Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 26 26 : Kakashi, Accepting Students?

Riku stood beside the pool, lost in thought. Kakashi walked up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Your talent keeps surpassing expectations," Kakashi said. "It's honestly kind of terrifying."

"But the more gifted you are, the more important it is to stay grounded and train your mind. Many geniuses throughout history failed to achieve greatness because they lacked ntal discipline."

"I don't want to see you fall into the sa trap."

Riku lifted his head and looked at Kakashi seriously. "Kakashi-sensei, I understand. Might Guy told a lot about you."

"Don't worry. I won't walk the sa path you did. And honestly, I don't think you need to feel so guilty. I believe your two forr teammates would never want that for you."

"And since he entrusted that eye to you, it ans he wanted you to live on—to carry him with you and see the world flourish."

Kakashi froze for a mont. Then he smiled and patted Riku on the shoulder again.

"You sure know a lot. Who's the teacher here—you or ?"

Riku chuckled. "In this regard, Kakashi-sensei, you're not exactly a great example."

Kakashi didn't argue and smiled faintly. "Maybe. But I hope you turn out differently than I did. I want you to beco a shinobi like the Fourth Hokage. He was the greatest among all the Hokage."

"Even his enemies respected him. And the people of the village admired him deeply. That's the kind of shinobi you should aspire to be. I believe you can reach that level."

Riku smiled softly. "Kakashi-sensei, the Fourth Hokage was your teacher. From what Guy-sensei told about your childhood, you weren't any less talented than him."

"Maybe you were even more gifted. But too many things hit you too hard, too fast."

"You abandoned your potential for years. But that eye... I believe, if you use it properly, you've already mastered it by now."

Kakashi fell silent.

He had, indeed, lived in despair for years.

If it hadn't been for Might Guy, he might've ended up as nothing more than a mindless weapon for the Root.

Seeing Kakashi lost in thought, Riku smiled. "I'm just rambling, Kakashi-sensei. Don't take it too seriously. I'm still young, after all."

Kakashi looked at him and let out a soft sigh. "You talk like a little adult."

Riku smiled again.

He was in a good mood today—he had just learned two extrely useful B-rank jutsu.

Seeing Riku's bright smile, Kakashi felt oddly reassured.

"Let's head down the mountain. Ran's on —Ichiraku."

Riku blinked. "Kakashi-sensei, do you really think I'm a kid? I don't even like ran that much."

Before Riku could continue, Kakashi laughed. "Objection overruled. I like ran. We're eating ran."

He patted Riku on the shoulder and started walking ahead.

Riku sighed, exasperated. "Why does everyone in this village love ran so much?"

Naruto loved it. Kakashi loved it.

Even most of the Jonin in Konoha seed to love ran.

But Riku just wasn't a big fan.

At the Ichiraku Ran shop, Kakashi ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ran for Riku.

He rembered that this was the first thing Riku had ntioned when they t.

Seeing Kakashi and Riku arrive together, Teuchi raised an eyebrow. "Kakashi, did you take on a new student?"

Kakashi had always had a good relationship with the Ichiraku shop.

He smiled. "Yeah. He's my disciple."

Riku looked up, a little surprised that Kakashi had called him that.

Even though he technically was, Riku had always thought of himself as just soone learning jutsu from him.

But now that Kakashi had said it out loud, he couldn't contradict him in front of Teuchi.

"Uncle Teuchi, your ran is really amazing."

Hearing this, Teuchi bead. "You've got great taste. Here, let add sothing extra for you."

He scooped a generous helping of toppings—egg, beef, and other prized ingredients—into Riku's bowl.

Riku blinked, stunned. He had just been making polite conversation.

Kakashi smirked. "Teuchi-san, don't spoil him too much. He told just now that he doesn't even like ran."

Riku quickly interjected. "That was earlier. But now that I've tasted Uncle's cooking, I feel like it's a cri this shop hasn't expanded across the entire Land of Fire."

As he spoke, he picked up his chopsticks and slurped so noodles with exaggerated satisfaction.

Teuchi laughed heartily. "Really? Well then, here's so extra chashu pork!"

He ladled in a big spoonful, making Riku's bowl overflow with at and egg.

Other custors glanced over enviously.

Kakashi watched as Riku ate, his head buried in the steaming bowl, and smiled softly.

For so reason, seeing Riku happy made him feel happy too.

After staying at Ichiraku for quite so ti, the two finally parted ways.

But as Riku reached the front door of his house, he stopped in surprise.

Two girls were sitting on his porch, fast asleep.

He blinked. "What are these two doing here?"

He wasn't surprised to see Ino, but Hinata? Why hadn't she gone ho yet?

After a mont of thought, Riku walked over.

The two girls were leaning against each other, sound asleep.

Riku shook his head, both amused and speechless. "Let's not wake them up."

Gently, he carried them into the yard.

He placed Ino on the hallway bench.

Then, picking up Hinata, he began walking toward the Hyuga estate.

After about ten minutes, he reached the compound gates.

The Hyuga Clan's gate was as grand and imposing as ever.

Standing there, Riku gently shook the girl in his arms.

"Hinata, wake up. We're at your place."

He nudged her a little more, and eventually, Hinata stirred.

She was only six, after all.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw she was being carried on Riku's back.

Her face flushed crimson as she quickly buried her face into his shoulder. "R-Riku-kun? Why… why are you carrying ?"

Riku smiled. "I ca ho and saw you and Ino asleep outside my house. What's going on? Was sothing important happening today?"

Hinata's face was burning as she mumbled, "We wanted to play with you, Riku-kun… but you didn't co back for a long ti. We got worried… so we waited by your door."

Riku blinked, then chuckled. "Don't do that again. Sotis I co ho really late. If you really want to wait, you can wait inside. But sleeping outside? You'll catch a cold."

Hinata looked down and murmured, "I'm sorry, Riku-kun…"

Riku smiled gently. "No need to apologize. Just rember—don't wait outside next ti. If I'm late, it just ans I had sothing to do. If you want to wait, wait inside, alright? Don't risk your health."

"…Okay, Riku-kun," she whispered.

"Alright," Riku said, setting her down. "Go on. You're ho. I still need to take Ino back."