Chapter 215: The Weight of Farewells Beneath a Silent Sky

Kakashi felt the past few months had been nothing short of turbulent. First, there was death and resurrection—an experience disturbing enough to shake even him. Then came reconciliation with Obito, something he had once thought impossible. Just when he believed the rest of his life would be spent quietly in the public library… he learned Obito was preparing to leave for another world to fight the Otsutsuki in a battle to the death.

He had thought his future would be endless waiting. Instead, he was suddenly summoned again—right when it mattered most.

The village’s isolation had both good and bad consequences. A few years of peace meant that sealing it for another year or two would not cause immediate crisis—that was Kakashi’s assumption.

Until Sasuke’s message arrived.

Only then did he understand how drastically the outside world had changed.

War spreading across the land… just what kind of hatred could drive things this far?

Even after Sasuke explained it clearly, Kakashi still struggled to fully comprehend it.

When Akatsuki left, Shigure sealed the village completely, cutting off all contact with the outside world. Kakashi was only able to move freely because he possessed a special passcode to bypass the barrier—given to him by Konan. Even Shigure did not possess such authorization.

Without that code, forcing entry meant death. And vice versa.

The fact that Konan entrusted him with something so important meant her trust in him had exceeded anything he could repay. And not just her—Pain had once shown him an equally irredeemable debt of kindness.

But now was not the time to think about passcodes or past favors.

After another round of shock, Kakashi finally regained his composure.

His former student had grown taller. Sharper. More refined. The Uchiha clan had always been blessed with striking appearances—whether Itachi or Sasuke.

Kakashi had never even heard the titles others now gave them: “Blood Lightning of Konoha,” or “Golden Sage of Konoha.” Nor did he know they had become legendary figures through countless wars.

To him, Sasuke was simply the boy carrying the sword Kusanagi—and, frankly, someone impossibly cool. Kakashi had excellent taste, after all; he had chosen that blade himself in the Land of Iron.

Still fits him perfectly.

If Sasuke had casually said, “You’re still alive, huh,” it would have felt fake. But Sasuke was not the type for empty words. Instead, he spoke plainly.

“The Allied Shinobi Forces will attack Amegakure in three days. Take this. Leave tonight. Head east through the Land of Fire into the Land of Iron—there’s no war there.”

BOOM

A metal token was tossed toward Kakashi.

Under his mask, Kakashi’s eyes curved slightly.

He recognized it immediately—the symbol of the ANBU Root division. With it, he could command their full resources.

Once, the Third Hokage had hoped Kakashi would one day obtain it. But he had never been “that person.” He had never earned Danzo’s trust—no, the Sixth’s trust now.

And yet, unexpectedly, his student had accomplished what he never could.

“Congratulations, Sasuke,” Kakashi said, smiling faintly with his crescent-shaped eye.

Sasuke’s expression did not change.

Kakashi did not ask how Sasuke knew he was alive, or why he had come personally. There were too many details—too many threads. He chose not to pull them. Instead, he responded in the simplest way possible.

He returned the token.

“I promised Obito I’d wait for him here. So I’ll have to decline your kindness.”

His tone remained light, almost playful.

“I’m glad, though. You brought this to me—that means I still matter a little in your eyes. You’ve always been so cold, I thought I didn’t even register to you anymore.”

As Kakashi spoke, everything flowed naturally again—the same easy teacher tone from years ago. Even now, in the middle of a world on the brink of war, he could still slip into that role effortlessly.

Sasuke simply stared at him, unmoving.

“…Ah, the kids really have grown up,” Kakashi sighed. “Makes me feel old. Maybe I should retire. Time really is merciless…”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Sasuke interrupted. “You’ve already died once. Konoha has no place for you anymore. If you’re not a ninja, then go live somewhere else. Whether you wait for him or not doesn’t matter. This place is the center of war—it won’t end peacefully.”

A pause.

Then Sasuke added quietly:

“Kakashi-sensei… I hope you really leave.”

Kakashi could not smile anymore.

That was the first time Sasuke had ever called him sensei.

And somehow, Kakashi had the feeling—it would also be the last.

The night was silent. No rain meant the sky over Amegakure revealed stars—clear and bright. A half-moon hung above them, beautiful in its stillness.

As a teacher… I should guide my students.

But Kakashi felt he was unqualified to be one. Still, perhaps he had done something right along the way.

He smiled again—genuine this time.

Then he placed both hands firmly on Sasuke’s shoulders. Heavy. Grounding.

So heavy that Sasuke suddenly realized life might not only be heavy for him.

Maybe there were things even heavier. Like Kakashi himself.

“Sasuke,” Kakashi said quietly.

“You’ve grown up.”

“You know nothing about me. You have no right to judge whether I’ve grown or not.”

“Naruto is in your care now. I trust you with him.”

“Even though Naruto calls you ‘teacher,’ you never actually taught him anything.”

“Sakura never blamed you. Don’t carry it.”

……

The complete fanfic (Chapter 261) is already available on P@treon(.)com/Crimson_Lore