slapped his foot. "Naruto!"
He mumbled, shifted—and continued sleeping.
Kokoro turned helplessly toward the Anbu operative. "Brother, please wake him. Is he under genjutsu or something? How can anyone sleep this heavily?"
The Anbu hesitated. Offending Naruto was safer than offending Kakashi. With a sigh, he raised his hand and slapped Naruto sharply on the head.
Smack!
"AHH!" Naruto shot upright, eyes wide, hair a mess. "Wha—?! Who—?!"
"Finally!" Kokoro huffed. "Naruto, let me borrow your bed tonight."
"…Huh?" Naruto blinked at her in confusion. "Kokoro-chan? And… who's that?"
"Doesn't matter!" she cut in. "I have nowhere else to go. Just let me stay here for one night. Please?" Her eyes grew wide and pleading.
Naruto rubbed his head, still groggy. "Uh… y-yeah, I guess… but… wait…" His face reddened as the realization hit him. A girl. In his room. Asking to stay.
His voice shot up an octave. "L-Living together?!"