Chapter 18
The walk to Kakashi's home was quiet at first, Naruto taking in the sights of Konoha at night while trying to keep up with his taller companion. It wasn't often that the young boy was able to enjoy such a calm moment, and he found himself glancing curiously at Kakashi, whose presence felt strangely reassuring.
When they arrived at the house, Naruto's jaw nearly hit the floor. The place was massive, a sprawling compound with traditional architecture, elegant curves in the rooftops, and an aura of history surrounding it. For a moment, he couldn't even find the words.
"This is where you live?!" Naruto finally exclaimed, wide-eyed. "It's huge! Are you, like, secretly the Hokage or something?"
Kakashi let out a soft chuckle, his single visible eye crinkling. "No, I'm not the Hokage. This house belonged to the Hatake clan. It's been in my family for generations."
Naruto tilted his head, his excitement fading slightly. "The Hatake clan? You mean... your family?"
"That's right," Kakashi said, his tone quieter now. "But I'm the only one left."
Naruto stared at him, the weight of those words settling on his young mind. "You're all alone?" he asked softly.
Kakashi gave a small nod. "I've been alone for a long time. But it's alright—I've gotten used to it." He reached out and ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair. "Don't look so sad, Naruto. I manage just fine."
Naruto hesitated, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "I know what it's like... being alone, I mean," he said quietly. His voice carried a vulnerability Kakashi hadn't expected, and for a moment, the young boy seemed far older than his years.
Deciding to shift the mood, Kakashi gestured toward the house. "Come on. I want to show you something."
Inside, the house was sparsely decorated, a reflection of Kakashi's minimalist lifestyle. Despite its size, it felt empty, the absence of family evident in the stillness of the halls. Kakashi led Naruto to a small room and pulled a picture frame off a shelf. He handed it to Naruto, who stared at it curiously.
"This," Kakashi said, "was my team when I was your age."
Naruto examined the photo closely. It showed a younger Kakashi standing next to a brown-haired girl, a boy with goggles, and a blond man smiling warmly. Naruto's eyes immediately lit up as he pointed at the blond man.
"Hey, I know that guy! That's the Fourth Hokage!"
Kakashi smiled faintly. "That's right. His name was Minato Namikaze, and he was my sensei."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "No way! The Fourth was your teacher? That's so cool! He's, like, a total legend!"
"He was an amazing man," Kakashi said, his voice tinged with both pride and sadness. "The best sensei anyone could have asked for."
Naruto's excitement dimmed slightly as he looked back at the photo. "How did he... you know... die?"
Kakashi's expression grew serious. "What do you know about his death?"
"I just know he sacrificed himself to save the village," Naruto replied, his tone subdued.
"That's true, but there's more to it," Kakashi said. He sat down on the floor, gesturing for Naruto to do the same. "Listen closely, and I'll tell you what really happened."
Kakashi began recounting the events of that fateful night, explaining the Nine-Tails' sudden attack on Konoha. He told Naruto about the beast, its destructive power, and the chaos it unleashed upon the village. Then, with a solemn tone, he spoke of Minato's bravery.
"The Fourth fought the Nine-Tails while trying to protect his wife, Kushina, and their newborn son. Kushina was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails at the time, but she had just given birth, and the seal that held the beast had weakened. Minato didn't just fight the Nine-Tails—he had to protect his family and the entire village at the same time."
Naruto listened intently, his small hands clenched into fists as he hung onto every word.
"In the end," Kakashi continued, "Minato and Kushina had no choice. They sacrificed their lives to seal the Nine-Tails into their son, hoping he would grow up strong enough to carry the burden. Before they died, they gave him a name: Naruto."
Naruto froze, his breath catching in his throat. "Wait... you mean...?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, Naruto. The Fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki were your parents."
Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes as he tried to process the revelation. "My parents... they were heroes?"
"They were more than heroes," Kakashi said gently. "They loved you more than anything in the world. Everything they did that night was to give you a chance at life."
Naruto wiped at his tears, his voice trembling. "Then why... why does everyone hate me? Why don't they see me as a hero like them?"
Kakashi's gaze softened. "People fear what they don't understand, Naruto. Fear can make people do terrible things. It's not fair, but that's the truth." He placed a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "What's important is that you're not alone anymore. I'm here, and I'll make sure you're safe."
Naruto sniffled, his small frame shaking as he wiped at his tears. "Thank you, Kakashi-san."
"Anytime," Kakashi said, giving him a warm smile. "Now, why don't you get some rest? You've had a big day."
Naruto nodded, allowing Kakashi to lead him to the guest room. Within minutes, the boy was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling softly.
Kakashi stepped outside, his mind heavy with the events of the night. Suddenly, he felt a familiar tug—a summoning. He didn't resist, allowing himself to be pulled away.
When he reappeared, he found himself in a dark underground tunnel. The air was damp, and the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the space.
"So, this is where the rats hide," Kakashi muttered.
A small spider appeared at his feet, its eight eyes glinting in the dim light. It skittered forward, leading the way. Kakashi followed silently, his senses on high alert.
The first guards didn't even see him coming. Kakashi moved like a shadow, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The faint sound of bodies hitting the ground was the only indication of his presence.
As he descended deeper, the resistance grew fiercer. More Root members appeared, their attacks coordinated, but Kakashi was faster. His Sharingan spun, reading their movements with ease. Each strike was deliberate, each step calculated.
Finally, he reached the deepest level. There, Danzo stood, his expression cold but wary.
"What have you done with my guards?" Danzo demanded.
Kakashi didn't answer. He stepped forward, his blade gleaming in the dim light.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "You've gone mad, Hatake. Attacking Root alone? Do you truly believe you can survive this?"
"I don't need to survive," Kakashi said calmly. "I just need to make sure you don't."
Danzo signaled, and dozens of Root members appeared, surrounding Kakashi. The room was filled with the sound of weapons being drawn.
Kakashi sighed. "You've spent years manipulating from the shadows, Danzo. But there's one thing you've forgotten: only those who know fear can appreciate peace."
Danzo sneered. "Kill him."
The Root members attacked as one, but Kakashi was faster. His movements were a blur, his blade cutting through the air with lethal efficiency. Blood splattered the walls as bodies fell one after another.
In less than two minutes, the room was silent. Kakashi stood amidst the carnage, his blade dripping with blood. He turned to face Danzo, his Sharingan glowing ominously.
Danzo took a step back, his composure faltering. "You... you can't kill me. I'm an elder of Konoha's council!"
Kakashi smiled coldly. "By law, no, I can't. But laws didn't stop you when you crossed the line. You thought you were untouchable, Danzo. That no one would dare to challenge you. But I'm not just anyone."
In one swift motion, Kakashi severed one of Danzo's arms.
"This is for Naruto," he said.
He severed the other arm.
"And this is for my father."
Danzo, pale and shaking, could only stammer, his voice barely a whisper. "You... you can't..."
Kakashi leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "From now on, you're done. Retire, disappear, or crawl into whatever hole you came from. If I ever hear even a whisper of you causing harm—whether it's to Naruto, this village, or anyone else—I will finish what I started tonight. And trust me, Danzo, no one will mourn you."
Danzo trembled, his legs giving out as he collapsed to the ground. Blood pooled around him, his severed arms twitching uselessly at his sides. He struggled to form words, but Kakashi didn't give him the chance.
"One last thing," Kakashi said, his tone sharp as steel. "You will personally ensure Naruto's reputation is restored. Spread the truth about who his parents were. Make sure the villagers know the burden he carries and the sacrifice they made for this village. Do that, and maybe I'll let you keep your life."
Danzo didn't respond. He could only manage a weak nod, his body trembling from pain and fear.
Kakashi stood up, sheathing his bloodied blade. Without another glance at the broken man before him, he turned and walked away.
When Danzo finally dared to open his eyes, Kakashi was gone. The room was silent save for his ragged breathing and the faint sound of blood dripping onto the cold stone floor. The bodies of his subordinates lay scattered around him, a grim reminder of the man who had just walked out.
Danzo clenched his teeth, hatred boiling within him. But there was nothing he could do now. Kakashi was right—he was untouchable, a legend in the making. And Danzo, for all his scheming, had been utterly humiliated.
All he could do now was wait for reinforcements and pray that he lived to see another day.
Meanwhile, Kakashi reappeared in his home, the familiar surroundings grounding him after the chaos of the night. He sighed, wiping his face with his hand. The memories of what he'd done would linger, but he felt no regret. Danzo needed to be put in his place, and now the village had a chance to move forward without his shadow looming over it.
He peeked into the guest room where Naruto was still fast asleep, his small form curled up under the blankets. Kakashi allowed himself a small smile.