Naruto: Imitation Ninja

As if recalling some beautiful memory, Might Guy's expression softened slightly when he mentioned his eternal rival.

Watching Might Guy's face light up like a lovestruck teenager, Xing Liu silently wished them all the best in his heart.

"Ahem..."

Seeing Might Guy already veering off course, Asuma and Kurenai, standing behind him, coughed lightly, signaling him to wrap up his trip down memory lane.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot to ask about Kakashi's condition. How is he doing?" Might Guy scratched his head awkwardly, pulling his thoughts back to reality before turning to the two "doctors" standing before him.

"Oh, you mean Kakashi? Thanks to the combined efforts of both of us, he's already successfully transformed into a wom—ouch!"

Before Xing Liu could deliver the "good news" about Kakashi's transformation, Tsunade, standing next to him, cut him off with a firm punch to his abdomen, leaving him clutching his stomach in pain and groaning on the side.

Having long grown accustomed to Xing Liu's outrageous remarks, Tsunade seized the opportunity to reclaim control of the conversation. She then calmly explained Kakashi's condition to his worried friends.

"Kakashi's residual effects have been completely cured by this fool over here," she gestured toward the bent-over Xing Liu, "and the damage he suffered under the Tsukuyomi has also been fully healed by me."

"In short, Kakashi is back to the state he was in before his battle with Uchiha Itachi."

Hearing Tsunade's explanation, the group was momentarily stunned, then erupted into cheers.

"Haha! Kakashi is finally back to normal! We can spar together again!"

"This so-called genius sure knows how to take his time sleeping. If he'd stayed out another couple of days, all the backlog of missions would've fallen on me!"

Each person had their own reasons for celebrating Kakashi's recovery, but overall, the mood was one of collective relief.

"By the way, if Kakashi is fully healed, why is he still lying there motionless?"

Predictably, Might Guy remained the most concerned about Kakashi. After his brief joy, he raised the question that no one else had thought to ask.

"Are you stupid? Have you never been sick before? Who gets out of bed immediately after recovering from a serious illness?" Xing Liu, having recovered from Tsunade's punch, couldn't help but retort.

"Ah? Is that so?" Might Guy scratched his head in realization. "I've never been sick before, so I didn't know how it works."

"Damn it! The rumors were true—idiots really don't catch colds!" Xing Liu muttered to himself.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you all should head home and rest. Kakashi doesn't need anyone watching over him anymore," Tsunade said. "He's simply sleeping now, so once he recharges overnight, he'll wake up by tomorrow."

Since so many people were still around, Xing Liu couldn't sneak off to slack just yet. He'd have to wait for everyone to leave before he could disappear without Minato dragging him back.

"You're right. It's time we head home." Asuma glanced out the window at the darkening sky. Without realizing it, they had spent most of the day in the hospital.

Other than Tsunade, who had arrived in the afternoon, no one had even gone out for lunch, all staying to watch over Kakashi.

After lingering a little longer, the group finally left Kakashi's hospital room together.

---

Once everyone had gone, Xing Liu was about to teleport himself home when something outside the window caught his attention.

"How long are you planning to stay up there? If I didn't call you down, would you wait until Kakashi's discharge before coming down?" Xing Liu opened the window and shouted at the boy perched in the tree.

"Tch... I didn't think you'd notice me." The cold-faced boy leaped down from the tree and into the room with ease. Once inside, he glanced at Kakashi lying in bed before addressing Xing Liu.

"Xing Liu-sensei, how is Kakashi doing?"

"Weren't you listening the whole time from up there? Didn't Tsunade just say Kakashi's fine now? He just needs a good night's sleep, and he'll be back to normal tomorrow."

As he spoke, Xing Liu reached out and ruffled the boy's hair.

"Sasuke, this isn't your fault."

"And besides, this was your brother's doing. How could we possibly make you take the blame?"

"But... he's still an Uchiha, and he's my blood brother..."

"Enough. If your brother really wanted to kill Kakashi, he would've gone for the kill. There wouldn't have been a chance for Might Guy to play the hero." Xing Liu reassured the five-year-old boy before him.

If only he had stopped Danzo's schemes back then, Sasuke wouldn't have turned into the bitter, vengeful boy he was now. He would've grown up pampered, just another spoiled rich kid.

Compared to Sasuke's tragic fate, only Naruto's original storyline could rival it in misery. That's why Naruto had always pursued Sasuke, no matter how many mistakes Sasuke made. Naruto's heart always had a place for him.

After some comforting words, Sasuke's emotions gradually calmed, and the once vulnerable child reverted to his usual cool and aloof demeanor.

"Don't you dare tell Naruto about this, or I'll show you what I'm capable of..." Sasuke threatened, raising his tiny fist.

"Haha, no promises. Behave, and maybe I'll keep it to myself," Xing Liu teased.

"Um... Xing Liu-sensei, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it? If I know the answer, I'll tell you."

"Does Lord Fourth know how shameless you can be?"

"..."

---

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