Chapter 7
He couldn’t tell how long he had slept, but he knew that no one had woken him up. They had allowed him to rest and waited patiently. He was immensely grateful for that.
He sensed the presence of several people in the room. He recognized the chakras of Tsunade, Gai, Tenzou, and Inoichi. But when he realized that Naruto, Sakura, and Sai were there as well, his blood boiled. They shouldn’t be here.
Tsunade noticed something was wrong—his breathing had clearly quickened. She gestured for Inoichi to approach Kakashi and connect with him, but before he could follow her order, Kakashi signaled clumsily with his fingers:
"Get them out."
Tenzou tensed up, immediately understanding who he meant. He turned toward the students, looking uneasy. He saw that Sai had also understood Kakashi’s signs. The boy lowered his gaze sadly.
“Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi-senpai wants us to leave,” he said quietly and started turning toward the door.
“What?!” Naruto and Sakura were stunned. Tsunade-sama had called for them herself.
When they had walked in, the sight of their sensei lying in bed overwhelmed them—covered in bandages and dressings, he was almost unrecognizable. He had been stripped of nearly everything that had once made him who he was. The frail, battered body of a jounin still concealed his mind and heart.
The three young shinobi had hoped to talk to him. Each of them felt responsible for what had happened. Sai believed he had failed his part of the mission. If only he had guarded them better, if only he had gotten them out of there faster. If only he had come up with a better solution than just calling for Yamato-taichou…
Sakura blamed herself for her lack of medical knowledge. Though she was still at the beginning of her long training under Tsunade-sama, she judged her own progress harshly. Today, she felt utterly useless. She should have known how to heal Kakashi-sensei.
And Naruto—Naruto was being consumed by guilt. His recklessness, his disobedience, his obsession with battle. His immeasurable stupidity. He was responsible for everything that had happened. For the suffering inflicted upon his sensei. He alone.
So they had waited in silence with everyone else for Kakashi-sensei to wake up. But it had been in vain.
Tenzou confirmed quietly, “You have to leave.”
Sai was already walking out obediently, but Naruto couldn’t understand why they weren’t allowed to stay.
“Taichou, please let us—” It didn’t register with him that this wasn’t Yamato-taichou’s decision, nor Hokage-sama’s, nor even Gai-sensei’s.
“Kakashi-senpai is asking you to leave,” Tenzou repeated, louder and more firmly this time.
Tears welled up in Naruto’s eyes. He wanted to talk to Kakashi-sensei, to apologize, to tell him that he would do better. All this time, they hadn’t even let him enter his room. And now, when he finally had the chance to ask for forgiveness, it was being taken from him.
He turned to Tsunade-sama, pleading silently with his eyes, but she made no move and said nothing. Gai-sensei, though he sympathized, also remained silent, only watching his rival with sadness. Watching what had become of him.
“Yamato-taichou, tell him that… that I didn’t mean for this to happen… that it won’t happen again… that I’ll always listen to him from now on… Gai-sensei…” Naruto’s voice kept breaking as he sobbed, desperately spilling out his pleas and promises.
“Naruto, go,” Gai-sensei finally interrupted, his tone firm and brooking no argument.
A dejected Sakura tugged at Naruto’s sleeve. As soon as the door closed behind them, Tenzou conveyed the message to Kakashi:
“They’re gone, senpai.”
The jounin raised his thumb. Inoichi stepped closer to the head of the bed and gently placed his hand on his forehead. Entering Kakashi’s mind, he found him sitting on his knees, eyes closed as if meditating. His usual jounin attire was missing both his vest and forehead protector. His mask was pulled down. Yamanaka felt a little uneasy seeing his entire face.
"Kakashi-san."
"Inoichi-sama, welcome," he responded, opening his dark gray eyes. The older shinobi frowned at the thought that Kakashi had deliberately chosen not to replicate his Sharingan. "I'm tired. I don’t know how long I’ll stay conscious."
Yamanaka had entered many minds in his lifetime. Today, he had to reach deep to find the few chakra nodes in Kakashi’s that were less damaged. Even fewer were capable of receiving and maintaining the flow of his own powerful chakra. The place he had arrived at was unstable, so he sealed it to keep it from collapsing. He had no illusions—Hatake wouldn’t have been able to maintain control over it on his own. The Fifth had warned him that the jounin’s condition was severe, but even so, he hadn’t been prepared for the devastation he found. He tried to hide how deeply concerned he was about what had happened to Kakashi. Bowing his head respectfully, he asked,
"I understand, Kakashi-san. Who would you like to speak with first?"
"You, Inoichi-sama," he answered plainly. "Are you and Ibiki certain I didn’t reveal anything to the enemy?"
"Yes, Kakashi-san. Your memories were intact. No jutsu to infiltrate your mind was used, nor were you forced to reveal any information by other means."
"Thank you, Inoichi-sama." The news brought him immense relief—it turned out his captors had been less dangerous than they seemed. Primitive, capable only of inflicting physical pain. "I don’t remember everything clearly."
"Ibiki and I are impressed. Your seals are unbreakable. You only allowed us in after recognizing our signatures, even though you should have been completely cut off."
Kakashi nodded. All those readings and training sessions hadn’t been in vain. Even though he had been unconscious at the time, some part of him had hovered on the edge of awareness, allowing his comrades to complete their task. With this issue resolved, he allowed himself to relax slightly before unsteadily rising from his knees and saying,
"Call Hokage-sama."
Inoichi reached out his hand to the right, and after a moment, Tsunade appeared beside him. Seeing Kakashi’s uncovered face had a striking effect on her as well. The last time she had seen it, he had been a very small child—ages ago, back when his father was still alive.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama," Hatake greeted her in his usual way—lazily, yet with unmistakable respect. Both Tsunade and Inoichi smiled at the distinctly Kakashi-like manner. That characteristic tone forced the Fifth into a more casual response, even though she had been tense just moments ago.
"Morning, brat. You really did a number on yourself. We had to work damn hard to piece you back together. Don’t do that again."
"No worries," he replied. A faint, sad smile danced on his thin lips. "Inoichi-sama and Tenzou assured me that the Village is safe."
"Yes, Kakashi-san. Thank you for your loyalty," Tsunade said, growing serious. "You went through hell to protect us and our secrets. We will never be able to repay you for that."
"It is my Will of Fire and my ninja way—to protect the Village and my comrades, Hokage-sama." His voice was steady, certain. "What’s my prognosis?" he asked directly, looking her in the eyes.
Tsunade had expected nothing less—straight to the point. She had no intention of hiding anything from him. At this moment, she was not just the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, but also a medical ninja. So she gave him an honest report on his condition.
"The antidote has only just started working—it will slowly neutralize the poison. But we won’t be able to repair the damage it has already caused. We performed a chakra transfusion, but most of your pathways will never recover. You won’t be able to replenish your reserves on your own, maintain your chakra level, or control it for long. This also affects your physical injuries. I’m afraid these wounds will never fully heal. For now, all we can do is manage the pain. But, Kakashi, I won’t rest until I find a solution."
"I understand," he nodded, showing no emotion.
He calmly listened to the verdict he had anticipated from the very beginning. Her passionate reassurance didn’t seem to affect him. His reaction didn’t surprise Tsunade. She knew he wouldn’t ask for anything more.
Kakashi remained silent for a brief moment, his head bowed. At last, he sighed, having made a difficult decision. When he lifted his gaze to Tsunade again, he no longer hid his pain and sorrow. In a quiet voice, he requested:
"Hokage-sama, in that case, I need your help in summoning my ninken. Under these circumstances, our contract should come to an end."
At first, his request was a shock to Fifth, and her expression darkened. The pack was Kakashi’s family. She knew he had been with them since childhood. She could only imagine how painful it was for him to sever that bond. However, after a moment’s thought, she understood his difficult choice. She would likely do the same in his position. If she could no longer call upon Katsuyu, she would let her go—the slug’s healing abilities shouldn’t go to waste when they could aid another shinobi. If, of course, Katsuyu found someone else worthy of forming a contract.
Besides, once she healed Kakashi, his ninken would surely return to him—she sincerely doubted they would be quick to sign a contract with anyone else. That’s why she responded in a composed tone befitting the Hokage:
"Of course."
Inoichi released her from his technique for a moment, though her blurry image lingered in Kakashi’s mind. Gai and Tenzou watched as Tsunade carefully cut their friend’s finger with a scalpel, channeling a stream of her chakra into him. The jounin clumsily formed a seal, and eight ninken appeared in the room.
Pakkun immediately jumped onto the bed, staring in horror at the bandaged Kakashi.
"Boss, what happened?!”
The other ninken sniffed anxiously, disturbed by the strong scent of blood and sickness in their master’s frail body. Tsunade turned to Pakkun:
„Kakashi wants to speak with you all.”
Inoichi enveloped the ninken in his technique, and they found themselves in front of Kakashi. Only partially understanding the situation, they approached him cautiously. In reality, back in the hospital room, most of them jumped onto the bed, nestling against his legs, carefully avoiding his wounds, licking his hands, and warming him with their bodies. Their worried expressions stirred something in Gai and Tenzou. Bull settled onto the chair next to the bed, mindful not to hurt his master with his weight.
“Hey, gang! What have you been up to?” Kakashi greeted them cheerfully, once again sinking to his knees. He could feel the wet dog tongues on his hands and the warmth of their bodies. He gifted his four-legged friends a radiant smile.
“We were worried about you, Kakashi. Who did this to you?” Pakkun quickly grasped the dire state Hatake was in.
“Mah, it doesn’t matter anymore,” he replied nonchalantly. “Thank you all for always answering my summons. This will be the last one. I’m releasing you from the contract. I hope I wasn’t too much of a burden.”
The dogs tucked their tails and sat in front of him, heads lowered in sorrow. Some whined quietly. Pakkun leaped onto his lap. Before settling down, he cast a fleeting glance at the Hokage—just as he had feared, there was no trace of hope in her eyes for Kakashi’s recovery. He swallowed the question of whether this idea of severing the contract was truly justified. Kakashi would never have given them up lightly. After all these years, they were bound by more than just an agreement. They had formed a bond—they were a pack. Kakashi Hatake’s departure felt like losing a family member. They would never come to terms with it.
The ninken turned his somber gaze to Kakashi, whose calm expression was an obvious mask. Pakkun had no intention of tearing it away or shattering that façade—this was clearly how Kakashi was coping with an unfathomably painful situation. If he needed them one last time, they would rise to the occasion, just as they always had. Without betraying his dark thoughts, Pakkun spoke in his usual, seemingly indifferent tone:
“If your father hadn’t convinced us that you’d turn out alright, we wouldn’t have given you a chance. You were a real brat. Turns out, your old man was right.”
Kakashi laughed heartily, and Tsunade felt a pang in her chest—he looked so much like Sakumo.
“Mah, he usually was. He always believed I had a future ahead of me.” Hatake fell silent for a moment, absentmindedly stroking the back of his smallest ninken. “I suppose it was always my destiny to follow in his footsteps.”
Pakkun gazed at him intently—Kakashi’s eyes darkened briefly, his gaze turning distant. The ninja hound furrowed his brow, beginning to understand what Kakashi truly meant. However, he remained silent.
Suddenly, a shiver ran through Tsunade—she felt an abrupt shift in mood. The tragic absence of Sakumo Hatake had paradoxically taken on an almost tangible form. She realized something, and a new sense of powerlessness washed over her.
Kakashi shook his head slightly, as if snapping out of his memories, and his face lit up with a smile once more. He looked at his pack and asked:
„Will you stay with me until the summoning runs out?”
„Of course, boss! No problem, boss!” all the ninken answered in unison.
Kakashi reassuringly scratched Pakkun behind the ear, as if sensing his thoughts. For once, the ninja hound allowed it without complaint, only shifting his sorrowful eyes between the members of his pack.
“Tsunade-sama, thank you.” Kakashi nodded slightly and smiled warmly, once again disarming both her and Yamanaka. They were beginning to understand why he had hidden his face all his life. No one in their right mind would take a shinobi seriously with such a gentle smile. He could have ended wars with it and avoided most battles.
“There’s no need to thank me, Kakashi. Remember, we haven’t laid down our weapons yet. I will find a way to restore your chakra pathways,” she reassured him once more, though she didn’t believe her own words. And she doubted he did. There was no conviction in her voice.
“Mah, determination worthy of Gai Maito.” Kakashi’s cheerful tone didn’t match the situation at all. He must have noticed it too, because he suddenly grew serious, studying the woman. “Only now do I see how much Sakura has changed under your guidance, Tsunade-sama. Her confidence has grown alongside the strength and knowledge you’ve given her. I am very proud of her—she has used her potential wonderfully. Thanks to your help, she will achieve great things. If she had remained under my care, she wouldn’t have had that chance. I don’t think I could have properly looked after her. Naruto and Sasuke took all my attention—I never apologized to Sakura for that. Could you do it for me, Tsunade-sama?”
The question and the clear plea in his voice surprised her. She didn’t think he had any real reason to blame himself for neglecting Sakura. The girl had never said a bad word about him. On the contrary, during nearly three years of rigorous training under the Hokage, she had often spoken fondly of her first sensei. The woman smiled at the jounin and simply nodded. Kakashi kept looking at her as if he expected more. Finally, he stated in a slightly tense voice:
“I believe that Sakura will never give up, no matter what awaits her on her chosen path as a ninja. I hope she fully understands the difficult work of medics. They must be prepared for failures and endure them bravely.”
“After dealing with you, Kakashi, training under me was a piece of cake for her.” Tsunade tried to keep her tone light, but she couldn’t. Kakashi’s intense gaze forced a promise out of her. “Don’t worry—I won’t send her out into the world until I’m sure she’s ready.”
She looked at him for a long time, as if trying to memorize his features. Finally, she forced herself to smile.
“Gai is probably eager to talk to you. See you, brat.”
“See you, Hokage-sama.” The response seemed casual, but it sounded different than usual. There was a sense of finality in it. In Kakashi’s eyes, Tsunade saw the shadow of an irreversible decision. She turned away from him, feeling as if Inoichi was watching her strangely.
Freed from Yamanaka’s technique, she stared for a moment at the mutilated body of her best jounin. She stepped toward the despondent Pakkun and stroked him gently. He looked at her almost pleadingly. Both of them knew that Kakashi hadn’t summoned them just to terminate the contract. They shared a terrible, silent secret—the knowledge of what the near future would bring. She averted her gaze, powerless against what had happened and what was still to come.
Overcome with emotion, she grasped Kakashi’s hand with both of hers. He responded with a weak squeeze of his fingers. Hokage cleared her throat, trying to mask her emotions. Then, she placed Hatake’s hand on Pakkun’s back.
“I have to return to my office,” she announced, not looking at anyone, and walked out with her head held high, ensuring that the tears clinging to the corners of her eyes wouldn’t fall in front of her subordinates. Gai and Tenzou were already doing their best to avoid looking at her. The atmosphere in the room was unbearably heavy.
As soon as she stepped outside, Tsunade wiped her tears away with her hands. Against the opposite wall stood Naruto, Sakura, and Sai, stunned by the sight.
“What are you still doing here?” she scolded them, mainly to divert their attention from her state. A Hokage could not afford to break down emotionally in front of young shinobi. She looked at them seriously, and in that moment, she decided they couldn’t stay here tonight.
“Boys, you’re looking much better, aren’t they, Sakura? In an hour, you’ll be able to leave the hospital. Sakura will take care of you at home.”
“Tsunade-sama… and Kakashi-sensei…” Sakura’s voice broke as she noticed the unnatural dullness in her sensei’s expression.
“We want to talk to Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto demanded, loud and determined. Sai merely watched her with quiet sadness.
“Tomorrow. You’ll talk to him tomorrow.” As she made this false promise, she tried to sound more certain than ever before in her life. “Kakashi will be too exhausted today. Sakura, take them back to their room and explain why no one should remain under mind-splitting techniques for too long. Tomorrow, around noon, come to my office—we will visit Kakashi together with Inoichi.”
“But I have to talk to him today, I have to—” Naruto refused to back down, but the Fifth interrupted him with a stern tone.
“You’re not a child anymore, Naruto.” She gave him a sharp look. He could be so stubborn. “Go back to your room. I’ll send Shizune to examine you once more. Then you will go home and rest. That’s an order.”