Moonlight spilled into the narrow alley, bathing the quiet street in a pale, silver glow. The night air carried a faint chill, and as a breeze brushed past, Kei adjusted his collar before speaking first.
"If you have questions, please go ahead. If I know the answer, I'll respond."
Kakashi found Kei's composure unsettling.
Most people reacted poorly when someone appeared unannounced to interrogate them, even more so when the visitor clearly carried authority. There was usually defensiveness, irritation, or at least unease.
Kei showed none of it.
Not even confusion.
It seemed the Third Hokage had been right.
This Hyūga Kei was not simple.
When Kakashi did not immediately speak, Kei continued in a mild tone.
"What's wrong? Still deciding what to ask? There's no hurry. We can take our time."
"No," Kakashi replied at last. "I'm just… curious. You don't seem surprised by my arrival."
Kei maintained his easy smile.
"That's because you're not the first. A few others have already come to question me. The first couple of times caught me off guard. After that, one becomes accustomed."
Understanding flickered in Kakashi's eye.
"Who came to see you? What did they ask?"
"Hmm…"
Kei tilted his head slightly, as if preparing to answer.
Then he said calmly, "I'm afraid I must decline to answer that."
Kakashi frowned. "You just said you would answer my questions."
"That's true," Kei acknowledged with a nod. "However, this particular question involves certain important figures within the village. Until I understand your true intentions, I cannot reveal such information."
Kakashi stepped closer, stopping half a meter in front of him.
"Why?"
Kei's expression sharpened, righteous and steady.
"Why? Because I am a member of Konoha. How could I casually disclose village intelligence to just anyone?"
He paused, a faint trace of suspicion entering his tone.
"That's a rather basic principle. You do understand that, don't you? Or… should I begin questioning your identity?"
His grip tightened slightly around his cane, posture alert, ready to resist or call for help at the slightest provocation.
Even Kakashi, normally composed to the point of indifference, felt his eyelid twitch.
He drew in a quiet breath.
"My name is Kakashi. I am here on behalf of the Third Hokage."
In truth, Kakashi was deeply concerned Kei might raise his voice and attract attention. The Third had instructed him to conduct this inquiry discreetly; exposure would mean failure.
And failure was unacceptable.
"I see. Kakashi-san," Kei said immediately, his tone shifting. "My apologies. As you can imagine, my eyesight is rather poor."
His posture straightened.
"If you represent the Third Hokage, then I will naturally withhold nothing."
Then, quite suddenly, admiration lit his expression.
"I never imagined the Third Hokage would take interest in someone like me. It is truly an honor. If only I could one day hear his teachings in person."
He lifted his chin slightly, voice growing fervent.
"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns on. The light of that fire nurtures the village and allows new leaves to sprout."
"Kakashi-senpai… you believe in that as well, don't you? It is thanks to the Third Hokage's Will of Fire that the village thrives as it does today."
Kakashi listened as Kei continued speaking without pause, his enthusiasm seemingly unrestrained. Finally, he could not help but interrupt.
"Could you stop for a moment and let me finish asking my questions?"
"My apologies," Kei replied smoothly. "I got a little carried away. The Third Hokage has always been someone I admire deeply."
"Yes," Kakashi said dryly. "That much is obvious."
He had to redirect the conversation before the entire night vanished.
"Now. Tell me exactly who approached you and what they asked."
This time, Kei did not evade the question. He calmly recounted the encounters with Yamanaka Fū and Orochimaru, describing each visit in detail.
At the end, he added thoughtfully, "If you wish to understand more, you might consider speaking directly with Shisui. I suspect he is at the center of all this."
"I'll report it," Kakashi replied, his tone once again cool and neutral. "Our conversation tonight is confidential."
After a brief pause, he added, "That is the Third Hokage's instruction."
"Understood!" Kei straightened slightly and placed a hand over his chest. "I won't disappoint the Hokage's expectations."
Kakashi turned and leapt onto the rooftop, preparing to depart.
Then Kei's voice followed him.
"Kakashi-senpai."
Kakashi stopped mid-step.
"We may not know each other well," Kei continued gently, "but as a psychologist, I strongly recommend you visit my clinic sometime. Your mental state… isn't quite right."
Kakashi's foot hovered in the air for a fraction of a second.
After a moment, he glanced back, jaw tightening.
"I'm not sick."
Kei shrugged lightly.
"Only a drunk insists he isn't drunk. There's no need to feel embarrassed. I understand these things-"
But before he could finish, Kakashi had already vanished, disappearing as though he had no intention of lingering even a heartbeat longer.
Kei turned his face toward the direction Kakashi had left and gave a small shrug before tapping his cane against the ground and continuing home.
...
Inside the Hokage Tower
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, a file in his hand containing Kei's detailed records. Kakashi stood before him, delivering his report.
"Based on investigation, Kei's connection with Uchiha Shisui appears to have been incidental."
He produced a slip of paper.
"This is a transcript of our conversation. I recorded everything."
Hiruzen read it carefully.
"He initially refused to disclose information. But once you stated you were acting on my behalf, his attitude changed completely?"
Kakashi did not answer immediately.
As Hiruzen reread the transcript, an image formed in his mind, a young man filled with reverence for the Hokage and devoted to the Will of Fire.
At length, Hiruzen adjusted his posture.
"When he said those things… do you believe he was sincere?"
Kakashi lowered his gaze slightly.
"I don't know."
Hiruzen frowned.
"Kakashi… you cannot continue like this."
He understood why Kakashi had become so detached. Time had not healed him. If anything, his immersion in ANBU had only deepened the wound.
Such a Kakashi was a sharp blade.
But a blade left unmaintained would eventually snap.
Hiruzen's eyes lingered on the final line of the transcript, the part about Kei recommending psychological treatment.
Perhaps Kakashi truly did need counseling.
As for Hyūga Kei…
He required further observation.
The Hyūga clan had already shown signs of instability. With the Uchiha drifting further from the village, Konoha could not afford another fracture.
If Kei genuinely possessed the Will of Fire,
Then perhaps…
He could become a second Shisui.
Hiruzen lifted his old pipe, inhaled slowly, and released a plume of smoke.
"Kakashi. From now on, you will observe Hyūga Kei in secret. I want to know everything about his daily movements."
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