The night was cold and indifferent. The Fifth Hokage's wine had worn off. A chill wind swept through the pavilion, brushing against Tsunade, lifting strands of her long hair. Her face, unchanged through the years, now appeared unusually calm. When Kakashi arrived, Tsunade was sitting just so—leaning against a pavilion pillar, one leg bent, the other hanging freely, eyes fixed on the still surface of the lake.
"Fifth Hokage-sama."
"Empty hands, light body… I cannot bear the weight of such words," Tsunade replied. Her voice carried little sorrow. Losing was losing—no matter the unwillingness, no matter the desire for a comeback, it was over. Revival? Impossible.
Kakashi was overwhelmed with guilt. If not for personal reasons, he should have been the strongest supporter standing beside the Fifth Hokage. Yet now, because of his own desires, everything has collapsed. Head bowed, knees on the ground, he was filled with shame.
"My deepest apologies, Hokage-sama, I—"
"Ninjas are human too. You have someone precious to protect. Kakashi, even if I could do it all over again, I would act the same. One wrong move on the board, that's all."
Guilt surged through him, leaving Kakashi speechless. Tsunade sighed, tearing her gaze from the undisturbed lake, and turned to him, taking in his white hair, his kneeling posture.
"Has he been returned?"
"Ah…"
Good, Tsunade thought. She leaned back against the pillar, eyes toward the half-moon.
"…At least he's alive. Kakashi, is Sakura alright?"
"She's fine. Sakura has already completed the Byakugouu Seal. According to her, that child has inherited your teachings."
Hearing this, Tsunade's calm face finally showed a hint of a smile. She shook her head slightly.
"Inherited me? No, Kakashi. She's an even more outstanding medical ninja than I am. To have such a student… I can consider my life fulfilled."
"Fifth Hokage-sama, Danzo might not permit Sakura to return. You—"
"It's fine. For her, leaving Konoha is best. Even if she returns, there is no place for her here yet. She is young; her future is long."
"I see," Kakashi said, hesitating as he looked up at Tsunade. "Fifth Hokage-sama…"
"Hmm?"
"Sakura's parents… last night they both committed suicide."
Tsunade's eyes were closed. When she heard the news, her face remained calm, save for tears rolling down. The clouds covered the half-moon, dimming the pavilion briefly. After a while, the clouds drifted away, and the moonlight returned unchanged.
"Good… then she is truly free…"
Her voice was hoarse and choked.
"Tell him Sakura is my most accomplished student. Take care of her."
"Yes… Fifth Hokage-sama… please… accept my condolences."
Tsunade smiled—a twisted smile, ugly in its rawness.
"It's alright, Kakashi," she said, looking toward him, whose face was perpetually hidden. Then her tone softened, weighty with meaning. "You are an indispensable pillar of the village. You must not come to harm."
"Fifth Hokage-sama… are you leaving?"
"Yes. For the village, it's best that I am not here at this moment. Kakashi, you are still young. Do not act rashly."
"I understand, Fifth Hokage-sama. Please rest assured."
"Go back, and take care of yourself."
"Yes."
…
The room felt empty. Even the abundance of everyday necessities were paired for two. The three-room house, located in a quiet corner of the village, had been moved into from the old apartments years ago, purchased over several months of salary. A courtyard, old trees, blooming flowers, a pavilion—all of it.
Kakashi sat wearily in the pavilion, observing the flowers that had fallen, the leaves drifting from the trees.
He reached for the door and entered. The foyer was immaculate. No strange shoes, no familiar scent.
That boy—Sharin—had not come by since the incident.
Really… came when he wanted, left when he wanted, not a word spoken, not even paying for a night's lodging if this were an inn. What did he think this place was? Even if he bore grudges, it wasn't my fault—how could he take it out on me?
Kakashi thought this, resentment tightening in his chest. He lay back against the pavilion wood, staring blankly at the half-moon.
Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura—his first students—all ended up like this. If Tsunade had been merciless and refused the Amegakure ninja's plea for medical aid, if they had known nothing of the Otsutsuki's existence, if they had not seen what was happening on the half-moon, if the Akatsuki's collection of the Tailed Beasts was truly only for selfish desire, if the so-called "righteous" had not borne the unbearable shame—would those innocent boys and girls still have been the same as they were back then?
Kakashi closed his eyes, covering them with his hand.
Obito… I'm sorry. All I've shown you is ruin and darkness. If only I had pushed you away back then…
A noise from the bushes. A masked ANBU stood in the courtyard.
"Kakashi, the Sixth Hokage requests your presence."
This was ANBU: detached, emotionless, with no past, no present, no future.
"Now?"
"Yes…"
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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