Chapter 8
After Hokage left, Inoichi nodded at Gai and Tenzou, signaling them to approach the bed. The ANBU taichou gave a faint smile.
“Let’s not keep him waiting, Gai. You know how much he hates tardiness.”
Gai laughed at Tenzou’s joke, even though he didn’t feel like laughing at all. They stepped up to Kakashi on either side of the bed. Maito gently squeezed his right shoulder, while Tenzou carefully took his taichou’s left hand and lightly moved his fingers.
“We’re here, senpai.”
He didn’t let go of his hand. Inoichi led them to meet their friend, who was sitting on the ground, surrounded by his ninken. They were unusually silent as Kakashi stroked them wordlessly. When he sensed his comrades’ presence, he lifted his head. Gai stood somewhat hesitantly, unsure of what he should do. Tenzou simply greeted him.
“Kakashi-senpai.”
“Tenzou, Gai, come closer.” Kakashi gave them a reassuring smile. He didn’t want this meeting to feel stiff. He patted each of his ninken one by one and then spoke to them softly.
“It was nice seeing you all, boys. Will you wait for me outside? I need to have a word with these two gloomy guys.” Despite his seemingly carefree tone, the look he gave the two shinobi was anything but lighthearted.
Pakkun obediently stood up first and walked toward Yamanaka, followed reluctantly by the rest of the pack.
“We’re at your disposal, Kakashi.” Pakkun’s voice trembled slightly at the thought of what kind of orders those might be.
Hatake’s smile was forced and filled with sadness. Silently, he nodded his thanks to his loyal pack. Yamanaka formed a seal and severed the ninja dogs from his technique. They let out quiet whimpers from Kakashi’s bed.
Hatake stood up again, though with more difficulty than before. His spirit seemed less stable, as if he might dissipate at any moment. Inoichi noted the change with concern.
“Kakashi-san, you shouldn’t strain yourself,” he suggested.
For a moment, Yamanaka partially returned to his body in the hospital room and moved his left hand from jounin’s head to his chest. Then he sent a thin thread of his own chakra, hoping to stabilize the weak chakra point near Kakashi’s heart. When he shifted his consciousness back into Hatake’s mind, he assessed that his spiritual form looked a little more solid, but there was nothing more he could do.
He felt like an intruder, yet his presence here was necessary for technical reasons. He didn’t know Kakashi as well as Gai and Yamato-taichou did, but he understood that privacy meant a lot to him. The veiled conversation with Hokage earlier had shaken him. He expected this would be similar—no one would speak directly, even though they had plenty to say.
“It’s alright, Kakashi-san. I’ll try not to interfere.”
“You’re not interfering, Inoichi-sama. I’m grateful for your help and for the kind words you’ve always had for me.”
Inoichi hadn’t expected such a direct statement. Kakashi had likely allowed himself to say it because Hokage wasn’t present. Now he understood why Tsunade’s spirit had nearly shattered when she bid Kakashi farewell. He quickly composed himself and replied:
“With a Hatake, you could never predict what they’d say or do. But know that I have always had great respect for you, as well as for your father.”
“Thank you.”
In Kakashi’s voice, Yamanaka heard genuine gratitude. He nodded and closed his eyes, at least giving them the illusion of privacy. Tenzou and Gai now stood closer to Kakashi, who, swaying slightly, made a request:
"Sit down, my friends." Without waiting for them, he clumsily sank to his knees. His companions joined him, sadly realizing that not only Kakashi’s body but also his spirit had been broken.
"How are our students holding up, Tenzou?"
"Not well, Kakashi-senpai," the taichou answered honestly, his concern evident. "Sakura did an excellent job during the mission. She helped develop the antidote. Now, she’s struggling to accept that there’s little she can do to help you recover. It’s weighing heavily on her. Sai, on the other hand, seems to think he failed us, though I assured him that if not for his message, I wouldn’t have reached you in time. He sent me an ink message, telling me to turn back immediately—I didn’t even know he could do that. I don’t think he did either. He understood your ANBU signals, and I fear he took them too personally."
Kakashi frowned—he hadn’t considered Sai’s sensitivity.
"He has never failed and never will, I’m sure of it. Please, tell him that for me. There are very few people I would entrust my life to, and you, Sai, are among them. I believe his judgment can always be relied upon, even though he’s still very young. He has a pure heart, like you, Tenzou. I want you to take care of him. I think he sees you as both a friend and a sensei. In time, you might even see him as a brother."
"He already is. Thank you for your trust, Kakashi-senpai. It means a lot to me."
Kakashi smiled. In the shinobi world, everyone was broken in one way or another. ANBU members were expected to be perfectly composed and devoid of emotions, yet among them were extraordinary ninja like Sai and Tenzou. Despite growing up under inhumane conditions, they had an incredible capacity for kindness and gentleness. He was convinced they would support and respect each other. That left only Sakura.
"Hokage-sama will continue to train Sakura. She’s always been sharp, the most talented in Team 7. Soon, she will learn that even the greatest efforts do not always lead to happy endings. I have faced this reality countless times, and it has always been a painful experience. Accepting it takes courage. I believe Sakura has that courage within her, but I want you both to be ready when she comes to you for guidance."
Gai and Tenzou both affirmed that he could count on them. Maito, in particular, was always eager to support young shinobi—nothing pleased him more than seeing them grow and mature.
Kakashi lowered his gaze to his hands resting neatly on his knees and let out a heavy sigh. He had to ask the question:
"What about Naruto?"
Tenzou and Gai exchanged looks.
"He is struggling, Kakashi," Gai answered bluntly. "On one hand, he understands he made a mistake, but on the other, I don’t think he fully grasps just how serious it was."
"He shut down when he learned that I wouldn’t turn back for you," Tenzou added quietly, then bowed his head low and almost pleaded, "Forgive me, Kakashi-senpai."
Tenzou knew he had no other choice, yet he still struggled with the weight of his decision. Kakashi reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his younger companion’s shoulder, letting him know that his decision had been the right one and that he expected nothing less from him. The ANBU taichou closed his eyes for a moment. There was nothing he had ever wanted more in life than reassurance from his senpai that he had done the right thing. He steadied his emotions and lifted his head again before continuing:
"Then, when Hokage-sama forbade Naruto from joining the rescue mission, he was furious and shouted. Later, when he saw the state you were in upon returning, he was consumed by guilt. For days, he demanded to speak with you. Today, as he was leaving, he cried, begging us to let him stay, even though he knew it was against your wishes."
"Maybe we should bring him here, Kakashi?" Maito suggested in a worried tone. "He’s really not doing well."
"No, Gai." Kakashi’s response was immediate and firm. "I failed him as a sensei and as a taichou. He didn’t listen to me during a dangerous mission, which means he has nothing more to learn from me. I wouldn’t even know what to say to him. He needs to understand that his reckless actions could have cost the entire team their lives. A good ninja does not think only of himself and must foresee the consequences of his decisions. If Naruto hasn’t realized this by now, then it is entirely my fault."
Kakashi seemed to shrink in on himself as he spoke these words, his voice quiet and almost defeated. He had decided to distance himself from Naruto, and it weighed heavily on him. However, he knew that the boy only learned from his own mistakes. This last one would be the lesson of his life. Kakashi trusted that he would take the right path. He lifted his sorrowful gaze to his oldest friends:
"I ask you to make sure this lesson does not go to waste. Naruto is not yet ready to face the challenges of a shinobi’s life on his own, let alone those of a Hokage. I believe in him—I always have. But as a ninja, he still has much to learn. However, as a person, he is already incredible. I have learned a lot from him myself. I regret that I won’t be by his side when he accomplishes great things and changes this world for the better. But I know he will. Stay by his side."
His companions were only slightly surprised by Kakashi’s reasoning. They had long known that he could see more than others, and not just because of his Sharingan. Each of them silently vowed to support Naruto, in whom their respected comrade had placed such great faith. If Kakashi saw something special in him, then they all the more reason to do the same.
Hatake stared at them in silence. Gai couldn’t bear the thought that the real, living eyes of his rival would never look at him again. Kakashi, as if reading him like an open book, said:
"Gai, you won’t be improving your record against me anymore. Unfortunately, you’ll have to find yourself a new rival."
"Even if I searched for the rest of my life, I would never find anyone even half as good as you. If I hadn’t tried to match you, I wouldn’t be the man I am today, Kakashi."
Gai’s declaration troubled Kakashi. He sensed traces of a certain resignation in his voice. However, he believed that the indomitable spirit of his oldest friend could never truly be broken. Even if this events shake your unwavering resolve, Gai, I’m sure you'll find your way back soon. He reassured his friend in his thoughts and then spoke aloud:
"Gai, if it were not for your faithful friendship, I am sure we would not be talking today. You believe that sheer determination can work miracles. Allow me to agree with you this time."
As he said this, Kakashi smirked mischievously. There was no worse moment to finally admit that Gai Maito was right.
In Kakashi’s sorrowful eyes, Gai saw a silent plea to accept his decision. He could feel the growing tension in Tenzou, sitting beside him—he, too, had realized where Kakashi was going with this, and he didn’t like it. Maito carefully chose his words, trying to express his opposition as gently as possible:
"Kakashi, I would do anything for you. But I am not sure I can fulfill what you ask of me, because it wounds my heart deeply. It is a denial of the springtime of my youth."
"I know that, Gai," replied the legendary Sharingan Kakashi of the Hidden Leaf Village, his tone slightly firmer. Then, more gently, he added, "I only hope that one day, you will forgive me."
Hearing those words, Gai Maito held his breath. Only now did he truly see the immense determination in Kakashi—he would not change his mind—and Gai could not ignore it. He exhaled and nodded to his friend, a silent sign that he understood and forgave him already. He didn’t want to part with him in anger.
Tenzou remained silent, having also realized that nothing could sway Kakashi’s decision. He didn’t agree with it, but he wouldn’t act against his will.
The tension lifted from the three friends. They had said everything they needed to say. Kakashi clasped Gai’s hand, while his other rested once more on Tenzou’s shoulder. They sat there, bound in a brotherly embrace for a brief moment, until Kakashi lowered his head, and his form slowly began to fade again.
Gai and Tenzou stood up at the same time, as if on cue. In the hospital room, they stepped back from Kakashi’s bed, breaking physical contact with him. Without unnecessary words, Inoichi ended his technique.