The paper tree hideout was quiet now.
Inside, the air felt heavy. Chakra still clung to the paper walls like mist. In the center of the room, Kakashi knelt beside a glowing scroll.
With care, he sealed the last Rinnegan inside it. He tucked the scroll into a pouch on his belt. His expression was calm, but his eyes said otherwise.
Konan sat beside Nagato's body, her face pale, eyes blank. She moved slowly, wrapping his body with her paper jutsu. Each sheet was folded with loss.
Kakashi stood. He walked to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn't react.
"You look like someone who's already buried herself," he said softly.
"I will take him… and Yahiko… back to Amegakure." Konan ignored Kakashi's words, instead, she spoke.
"That masked man, the one who calls himself Madara, he won't let you live. You're still a threat." Kakashi crouched beside her, his voice was low but clear.
She closed her eyes. "Let him come. I've already lost everything. What else is there to lose?"
Kakashi gently lifted her chin. Her eyes met his, empty, dull, lost.
"Then let me give you something to live for," he said.
"If you've lost your reason… then live for mine. Stay with me, Konan. Watch the peace I'll create. Be there when this cycle ends."
Her eyes flickered. A tiny shimmer of color returned. She stared at him, lips trembling, the weight of her grief shaking, recalling all her life in a war-torn country.
"Then…" she whispered, "I will bid on you, Kakashi Hatake."
She finished rolling Nagato's body into paper and stood. She stepped behind Kakashi and stayed close, as if afraid to vanish.
Kakashi nodded once.
And with a pulse of chakra, they teleported back home.
It was late evening when they arrived at the main gates of Konoha.
The skies were painted in gold and soft violet. Dozens of villagers had gathered. Children peeked from behind their legs. Ninja of all ranks stood silently, waiting.
At the front stood Tsunade, still, proud, but worried. Beside her, Mei's face was calm but alert. Anko had her arms crossed. Kurenai scanned the tree lines without blinking.
A flash of silver light.
Kakashi appeared with Naruto and Sasuke at his sides. Konan stood just behind him, hood up, face hidden.
The moment stretched.
"They're back!" Then someone shouted.
Cheers erupted. The crowd surged forward. Voices called out.
"Hatake-sama!"
"Naruto!"
"Sasuke!"
"Heh… yeah, we're okay!" Naruto smiled sheepishly and waved.
Sasuke gave a small nod and crossed his arms, looking to the side.
Kakashi's eyes scanned the crowd calmly, until he saw Tsunade. She walked slowly toward them, trying to stay composed. But when she reached him, she dropped all pride and pulled him into a tight hug.
"You idiot," she whispered. "You came back again."
Mei exhaled slowly behind her, arms dropping from tension. Kurenai smiled softly. Anko punched Kakashi lightly on the arm.
"Took you long enough, hero."
…
Later that night, three figures stood on a rooftop overlooking the village.
"The village looks like it's breathing again." Naruto leaned on the rail, grinning softly.
Sasuke stood near a post, arms folded. "Under Hokage-sama's Wood Style, the damage was minimal. We should enjoy the quiet… it never lasts."
"That's why we fight so hard for it," Kakashi smirked faintly, both arms resting behind his head.
They looked out at the lights. Families gathered. Shops reopened. The hospital was quiet for once.
The sky above them shimmered, but it was calm.
….
Inside Kakashi's home, the light was soft.
Konan sat on a cushion in a small guest room. A tray of food sat untouched nearby. Kurenai had left it for her. Mei had made tea. Anko had tried to cheer her up, even cracking jokes.
But Konan just sat quietly, wrapped in a thin blanket. She stared out the window.
Her thoughts ran endlessly.
'Yahiko… Nagato… I chose not to die. I chose to follow someone again. Will you hate me? Or forgive me?'
The door slid open softly. Kakashi entered. He walked to a tall shelf and placed a scroll, sealed and secure.
Then he sat beside her. For a moment, neither of them said a word.
Finally, Konan whispered, "If I see that masked man again… I will kill him."
"You might not have to." Kakashi looked forward.
The silence between them wasn't heavy. It was peaceful.
….
Meanwhile, at the top of the Hokage Tower, Tsunade sat with a scroll in hand.
Shizune brought tea, but Tsunade barely noticed. She read Kakashi's report slowly.
"He sealed one of Nagato's Rinnegan… protected the village… recruited Konan without force… scared off that masked…"
She closed the scroll and stared out her window.
Her lips curved faintly.
"He's becoming more than a shinobi," she said. "He's becoming a symbol of peace."
She sipped her tea and smiled.
"Good."
…
The balcony was quiet. A warm breeze brushed across the rail.
Kakashi stood alone with a cup of tea, looking out over the village he had protected.
Behind him, the soft rustle of paper sounded. Konan stepped out, cloak pulled around her shoulders.
She stood beside him, not speaking at first.
"We bought time today," Kakashi said softly. "But war is still coming."
Konan looked up at the stars.
"Then I'll keep standing behind you," she said. "Until the sky clears."
Kakashi smiled faintly. The wind blew across his face. He took a slow sip of tea.
Behind them, the village slept.
But somewhere out there, shadows moved.
And Kakashi was ready.