Thinking back on Kakashi's swollen, bruised face, Pakura couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy.
But Takuya's orders were absolute, and she had no choice but to follow them.
Takuya, anwhile, seed utterly unconcerned, carrying his newly purchased items as he strolled casually. He turned his head and said, "For most kids, an experience like that would be damaging, maybe even make them question if their teacher dislikes them. But Kakashi is different.
"Don't underestimate him. If Kakashi were really that fragile, I wouldn't have taken him on—no matter how much Senpai Sakumo pleaded."
Taking on an apprentice was not sothing to be done lightly, even if it was part of a political deal. But Kakashi had the talent that warranted an exception. If it had been soone like Uchiha Obito or Asuma, no amount of pleading would have changed Takuya's mind.
Why am I even worried when you're clearly not? Pakura shrugged, dropping the topic.
As long as one had enough money, the d-nin at the hospital were happy to make a quick buck, offering the fastest treatnt available. By the ti Kakashi arrived, his bruises had mostly healed, though it would still take a few more days to fully recover.
"Sensei," Kakashi greeted stiffly, standing ramrod straight in the living room, visibly nervous.
"No need to be so tense. Co have dinner first."
Seeing Kakashi's obvious unease made Kushina laugh. She'd heard of Kakashi many tis before—the young prodigy of Konoha—and she had to admit, she never thought she'd see the usually stoic boy acting so tense.
"Thanks, Ma'am," Kakashi said, sitting down as Kushina nudged him towards the chair. He looked like the seat was burning him, fidgeting as though he wanted to stand back up. Only under Kushina's watchful eyes did he remain seated.
Pakura seed similarly out of place. When Takuya announced he was cooking, she had tried to help but had been promptly booted from the kitchen within two minutes.
"Dinner's ready," Takuya finally said, bringing the last dish to the table, amused to see Kakashi jump to his feet instantly.
"Relax, stay seated. I don't need any help." Takuya shook his head. Sotis, too many people in the kitchen only made things more chaotic, not helpful.
"This one is for Lady Tsunade. Take it over later," Takuya said, pointing to a bento box.
"Got it," Kushina smiled, setting it aside before digging into her al.
The dinner ended in a slightly awkward atmosphere.
Takuya regretted inviting Kakashi to his house for dinner. The boy's nervousness was contagious, spreading a strange unease among everyone present.
After dinner, Pakura took the initiative to brew so tea.
"I got it," Takuya said, gesturing for Kakashi to stay seated when the boy made to get up and help. Picking up the teapot, he poured tea for everyone and continued, "You might be wondering why I suddenly changed my mind and decided to take you on as my student. That isn't sothing you need to worry about. What you need to do is train hard. I'll make ti to guide you when I can.
"But don't get your hopes up about personalized training. I'm lazy, and I don't have that kind of ti."
Taking on an apprentice was a hassle, but Kakashi was different. He wasn't the kind of student who needed constant supervision. Teach him what needed to be taught, and he'd handle the rest himself.
"Yes, sensei." Kakashi sat up straight, attentively listening. He didn't even consider touching the teacup in front of him.
"I invited you here tonight to get you used to the place. From now on, whenever I'm in the village, you can co over after school. I'll help you train then."
"Understood." Kakashi's responses were almost robotic—a single-word reply over and over.
"If there's nothing else, you can head ho for today. Co back after school tomorrow."
Kakashi needed ti to digest everything; otherwise, he'd stay in this overly formal mode. Takuya didn't want their teacher-student relationship to be this stiff and awkward.
"Sensei, I..."
Kakashi took a step towards the door but then paused, turning back with a hesitant expression.
This kid is restless. Takuya could read Kakashi's intentions just by looking at his eyes. He shook his head and said, "No skipping classes. I know the Academy lessons must be boring for you now, but even if you don't learn anything new, it's important for you to stay. Co over after school, or during breaks—as long as I'm in the village and have ti."
If Kakashi wanted to leave the Academy and beco a genin, all it would take was a simple request and approval. But neither Takuya nor Sakumo wanted that.
Even if the Academy wasn't teaching him anything, staying there was still important for Kakashi's growth. Graduating too early wouldn't benefit him. He was too young.
The world outside the Academy was harsh. Leaving the safety of that environnt too soon could easily lead him down the wrong path. The original tiline showed how Kakashi's life had veered off course. Takuya never understood what the Third Hokage had been thinking—first pushing Sakumo to his death, then letting Kakashi graduate early, and only trying to set him right again after he'd already gone astray by pairing him with Minato.
Takuya would bet that without Minato's ntorship, without Obito's antics, without Rin's gentle care, Kakashi would have turned dark, completely.
"He's got the strength, that's for sure. His skills are definitely genin-level, maybe even better than so average genin," Pakura said, sitting in the spot Kakashi had vacated and picking up her tea. "In the Sand Village, a kid like him would receive the best education and care."
"What are you implying?" Takuya put down his own teacup, smiling wryly. "That Konoha doesn't nurture its geniuses? Or that our jonin instructors aren't competent?"
"And what about you?" Pakura asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her question seed to echo the things she had heard from Kushina—the stories of Takuya's childhood, of how he had been treated.
"I'm different," Takuya said, apparently unbothered by Kushina sharing his past. "My situation is complicated. The village has always treated the Uchiha poorly. Not everyone, just a few elders. Most people would rather avoid associating with us.
"But it's all about power struggles, in the end. Haven't you experienced that yourself?"
If Takuya faced discrimination in Konoha because of his Uchiha blood, Pakura faced it in the Sand due to her connections with Rasa.
Pakura stiffened, her gaze towards Takuya shifting.
"Don't give that look. I don't need your sympathy. You should be more worried about your own situation," Takuya said dismissively.
You aren't in much better shape than , so save the pity. He gave a slight snort and continued, "My relationship with the Hokage is strained, it's even worse with the forr Hokage advisors, and the Elder Council isn't any friendlier. You could say that most of Konoha's leadership is against . And since you ca here with , that pretty much puts you against them too."
"Cough! Cough!"
Pakura nearly choked on her tea, her eyes widening. "I'm genuinely curious now—is there anyone in Konoha's leadership you haven't pissed off?"
The Third Hokage, the forr advisors, the Elders—it seed like Takuya had a knack for antagonizing those in power. Just thinking about the weight of those nas made Pakura's scalp tingle.
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