Kakashi's hand trembled as he stared at his bloodstained hands, not understanding how it got that bloody. He threw the kunai that he still gripped as he realized that he had it in his hands before his eyes followed the familiar place where it landed.
Then realization hit him, he is at his house. In the place where he had been living with his family.
"Sakura?" he called out. And that was when, he heard the wailing that coming from their room.
It is their youngest daughter, barely a week old. Sakura wouldn't let the girl cry like that.
Kakashi's heart raced as he ran to the bedroom. His mind was a whirl of confusion and fear. How could this have happened? Why couldn't he remember?
"Sakura!" he shouted again, louder this time, hoping for an answer. The crying grew louder, a desperate wail that pierced through his foggy thoughts.
He pushed the door open and saw his newborn daughter in her crib, her tiny face scrunched up and red from crying. But his eyes were drawn to the motionless, bloody figure on the floor—Sakura.
"Sakura!" Kakashi dropped to his knees beside her, his hands hovering over her, afraid to touch her. The tips of her hair are red because of her blood and her eyes are open. The usual bright jade is glassy, staring up at him with accusation and confusion reflected in it.
"Ka...kashi..." she forced herself to whisper and a trickle of blood appeared on the side of her mouth. "What did you do to... the boys? Why are... you doing this?"
Kakashi's breath caught in his throat. "The boys?" he echoed, his voice breaking. His mind immediately jumped to their sons. "Sakura, I don't know what's happening. I didn't do this."
"Why..." she breathed heavily. "why do you want to kill us?"
Kakashi felt a cold shiver run down his spine at Sakura's words. "Sakura, I would never—" he began, but her eyes closed, her strength fading.
The wails of their daughter filled the room again, a desperate reminder of the chaos surrounding him. He needed to find his sons and understand what was happening.
"Sakura, hang on," he whispered, brushing a bloodied strand of hair from her face. He rose unsteadily to his feet, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He had to check the boys' room.
Kakashi burst into their sons' room, his heart pounding. The room was dark, and he fumbled for the light switch. When the light flickered on, the scene before him was even worse than he had feared. All three of them, bloodied.
He stumbled on his own two feet as run towards their beds.
"Sakumo? Akise?" He shook the twins but all he receives in response is the lolling of their heads off the side. He went to the other bed where the youngest boy sleeps. "Aru?" but same with the twins all he receives is a confirmation that all three are dead.
Kakashi's world shattered in that moment. He sank to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he stared at his sons' lifeless bodies. The room spun around him, the horror of the scene searing into his mind.
"No... no, no, no," he murmured, his voice breaking. Tears streamed down his face as he reached out to touch his sons, his hands trembling uncontrollably. "This can't be happening."
The wailing of his daughter pierced through his anguish, a desperate reminder that he still had someone to protect. Forcing himself to his feet, Kakashi stumbled back to the bedroom where Sakura lay, barely conscious.
"Sakura," he whispered, his voice hoarse with grief. "They're gone... our boys are gone."
Sakura's eyes fluttered open, a tear slipping down her cheek as she absorbed his words. "Kakashi... why did you do it?" she asked him. "Why are you... killing us?"
Kakashi's heart clenched at Sakura's words. "Sakura, I didn't—" he began, but she turned her head away, tears mingling with the blood on her face.
"You took enough. Please..." her breathing becoming more labored. "Spare our Mina. I don't care if you're a sleeper agent, Kakashi or whatever your name is. Please don't hurt our Mina."
At Sakura's words, the nagging voice that he tucked neatly at the back of his brain began to shout loudly on the forefront of his brain.
'The mission is not finished. The mission is to kill them all!'
Kakashi staggered back, clutching his head as the words echoed in his mind. "No," he muttered, fighting the invasive thoughts. "I won't hurt them."
His vision blurred as he struggled to keep control. But the voice is stronger than his will.
His body moved of its own accord, driven by the sinister command. Kakashi fought against it with every ounce of his strength, but it felt like he was a puppet on strings.
"No!" he roared, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails bit into his palms, drawing blood.
The wailing of Mina grew louder, a heart-wrenching cry that cut through his inner battle. He stumbled towards the crib, his vision clearing for a moment as he looked at his innocent daughter.
"Please... I can't let this happen," he whispered, tears streaming down his face.
Suddenly, a searing pain shot through his head, and Kakashi collapsed to the floor, clutching his skull. The voice inside his mind was relentless, hammering away at his resolve.
"The mission is not finished. Kill them all!"
"No!" Kakashi screamed, his body writhing in agony. "I am not your puppet!"
In that moment of sheer desperation, Kakashi's consciousness slipped into the recesses of his mind. There, he found himself in a dark, cold void, face-to-face with a shadowy figure. The figure's eyes gleamed with malice, but he looked familiar. It was like... he was looking at a reflection.
"Don't forget your mission. You were planted there for this. You have to kill them all, then get back here." the figure said. "Only the woman and the baby now."
Kakashi stared at the shadowy figure, trying to understand what was happening. His mind raced with conflicting memories and emotions, the voice's insistence battling against his love for his family.
"Who are you?" Kakashi demanded, his voice shaking. "Why are you doing this?"
The figure's eyes glinted with malevolent amusement. "I am the part of you that knows the truth. The part that remembers our mission. Once you're activated - I'm activated - you are to finish the mission. Kill them all!"
"What?"
"You're a sleeper agent, Kakashi. You were planted here. You already finished the first part. The boys are dead, now the woman and the baby."
Kakashi's mind reeled at the revelation. He couldn't believe that any part of him would be capable of such horror. "No... this can't be true," he whispered, clenching his fists. "I would never hurt them."
The shadowy figure smirked, stepping closer. "You may not believe it, but it's in your blood. It's who you are. Finish the mission, Kakashi. There's no other way."
Kakashi's heart ached as he fought against the insidious influence. He thought of Sakura, of the love they shared, and of his innocent children. "I won't let you control me," he vowed, his voice trembling with determination.
The figure's expression darkened. "You can't escape your fate. The longer you resist, the more you'll suffer. Accept it, and the pain will end. Kill them. Kill them. Kill them."
Sixty-years later...
"So do you think all of these things are real?" an orderly from a home facility asked one of the medics, as she scanned the yellowed pages of paper that they retrieved from their newly deceased patient.
"Kakashi-san looks so innocent. Do you think he really did this?" she asked again.
The medic shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Probably. Sleeper cell spies are common and no one really knew him. He just showed up here in Tea when he was probably in his thirties."
The orderly continued to flip through the pages, her eyes widening at the detailed accounts written in Kakashi's hand. "But these stories... they sound like something out of a nightmare," she murmured. "If they are true, it's terrifying."
The medic nodded, her expression somber. "It's hard to say what's real and what's not with someone like Kakashi. He never talked about his past, and he was always... distant."
The orderly paused on a page where Kakashi described the night in vivid detail. The words seemed to come alive, pulling her into the haunting memory he had captured:
Kakashi's resolve strengthened, fueled by his love for his family. "No, I won't let you win," he declared, his voice steady. He focused all his energy on resisting the commands, on remembering the moments of happiness he had shared with Sakura and their children.
"You can't fight me forever," the shadowy figure sneered, but Kakashi's determination only grew stronger.
"I don't have to fight you forever," Kakashi replied, his eyes narrowing. "I just need to protect them long enough."
With a final burst of willpower, Kakashi forced himself back to consciousness. He was back in the nursery, Mina's cries still piercing through the air. He could feel the shadowy presence lurking, but he had to act quickly.
He gently picked up Mina from the crib, holding her close to his chest. "It's going to be okay, Mina," he whispered, his voice trembling but resolute. He then turned to Sakura, who was barely holding on.
"Sakura..." he knelt next to her, kissed her forehead. "I'm so sorry. I... I think I did this. I don't know how long I can hold myself back. I need to leave. I'm sorry. I love you so much."
Kakashi's heart broke as he uttered those words, knowing he might never see Sakura again. He gently laid Mina next to Sakura and stood up, determination etched on his face. He had to leave, to protect them from the darkness within him.
"Take care of her, Sakura," he whispered, his voice filled with anguish. "I love you both."
With one last, lingering look at his family, Kakashi turned and ran. He had no idea where he was going, but he knew he had to get as far away from them as possible. He couldn't let the shadowy figure win, couldn't let it harm the people he loved most.
He stumbled through the night, his mind a whirlwind of memories and emotions. He had to find a way to fight this, to regain control. But as he ran, the voice inside his head grew louder, more insistent.
"The mission is not finished. Kill them all!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth, pushing back against the voice with all his might. "I won't let you control me," he growled, his eyes burning with determination. "I will find a way to end this."
He wandered through the forest, searching for a place to hide and gather his thoughts. As dawn broke, he found a secluded cave and collapsed inside, exhaustion overtaking him. His mind was a battlefield, the shadowy figure relentless in its pursuit.
But Kakashi's love for his family was stronger. He focused on the memories of their smiles, their laughter, the warmth of their love. He would not let the darkness take that away from him.
The orderly wiped a tear as her heart broke for the man that they were taking care off for close to three years. He always had a paper and a pen with him, always writing. As if he is recording everything. For what or who, no one knows.
"He left them." she murmured.
She turned to another paper and continued reading the words detailing the life of the man that was an enigma to them.
I heard what happened to them. Sakura died. I killed her. The knowledge that I killed her is killing me.
My Sakura - she's my light. The sun of my darkest night. She's as vibrant as her name. Her hair is as pink as the flower that she's named after.
My children—they were my joy, my future. Each of them had so much potential, so much life ahead. And now, they're gone. I did this.
Sakumo and Akise - my twins. They were eight that night. They were the cutest boys that I ever seen; they do everything together. They could have been formidable shinobis if I just listened to them. I should have trained them, maybe if I did, all of this wouldn't have happened.
Aru - my little boy. He is like a dog, always dogging his mother's steps. He adored Sakura. He is a sweet boy and... and probably died thinking that Daddy was just playing until I sunk that kunai deep in his body.
I heard they buried them together. I guess that was good. They are not going to be separated again.
That night haunts me every waking moment. The shadowy figure, the commands... they never leave my mind. It wasn't me. It couldn't have been. But the blood on my hands tells a different story.
I ran away, thinking I could protect what little was left. I thought that by leaving, I could save Mina. But I heard she was taken in by the village, raised by kind strangers. They gave her a chance at a life I could never provide. For that, I'm grateful.
But I can't help but ask myself about who took her in? Are they going to change her name to erase her parentage? Did they keep it? What will happen to her? Will they tell her that her father... her father is the reason that she would never know her family?
Mina, my sweet little baby girl, I love you so much. I love you and Daddy is sorry to have done this to you. I hope you'll never know what a despicable monster your father is, but I also want you to know about your amazing mother. I can't even want one thing without hurting you, aren't I, Mina?
The orderly's hands shook as she set down the pages. The tragedy of Kakashi's story, the anguish of a man torn between love and an insidious force, weighed heavily on her heart.
"He was tormented," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't imagine living with that kind of pain."
The medic nodded solemnly. "Sometimes the mind plays cruel tricks. We'll never know the full extent of his suffering, but at least he tried to record it, to make sense of it in his own way."
As they gathered Kakashi's belongings, the orderly picked up a small, worn notebook from his bedside table. It was filled with more of his handwritten notes, memories, and reflections. She hesitated for a moment, then slipped it into her pocket. "Maybe... maybe someone out there deserves to know his side of the story," she murmured.
The medic glanced at her, understanding in her eyes. "Perhaps. But be careful. Sometimes the truth can be more painful than the lie."
It was a few months since that night. I still have nightmares about it.
Sakura, I don't remember much. All I know is that we slept in the same bed, and I woke up in the middle of our living room. I... I think I remember the events in between those states. I'm not sure if they are real memories or if it's just my brain trying to fill the gaps in my memory.
Whatever it is, I don't want to even remember it. It breaks my heart whenever I see it. I... saw you. I saw how you tried to fight back but because you almost just gave birth, you weren't able to put up a decent fight. I... I think you were the first one I had to hurt.
I can only imagine what it would have felt like to hear the screaming of our boys when I entered their room and I started with Aru. Sakumo and Akise wanted to fight but they were just little boys. How can they fight me, Sakura?
Sakura, do you hate me? That night, in your final moments all I see is accusation and confusion. But deep down, did you hate me? What did you feel when you heard those screams got silence one by one?
I want you to know that I didn't want it. I can never do that to us. I would never hurt you consciously. There's something in my head that told me to kill you, and I just snapped and I woke up too late. The damage was already made.
I was searching for what you told me, what the figure told me that I am. You said that I am a sleeper agent, a sleeper cell agent. I didn't understand it at all. Then, I came across an old document in in one of the library of the village that a pass through.
Sakura, I know what I am now. I was planted there for a reason. I was just waiting for be activated. And when I did, I just couldn't stop.
I found the documents that explain everything. It seems I was a part of an experiment. They called it Project Obsidian. It was designed to create sleeper agents, shinobi who could live normal lives until activated by a trigger. I was one of the subjects, and they erased my memories of it. I was supposed to infiltrate and eliminate high-value targets when activated.
But I don't know why they chose me. Why me? Why did they make me into this monster? I had a family, a life, happiness. And they took it all away with a single command.
I don't know who activated me, or why, but I have to believe there was a reason. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe it was intentional. But it doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that I can't change what happened.
But I can try to make sure it never happens again.
I'm going to find whoever did this to me, whoever turned me into this. And I will make them pay for what they did to us.
"Do you think the medical director would mind if I take a deceased patient things home?" the orderly - Hana - asked.
The medic looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "I'm not sure, Hana. Usually their things are given back to their family. But Kakashi-san's alone. So it depends on the circumstances. But given how much this story seems to have affected you, I think it might be worth asking."
Hana nodded, clutching the small notebook tightly. "I just... I feel like someone should know what happened to him. Maybe his story can bring some closure to others who knew him."
The medic gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll talk to the director for you. Just be prepared for whatever the answer might be."
Later that day, Hana stood nervously outside the office of the medical director, clutching Kakashi's notebook. She knocked lightly, and after a moment, the door opened.
"Come in," the director said, gesturing for her to enter.
Hana stepped inside, taking a deep breath. "I... I wanted to ask if I could take some of Kakashi-san's belongings with me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I believe his story deserves to be known, and I want to make sure it doesn't get lost."
The director studied Hana for a moment, then nodded. "You've been one of our most dedicated staff members, Hana. I trust your judgment. If you believe his story needs to be told, then you have my permission to take his belongings."
Relief washed over Hana, and she smiled gratefully. "Thank you, director. I promise to handle everything with care."
As Hana left the office, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had Kakashi's notebook and a handful of other belongings that might help piece together his story. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to uncover the truth and ensure that Kakashi's story was not forgotten.
That evening, Hana sat at her small desk at home, the notebook open before her. She began to read through Kakashi's writings again, taking notes and trying to make sense of the fragmented memories and emotions he had recorded. She could feel the weight of his pain and determination in every word, and it only strengthened her resolve to see his story through.
Days turned into weeks as Hana delved deeper into Kakashi's past, cross-referencing his writings with historical records and interviews with anyone who might have known him. She discovered that the village Kakashi had mentioned was indeed real, and the story of the mysterious man who had appeared out of nowhere aligned with what Kakashi had written.
She also found references to Project Obsidian, a top-secret program that had been rumored to exist but had never been officially confirmed. It seemed that Kakashi's claims were more than just the ravings of a tormented mind.
"Oh, Kakashi-san." she cannot help but cry out as she read more of his story.
As Hana continued her research, she uncovered more about the enigmatic Project Obsidian. It was a chilling operation, designed to create highly skilled sleeper agents who could be activated with a specific trigger. These agents would live normal lives, forming bonds and relationships, only to have everything ripped away when their true purpose was revealed.
Hana felt a mix of anger and sadness as she read through the documents. How could anyone be so cruel as to turn people into weapons, stripping them of their humanity? Kakashi's story was just one of many, but it was the one she had to tell.
She spent hours piecing together the fragmented accounts, her determination growing with each discovery. She knew this story needed to be told, not just for Kakashi, but for all the others who had suffered under the shadows of such a heinous program.
One night, as she sat at her desk, Hana found a particularly heart-wrenching entry in Kakashi's notebook:
I don't know how long I've been running. The days blend into each other, and the nights are filled with nightmares. I can't escape what I've done, and I can't stop the voice in my head. It keeps telling me to finish the mission, but I won't let it win.
I've met others like me, people who have been used and discarded. We share our stories, our pain. It's a small comfort, knowing I'm not alone, but it doesn't erase the guilt. Nothing can.
I've decided to keep moving, to never stay in one place for too long. I don't want to bring this darkness to anyone else. I've hurt enough people. I just hope that one day, Mina will understand. I hope she'll know that her father loved her, even if he couldn't be there for her.
It's been ten years.
Sakura, it's been too long. I want to see you again. I want to be with you and the boys again. But I want to see Mina too. I just don't know where she is, and if I can turn away if I ever see her.
I don't want to hurt her.
I just want to see her but I'm afraid that if I do, the voice will tell me to kill her. I don't want that because she's the only one that is left of us.
I think she would have grown up to be so beautiful. Our boys were beautiful too even though they look so much like me. Mina... she got your looks. Even as young as she was when I last saw her, she got your hair and it would seem like she will also get your eyes. I wonder if she looks like you now. I hope so, because the world deserves another like you.
Someone beautiful and pure and kind.
I want to see her, Sakura. Would you lend me the strength to do so without hurting her? I need just one glimpse of our baby girl. I just need to know that she's alive and well. I just need that knowledge.
I went to Konoha, Sakura.
I had to put on a disguise so that no one will recognize me. I am a hunted man, love. My face is plastered in all of Konoha. Warning everyone that if they see me, that they have to report me.
I can't blame them for it. I killed my own family. They must think I'm a monster. But I had to see her. I had to know if Mina was alright.
I kept to the shadows, avoiding the places we used to frequent. The village has changed so much, yet it still feels the same. It's like a part of me will always be tied to this place, no matter how much I want to sever those ties.
I caught a glimpse of her, Sakura. Our little Mina. She's not so little anymore. She's grown into a beautiful young woman, just as I knew she would. She was laughing with her friends, her face full of joy. It broke my heart and healed it at the same time.
She doesn't know who I am. She doesn't know the monster that lurks in her past. I want to keep it that way. I want her to have the life we dreamed for her, a life free of this darkness.
I stayed hidden, watching her from afar. It was enough to see her smile, to know that she's happy and safe. I could feel your strength with me, Sakura. I could feel your love guiding me, helping me resist the voice that still whispers in my mind.
But I can't stay here. The risk is too great. If anyone recognizes me, if the voice takes control again... I can't let that happen. I won't put her in danger.
I left Konoha once more, my heart heavy but determined. I will continue to run, to hide. I will bear this burden so that Mina can live free. It's the least I can do for the family I destroyed.
I love you, Sakura. I love you, Sakumo, Akise, Aru, and Mina. I will carry your memories with me, always.
The boys should be eighteen today.
What would have happened if that night didn't happen? For sure my boys would have lived. They would have made fine shinobi, Sakura. I should have made sure that they can defend themselves properly, even against me.
If I did, maybe they stood a chance. Maybe not defeat me, but ran away. Ran away and asked for help.
Maybe if they did, Aru would have been still alive. You would have still been alive, Sakura.
Maybe Mina grew up with you, knowing how much love you can give. Mina should have know how much you love and fought for her. I still remember how difficult her birth was. I... I thought I was going to lose you then.
But you fought so hard, Sakura. You fought so hard for our baby girl. You held her in your arms with a smile so bright that it lit up my darkest fears. You were always the strong one, the brave one.
I miss you so much it hurts.
You were still weak that night. That's the reason why you weren't able to fight me, right? You were so strong then, but that night you were just too weak to stand against me. You did your best, you always did.
It's just that whoever activated me, they chose our most vulnerable moment. I wish they didn't, I wish you were so strong that time like you always were, I wish you were able to fight that night.
I meet my activator today.
Apparently, he had been searching for me all over, said I was supposed to go back to the headquarters after I was activated and finished the mission. I was rogue for almost twelve years.
He looked just like any other person, someone you'd pass by on the street without a second glance. But his eyes… they held a coldness, a detachment that sent chills down my spine.
He told me that I was supposed to return. I asked him why would he activate me, why did he have to order me to kill my family.
Sakura, he called you collateral damage. You and the boys, my boys, they see them as just collateral damage. When all of you are my whole world.
You were not the objective of the mission, Sakura. I was supposed to kill the high people in the Konoha government. He said that my marriage to you is a result of this, you're the Hokage's apprentice, it would make the Hokage more complacent in my presense because of you.
He said I was supposed to be activated years ago, but something interfered in my conditioning, they... they thought it was you. You weaken their hold on me, that's why when they were able to get through me, they asked me to eliminate all of you.
They are mad at me for not being able to dismantle the powerhold of Konoha. They called me a failed experiment. A failed sleeper spy. I would be happy to be called that if I wasn't able to kill all of you. I would accept being a failure if I failed to kill you, because no matter how they call me a failure, the mere fact that I was able to kill all four of you, that was already a success for them.
I can't just walk away from him, Sakura. Forgive me if I have to kill again. But this is for you. I am avenging our family, our boys, you, our Mina. For the family that they destroyed, for the future that we could have had.
Forgive me, Sakura. I love you so much.
It's been years, Sakura.
I settled in a small community in Tea. They have everything, I'm... I'm old now. The voice in my head stopped whispering after I killed my activator. Konoha nins stopped hunting for me. I am finally able to stay in one place.
I can feel that I will die here. And I will be buried here. I want to be buried next to you and the boys, but I know it's impossible. Your graves are in Konoha, and I can never return there. So, I will leave this world in the hope that our spirits will reunite, wherever we may be.
Mina would be fifty now. An age that you never got to reach. When we got married, I planned for us to be together until the very end.
But that plan never came to fruition. Instead, I find myself alone, writing these words as my final testament. Mina, if you ever come across this, know that your father loved you more than words can express. I hope you found happiness and peace, despite the darkness that overshadowed our family.
Sakura, you're the love of my life. I want to be with you so much, I hope that we are going to meet soon.
Sakumo, Akise, and Aru, I hope you can forgive me. I hope when we meet again, you find it in your hearts to forgive your sinful father. If not for me, all of you would have grown into strong and honorable shinobi, carrying on the legacy of our family.
Sakura, I'm starting to forget your face, the faces of the boys and Mina.
I can't even see clearly now. Your picture is so blurred that I can't even discern the color of your hair. The boys, all I remember of them is their hair and that is only because it resembled mine.
I'm in a home for the elderly. All the money that I stashed away, I placed here. I don't know what will happen to me when I die. I don't know what will happen to all of this papers.
Sakura, when I go there, are you going to welcome me with open arms? Are you able to forgive me? I will beg at your feet for all eternity if I have to, I want to be with you again. I want us to be together again.
I love you, Sakura. I love you and the boys.
Hana wiped away the tears that pooled in her eyes as she read the tragic life that her patient lead. She can see how much Kakashi loved his family, they were just played by life cruelly.
She flipped the paper on Kakashi's final entry, and saw how messy his handwriting became.
Sakura... I love you so much...
I can feel that this is the end. After all these years, I will be able to see you. I wanted to be with you for so long but I can't just end it all by myself, whenever I try, something is always stopping me.
Was it you, Sakura? Why do you want me to live for so long when all I want is to be with you?
Sakura... please I need to be with you. Let me die now. It's been sixty years, I'm an old man, and I want us to be together now.
Hana took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in her hands as she read Kakashi's final entry. The words, though frail and fragmented, echoed the depth of his despair and longing. The rawness of his emotions hit her with a force that left her breathless.
She looked around her small apartment, cluttered with research materials and notes, the weight of her task pressing heavily upon her. Kakashi's story was heartbreaking, but she felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to ensure it was told truthfully and with the respect it deserved.
As Hana carefully placed Kakashi's notebook back into its protective cover, her thoughts drifted to Mina. The thought of her, unknowingly tied to such a tragic past, stirred a deep sense of urgency within Hana. She wondered how the daughter of such a tormented man had fared throughout her life.
Hana's mind raced as she continued to process Kakashi's story. The notebook had revealed a life full of pain and regret, but also an undying love for his family. The fragments of Kakashi's past, pieced together with the medical documents and historical records, painted a complex portrait of a man caught in a web of manipulation and despair.
Determined to find out more about Mina, Hana threw herself into researching every detail she could find. She knew that the village records might hold some clues about her whereabouts, but she needed to tread carefully. Mina's privacy was important, and Hana wanted to respect that, even as she sought to uncover the truth.
Days turned into weeks, and Hana's investigation started to bear fruit. Through discreet inquiries and old records, she learned that Mina had grown up in Konoha under the care of a loving family. She had become a respected member of the village, known for her compassion and strength—qualities that undoubtedly reflected the values Kakashi had hoped she would embody.
One evening, as Hana sat with a stack of documents and a worn-out map of Konoha, a particular name caught her eye. Mina had married a well-known figure in the village, and they had started a family of their own. Hana found herself wondering if Mina had ever suspected the truth about her past, or if the shadows of Kakashi's actions had remained buried in history.
Driven by a desire to honor Kakashi's memory and to ensure that Mina understood her father's love, Hana decided to reach out. She drafted a letter, carefully crafting her words to convey the truth while being respectful of Mina's current life and privacy.
Dear Mina,
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Hana, and I am writing to you with a story that has been a part of my life for some time now. I was a caretaker for your father, Kakashi Hatake, in the later years of his life. His story is one of deep sorrow, but also of immense love and regret.
Kakashi-san was a complex man who struggled with a dark past. He was a victim of a cruel experiment, and the pain of his actions haunted him for the rest of his life. In his final days, he wrote extensively about his family, his regrets, and his hope for you. His words reveal the depth of his love and his wish for you to have a life filled with happiness and peace.
I understand that this may come as a shock, and I deeply respect your need for privacy and your current life. My intention is not to intrude, but to honor the memory of a man who loved his family dearly and to provide you with the truth, should you wish to know it.
If you ever feel the need to learn more about your father, or if you have any questions, please know that I am here to help in any way I can. I hope this letter brings you some understanding and perhaps even some comfort.
With respect and sincerity,
Hana
Hana sealed the letter, her heart pounding with both hope and apprehension. She knew that sending it was a delicate step, but she believed it was the right thing to do. Kakashi's story deserved to be shared, and Mina deserved to know the truth about her father's love.
As she prepared to send the letter, Hana reflected on her journey. The path had been long and emotionally taxing, but she had found a renewed sense of purpose. Kakashi's story was a testament to the complexity of the human experience—the struggle between darkness and light, guilt and redemption.
Hana hoped that, one day, Mina would read the letter and find solace in knowing that her father had loved her deeply, even in the face of unimaginable pain. She wished for Mina to understand that Kakashi's final wish was for her to have a life filled with the joy and love he had been unable to give.
With the letter sent, Hana took a deep breath and looked out at the horizon, feeling a sense of peace. She had done her part in uncovering Kakashi's story and honoring his memory. Now, it was up to fate to guide the rest of the journey.
Mina - now fifty-nine years old - frowned at the letter she received. It was from a person and a place that she never know or been to. She gingerly opened the letter and scanned it's contents.
Her heart raced as she read Hana's letter. Mina's life had been filled with questions and shadows about her past, but she had never expected such a revelation. Her father, the man she had only known from whispered stories, had lived a life of unimaginable pain and regret.
She sat down, clutching the letter, feeling a rush of emotions—confusion, anger, sorrow, and a strange sense of relief. Mina had always felt a void, an unanswered question about her family. Now, she had a glimpse of the truth, but it was a truth wrapped in layers of tragedy.
Her husband, Tetsuya, entered the room, noticing the distressed look on her face. "Mina, are you okay?" he asked gently, kneeling beside her.
Mina handed him the letter, unable to speak. As Tetsuya read it, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock and then to empathy. He took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "This must be overwhelming for you."
"It is," Mina whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I never knew... I never imagined he went through so much." she stared at the letter in her husband's hands. "I want to met Hana. I want to read my father's words."
Mina felt a surge of determination course through her. The letter from Hana was a lifeline to a past she had never fully understood. She had spent her life wondering about her father, hearing only fragments and whispers. Now, she had the opportunity to uncover the truth, to understand the man who had loved her despite the darkness that had consumed him.
"Tetsuya," she said, her voice steadying with resolve, "we need to go to Tea Country. I need to meet Hana and read my father's words. I need to understand."
"Mina, we're no longer young. And Tea is a long way south. It will be hard and dangerous. And why would you just accept the words of a stranger? This Hana... maybe she's just playing with you."
Mina looked at Tetsuya, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "I understand your concerns, but this is something I have to do. If there's even a chance that I can finally understand my father and he did all the things he did, I need to take it. It's a risk I'm willing to bear."
Tetsuya sighed, his love for Mina evident in his worried expression. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Mina. But if this is what you truly need, then we'll go together. I'll be by your side every step of the way."
The journey to Tea Country was indeed challenging for Mina and Tetsuya. Age had taken its toll on their bodies, but their determination pushed them forward. They traveled through rugged terrains and unfamiliar landscapes, their resolve unwavering.
When they finally arrived at Hana's home, Mina felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Tetsuya squeezed her hand reassuringly as they stood at the doorstep. With a deep breath, Mina knocked on the door.
Hana opened the door, her face lighting up with recognition. "Mina," she said softly, her eyes filled with warmth. "I'm so glad you came. Please, come in."
As they entered, Mina took in the modest yet cozy surroundings. Hana led them to the living room, where a collection of Kakashi's writings was carefully arranged on a table.
"I've kept everything safe," Hana said, her voice gentle. "Your father's words, his thoughts, his regrets—they're all here. He wanted you to know the truth." she handed her a notebook. "I've only read the first paragraph in this, these are letters that he wrote just for you, Mina."
Mina's hands trembled as she reached for the first notebook. She opened it slowly, the pages filled with her father's handwriting. As she began to read, the room seemed to fade away, leaving her alone with Kakashi's words.
My dearest Mina,
When I last saw you, you were crying your heart out. I don't know if it's because you know that you're mother is dying or because you felt the danger that your whole family is in. I don't know if you felt the danger coming from me. But Mina, it was your cries that made me strong enough to flee. I wasn't strong enough to save your mother and brothers, but I was strong enough to stop myself from hurting you.
And for that I am grateful.
My dearest daughter, I am a man that was manipulated and was used, it will never be an enough excuse for what I did, but Mina, the love that I have for you and your mother and your brothers, all of those love were mine alone. I'm sorry if I wasn't just strong enough to fight for all of you.
Your father who loves you very much,
Kakashi.
My dearest Mina,
I write these words with the hope that one day you will understand the depth of my love for you. I was a broken man, caught in a web of deceit and manipulation, but my love for you and your mother was the one thing that remained pure and true.
I remember the day you were born, the way your mother fought so hard to bring you into this world. She was the strongest person I've ever known, and she gave me the greatest gift of all—you.
You were so small, so fragile, and yet you brought so much light into our lives. I wanted nothing more than to protect you, to give you the life you deserved. But I failed. I let the darkness take hold of me, and I couldn't save you from the pain that followed.
Mina, if there's one thing I want you to know, it's that you were never the cause of my actions. You were the light that kept me fighting, the reason I resisted for as long as I did. I wish I could have been the father you deserved, the father who could have been there for you.
I hope that wherever you are, you have found happiness and peace. I hope you have become the strong, compassionate person I always knew you would be.
With all my love,
Kakashi
My Mina,
I'm so sorry if Papa is weak.
It's been years since I last saw you, and I wanted to know what you look like right now. I want to know how you're doing, if you're okay. If the people that took you in is taking care of you.
I have to see you even just from afar. I have to make sure that you're okay.
I went back to Konoha in disguise, and I saw you. You've grown into a beautiful young woman, Mina, just as I knew you would. I watched you laugh with your friends, and for a moment, my heart was full of joy. You look so much like your mother, I can see how you would grow up to be like her.
And you know what is the best part of my visit? It's knowing that it was Sakura's parents are the ones who took you in. Mebuki and Kizashi loved your brothers so much that I know that they will take care of you the way that Sakura would.
I'm sure that your grandparents will make sure that you know about your family. I don't if they are angry at me, I don't know if they blame me for what happened. I don't blame them if they did, because it was their daughter and they grandsons. But knowing that they have you, I can rest a bit easier.
I can't come near you, I can't risk putting you in danger. But seeing you happy, seeing you safe, it gives me a sense of peace.
Remember, Mina, no matter what you hear about me, no matter what anyone says, I love you. You are my heart, and I will carry that love with me until the end of my days.
Always,
Your Father, Kakashi.
Mina's eyes blurred with tears as she read the letters. Each word felt like a bridge connecting her to the father she never truly knew, but whose love was now unmistakably clear. She felt Tetsuya's comforting presence beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder, grounding her in the moment.
"My grandparents never blamed him." she murmured as she pressed the notebook into her chest. "They never blamed him, they told me that I shouldn't listen to whatever the others are telling me about my father. They told me that we don't know what happened during that night. That we shouldn't judge him without knowing the truth. They looked for him but they never saw him again. They protected him, his memory and his name. They loved him too."
Hana listened quietly; her eyes filled with empathy as Mina shared her feelings. She had anticipated this moment, knowing the weight of Kakashi's legacy would stir emotions long buried. "Your grandparents were right, Mina," Hana said softly. "They knew Kakashi's heart, just as he knew yours. His love for you and your family was unwavering, despite the darkness he faced."
Mina nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I never knew... I always wondered what happened that night. Why my father..." Her voice caught with emotion. "Thank you, Hana, for bringing me his words. For helping me understand." she wiped her tears away. "You mentioned that you took care of my dad in his years. Can... can you tell me more about him? Anything about him. Do you have a picture? The ones that I have are from before I was born. I want to know what he looked like before he died."
Hana nodded, understanding the depth of Mina's need to connect with her father's past. She walked over to a small cabinet and retrieved a carefully preserved photo album. "I have a few pictures," she said softly, handing the album to Mina. "They're from his later years, but they capture the essence of who he was."
Mina took the album, her hands trembling slightly as she opened it. The first few pages were filled with pictures of Kakashi in his old age. His silver hair had turned white, his once-sharp features softened by time, but his eyes still held a trace of the fierce determination and warmth that had defined him.
"He looked so peaceful," Mina whispered, tracing the outline of her father's face with her fingers. "Even after everything he went through."
"He found some semblance of peace in his later years," Hana said gently. "Despite the pain and regret, he cherished the moments he could remember his family. But Kakashi-san always looked so sad. Like there was something broken inside him that cannot be fixed. I don't think he ever truly forgave himself for what happened, but he held onto the love he had for all of you. It kept him going."
Mina stared at the photos, her heart heavy but also filled with a newfound understanding. She could see the traces of the father she had always imagined, the man who had loved her deeply despite the horrors he had been forced to commit.
"Thank you, Hana," Mina said, her voice steady despite the tears. "For everything. You've given me a piece of my father that I never thought I'd have."
Hana smiled softly, placing a hand on Mina's shoulder. "I'm glad I could help. Kakashi's story deserved to be told, and you deserved to know the truth."
"My father, I want to bring him home. To be with my mother and brothers."
Hana nodded, understanding the depth of Mina's wish. "I can help you with that," she said gently. "Your father deserves to be at rest with his family."
The following days were filled with arrangements and preparations. Hana assisted Mina and Tetsuya in organizing the necessary steps to bring Kakashi's remains back to Konoha. Despite the challenges, they were determined to fulfill Mina's wish.
"We have to burn his remains so that he can be transported. Would that be okay for the family?" the medical institution director asked.
Mina nodded, though her heart ached at the thought. "Yes, that will be fine. It's important that he finally comes home."
With Hana's help, they arranged for Kakashi's remains to be cremated and placed in a small, beautifully crafted urn. As they made their way back to Konoha, Mina felt a sense of closure beginning to take shape. She was bringing her father back to the place where he belonged, to the family that had always held him in their hearts.
"We're bringing you back home, Papa." she murmured to the urn in his hands. "You're going to be with Mama. I going to make sure that you and Mama are going to be together."
The journey back to Konoha was long and arduous, but Mina's determination never wavered. Tetsuya supported her every step of the way, understanding the importance of this pilgrimage for his wife. The urn containing Kakashi's ashes was a tangible link to the past, a symbol of the love and pain that had shaped their family.
Upon their arrival in Konoha, Mina and Tetsuya went straight to the cemetery where Sakura, Sakumo, Akise, and Aru were laid to rest. The caretaker of the cemetery, an elderly man who remembered the events of that tragic night, greeted them with a solemn nod.
"I remember your family well," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "Your father was a good man, despite what happened. He loved you all very much."
Mina nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you. We're here to reunite him with his family."
The caretaker led them to a plot of land next to Sakura and the boys' graves. With Tetsuya's help, Mina placed the urn in the ground, her heart heavy but filled with a sense of fulfillment. As they covered the urn with earth, Mina felt a deep sense of peace settle over her.
"We're all together now," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Mama, Papa, Sakumo, Akise, Aru... we're all together."
Tetsuya wrapped his arm around her shoulders, offering silent support. The cemetery was quiet, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Mina knelt by the graves, placing her hands on the earth as if to draw strength from the presence of her family.
"I promise to honor your memories," she said softly. "To carry on your legacy with love and strength. I miss all of you so much, but I know that you're finally at peace."
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the cemetery, Mina felt a profound sense of closure. She had brought her father home, fulfilled his final wish, and reunited him with the family he had loved so deeply.
With Tetsuya by her side, Mina stood up and looked out over the village that had been both a source of pain and a place of healing. She knew that life would go on, and though the scars of the past would always be there, she felt a renewed sense of hope.
"Thank you, Tetsuya," she said, turning to her husband. "For being with me through all of this. I couldn't have done it without you."
Tetsuya smiled, his eyes filled with love. "We're a team, Mina. We'll always face everything together."
Hand in hand, they left the cemetery, knowing that they had honored the memory of Kakashi and their family. Mina felt lighter, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She had found the truth, understood her father's love, and brought him home.
As they walked away, Mina looked back one last time, a sense of peace washing over her. She knew that her family was finally at rest, together in the place where they belonged.