Naruto: North and South

Obito still knelt there, eyes full of pleading. Nagato did not stand before him—he could not bear such a gesture. Obito Uchiha, the one who caused Yahiko’s death, the one who had blurred the image of the three of them forever… and yet, Obito Uchiha was still Obito. He had darkness, but also light. He had cause, but also consequence.

Yes, Nagato hated him, gnashing his teeth with fury. He hated how Obito had turned black and white upside down. He wanted nothing more than to crush him to dust. Yet Obito remained Obito. Yahiko was still dead, and the world remained the world. And the living?

The living must endure.

The dead are gone; the living persist.

“Obito, Kakashi is already dead. What you can do now is inherit his will and keep moving forward. Life is to endure endless pain—yours and mine alike.”

“I know,” Obito said, tilting his head up to Nagato, eyes glowing red with resolve.

“If you could save Kakashi, if you could make me die—just say so, Nagato. I beg you. I only beg you for this one thing in my life. Save Kakashi. I want nothing else. Even a single eye—just one eye—would be enough. Nagato, after you save him, do whatever you want to me. I’m trash, I’m worthless, but without Kakashi… without him, I’m not even trash, not even worthless.”

“I will not save him, Obito. Yahiko died by your hand. You are my enemy.”

Nagato spoke, cold as a god.

Obito collapsed, tears streaming down, guilt gnawing at him like ten thousand ants.

“I’m sorry… sob I’m sorry, Nagato… It’s my fault, not Kakashi’s… I’m sorry…”

“You made us lose those we loved. Now it is your turn. This is the cycle of karma. I will not save him. Leave.”

“I won’t leave… I’m sorry, Nagato… I was wrong… I really understand my mistakes… I have nothing left, only Kakashi… I want nothing else… sob Please save him… he’s a hero… my hero… Kakashi… Kakashi… sob Kakashi… I won’t let you die…”

This was a man’s desperate wail, his crying and pleading.

Nagato looked at him, thinking:

When you killed Yahiko, who could I have begged…?

The whispering voice under Obito’s cries carried the weight of a world turned upside down, silent and invisible.

…

“Dad… I’m sorry. I really disappointed you.”

In the darkness, only the campfire brought flickering light. Kakashi could feel neither cold nor warmth; even placing his hand above the flames would bring no heat.

Perhaps this is what death feels like.

“Did you think I was pathetic? Always unable to protect what I wanted… you, later Rin, Minato-sensei, Kushina-sensei… I didn’t protect them properly. Not Sakura, not… Obito.”

Silence returned to the space, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Kakashi recalled everything about Obito—the crying boy in a blue-and-orange tracksuit, later the man in the red cloud cloak, and finally the idiot with the asymmetrical face.

He had never known such feelings could arise between two men—maybe he had been dead too long, and the times had changed. But seeing the mixture of black and red in the boy’s eyes now, radiating happiness, Sakumo felt perhaps this was the son he had most hoped to see.

“Do you regret it?”

Sakumo asked, breaking the silence.

Kakashi blinked, then smiled a crescent-moon smile at his father.

“Well… sorry, Dad, but I don’t regret it. That crybaby was Obito Uchiha of Konoha, or of Akatsuki… just the crybaby Obito. Oh, Dad, that idiot even said you were a hero~”

Hero… heh.

Sakumo laughed, ignoring the remark about being pathetic.

“You truly are my son, Kakashi. I am proud.”

“Huh?”

“Heh… you are still you. Living as a person, finding joy as a person, dying happily as a person. While alive, you had your stance. Dead, the village’s constraints and responsibilities vanish. I am proud of your choices. You protected your comrades, guarded those you loved, and never betrayed the responsibilities you bore.”

“Eh, haha… I thought you’d be mad I didn’t continue the family line~”

“Well… that will follow fate. This way, I can answer to your mother. I also have to thank that Uchiha brat for appearing in your life, teaching you love, teaching you responsibility.”

“Ah, Dad… why do you talk like this after you die? You never praised me like this when you were alive~”

Kakashi’s smile was radiant, as if he had finally found happiness.

Even in death.

A green light suddenly rose, enveloping Kakashi. He was surprised; Sakumo’s face bore a serene smile.

“Seems the time hasn’t come yet.”

“Eh? Eh? What’s happening?”

“Perhaps your fate isn’t meant to end yet.”

Sakumo said, and Kakashi’s cheerful expression immediately soured.

“Ah… spare me. I’m truly tired… I aimed at the vital points too.”

Sakumo smiled gently.

“Difficult to choose?”

Kakashi blinked his crescent-moon eyes, nodding.

“The Sharingan Kakashi Hatake who fought to the death for Konoha is gone. What remains is the Kakashi revived by those he loved.”

Kakashi closed his smile, sighing softly.

“The village is in turmoil. If I live, I will be indispensable. I—”

“Have you any regrets for your life, for Konoha?”

Kakashi shook his head.

“Any shame?”

Shook his head.

“And toward that Uchiha brat?”

All left unspoken. How could one word suffice for such weight?

“To have the rare chance to live twice… Kakashi, you are fortunate.”

His hidden smile returned, crescent-shaped, hand scratching his head in relief.

“Well, since Dad says so, when we meet again, don’t scold me.”

Sakumo smiled, nodding.

“Next time, bring your little friend along. Let me see. Kakashi, I am glad. You are happy.”

“Thank you… Dad.”

The green light vanished. Only Sakumo’s silhouette remained in the darkness. He maintained that proud smile, then slowly walked into the shadows, leaving only the crackling of the campfire, waiting for the next visitor.

━━━━ ❖ ━━━

If you're enjoying the story, the complete fanfic is already available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Crimson_Lore [remove brackets]