For Hatake Kakashi, what exactly was Uchiha Obito?
Kakashi thought long and hard, but he could not figure it out.
Obito had said that while in the ninja world, those who break the rules are called useless… a person who does not cherish their comrades is worth less than useless.
Obito had said, "I think the White Fang is an amazing hero."
Obito had said, "Kakashi, use my eyes to see the future."
Obito had said, "You let Rin die. You betrayed my trust. To me, you are nothing."
Obito had said, "I gave you my eyes back then so you could see the future. Now I don't take them back, to remind you of what you owe me."
Obito had said, "Kakashi… I'm sorry. I'm no longer the hero in your heart."
Obito had said, "Kakashi… thank you."
Obito had said, "Kakashi…"
In truth, Obito needed no words. Simply standing alive, calling his name—calling Kakashi—was enough.
Kakashi had once thought Obito was useless, a crying, incompetent teammate who dragged him down, a foolish boy who let himself be bullied and then retaliated in childish, petty ways. Back then, there was still Rin, and Obito could make him laugh, like a bright little spark.
Later, Kakashi realized that even if Obito still played and joked like before, losing him felt unlike losing Rin. They could speak, play, tease—but the feeling was different. Obito would never again call him Kakashi, never again "retaliate" with that youthful fire. He had become a cold tombstone, and from that day, Kakashi forgot what warmth felt like.
Back then, Rin had not yet died.
After Rin's death, Kakashi felt his world turn black and white.
He wept in dreams, washed his hands obsessively, and trembled in fear. He feared that if Obito knew he failed to protect Rin, Obito would hate him, ignore him, never call him… never call him Kakashi again.
Then, Obito learned the truth.
Kakashi's black-and-white, icy world regained color. He felt light again.
Even when Obito scolded him or struck him, Kakashi felt warmth in the blow.
As long as Obito lived, it was enough.
As long as he lived, calling him Kakashi, it was enough.
Kakashi cleaned his hands, and just before sunset, tidied the house one last time. This house held memories of him and Obito. Every corner, every trace of their shared past, he scrubbed clean, leaving it spotless. Finally, he took out the long-sealed White Light Blade, already broken.
He changed into fresh clothes, removed his Konoha headband, and knelt in the indoor training area where he and Obito had once practiced.
Sometimes he refined chakra here, sometimes he and Obito sparred or played.
This place also held memories of their first time together… a moment after they moved in, Obito playfully challenged him to a taijutsu match. What started as teasing escalated after Kakashi provoked him, and when Rin was mentioned, play became serious. Kakashi couldn't withstand Obito's increased strength. The match became rough, masks and clothes came off, and eventually, the encounter turned into a raw, chaotic experience.
It was not sweet—Kakashi felt pain, Obito felt discomfort. They had little experience. It was a nightmare.
He should clean this place, too.
Kakashi wanted to scrub again, but he had already changed. Should he clean, or not? He struggled with the choice.
Cleaning… yes. Obito hated cleaning. Several times, he had used Kamui to dispose of trash. Later, during time-space maintenance, Kakashi would bring Obito along; Obito would sleep while he cleaned.
Thinking of this, Kakashi smiled faintly.
Obito… you're alive. Thank goodness. I'm glad I knew you.
Kakashi knelt on the wooden floor, hands gripping the broken White Light Blade.
Obito, you're doing well in Akatsuki. Your leader cares for you. I'm happy for you. I may not understand your deeds, but I'm glad for you. If there's a next life, I want to meet you again, even if it means watching you and Rin live together.
He drove the broken blade into his chest and stomach. Blood spilled across the floor. Kakashi felt the weight of death, the piercing of vital points. The world slowly turned black and white again, his body growing cold—like the years without Obito…
But soon, Kakashi no longer felt pain. Darkness surrounded him, save for a distant firelight.
This must be death… who's here to meet me? Rin? How will I explain… that I shamelessly loved the same man as her, and even stole her Obito…
But it wasn't Rin. Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. Alive, he feared nothing. Dead, he feared everything.
White hair, peaceful expression, Kakashi looked at the man by the fire. His eyes narrowed into a smile.
"Father, I have so much to tell you."
"It's alright. We have plenty of time, Kakashi. You've grown up."
…
In the Hokage office, Danzo sat in the Hokage seat, gazing through the window at the bustling village. His expression was unreadable. When the Anbu appeared, he made no move, still staring at the world outside—the laughing children nearby, the carvings on the Hokage Rock, but lingering on the aged statue of the Third.
"Hizashi…"
"Danzo-sama, Kakashi Hatake has committed suicide at home."
"I see…"
"Yes, I confirmed it. No breath remains."
After a long silence, Danzo murmured, "You would rather repeat the old mistakes than eliminate a rogue ninja. Kakashi… you've disappointed me."
"Danzo-sama…"
Danzo waved him off. "Leave. Announce his death. Say that Konoha ninja Hatake Kakashi succumbed to illness from overwork."
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu withdrew, leaving the Hokage office to Danzo alone.
He turned his gaze from Hokage Rock to a photo of the Third Hokage.
"Hizashi, under your leadership, Konoha produced Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, and Haruno Sakura. They placed their personal desires above the village. You failed. You were not a competent Hokage, which allowed their stubbornness. In this game, you lost. My roots… will never be betrayed. My Konoha will never produce another like them."
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