Chapter 255: The Weight of What Was Lost

Hatake Kakashi wasn’t always in a constant state of mental instability. Even if things had gotten worse recently, he wasn’t always like that. So when he woke up from the sedative, he was lucid.

As for what he had done during his episodes, he couldn’t remember. Usually, Pakkun or Suigetsu would tell him whether he had “lost it” again. But this time, they weren’t here.

The room was simple. A wooden structure. Nothing inside except a thin mattress beneath him and a light blanket over his body. It was clearly constructed using Wood Release techniques.

When Kakashi turned his head, he saw Obito. And Sakura. “You guys, are you okay?”

So this wasn’t a dream. Not an illusion. Obito had really returned. Kakashi’s eyes curved into their familiar crescent shape. “Yo, good morning.”

Sakura felt her throat tighten. This smiling man in front of her, so calm, so casual, was the same person who had been screaming in ruin yesterday. The contrast was unbearable. What kind of suffering turns someone like him into that?

But before she could speak, Obito exploded. BOOM! He lunged forward and buried Kakashi in a tight embrace, crying uncontrollably. “WAAAHH KAKASHI!!! KAKASHI!!! KAKASHI!!!”

A grown man. An Akatsuki. And yet, still the same emotional disaster from Konoha’s old days.

Kakashi, however, didn’t even hear the crying properly. He gave a slightly embarrassed look toward Sakura instead. “Sorry, sorry, it’s been a while and I’ve already become a joke, huh?”

That made it worse. Sakura’s eyes reddened, and tears fell anyway. “It’s not like that, Sensei, are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I’m fine.” Kakashi smiled again, patting Obito’s back like this was completely normal.

And then more people arrived. Nagato. Konan. Zaraki Kita. The room grew crowded. Obito was still wailing into Kakashi’s chest like a broken dam. Everyone knew what Obito was like. There was no surprise.

But Konan, that was different. Her eyes were closed. Completely. Kakashi’s expression paused for a moment when he saw her. Then, like always, he curved his eyes into that crescent smile again. But internally, she can’t see? He didn’t know why that detail struck him so sharply.

The group stepped forward slowly. Kakashi suddenly felt like he wanted to disappear into the floor. They told me to protect the village. And what did I do? A ruined village. A shattered nation. Only a hundred survivors from over ten thousand. Everything I promised, everything, gone.

It was the same feeling as back then. Same outcome. Same failure. Same result. I really am useless. I never keep a promise.

The thought spiraled. Maybe I should just act like I don’t care. Pretend I’m a joke. Pretend I’m a monster who doesn’t care about the dead. Yes. That would be easier. If I just laugh it off, maybe I can survive it.

But when he tried, the smile failed. It collapsed halfway. How do I even apologize? What right do I have? Even if I said sorry, what would that change? Thousands were gone. A village erased. A country broken. Even if I died right now, it wouldn’t be enough.

His eyes burned. But he refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of them. Don’t be pathetic, Kakashi.

Still, tears fell anyway. He turned away, covering his face. The mask he tried to wear shattered completely. And what came out was raw. Uncontrolled. Human.

“I’m sorry, I, I failed, I’m sorry, it’s my fault.” His voice broke. “I couldn’t protect you, I.”

Konan shook her head. She stepped forward carefully, guided by Nagato. “No.” Her voice was calm. “I already know what happened.” She bowed. Deeply. Sank to her knees.

Kakashi panicked instantly. “W-wait, don’t!”

But Nagato stopped him. “This is something you must accept.”

Zaraki Kita added quietly, “Konan is our leader. You are our benefactor.”

Konan lowered her head. “Thank you, very much, Kakashi.”

That was it. The breaking point. Kakashi’s composure collapsed completely. He turned away, covering his eyes. “I, I don’t deserve this.” I failed them. All of them.

Nagato spoke again, softer this time. “You’ve done enough, Kakashi. Leave the rest to us.”

Elsewhere, the wounded were being stabilized. Konan. Shigure. Karin. Everyone affected by the sealing rods. Nagato attempted removal using Six Paths power. And fortunately, it worked. But recovery would take time.

Tenten’s condition was also stable. Though pierced through the chest, she was still alive. Sakura implanted medical jellyfish into her body, while Nagato’s Yang Release stabilized her life force. She hadn’t awakened yet.

And so, the Akatsuki’s return entered its second day. The world outside, still burning, still unaware. Except one man. Shimura Danzo.

After receiving intelligence from the Root unit, he understood immediately. Everything was ending. A full confrontation was inevitable. Resistance was pointless. Not because they were weak, but because victory no longer mattered. If Akatsuki wanted revenge for the village, then the entire system was already guilty. Five Great Nations. All of them involved. Even if they denied it. It made no difference.

Later that day, Sasuke Uchiha arrived. Danzo spoke first. “Akatsuki has returned.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

“The antidote is still with me. If used at the right time, we can minimize damage to Konoha.”

Sasuke frowned. “Is that true?”

“Even if Akatsuki never returned,” Danzo said calmly, “I would have released the hostages as promised.”

Sasuke took the vial. But did not trust it.

Before leaving, Danzo spoke one final time. “Konoha is yours now, Sasuke.”

Sasuke did not stop. “Naruto is also yours.”

A pause. Then, “I understand.” The door closed.

That night, two of the Legendary Sannin returned. Tsunade. And the heavily wounded Jiraiya. Konoha was no longer the same place.