"Hurry up! This way!"

"Mom! Where are you?"

"Please be calm and evacuate the area! Please take your children with you- "

The entire West area was in absolute chaos. The villagers' screams echoed from miles away. Some were trying to find their families and friends in desperation. Many Shinobi dodged and destroyed the debris that was falling onto the citizens. Each movement showed the skills and strengths of Konoha's Shinobi. Sakura, one of Konoha's most well-known medic, also buried herself into healing. She did not hesitate to punch any concretes that threaten the Genin or the children.

As some were wondering why this happened during the time of peace, people succumb to their own fears of war. Of course, they didn't want another invasion like Pain's. No one wants to witness another family members died on the battlefield of war. More crying, more weeping...more sorrows.

How could the Sixth Hokage allowed this to happen? The citizens asked themselves. Even if they understand the Hokage do not have the abilities to predict the future, none were able to accept it. After all, they weren't Shinobi with a tough mind, nor they trained themselves to be on guard. The majority of the Shinobi understand that their jobs are to protect the village. Their hearts are with Kakashi as they vowed their loyalty to him. They believed that the Sixth will manage something as soon as the news reached. But the majority doesn't mean all, unfortunately.


Meanwhile, Kakashi did his works with patients as he took care of the data and reports from his comrades. Using the newly invented computer was a pain, but he learned that this is the new future of the village. Thus, Kakashi gave it a try and started funding it. No regret from him. He would love to see a new modernized Konoha, a rich and prosperous village that no one can compete.

"Am I trying too hard to modernize everything? But we cannot fall behind." Kakashi sighs and puts the paperwork down before a sudden explosion rang in his ears. With Kakashi's instinct, he got up from his comfortable chair and looked out at the windows. He wasn't sure if it was his paranoia or his PTSD, but he knew something was wrong. Yet, he couldn't see it in full view from the red Hokage building. After all, the screamings that he heard were distressing. It makes him want to jump out of the office and went to check for the situation himself. But, he is the Hokage. Kakashi was sure that someone will report the situation to him. He does not want to stress them out if he disappeared during the chaos. If no one comes to inform him, Kakashi will no doubt go to check himself. Before he could, Shikamaru and Shizune took their hasty steps inside the office. Both sought for airs to breath, but they gave their reports.

"Hokage-sama…the West collapsed." Shikamaru informed Kakashi with the information as he waited for Kakashi to react. He knew the Sixth will not be pleased, but Kakashi's next order is necessary.

Kakashi's heart skipped a beat in panic, but he soon calms himself down and keeps his composure in check. Everyone is depending on him, he cannot lose himself. But he was angry at whoever dares to touch his home. "The current situation?" Kakashi questions his advisor. He stepped out of the office, wanting to tell him the rest as he walked there.

Shizune stopped him before he could. "Hokage-sama! You can't!" She protests. "It's too dangerous out there, you cannot get hurt now. If something happens to you, we won't have a leader!"

"There is still Naruto. I cannot stay here and do nothing" The Hokage replied.

"Naruto is too young!"

"I am not arguing right now, Shizune." Kakashi sighs, but he understands her concerns. "Shizune, even though I appreciated your worry, I cannot stay here and do nothing. You know what kind of person I am already." And with that, he keeps on walking.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Drop the -sama part, please…"


Kakashi tossed the Hokage cloak to someone before he headed to the damaged area. He can only hope that the attack isn't as bad as it sounds, but he was wrong. The new buildings constructed by the citizens had crumpled. Some of the old houses had gone to dust, also. Luckily, there were no causalities, meaning no death happened. One cannot describe how relief Kakashi felt when he hears that news. Objects can be replaced, but human lives can't.

"How horrible…" The Hokage mumbles while walking through the area filled with concretes. He checks the surrounding, makes sure that he didn't miss anything. Of course, his eyes also scan around to look for someone suspicious, or the potential culprit. Kakashi could not be gladder if the criminal appears, and he was sure to not let them get away with their crime. Not to mention, the next attack could happen again at any times and any places. Kakashi does not want to witness the efforts of the people trying to rebuild their villages gone to waste.

With an urgent voice, he asked Shizune "Did the emergency shelter enough to cover everyone?" The village renovated the same old shelter after Pein's invasion. The Fifth did wish to make it larger since the population is maximizing. In case if another invasion happened, the leader wanted to make sure that everyone is safe.

"Only a small part of the village needs the shelter, so we have all the space we need. Please rest assure. Foods and supplies will be here soon." Shizune replies and keeps on tending the injured together with Sakura. Kakashi sighs in relieves and returns to observe the damaged area. The Sixth was stunned as his head hurts from the confusion. Who could plot an attack like this? Smaller shinobi nations aren't involved with the Five Elemental Nations. But then, it is true that the effects that they suffered by the Fourth War were unfair. There were some personal grudges against the war; Kikyo, for example. But then, why Konoha Village? All Five Nations are at peace as of now, there is no way they would break that alliance to risk war happening again.

"Sir, there is no used thinking about it now," Shikamaru advised as he walked to Kakashi while kicking the concrete out of the way. It was as if he could sense the stresses within the Sixth Hokage "We should focus on the villagers first. The discussion about the clues of the attacker will be sorted out during the next meeting. It's not like we can find them now anyway..."

Kakashi nods in agreement, but the anxiety didn't go away. It was only several months ever since he took his chair as the Hokage, and yet, another tragedy happens. It wasn't grave, but his village still suffers losses. But the silver-haired Hokage forces himself to stop his thought. Right now, Kakashi knew it wasn't the time for him to drown in his pity party or doubting his abilities. Instead, he must use whatever powers he has now to help his village. Naruto and others soon came to the site along with several Jounin. Kakashi couldn't do anything except for standing there and watches them do their jobs. He does make an effort to walk around and offers a hand, but everyone refused, wanting him to rest instead. Kakashi frowned, knowing that the villagers are thinking he has given a lot to the village as the Copy Ninja. Some brought him foods and teas, but Kakashi rejected with appreciation. "Please give them to the one in needs." He forces a smile.

Kakashi felt useless.


"The attack today was dreadful, even though it's supposed to be in the peaceful era after a long time. I cannot believe someone would try to cause war!" One of the elders raised their voice with anger, one eye glancing at Kakashi. Sharp, narrowed eyes stared at Kakashi's direction. The elders crossed their arms, some shake their heads in disapproval. "Can you explain this, Rokudaime-sama?" They asked him despite knowing they wanted an impossible answer.

"Explain? What is there to explain anyway?" Kakashi wondered why on earth would they ask him such a question. Kakashi would love to prevent that attack, but he has no abilities to tell the future disasters. "I do not know, unfortunately." He responds as his deep voice echoes throughout the gloomy meeting room. One can see that the only thing that shines through the shadow is the proud Konoha's symbol. Kakashi continued his statement with tact. "We are not in conflict with any smaller nations or the Five Elemental Nations. It's reckless to jump to conclusion, considering that we did not have a chance to witness the culprit. The investigation team discovered no accomplices or any clues related to the case."

"Hm…" They stayed silent until another old advisor speaks up. "It's true that no one expects the attack, but what was the defensive line doing? Shouldn't they at least be able to recognize the danger?" He asked Kakashi with a condescending voice. "Rokudaime, what were you doing? Did you monitored the defensive team or the ANBU patrollers?"

With a frown at that statement, Kakashi refutes "The defense line had reported a while ago. Security cameras did not capture any potential threat, both outside and inside." This was making him a bit…uneasy. It was as if they are blaming him for this attack. It is a fact that his most elite ANBU are keeping their eyes on every single corner of the borders. But of course, he wishes he could have done a better job as a leader. Now, a bunch of advisors who had never been in war is telling him that his comrades and his own abilities aren't enough. "We are doing the best we can to prevent the next coming attack. The Sealing Team are already on their ways to set up traps around the village. For now, there is nothing to worry about."

"Nothing to worry about!?" One of them slams his fist on the table in anger. "Do you not know-"

The Daimyo cuts in before the man could even raise his voice at Kakashi. "Please show your manner toward the Hokage, please." The old Daimyo puts away his fan and coughs as he waits for the man to sit back and relax. "Rokudaime is right. There is nothing we can do about it right now as we have no clue. Doubting other nations will only cause more conflicts. The best course of action right now is to sit back and defend the village at all cost. But-" The Daimyo directed with his old, sickly voice and glanced at Kakashi once again. "The defense line is under your control and your authority. Any of their actions are your responsibilities, you do understand, right?"

"Yes, Daimyo-sama..." Kakashi responds, showing that he acknowledged what the country's leader requested. The conversation finally ended. Kakashi steps back and excuses himself to return to his village.

Shikamaru leans against the wall as he waited for Kakashi to come back. He expected Kakashi to look normal, unfortunately, Kakashi looked stress out.

"Hokage-sama- I mean, Kakashi-san…Is everything okay?" Shikamaru frowned, seeing his Hokage's facial expression, knowing it wasn't good news. Even though he would prefer not to ask Kakashi about it, but he must. "What did they say?

One hand taking off the Hokage hat, Kakashi makes his way through the red bridge in exhaustion. He exits the building as he senses two ANBU are following him from behind for his protection.

It took Kakashi a while to respond to the young Nara, but he manages to find his voice. "They are doubting us" He grumbles. "They think that we aren't strong enough- No, they think that I am not strong enough to control the defensive line. That's why a small explosion like this happen, even though it was preventable."

"That's ridiculous, it's not like you know it will happen and everyone was off guard-"

"That's the exact reason that they argued. Because we were off guard, that's why we were attacked. If I establish a new defensive team's policy and increase the guard-" Kakashi explains, but he stops. Another heavy frown appears as the winds uncover his forehead when it breezes by. Usually, it was hard for Shikamaru to read Kakashi's mind as the man always has a bored expression. But even a blind man can feel the Sixth's anguish.

"Hokage-sama, it is not your fault. Not even the elites were able to detect anything suspicious, for now..." Shikamaru reassures. "Anyway, you are not responsible for this."

Kakashi listens and responds with a simple nod but with no replies. The only thing that reverberated was their footsteps as they made their ways back to Konoha.


AN: I don't know how to English. My fucking English- I would like to say thank you to all of my beta readers. Love you all for helping me with this. Thanks for reading! Chapter 3 will come soon!