That night…
I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Kakashi.
Who was he really?
Why did he keep appearing in my life?
And why did he look so serious when he told me to go inside?
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Maybe…
He really was just a strange person.
Maybe I was thinking too much.
With that thought, I slowly closed my eyes.
— Far away…
On the rooftop of an abandoned building…
Kakashi stood alone.
The cold night wind pushed against his black hoodie.
His silver hair moved gently in the darkness.
The city looked peaceful from above.
But he knew peace never lasted.
A slow clap echoed through the empty rooftop.
Clap…
Clap…
Clap…
“Amazing.” A deep voice came from the shadows.
“I’ve heard many stories about you, Kakashi.” A tall man stepped forward.
He wore a long black coat covered with silver symbols.
A confident smile rested on his face.
“So…” “The famous Guardian has finally found her.” Kakashi remained silent.
His hands stayed inside his hoodie pockets.
“I wondered how long it would take before someone found me,” he said calmly.
The man laughed.
“Then you already know why I’m here.” “I do.” “Hand her over.” “No.” The smile on the man’s face slowly disappeared.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t make this difficult.” “I usually disappoint people.” For a brief second…
Everything became silent.
Then— The rooftop exploded.
Dark magic rushed toward Kakashi like a wave.
He stepped aside without panic.
The attack destroyed the concrete where he had been standing only a moment earlier.
A glowing blue magic circle appeared beneath his feet.
Bright chains of magical energy shot across the rooftop.
The mysterious man barely escaped.
The night sky flashed as blue and purple magic collided again and again.
Neither of them held back.
The battle shook the entire rooftop.
Finally…
The mysterious man jumped backward.
A small cut had appeared across his shoulder.
Blood slowly stained his black coat.
He smiled anyway.
“So it’s true…” “You haven’t become weaker.” Kakashi said nothing.
The man looked toward the distant city.
“You can protect her today.” “But you cannot stop fate forever.” His body slowly disappeared into black mist.
Before vanishing completely, he spoke one last time.
“We’ll meet again.” Silence returned.
The rooftop was covered with cracks.
Broken pieces of concrete surrounded Kakashi.
He slowly sat down on a large stone.
For the first time that night…
He looked tired.
After several quiet moments…
He reached into his hoodie pocket.
He carefully took out a small silver locket.
It was old.
The edges were scratched, as if it had been carried for many years.
He opened it.
Inside was an ancient symbol.
Its golden light was faint…
Almost fading.
Kakashi stared at it without saying anything.
The wind blew softly across the rooftop.
His calm expression slowly changed.
A trace of sadness appeared in his eyes.
“…She’s not ready.” His voice was almost a whisper.
Another long silence followed.
He closed the locket tightly in his hand.
“…Then why…” He lowered his head.
“…why am I the one who has to do this?” No answer came.
Only the cold night wind.
After a few moments, he stood up again.
His face returned to its usual calm expression.
The mission was still waiting.
Whether he wanted it…
Or not.
End of Chapter 4