Disclaimer: Naruto is still the property of Kishimoto-sensei.
A/N: Hurray for chapter 14! Dear readers, thank you for reading my story. Now that things are starting to get interesting, the lengthy chapters might cause confusion especially to those who are new. So, here's a brief recap of the events:
Chapter 1 – Takes place in Konoha hospital. Mainly Sasuke's POV (Thoughts and flashbacks are in italics).
Chapter 2 – Funeral for war heroes, Sasuke and Sakura finally have the 'talk' and, Tsunade informing Kakashi of the council's demands.
Chapter 3 – Chapter 2 continuation.
Chapter 4 – Sasuke's arrest
Chapter 5 – Chapter 4 backstory. Team 7 interaction prior to Sasuke's arrest (This is Naruto's POV of the events in Chapter 4).
Chapter 6 – Takes place 2 days before the summit. Sasuke is already arrested while Naruto is in the hospital, recovering from his injuries in Chapter 4.
Chapter 7 – Takes place 1 day before the summit. Tsunade, Kakashi and Shikamaru plan their next move.
Chapter 8 – Chapter 7 continuation. Tsunade and Kakashi are plagued with regrets.
Chapter 9 – Chapter 8 continuation/backstory to the last scene where Kakashi met the other teams. Naruto is still in the hospital and emotionally damaged due to several factors (stress, injuries, need to see Sasuke, etc.).
Chapter 10 – Chapter 9 continuation. Start of Naruto and Hinata's budding friendship.
Chapter 11 – Takes place few hours before the summit.
Chapter 12 – Kage Summit Day One
Chapter 13 – Kage Summit Day Two
I'd like to extend my thanks to BookWormFT for pointing this out. Hopefully, this will help you guys adapt to the story's pacing. With no further ado, here's Chapter 14!
Aftermath: Post War
Chapter 14: Credo
The conference room was deathly quiet.
After hearing the Hokage's declaration, each person reacted differently.
Mei and Onoki had looks of bewilderment.
Gaara's usual stoniness was replaced with astonishment.
Their aides briefly lost their composure yet they managed to gather their bearings in case of a violent uproar – which, happened immediately as the Raikage recovered from his initial shock and responded by slamming his fist on the table. Sharp splinters and huge chunks of wood flew everywhere, leaving a gaping hole in its place. "Are you seriously giving up your position for that insolent brat?"
Tsunade smiled coyly. "That I did."
"Utter stupidity! If this is another desperate scheme of yours –"
"Of course, I'm desperate!" The Raikage flinched at her sharp admonition. "It's a shame that blathering idiots such as ourselves are setting bad examples for our villages. Even after winning the war, we still didn't learn the importance of camaraderie!"
At this moment, no one dared to retort.
"For the sake of a peaceful era, we need Sasuke's strength," Tsunade declared hotly. "If Naruto, the savior of the Shinobi World believe he can change then I'm betting everything I have to make sure he'll get the freedom he deserves."
Mei clasped her hands tightly. She believed Tsunade's words yet she didn't want to earn the Raikage and Tsuchikage's contempt. As a fellow female Kage, she found the other woman's reason to resign as ludicrous. "Tsunade, please reconsider. Konoha will suffer tremendously in your absence."
Ay inwardly agreed with her. Although he and Tsunade don't see each other eye-to-eye, they participated in the war together. Her medical expertise is badly needed so he didn't want their amity to end badly. "Vacating your position won't change things. Sasuke will still be executed for his crimes."
"Ay is right," Onoki added. "Tsunade, your recent actions have become unnecessarily drastic that it's affecting our alliance. Is Uchiha Sasuke really that important to you?"
Tsunade mentally counted from one to ten. When she finally opened her mouth, her tone was soft. "Uchiha Sasuke is first and foremost, a Konoha shinobi. He did us a huge service by killing Uchiha Itachi of Akatsuki. Where did he go wrong?" She glanced at the Raikage. "When he attacked the summit, wasn't it because of Danzō? When Sasuke joined the Akatsuki and kidnapped your brother, didn't Killer Bee escape? Realistically speaking, were there any reasons to implicate him other than the ones I mentioned? When Madara waged war against the Shinobi World, did Sasuke join him? Instead, he aided us even though we were at odds with each other."
Her hands curled into fists. "In actuality, Konoha was the one at fault. If my grandfather put more faith in his friendship with Madara, things might've end up differently. Instead of being bitter enemies, they could've been our formidable allies."
The other four exchanged wary gazes.
"Regardless, Sasuke committed crimes against our nation," Tsunade admitted. "However, he redeemed himself by going against Madara. What he and Naruto did to save the shinobi world surpassed our predecessors' accomplishments. Think carefully. Were past sins of his clan enough to vindicate him?"
Silence dominated the entire room.
No one dared to reply.
Or rather, everyone hesitated.
Tsunade's notions hit the mark. Sasuke's vengeful nature stemmed from his clan's demise yet he redeemed himself by defeating Madara and dispelling the Infinite Tsukuyomi. His crimes weren't majorly offensive and implicating him for his clan's mistakes that bordered on prejudice was definitely wrong.
Watching from the sidelines, Shikamaru knew why they hesitated. Like Tsunade said, Sasuke's strength was still needed. As the last Uchiha, he'll be invaluable to Konoha and its allied nations.
Unfortunately, Sasuke was akin to a double-edged sword. His mistrust of Konoha's ideals will make it harder for him to return to their side. 'I'll leave the convincing to Naruto,' he smugly thought. 'For now, safeguarding Sasuke's well-being is our top priority.'
Eventually, the Kazekage raised his hand.
Amid hushed whispers, his tone was relatively calm. "I respect the Hokage's decision to resign." Turquoise eyes darkened as he continued, "I also agree with her. We're huge disappointments. Unwilling to trust others, bickering against another…as Kage, we should set a good example for the new era. Therefore, I'll also put my position on the line by vying for Sasuke's freedom."
Onoki and Mei's jaws dropped.
Behind the Kazekage, his siblings were poised to deliver bodily harm should any contradict Gaara's decision.
As always, Ay was enraged.
Before he could utter his displeasure, Gaara beat him to it. "As members of the Allied Shinobi Nations, we respect our fellow Kage's wishes. If she wants Sasuke freed in return for his services in the war then we're bound to do as she says."
The Raikage was practically foaming in the mouth. "Traitorous cretin! You're willing to side with…with…"
Gaara pointed a finger at him.
Ay followed his gaze. Sweat trickled down his brow as he discovered a sharp sliver of sand floating a few millimeters away from his torso. The other Kages looked down to find similar projectiles on their chests.
"If I had my way, I'd kill you all for getting yourselves distracted," Gaara warned dangerously. "Not to mention, dropping your guard down at the actual threat."
Fear crept up Mei's spine. "What do you mean?"
With a few strides, Gaara approached the Tsuchikage and Raikage. Tapping his fingers on the backs of their chairs, he continued, "Konoha and Suna lead in terms of medical aid and manpower. Without our aid, your precious villages won't be rebuilt."
He smirked at the seething Raikage. "Come to think of it, Kumo and Konoha share similar predicaments. The daimyō's refusal to give financial aid caused tremendous backlash in your villages' rehabilitation. Instead of incessant squabbling, shouldn't we set our differences aside and start working together?"
"Are you insinuating that we're actually threatened by Konoha and Suna?" Ay argued.
Gaara leaned downwards, his face at equal level with Onoki's. "Are you?" His tapping stopped. "Your eyes reflect something else though."
The elderly Kage's left brow twitched at the subtle hint.
A small smile formed on Tsunade's fair features. "Naruto and Sasuke. I'm pretty sure you're well aware of what they're capable of. Using the summit to eradicate Sasuke and even the odds is a good plan, isn't it?"
Onoki and Ay's faces bore guilt. As expected, Suna sided with Konoha. On the other hand, they didn't expect Gaara and Tsunade to catch onto their plan.
"Despite holding Sasuke's fate in our hands, you completely forgot one thing," Gaara reminded them, the corners of his mouth quirked upwards. "The daimyō overstepped his boundaries by giving us permission to decide. Here's the question: Are we entitled to do his bidding?"
"No," Mei finally answered, voice quiet from realization. "Sasuke's primary motive was to kill his brother. It didn't involve our villages. His attempted kidnapping of Killer Bee and conniving with Akatsuki were foiled indefinitely." She glanced at her fellow conspirators. Apparently, their tongues were tied.
Gaara smiled simply. "The Hokage's suggestion of giving him a trial is just. As a defector, Sasuke has to pay for his crimes." He laced his fingers together and rested his chin on top of it. "It's dishonorable if we don't grant him a trial for his services during the war."
Raikage muttered curses under his breath.
Shikamaru stood beside his superior who regarded him with a permissive gaze. "With everyone's permission, I do have a suggestion."
The Kages sans Tsunade and Gaara were uncertain. Trust was already an issue for them and since Shikamaru was Tsunade's aide, his suggestion might either benefit or ruin the alliance.
"Tomorrow's the last day of the summit. For everyone's convenience, the verdict will be decided at the end of the meeting," Shikamaru suggested. "To make things fair, the other Kages will decide whether to give Sasuke a fair trial or –" His lips ghosted a smile. "The Hokage will set him free."
"Free him out of pure whim? Preposterous!" Onoki disagreed, not liking the younger man's insinuation. "Your suggestion isn't favorable for us since he'll live either way!"
"Didn't the Kazekage explain it already? The trial will give you free rein to persecute Sasuke without being threatened by our strength." Shikamaru explained complacently. "Even if you disagree, since his case was originally a village matter, the Hokage can simply veto the daimyō's order." His smile widened. "I'm sure all of you understand that the Kage's powers are absolute."
Seeing the horrified reactions on the Tsuchikage and Mizukage's faces brought Shikamaru satisfaction. Even the Raikage's disbelieving look increased his determination. "Konoha's Will of Fire shall live on," he warned dangerously. "Although Sasuke lost his, we won't let you bully him without concrete basis."
Mifune chose this moment to intervene. "As the presiding officer, I agree with his idea. I'm sure everyone is also thinking of the same thing, don't we?"
Much to Tsunade's elation, everyone nodded.
"I believe our meeting dragged on for too long," Mifune turned to his notes. "Please reflect on the things that happened today and I hope everyone will have a clear mind once you give the verdict tomorrow."
Amidst the deafening silence, Shikamaru's heart pounded loudly.
'Finally, a brief calm.'
"It is done."
The droopy-eyed Jōnin glanced from his novel as Kirin incapacitated his last victim. Renegades lie lifelessly on the ground and not a drop of blood had been spilled. He was wholly impressed by his subordinate's skills. "Send him back to Ibiki."
Kirin reverse–summoned their captive, disappearing in a loud POOF!
Loud squawks shattered the silent atmosphere. Kakashi looked up to find a messenger hawk circling above them. His eyes narrowed as he interpreted its movements.
"Is something wrong?"
He shook his head. "It's nothing. Don't forget to clean up."
Don't leave any evidence behind.
Kirin nodded at the subtle message. While he disposed of the corpses, Kakashi's gaze trailed after the hawk as it flew back to Konoha.
Hokage Tower
3:00 PM
"What are you getting yourself into?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes in annoyance as Koharu and Homura repeatedly exclaimed their disapproval of today's meeting. Shikamaru stood at the corner of the room, quietly observing their one-sided banter.
"Resigning over a petty reason! You should've known better not to –" Koharu faltered as Tsunade's gaze fixed at her direction. Never had she seen the Godaime looked…sinister.
Instead of retorting, Tsunade shrugged. "With or without the war, I already planned on retiring early to focus on my gambling. You can't expect me to continue running the village in my approaching sixties."
Homura's eyes narrowed into slits. "Tsunade, we're in the middle of rehabilitating Konoha! You can't just abandon all your responsibilities in favor of your vices!"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk, effectively shutting him up.
"I'll formally announce my resignation after the summit," she hissed dangerously. "A new Kage will continue my work and usher Konoha to a new era."
"Abandoning the village in exchange for Uchiha Sasuke's freedom is absurd," Koharu spat, unable to stand Tsunade's standoffish attitude. "Reflect on your recent mistakes and withdraw your decision."
Homura followed suit. "Even if you resign, there are no outstanding shinobi who'll replace our glorious predecessors." Before leaving the room, his keen gaze bored through hers. "You've brought nothing but shame to your grandfather's name."
Tsunade remained unfazed as the two elders left the room.
…..
Shikamaru warily eyed his superior. After that heated exchange, he couldn't stay silent for long. "Treating the entire situation like a game…are you out of your mind?"
"Are you questioning my decision?"
"Yes."
Her brow rose up, slightly unnerved that he challenged her authority. "I didn't put my position at risk just to irritate them."
Shikamaru's eyes enlarged in shock. "You mean, you planned it all along?"
She nodded. "It's been two days and we still don't have leads. I did it to protect Sasuke and buy more time for Kakashi. Since our culprits are also after the Kage seat, I simply dangled it right under their noses."
Shikamaru swallowed nervously. He wasn't thrilled at her idea of leaving herself vulnerable to enemies. "I understand you had to do it to quell the uprising but tomorrow's the last day of the summit and we're running out of time –"
"Leave the uprising to Kakashi," she chided him, sternly. "What we have to do now is come up with a strategy that'll make the Kages agree with the trial."
"Wouldn't it better if we coax them to free Sasuke?"
Tsunade shook her head. "As shinobi, defection is an offense regardless of intentions. We will abide by the village's laws." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm entrusting tomorrow's activities to you."
As always, she left him with the complicated jobs.
Complicated yet doable.
Shikamaru bowed his head.
"As you wish."
Konoha Hospital
6:00 PM
"Stop wasting your youthful spirit by coming here!"
"Ara, ara, that's not how you treat a good friend who came a long way to visit you."
Maito Gai rolled his eyes. Wasn't Naruto confined in the hospital too? Instead of bothering him, Kakashi should've visited his student. Seeing his friend's tense shoulders and somber mood, he suspected something was amiss. "You're hiding from them."
Kakashi only shrugged, gaze on his book.
Gai sighed. After Lee informed him about Sasuke's imprisonment, Naruto's severe injuries and Sakura working grueling shifts in the hospital, Kakashi not providing his students with emotional support was downright wrong. "Go see them."
To his surprise, Kakashi shook his head.
"You lack youthful sense, Kakashi. Why don't you try reaching out to them for once?"
Guilt tinged Kakashi's masked face. Gai was more attuned to his students' needs and could ably sync with their personalities. Staring at the vase filled with daisies on the bedside table, he smiled. No doubt, the flowers came from Lee and Tenten. He closed his book. "I'm jealous of you."
"Coming from my eternal rival, that's a terrible joke."
Kakashi smirked. "I'm serious. You know exactly what to do when your students are feeling down. And they have no problems in reciprocating your feelings." His thoughts drifted back to the time Sandaime firstly assigned three troublesome genin under his tutelage. Behind those children's faces lie their innermost secrets.
A lonely jinchūriki.
A vengeful survivor.
An insecure girl.
He wasn't good with kids nor did he have a happy childhood to pull helpful experiences from. Their striking resemblance to his old Team made things even more difficult.
Naruto was his mentor's son and reminded him of Obito.
Sasuke was his colleague's younger brother and reminded him of his previously jaded self.
Sakura's dedication to her teammates reminded him of Rin.
"Until now, I never understood why Sandaime-sama assigned them to me," Kakashi shared out-of-the-blue. He wasn't used to revealing his personal feelings to others yet bottling it all inside overwhelmed him. "Back then, Naruto was a loudmouth prankster. Sasuke, a cranky grouch and Sakura…well, girls were pretty clingy at that age so…"
Gai smiled lightly. "To think those three would mature fast."
Kakashi clasped his gloved hands together. "I had no idea what they went through during those three years – each of them closely trained by a Sannin. As an instructor, I wanted to impart something that'll contribute to their growth…but, I got left out."
Gai wisely stayed silent.
The latter continued, his tone bitter. "I regretted a lot of things. I failed to save Obito and Rin died because of me. I'm unable to save Minato-sensei and Kushina-san from the Kyūbi attack. I didn't guide Itachi to the right path and he was forced to massacre the Uchiha clan."
"Don't blame yourself. The circumstances were beyond your control."
"You don't get it. If I had more power, if I wasn't selfish and obsessed with death, they would still be alive!" Kakashi argued hotly. "I'm so useless that I can't even guide three post-pubescent youngsters! I failed to convince Sasuke not to pursue his revenge. I relied heavily on Naruto to bring him back, letting the trauma damage his psyche. In the middle of it all, I left Sakura to pick up the pieces. It wasn't Sasuke who broke the team apart, it was me!"
"Your team fell apart yet they worked together during the war, remember?" his friend reassured him. "You didn't fail them. Sandaime-sama placed them under you for a reason."
"Because they resemble my old team."
"No!" Gai exclaimed, his bushy brows crimping in irritation. "He entrusted them to you because he knew you'll give them proper guidance. What's with all this negativity? You're not the Hatake Kakashi I know!"
Kakashi covered his face with his palms.
Of course, Gai didn't know the actual truth.
Sasuke and Naruto were assigned in his team as a precautionary measure against the Kyūbi. With the sharingan, he and Sasuke will be able to keep the demon fox at bay, leaving Naruto unaware of its true nature. That plan completely backfired since Sasuke chose vengeance and Naruto controlled the Kyūbi on his own – rendering Kakashi utterly helpless.
That feeling of dependence coiled deep in his gut. "I did terrible things. I betrayed Naruto and Sakura when I arrested Sasuke in front of them. I said harsh things to Naruto and I couldn't look Sakura in the eye because of it. Even if it was to ensure Sasuke's survival...the consequences are too much to bear."
"You did what you had to do."
Charcoal orbs dulled with vexation. "I want to save Sasuke from execution but I can't go against the council and the daimyō. Not only that…" he paused, deciding whether or not to tell Gai of Root's intended uprising.
He blundered once when Obito overheard him about Kushina giving birth outside Konoha. It cost the lives of Minato-sensei, Kushina-san and, countless shinobi who died protecting the village from the Kyūbi. Mistake was no longer an option. "Nevertheless, I can't do anything that'll upset the Hokage and the council. It's mortifying that my rank isn't enough to save Sasuke. I'm so powerless."
Gai slapped Kakashi hard on the back.
The stinging pain jolted the latter out of his apathetic state. Astonishment filled his face as he saw Gai's angry expression.
"Since when were you a stickler for rules? You're Hatake Kakashi! If you want to save Sasuke then do it!"
"Gai…"
His friend clamped a hand tightly on his shoulder. "Kakashi, your kids are back and they need your support. There isn't much time left either so if you truly want to save Sasuke then stop wasting this perfect opportunity and do it!"
Kakashi considered his words carefully.
Sasuke's fate will be decided tomorrow.
The culprit hasn't been revealed yet.
Ibiki's interrogation will take a week or so.
If pressed for time, only two options surfaced: extend the duration of the summit or create a diversion that'll force the Kages to free Sasuke.
Before he could ponder further, Aoba burst inside the room. He took in huge gulps of air before answering. "Kakashi-san, Ibiki-san requests for your immediate presence."
'So the egg finally cracked.' Standing up from his chair, Kakashi gave Gai an apologetic bow. "Sorry, Gai. Due to urgent matters, I'll be cutting my visit short."
"No worries! Just make sure you'll put your youth to good use!"
Kakashi nodded, grasping the door handle when –
"Did you know? Tsunade-sama renounced her position as Kage!"
Gai's jaw dropped while Kakashi gripped the lever tightly. "Where'd you get that info?"
"I overheard the elders talking about it," Aoba supplied, worry etched on his face. "Godaime-sama will formally announce her resignation after the summit."
"That's a complete joke! There's no way Tsunade-sama would resign on unknown circumstances," Gai exclaimed.
"I can't believe it either! But, I think elders are booting her out because she spared Sasuke's life."
Kakashi heard enough. He opened the door and glanced at Aoba. "Maa, we don't have time to mull over speculations. It's not official so technically, she's still the Hokage. Let's go, Aoba."
The bespectacled man quickly bobbed his head and ran after him.
Hokage Tower
10:00 PM
"So, our appeal is still rejected?"
Shikamaru nodded grimly, giving her the letter he received from the daimyō's emissary.
Angry at its contents, Tsunade crumpled the letter and flung it across the room – only to be caught by Kakashi as he stepped inside.
"What do we have here?" he mused, unfurling the ball and reading its contents.
...
To the Hokage,
Due to unfortunate circumstances, the daimyō would not provide financial aid for the hospital and academy.
Unless justice is meted out, funds will be postponed indefinitely.
….
Kakashi crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it in the waste bin. "Resorting to blackmail now, eh?"
"Halting our funds will delay the village's rehabilitation," Shikamaru explained, rifling through his list. "The Academy and the Hospital are our top priorities in reconstruction so we'll resort to other ways of allocating funds. Not to mention, it will also reduce our manpower and render us unable to aid Kumogakure."
"Distribution of units will be difficult. Our remaining shinobi will work twice, no, thrice the amount of missions," he concluded. "If they continued stalling our budget, we can't guarantee Fire Country's security since they're also part of our rehabilitation program – unless, they're using it as a way to control us."
"Subsidizing is part of our agreement with Fire Country in exchange for their security," Tsunade mused. "Your intuition might be right. This must be their own way of showing dominance over Konoha."
"Hmm, it's also a good strategy to cut down our numbers," Kakashi added, crossing his arms. "We suffered several casualties recently so our defenses are low. We should also consider the fact that we have refugees from different villages. Relocation is still a problem and we don't have enough shinobi to provide protection."
"We still have to deal with the uprising from Root," Shikamaru hinted. "We definitely need Naruto and Sasuke's strength to compensate the lack of manpower. If we lose Sasuke due to the other Kages' whim tomorrow, it's game over for us."
Kakashi couldn't agree more. "Then we should save him."
Tsunade smiled. "Agreed. To be honest, three days was too much for a leeway. We've used the KIND approach and it didn't bode well. It's now our turn to show our aggressive side." She gave Shikamaru a knowing glance. "Devise a strategy that'll force those idiots to get off Sasuke's case. So long as we guarantee his safety, I'm fine with it."
"Understood," the younger man agreed, his mind began working. "I'll begin preparations for tomorrow's discussion." After a quick bow, he left the room.
…..
Once Shikamaru's footsteps died down, Tsunade turned her attention to Kakashi. "Report."
"Information was successfully extracted from the nukenin Kirin sent to Ibiki earlier," Kakashi reported. "Two possible locations are involved: Iwagakure and Kirigakure."
The Hokage's brow rose. "So Chōjūrō's investigation was right on the mark. If the rumored uprising does concern Sasuke, we'll have to intervene."
Kakashi raised a hand. "We don't have evidence of Root's involvement yet so we can't take action. For a thorough investigation, it'll roughly take us three more days to cover both locations."
"Too long," Tsunade remarked. "We can't deploy much of our Anbu or else it'll jeopardize our plan."
"There's no further need for numbers," Kakashi replied. "I'll only need Kirin and Neko."
The blonde woman shook her head. "Without Neko, Sasuke will be at risk. Returning him to the hospital will only give our enemies opportunity to kill him. The prison isn't safe either and Naruto…" she massaged her temples. "We just can't put them together in one place."
"We can," Kakashi assured her. "I know someone capable enough to protect them both."
Amber eyes flickered with uncertainty. "Assigning an outsider will hinder our plans."
"It won't."
No hesitation.
She sighed, knowing his insight was accurate. "Very well. I'll see to it immediately."
Kakashi nodded.
His silence meant something else and Tsunade need not guess what he was thinking. "You're here to confirm if it's true."
"It's a terrible move," Kakashi stated, not one to mince words. "Endangering your own safety for another is unacceptable."
"I risked my life to keep one of our own safe," she countered, irritated that he also underestimated her decision. "Frankly, it's the best decision I've made so far and I intend on keeping it."
Kakashi clenched his fist. "Without your guidance, Konoha will crumble. Your strength is still needed so please withdraw your decision."
"Kakashi."
To his surprise, Tsunade's features were soft – in contrast to her sharp tone. Lacing her fingers together, she rested her chin on top of it. "I checked on your brats."
His brow rose at her statement.
"Sasuke's surgery went well and he passed the critical stage. He's currently under genjutsu-enhanced sleep to aid his recovery. As for Naruto, he suffered tremendous stress due to recent events. He'll need a strong emotional support to overcome this ordeal."
"And Sakura?"
Sakura was fiercely protective of her teammates and was emotionally damaged when they were taken away. Dealing with her will be difficult. "Sakura is undergoing difficulties as well. Leave her to me."
Kakashi nodded, features laced with pain. He didn't want to trouble the Hokage with his team issues any further. "Please forgive me for imposing a lot on you."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize," Tsunade admitted. "I relied heavily on you and Shikamaru. My indecisiveness cost the village's budget and put your student's life at risk."
"We both know that's not true."
Tsunade shook her head. "You were right after all. I'm weak and soft-hearted. My recent decisions belied the village's ideals. I believed that kindness could resolve things and yet, my grandfather's ideals turned out wrong after all."
He disliked hearing his superior renouncing her beliefs. "If not for your grandfather's Will of Fire, we would've chosen to live a dream under Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi and Konoha will cease to exist. With your guidance, Konoha will thrive."
His words made Tsunade smile. Her eyes flashed with determination as she rose from her seat. "Indeed, Konoha will thrive on ITS own. Unfortunately, it won't start with me."
The Jōnin cocked his head to the side in confusion as Tsunade stopped in front of him. "Konoha will prosper under the mantle of my successor."
"Impossible," he replied. "There's no one capable of replacing you."
Amber eyes bored into his.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
No way.
"You…you don't mean –"
She nodded, rising from her chair. "It's been long overdue. If I didn't wake up from my coma, you'd be Rokudaime by now and, your face carved on the Hokage monument."
"I only agreed to take the position until you recover," Kakashi protested. "I'm not to fit to be Kage!"
"You are. Believe in yourself."
Gai also said those words and he didn't believe him. He failed his kids and now, Tsunade offered him the position which bore more responsibilities than a standard Jōnin's.
It was overwhelming.
"Tsunade-sama," he pleaded. "Don't make things harder than it already is. I can't do the things you do, I can't assume so many responsibilities at once and I –"
"Power."
He stopped.
"Even if you hid it well, you regretted your inadequacies." Tsunade placed a hand on his cheek. "A regular Jōnin cannot overrule the Kages' decision and defy the Fire Country daimyō. For that to happen, you need power. The power to change things and go beyond an ordinary ninja's capacity. The power of a Kage."
Kakashi bowed his head, ashamed she saw right through him.
"Seeing Naruto's broken form reminded me of the time Jiraiya chased after Orochimaru. Even after we taught those brats all they need to know, we're not suited in guiding them to their respective paths. It has to be someone closest to their age – one who can wholly understand their pain."
Kakashi's shoulders shook from vexation.
He spent his time regretting things.
He failed his team and left them hanging in the open.
Now he's given the power to change things…
It didn't feel right.
Kakashi slowly took a step back. He find her responsibilities too burdensome and he's not ready to place the village above anything else. Covering his eyes with his gloved hand, he mumbled, "What you're asking is too much. I can't shoulder the entire village, let alone save one of my students from a possible execution."
His eyes were wide and frantic as he stared back at her. "Unlike me, you possessed the qualities of a bonafide Kage. Your compassion and strength steadily anchored our village from crumbling further. Even if kindness was already a weakness, you used it to save my student. I'm nothing compared to you."
Warm hands cupped his cheeks. Tsunade's gaze was intense. "All this time, you've thought of yourself as helpless. However, moping won't get you anywhere. Don't let yourself get trapped by lingering regrets."
"You're asking for the impossible. I can't do it!"
"Kakashi," Tsunade continued. "How long are you going to stay behind your students' shadows? THEY NEED YOU. Are you going to waste your time regretting things that cannot be changed?"
When he didn't answer, she continued, "YOU DESERVE THIS POWER. I'm giving back what was rightfully yours. Besides," she added as an afterthought. "Your role will be most pivotal once HE becomes Hokage."
Wrapping her arms around his tall frame, she whispered, "As your first step in leadership, learn to forgive. Forgive your weak self then embrace it wholeheartedly. Once you overcome this, you'll get stronger. I'm now entrusting the Will of Fire, my grandfather's…no, Konoha's ideals to you, Kakashi."
Her words struck a chord in the once-composed Jōnin's self. Before he knew it, his vision went hazy and warm gushes of clear liquid flowed down his cheeks. Tsunade rubbed his back for comfort, smiling secretly that she made the right decision.
"I leave everything to you, Kakashi."
Forest outskirts near Fire Country
12:00 MN
Soft gusts of wind rustled, causing the trees to shed some of its leaves and covering the dry earth.
A figure stood in the middle of the clearing. His gaze didn't lose its vigilance as two masked figures appeared in front of him.
The Anbu wearing a cat mask stepped forward. "We traced several chakra signatures near Iwa border. Judging by its massive numbers, they're planning an invasion."
"More likely a diversion," Kirin reiterated, voice deep under his chimera mask. "If we connect it with the rumored unrest in Kirigakure, there's a chance that the other villages will be affected as well."
"With an aging Tsuchikage, Iwagakure's system is weak," their superior pondered. "Because of the summit, the insurgents won't have a problem in seizing control from the inside. As for Kirigakure, the Mizukage's indecisive nature will be her downfall. The rumored uprising is just a diversion. What they're aiming for is to create confusion and plant mistrust on the Five Kages."
"If they're after Sasuke as well, Konoha will also get involved," Neko surmised. "Even though we have Suna as our ally, we won't stand a chance against Kumo and Iwa. We have no choice but to destroy the source before it becomes active."
"Once Iwa finds out there are Konoha shinobi lurking within their vicinity, it'll come out as a hostile takeover," Kakashi reprimanded, sternly. "For now, we'll do everything with utmost discretion. Do I make myself clear?"
Both masked Anbu nodded.
"Neko, head to Kirigakure and gather more information about Chōjūrō's investigation. Leave no stone unturned." He handed a scroll to Neko who accepted it immediately. "Once you get the info we need, burn this scroll. The scent will immediately attract my ninken to your location and pass the information to them."
"Understood," Neko assented, quickly disappearing within a cloud of smoke.
With the smoke clearing up, Kakashi handed another scroll to Kirin. "Go to Iwagakure and infiltrate the hideout. Once you're inside, read the mission details carefully in this scroll then burn it afterwards. Instead of my ninken, I'll receive your message."
Kirin nodded, fingers tightening on the rolled parchment. Kakashi personally involving himself in their mission was highly suspicious. Though he was taught not to trifle with his superiors' affairs, his recent actions bothered him. "Did the meeting with the Hokage went well?"
"Yeah," Kakashi replied, tersely. He was caught off-guard by his younger subordinate's inquiry. "What made you ask?"
"You're not acting like you usually do," Kirin explained matter-of-factly, his observant gaze fixed at the black-clad Jōnin in front of him. "Are you all right?"
Behind his mask, Kakashi inwardly flinched.
'Am I all right?'
Truthfully, he didn't know.
Due to the complexity of recent events, he had no idea how he managed to pull himself together. Kirin's question made him recall several things. Things that occupied his mind for the several weeks.
"Kakashi, be the 6th Hokage. Make sure you do!"
"I leave everything to you, Kakashi."
'Obito.
Tsunade-sama.
Both of you placed your trust in me.
Can I really do it?
I failed a lot of times. With my newfound power, will I be able to accomplish the things I wanted to do?
Will I be able to save them?'
"Make sure you put your youth to good use!"
'Gai.'
.
.
.
"Believe in yourself!"
.
.
.
'For everyone's sakes, I'll give my all.
My new credo will be –'
.
.
.
"I'm all right."
.
.
.
'To watch over the new generation.'
A/N: There you have it! First off, I apologize for the lengthy delay due to increasing demands of work and lack of internet for a week. For those who're asking if the story will continue – it's a definite yes! So please look forward to the upcoming chapters and if you have any questions regarding the story, feel free to message me. Don't forget to let me know what you guys think by submitting a review. Thank you very much and see you all on the next chapter!