The sky above Konoha burned crimson as the remnants of the shattered meteor plummeted toward the village.
It tore through the atmosphere with a deafening roar, lighting up the heavens like a second sun. The portion that Rock Lee and his team had destroyed in a desperate last stand was only half of the colossal rock. The other half still hurtled toward the earth, its shadow engulfing the Hidden Leaf, threatening to crush everything Kakashi had sworn to protect.
Kakashi Hatake, Sixth Hokage of Konoha, stood at the village square, assessing the chaos unfolding around him.
The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the acrid smell of smoke filled the air. He had ordered the evacuation of civilians, but with each passing moment, he could feel the panic rising. The village was in disarray, and time was slipping away.
"Hatake-sama!" a voice broke through the chaos. It was a young shinobi, eyes wide with fear. "What do we do? The meteorā"
"Gather everyone you can!" Kakashi shouted, his voice steady despite the turmoil. "We need to move the civilians to safety!"
Around him, the hurried footsteps of retreating shinobi echoed as they worked to guide families away from the impending disaster. Kakashi's heart raced as he saw mothers clutching their children and elders struggling to keep up. The urgency of the situation pressed against him like a weight, but he couldn't let fear take hold.
With a swift nod, he directed several shinobi to form a perimeter, creating a barrier between the villagers and the approaching danger. "We can't stop it, but we can protect them!" he called out, his tone firm.
The young shinobi hesitated, then nodded, determination replacing the fear in his eyes. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
As the shinobi scattered to follow their orders, Kakashi took a moment to gather his thoughts. He could feel the heat radiating from the meteor as it hurtled closer, the very air shimmering with its intensity. It was smaller than the original, thanks to Lee and his team, but it was still large enough to engulf half of Konoha.
"Get to the shelters!" Kakashi yelled again, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Now!"
As the last families fled toward the outskirts of the village, he felt a surge of resolve. He would not abandon Konoha, not now. He would fight until the very end.
He turned to a group of shinobi who had stayed behind, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. "We need to evacuate together! We can't let this destroy the village!"
"Hatake-sama, it's too late!" another shinobi shouted, desperation in his voice. "We need to go now!"
But it was too late. The meteor was too close.
Kakashi could see it now, a massive shadow casting over the village, growing larger by the second. He knew that no jutsu in his arsenal could stop it, and even the combined strength of the remaining shinobi would be insufficient. But he couldn't let the fear of failure paralyze him.
"Stay focused!" he commanded, trying to rally their spirits. "We need to make it to the outskirts. If we can get everyone out of the impact zoneā"
The roar of the falling meteor drowned out his words as the ground beneath them trembled violently. The very earth shook, sending shockwaves through the village. Kakashi's heart raced as he felt the tremors growing stronger, the air growing hot and heavy with impending doom.
"Now! Move!" he shouted, pushing forward with the other shinobi at his side.
They sprinted through the streets, dodging debris and flames as they urged civilians to flee. Kakashi could feel the heat on his back, the pressure mounting as the meteor descended. They were so close, yet so far.
"Get out of here!" he yelled at the remaining villagers, urging them toward safety. He could see the fear in their eyes, but he couldn't let it show in his own. "Go!"
But it was too late. The impact was sudden and violent.
A blinding flash of light enveloped the village as the meteor collided with the ground.
The shockwave that followed was like nothing Konoha had ever seen. The very earth trembled, and the sound of the explosion echoed through the skies like thunder, shaking the foundations of the village.
Buildings crumbled instantly, their structures reduced to dust under the overwhelming pressure. Flames erupted from the point of impact, spreading rapidly as the meteor consumed everything in its path.
Kakashi felt the force hit him like a mountain, his body thrown backward as the sheer power of the explosion overwhelmed him.
The heat was unbearable, searing through his skin and armor as if they were nothing.He was weightless now, suspended in the chaos of the explosion, his body losing its battle against the overwhelming power of nature.
In his final moments, as his vision began to fade, Kakashi's mind drifted to his studentsāNaruto, Sakura, and even Sasuke.
He saw them clearly, standing before him as children, eager to prove themselves. The bonds they had forged, the battles they had fought togetherāit had all been worth it.
They were the future now, and Kakashi knew he had done his part.
His eyes closed, and with a final breath, Kakashi Hatakeāthe Sixth Hokage, the legendary Copy Ninjaāwas no more.
The village of Konoha had fallen silent, the flames of the meteor burning in the distance, but Kakashi's legacyāhis teachings, his sacrificesāwould endure in the hearts of those who survived.
The story of the Copy Ninja had come to an end.
In a blinding flash of light, Kakashi's essence fragmented and dispersed, transcending the bounds of existence. He felt a rush of air and warmth as if being enveloped by a gentle embrace.
...
What seemed to be like hours within the darkness, he was reborn.
...
Suddenly, Kakashi opened his eyes to a world bathed in soft morning light. The crisp scent of snow hung in the air, and the sounds of laughter and music echoed in the distance. Confused, he blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling above him, adorned with elegant designs that spoke of nobility.
Confusion washed over him as he tried to gather his thoughts.