Chapter 8
In a dimly lit room in the Hokage Office within the Hidden Leaf Village, the weight of grief hanging heavily in the air. The passing of the Third Hokage had left an indelible mark, and the burden of moving forward rested on shoulders of the next generation.
In a secluded meeting room adorned with the symbols of the Hidden Leaf Village, the four pillars of the village gathered. Shikaku Nara, Hiashi Hyūga, Kakashi, and finally the Toad Sage Jiraiya, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation following the death of the Third Hokage. The atmosphere crackled with intensity as they deliberated on the path forward.
Shikaku, his strategic mind in focus, began eyes narrowing, "As troublesome it sounds since the Third gone, our village needs a strong and unified leadership. Hiashi, as the commander of the defensive forces, you and your clan play a crucial role in safeguarding the Hidden Leaf. I hope you're ready for the burden upon your clan."
Hiashi nodded, his face stoic not showing any unnecessary emotions. "Of course, I'll ensure our defenses are fortified. We can't afford any weaknesses, especially in these uncertain times. Our eyes allow us to always keep watch inside and out the Village, Not only the village but the pride of the Hyūga is on the line."
Kakashi, his Sharingan eye glinting, spoke next, "Me and my fellow Joūnin will take on the role of strengthening our ninja forces. It's time to intensify training and prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement, leaning forward with a sense of urgency, "I'm going after Tsunade. She has the skills and strength needed to lead, but she's hesitant. I won't take the mantle of Hokage, but we need someone with the resolve to guide the village. Shikaku, you'll need to take the mantle until we convince Tsunade to come back."
Shikaku, sensing the weight of responsibility, sighed tiredly, "Troublesome... Our unity is crucial. The village relies on each of us to fulfill our roles. Jiraiya, bring Tsunade back. Hiashi, fortify our defenses. Kakashi, mold our future. I'll hold down the mantle. We can't afford to falter."
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of the Third Hokage's absence hanging over them. Each shinobi understood the gravity of their responsibilities and the need to forge ahead in a united front.
Emotions and determination lingered in the room as the four shinobi dispersed, each prepared to face the trials that lay ahead in their respective roles, bound together by the legacy of the Third Hokage and the collective destiny of the Hidden Leaf Village. In that dim room, the torch of leadership passed between them, each bearing the emotional burden of their roles.
As the meeting concluded, Kakashi gaze lingered towards the Toad Sage, who had been quietly thinking to himself. "I'm going to to train Sasuke. We need his strength for the challenges ahead, and I believe you have the potential to surpass even the highest standards. I- ARRG!!" Kakashi stopped mid sentence gripping his Sharringan eye. The intensity of the pain made the silver haired Joūnin fall to one knee. The throbbing sensation in his head was almost unbearable.
Jiraiya seeing him writhe in pain went to go check on him. He placed a hand on his shoulder, "What's wrong Kakashi, do you need a medic?"
The pain soon subsided and Kakashi stood up opening and closing his red gleaming eye. Testing it. "I honestly don't know but I'm fine now, I need speak to Sasuke first afterwards I'll see a Med Nin." The Toad Sage nodded and both went on their separate ways.
The air crackled with a sense of duty and shared grief, as Jiraiya prepared to leave on his mission, and Kakashi steeled himself for the challenges ahead. The legacy of the Third Hokage loomed large, propelling these two stalwart shinobi into roles that would shape the destiny of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Uchiha Compound
It was the same dream again.
A dark street, a red moon, a bleak silence. School bag over his shoulder, stuck in a child's body. The circumstances were always the same. They never changed, no matter how much time passed. He was almost used to it now. He didn't panic. He didn't question why or how. He already knew. As such, the deep breath Sasuke took upon finding himself back at the gates of the Uchiha sector once again was purely to prepare herself for the final act. The only part of the dream that still hurt.
With his eyes veiled by hair falling in front of his face, Sasuke began to walk forward. Every ten steps, he passed over a body. Some of them, he knew all too well. An aunt here, a cousin there. An uncle once in a while. Others, he hardly recognized. Just faceless corpses adding to the bloody tapestry painted on the streets. Stumbling over a lifeless arm splayed out from one of the bodies, the Uchiha boy tripped forward and caught himself on his hands before he could fully hit the ground.
Working his way back upright with blood staining his palms, Sasuke continued on silently. His pace was painfully slow, as his stride was short. For minutes on end, he wordlessly maneuvered his way through the mass grave. He knew the route, he knew the steps to take. He knew how little it mattered if he wasted his energy running. He never made it in time. No matter how quickly he sprinted. He had long resigned herself to the sight she was numbly approaching.
It was truly horrible how efficiently they had all been killed. Well over three dozen people, and not a single one left alive. Not a single twitch amongst them. Lifeless and inert. He was as skilled as he'd always been hailed. He had silenced an entire neighborhood in less than a night. A few hours at most. In the worst way, this was his finest display. His magnum opus.
Soon enough, Sasuke found himself standing less than one hundred feet from the steps of her old home. The largest house in the sector. The home of Fugaku Uchiha and his family. Staring up at the frame of the building, the raven-haired boy tossed his bag aside and allowed autopilot to take over. Thinking too hard about any of it would only make it more painful. There was no point in suffering more than was necessary. With robotic posture and a blank expression, Sasuke made his way to the front steps.
Sasuke climbed up onto the front deck. The main door was slightly ajar, with evidence of a break in. As always, the foreshadowing of the scene to come was ominous. Pushing the door open and stepping inside, the Uchiha boy internally braced himself. A short walk down the hallway led to another open door. Entering through it, Sasuke was met with the greatest horror he had ever known. For what may have been the thousandth time, a rush of grief and agony crashed through him.
In a loose pile, his mother and father laid dead. Their clothes bloodied, their bodies lifeless, and their eyes soulless. Standing over them was his most hated enemy. Itachi Uchiha. His elder brother by six years. Dressed in a gray flak jacket, black pants, and wielding a short blade, the elder of the two siblings stared at his brother with dead eyes.
"You're late." he said calmly.
He had run through their conversation time and time again. No matter what he said, no matter how loud he screamed, he felt the same way. Helpless, betrayed, and viscerally angry. Clenching his small fists, Sasuke met his cold gaze.
"Why?" He hissed. It was his default question. The answer was always the same. It never changed. Not in tone, not in wording, not in implication.
"To test the limits…of my abilities." Itachi replied, not a shred of empathy or emotion in his voice. Sasuke bared his teeth and dug his nails into his palms as burning tears streamed down his cheeks. He hated himself for bothering to ask yet again. It was the definition of insanity. To make the same mistake repeatedly, expecting a different result each time. Gripping a kunai he had pulled from a corpse, Sasuke stepped forward.
"It's already done. You came too late. I killed them..." Itachi said as his broker approached him shakily. "Just like you killed Naruto.."
Sasuke stopped in shock as reality warped his hand, that held the discarded kunai plunged into the blondes chest.
Naruto stood before Sasuke, his eyes reflecting an unspoken sadness. A gaping hole in his chest.
As the wind carried a chilling breeze, Sasuke felt an unsettling darkness enveloping him. The Sharingan blazed crimson in his eyes, a mirror of the anguish and conflict within.
Naruto's voice, a mix of confusion and betrayal, echoed through the dream realm. "Sasuke, why are you doing this? We're friends.. We're family."
Sasuke's actions betrayed his connection to Naruto. The Chidori descended with a sickening sound, and the vivid image of Naruto collapsing, betrayed and broken, seared into Sasuke's consciousness.
As Naruto's life force drained away, the dream intensified. The haunting eyes of Itachi seemed to materialize in the shadows, condemning Sasuke with a silent accusation.
Time seemed to slow down as he backed away from Naruto's corpse. Each step took an eternity. In between it all, a conglomerate of voices pierced his mind. Echoing all throughout the void.
Son - His Father
Sasuke-kun - His Mother
Sasu..ke - Naruto
SASUKE - A mixture of all
SASUKE!!!!!!
"Sasuke, snap out of it!" Kakashi voice suddenly spoke out. His eyes snapped opened as blood and tears poured profusely down from his face.
The world around Sasuke then began to crumble away. The house, the bodies, Itachi, Naruto, it all melted into darkness. Said darkness then shattered as well. What he found at the end of the breaking of her lucid dreaming was confusing, to say the least. Staring at him with wide, concerned eyes was his Sensei. Slowly his MS slowly retracted back to his cold black eyes.
"Wh-What are you doing here?" He asked in confusion, struggling to process the situation he had awoken to.
Kakashi took several moments to answer him, finally he sighed tiredly, "We need to talk, Sasuke."
The Uchiha with bags under his eyes responded a bit irate, "Well make it fast, I need... rest." He said the last part a bit softly.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief, and the weight of responsibility hung over their conversation.
"Because of the Third Hokage's passing and Naruto's demise there's a void of power that needs to be filled, I sought a private moment with you to have a serious discussion about the future." The Joūnin began.
Sasuke eyes slightly widened at hearing the blondes name then his head dropped.
Kakashi, seeing his student reaction expression hardened, he approached Sasuke and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sasuke, I know you've faced a great loss, but the village is in a vulnerable state. I believe you have the potential to become a formidable leader in the future. Our generation needs to step up to fill the void of power that's left."
Sasuke, still grappling with the recent events, met Kakashi's gaze with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Soon his expression became angry, slowly his eyes morphed into the Mangekyo.
"Why..." He muttered softly
He slaps the silver haired Joūnin hand away then stood before him. "Why must I do this for the village? Haven't I done enough!? I've lost everything and it's my fault... I'm too weak, I'm always too weak. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT HUH!?!?" Sasuke screamed, staring up at his Sensei.
Kakashi approached Sasuke once again with a solemn expression, his Sharingan hidden beneath his headband. "Sasuke, I know the weight of your pain, the burden of feeling weak," he began, eyes reflecting a depth of understanding.
"During the Third Great Shinobi war I lost my comrades, Rin and Obito, during a mission. My friend Obito, he was a Uchiha but during the war he... sacrificed himself and gave me his eye as a gift. He gave me his eye protect Rin but.. she jumped in the way of my attack, sacrificing herself for the Village." Kakashi explained, his voice carrying the weight of those memories. "Now my mentor's son is dead, Naruto is dead. I'm a failure Sasuke. Their deaths haunt me every day, and I carry the regret of not being able to save them."
As he spoke, Kakashi's gaze drifted out the window towards the heavens, where memories of battles and losses played in his mind. "I stand before their graves, haunted by the past, but I keep moving forward. It's the only way to honor their memory. You see, Sasuke, acknowledging your pain doesn't make you weak. It's how you choose to carry it that defines your strength."
Sasuke, absorbing Kakashi's words, stayed quiet but he realized that even the revered Copy Ninja had faced profound losses. It was a shared understanding of grief.
Kakashi continued, "I know you've been through a lot, but the village that your clan helped build needs strong leaders now more than ever. I want to train you, guide you, and help you develop the skills necessary to protect and lead our people. I failed Team 7, I failed you, I failed Naruto... but this time with your help. I would love to make amends and work towards a better future."
Sasuke, sensing the weight of the proposition, finally nodded in acknowledgment. "I'll do what it takes. I won't let the village fall into further despair. I will help lead the Village my family help create."
Kakashi's eye glinted with resolve. "Good. Training will be rigorous, and the path won't be easy. But with your potential and my guidance, I believe you can grow into a shinobi capable of shouldering the responsibility of leadership."
As they stood together in the solemn aftermath, Kakashi and Sasuke began a journey that would not only shape the young Uchiha's skills but also prepare him for the future leadership that the village would inevitably need. The legacy of those they had lost lingered, propelling them forward into a new chapter where Sasuke would carry the torch of responsibility for the Hidden Leaf Village.
Root Hideout
Deep within the secret chambers of Root bases, Danzo sat alone thinking about previous events. He felt, things were moving into the right direction, at least for him. With that old fool finally dead he can rise up as Konoha's savior, the only gripe he has is that the weapon of the Leaf is gone.
For Village in the short term however, at this rate, it was a trajectory leading toward their fall. And the blame was solely on Hiruzen's hands. The naïve fool was truly no longer fit to be Hokage. He should have retired long ago. But he still held on. Danzo couldn't tolerate anymore of Hiruzen's teachings infesting the village to core. Hopefully with him gone leaves from the great tree bloom stronger.
When Itachi appeared in a flock of crows, Danzo wasn't even the least surprised. He had figured the man would meet him after such events. What if it was a trap? He scoffs but of course, if it was he had measures for anything. Though he wasn't going to show hostility.
"Danzo"
"Itachi what brings you here, I can assure you that my end of the deal is being kept…" Danzo said, leaning against the chair. He soon realized he's a mere clone.
"It seems you have been busy"
"Someone had to become comfortable to make the proper steps to steer the village into the right path. We've been placed in a hole and I am trying to get us out."
"Are you sure you had nothing to with it?" Itachi interrogated stoically
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Are you accusing me of something?"
"Am I? I'm sure I merely asked a question." Itachi replied with no emotion. "You would do anything to get power. Even if it meant working with Orochimaru..."
Danzo just stayed quiet not confirming nor denying anything.
Itachi shook his head, he didn't want to think about the flames of war Danzo fanning. He was angry about it, but he could only sit in there and try to put them out as quickly as he could before they became raging wildfires.
"You've done well to make enemies but I have come to discuss something different. It involves the late Legacy of the Fourth Hokage."
The room became tensed as Danzo gripped the table. "Speak, explain yourself"
"I have Intel that he was potentially influenced by Orochimaru, but there's no concrete evidence. I need you to keep a eye on his corpse. The clone spoke with Itachi's calm demeanor, "The Akatsuki is planning to steal the Nine-Tails Fox from his body. Konoha is in grave danger, and you must act to protect the village."
Danzo, though resentful of the Uchiha clan, couldn't ignore the urgency in the clone's words. "What is your motive in warning me?" he questioned, wary of potential hidden agendas.
Itachi's clone maintained its composure. "My motives are irrelevant. The safety of Konoha comes first. You must utilize your resources and steer the Akatsuki away from the village. Fulfill your duty, Danzo."
Danzo, faced with an unexpected command from an unexpected source, understood the gravity of the situation. Despite his reservations, he acknowledged the threat.
"Stir the Akatsuki away from the Village. Do your job." Itachi said, disappearing in a murder of crows.
The man sat in silence, Danzo was seething. This is Hiruzen fault. It was truly difficult that to imagine that they were trained by the same man. Tobirama was not this weak minded and naïve.
He looked at the ceiling and broke the silence.
"At first the old fool was allowing his guilt to get the better of him. The Nine Tails belongs to Konoha, to let things continue as it is simply because it is hosted by Minato's child is naïve," Danzo said in a flat tone.
Fuu and Torune kneeled and the latter spoke out, "Sir what's our orders?"
The War Hawk continued ignoring them, "I will take action. He's made many mistakes in his tenure but no more" He proclaimed walking towards his men.
Danzo stared down at the group of men and one small boy, Konohamuru kneeling in front of him and then said, "We must secure the future of the Great Tree. Our time has arrived to step out of the shadows."
Country Side
Itachi deep scarlet eyes glowed in recognition once his clone dispersed.
"Should you really keep that eye of yours activated?" Kisame asked Itachi. "I really do not want you to die before giving me a good fight."
Itachi only glanced at the infamous criminal and then back at the stream of water in front of him. He stared at his reflection. Life took turns that no one truly plans for. He would have been a great shinobi for the Leaf. Well, he technically still was. But he was forced to watch his beloved village from afar because of the blood he had to spill, for its safety and future. He was merely looking forward to the day Sasuke grew and then faced him. The time was not now. There were still things to do. Yet he worried if he would have enough time. Any day now, the Akatsuki could track down all Jinchuriki and they would have to move. But at the moment the Leaf is in trouble, so he has to act decisively.
But more importantly, Orochimaru was showing an unhealthy interest in Sasuke and now looked at him with hunger. It was a situation that could prove both fatal for both him and Konoha. He shook his head silently.
"There are many things to worry about, Kisame."
"You're my partner. Don't want anything happening to you." Of course, there was the order to keep watch of the Uchiha. However, he did consider Itachi as his only friend. They got along. And there was that understanding between them.
"We should move to a closer distance just in case something happens. We have already been given our assignment." Kisame spoke once more. "I was thinking we could go and test their metal. Konoha is supposed to be powerful."
"We can't do that. It is not yet time. If we act now, we alert the others of our agenda and the Hidden villages will take protective action."
Kisame grinned. "It would just make things interesting."
Itachi glanced at the man for a moment. "There is something I must to do during the mission."
"What?"
"Sasuke might be there, I want to observe his progress. And see if his Sharingan has evolved."
"That means the going after the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki body is my responsibility. Should I go with you, just in case?"
"You'll just cause unnecessary troubles."
"That is a little cold, Itachi."
He knew Kisame was joking but it was true that he would cause trouble if they went there together. In his thirst for battle, there was no telling what the man would do. Either way, that wasn't exactly his reason. He just wanted to go alone. There were personal matters he needed to solve and Kisame didn't need to know.
Itachi then look towards the cloudy sky as it began to rain. The feeling of dread permeated throughout the surrounding area. He slightly narrowed his eyes, he hadn't had this feeling since... when the Kyuubi emerged thirteen years ago.
Hidden Leaf Graveyard
The heavens wept relentlessly, releasing a torrential downpour upon the Land of Fire. Raindrops, cascaded from the darkened clouds, drenching the landscape below. The once-vibrant hues of the flora now wore a muted, rain-kissed sheen.
Amidst the deluge, animals sought refuge, their usual activities paused as they retreated to shelter. The rustling leaves whispered secrets of the temporary withdrawal of life, a muted symphony punctuated by the rhythmic drumming of the rain on leaves and soil.
The air hung heavy with the scent of wet earth, a mingling fragrance of renewal and melancholy. Puddles formed, mirroring the world above, and rivulets carved ephemeral pathways through the landscape.
It was as if the heavens, burdened with unseen sorrows, chose the tears of the rain to cleanse the earth. The Village, cloaked in the ethereal embrace of the storm, stood witness to a celestial mourning—an intimate dance between the heavens and the land, where the tears of the skies mirrored a collective lament, and nature itself bowed in quiet reverence.
In the pouring rain, Kakashi stood alone in the graveyard, a heavy weight of sorrow in his heart. The tombstones around him marked the painful chapters of his life – Obito, Rin, his sensei, Kushina, and now Naruto. As thunder rumbled overhead, he couldn't escape the haunting echoes of his failures, feeling each loss like a cruel reminder.
His gaze fixated on the graves, and the raindrops mixed with his silent tears. The memories of his past mistakes played in his mind like an unending loop, blaming his own perceived weakness for the tragedies that befell those he cared about.
"I couldn't protect them," he whispered to the wind, the weight of guilt pressing on him. Each life lost felt like a testament to his inadequacy, his shortcomings as a protector and mentor. The rain continued to drench him, mirroring the torrent of regret that flooded his soul.
The horrible news travelled quickly. The news of how the Sandime's passing had spread around the village like a wildfire. For a moment, the village came to a standstill. You realized just how much he was valued in this nation. The streets were of anger and mourning. Generations have been around with the old man as Hokage. He'd fought wars for the Leaf. Given the Leaf the Sannin. And now, he had gone to rest with other Kage. Not only that but to a problem the Village felt could've been avoided.
Discarding those negative thoughts, he took out some Sake and poured it into a glass. Taking his first shot.
He was on his second when Anko showed up. She didn't say anything but just sat beside him, grabbed the bottle and took a huge gulp. She glanced at him and then stared at the empty field ahead.
"When Orochimaru fled from Konoha, there was some negative thought toward me because I'd been his student. I was just a child when he took me in…" Anko said in a thoughtful tone. "I didn't have friends. But the old man helped me a lot. He was always helpful."
Kakashi glanced at Anko and back where his eyes had been. "Now I feel uncomfortable. I'm not used to hearing you talk like that," he said in a quiet tone.
It was really unlike her. When had he even seen her looking sad? She had her moments, but Anko was well, Anko. He shook his head, thinking about her personality.
"And I've never seen you looking like a zombie."
"You missed one of my many moments when Lord Fourth died. There were days I was lifeless you'd think I was a dead man walking." He admitted without emotions.
"What did he mean to you?"
"Minato-sensei was more than just a mentor to me," he muttered softly to the tombstones. "He was like a father, guiding me through the darkness with unwavering support."
The memories of Minato's teachings, wisdom, and the bond they shared flashed before Kakashi's eyes. "He believed in me when I doubted myself, and in his absence, I carried his teachings as a guiding light," he continued, his words barely audible over the rain.
Kakashi then turned his thoughts to Kushina, Minato's wife, and the warmth she brought to their lives. "Kushina was like a mother to me. Her spirit, her strength, they left an indelible mark on my heart. Losing them both… it's a wound that never truly heals.", He replied, now deep in thought.
Those were the mental scars he would forever live with. But the death of his student, the Fourth's legacy was something else. Naruto's death almost killed his heart but not his Will of Fire, he knows he has to keep moving forward.
People die. That's just the natural selection from being a Shinobi.
"I can't imagine losing so many people in such a short time.," Anko answered, eyeing Kakashi carefully. "You okay?"
"… I will be… you came to see me?"
"Nah, I was just passing by," she said. "Heard from someone say a dead man was walking along the streets. I came to check if this was true."
Kakashi slightly smiled but did not laugh. "Hmph, I may have overdone it a little," he said, then looked towards her. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Anko nodded. "I was prepared because I warned him. I knew this was coming. Everyone who knew was involved knew it was coming. That curse seal can absolutely corrupted even the most brightest of light with evil. Except if you were having denial issues…" she glanced at him. "You were not surprised, were you?"
Kakashi shook his head in the negative. "From the look in his eyes, I knew he didn't have long. We all knew that the hatred would overwhelm him one day, it was foolish and unrealistic to think he'll overcome hell like his mother."
"Well rather him gone than him causing Hell." She stood up, and then put a hand on his shoulder. She then picked one bottle. "I'm taking this with me."
"You must pay for it." He said sarcastically, not really meaning his words.
Anko leaned in and lowered his mask then captured his lips. The delicate of her touches. Purposefulness. Hunger. Desire. Lust. She pulled away and then grinned. "Paid in full."
Kakashi not feeling nothing watched her leave. After a couple of moments, he stood up, but staggered a bit, nearly falling. That was a first. He knew his limit, so he never drank past it. Was it the whirlwind of emotions?
He shook his head and then looked back at the tombstone. Kakashi then vowed silently to carry the burden of his failures, letting the rain wash away the visible tears but unable to cleanse the invisible wounds within.
Suddenly he clutched his eye where his Sharringan is. It began to throb uncontrollably, he still couldn't figure out the reason as to why.
Unknown
In the infinite expanse of the dark void, the figure remained blind, deaf, mute, and immobile, suspended in an existence that defied the laws of life and death. It felt neither fear nor the capability for tears, as the absence of sensory input left it disconnected from the usual human experience.
The unsettling stillness gripped the figure as it drifted in the lightless abyss. Gravity seemed nonexistent, and the absolute darkness swallowed any trace of surroundings, leaving the figure isolated in a disorienting emptiness that transcended the boundaries of comprehension. Time itself felt frozen, adding to the haunting atmosphere that clung to every movement.
Suddenly, a surreal transformation unfolded. Hundreds of thousands of spectral hands emerged from the void, reaching out to touch the figure. Each ethereal grasp treated the figure as a sacred entity, a vessel of divine power. The souls attached to these hands sought connection and redemption.
As the figure was touched, an overwhelming light radiated from its being, cleansing the lingering souls. It was a blessing, a power that allowed the lost spirits to move on. The figure, devoid of the usual tools for survival, became a conduit for transcendental grace.
With each touch, a portion of the figure's overwhelming light was bestowed upon the individual souls, filling the void within them. The figure, unknowingly holding the key to their salvation, became a beacon of hope in the vast darkness.
After a while, the figure's eyes, previously hidden in the darkness, suddenly opened. A single blue eye gleamed through the void, revealing a presence that transcended the limitations of its senses. The eye reflected a profound awareness, as if the figure had become a nexus between the ethereal and the unknown.
A great awakening will occur...