Minato had lost all faith. He believed that even if Konoha vanished, perhaps it would be better for the world.
"Sensei, how can you say that? No matter its faults, Konoha is still our homeland. And besides, where did you come from in the first place?" Kakashi said, though part of him agreed.
"Kakashi, don't say that," Guy cut in without hesitation. "If this Konoha is one ruled by Danzō, then it doesn't deserve to exist."
"Guy… you…" Kakashi hesitated, but deep down he knew Guy was right. A Konoha where newcomers were crushed, where clans had no place, held no meaning. Better for it to disappear.
"I came from Kaede," Minato said firmly. "These days I've been with Naruto, giving him the fatherly love he missed. The longer I stay with him, the more guilt I feel. For so many years, his favorite food was nothing but Ichiraku ramen or instant noodles. Why did he always wear yellow? Because cheap tracksuits were all he could afford—and the yellow stood out, made him visible, so he wouldn't be just some forgotten child.
"He drank spoiled milk because he couldn't waste food, and it made him sick. These things I only learned later, after finally spending time with him. My guilt runs deep. But now, under Kaede's care, Naruto lives well. He's happy.
"You call Kaede a demon, yet the people under his rule don't think so. Shinobi or civilian, they revere him as a saint, because he's given them peace. In his lands, rogues and bullies no longer oppress the weak. In the academy, there is no division between noble and commoner—only talent and effort decide your future. That is the world Kaede created. Of course people support him.
"And his reason for sending me here is simple: he doesn't want you to die with Danzō. He asked me to bring you away."
Minato's words painted a very different picture from the lies spread by Danzō. Kaede's domain wasn't some nightmare—it was fairness, opportunity, and order.
"…Sensei, I… I can't. I can't betray Konoha," Kakashi said at last, his voice heavy. No matter how far Konoha had fallen, he couldn't abandon it.
But before Kakashi could speak further, Guy stepped forward.
"I'll go. I'll follow Kaede-sama. I'll obey his command."
"Guy?!" Kakashi's eyes widened. He couldn't believe Guy would choose betrayal.
"Kakashi, I told you before—following Danzō leads nowhere. He can't carry on the Will of Fire. I believe what Minato-sama says. And my father… that scar is my life's deepest wound. I can't forgive it."
Guy's tone was unlike his usual carefree self. He had always seemed simple, but that never meant he was foolish. Kaede's words had opened his eyes. Behind everything lay schemes and betrayal. How could he defend a man like Danzō?
And truly, as Hashirama once said, Konoha was already rotten. It was no longer the village they had built. Why cling to it?
"…Everyone can see it. The world Kaede created is the one people long for. Why should we throw our lives away for a decayed Konoha? That's not loyalty—that's stupidity."
Guy turned to Kakashi. "Even you, you're a victim. Your father, Sakumo, didn't kill himself out of shame. How could a man like him end his life over a few rumors? He was betrayed by Konoha, made to carry the blame."
Kakashi stood speechless, Guy's words striking him harder than any fist. Minato, too, felt the weight of guilt.
"…I'll go as well," Asuma said suddenly.
The son of Hiruzen, Asuma had clashed with his father in youth, even leaving to join the Twelve Guardian Ninja. He had seen enough of his father's wrongs but could do nothing. Now, given a choice, he wouldn't stay here. The world had changed. If they didn't change too, they'd be left behind.
"Asuma… even you…" Kakashi's voice faltered.
Minato stepped forward, resting a hand on Kakashi's shoulder.
"Kakashi, come with me. Don't waste your life on Danzō. Live for yourself."
Perhaps it was Minato's words, perhaps it was Kakashi's own buried wish, but at last, Kakashi nodded. He agreed to leave with Minato.
Yet in his heart, Kakashi carried one more thought—he wanted to see Kaede himself. He wanted to reclaim Obito's eye, the one entrusted to him. He couldn't rest until he did.
(End of Chapter)
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