Chapter 48: Gate of Wonder
"Kakashi." Might Guy stopped, his voice heavy with concern.
Ten meters ahead, a figure stood with its back to them, silhouetted against the forest's dim light. The shape was hauntingly familiar to Guy, but for Kakashi, it was like staring into a memory he'd buried deep.
Kakashi's face remained a mask of calm, but his trembling fingertips and quivering pupils betrayed him. As if sensing their presence, the figure turned, revealing a face Kakashi had locked away in his heart.
It was the face of the man he called "Father."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (17,421,000 / 100,000,000)]
Sakumo Hatake's smile was gentle, warm, exactly like the tall, kind father etched in Kakashi's memories. "Long time no see, Kakashi. You've grown up."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (17,431,000 / 100,000,000)]
Kakashi knew better than anyone that his father was dead. No matter how perfect the resemblance, he'd never buy it. "Stop pretending. You're not him," he said, his voice ice-cold.
Guy scanned the surroundings, his heart sinking when he couldn't spot Renji. His brow furrowed. "Where's Renji? Where is he?"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000!]
[Chakra (17,436,000 / 100,000,000)]
To desecrate the dead for a fight? Guy's blood boiled at the thought. And Renji—where was his diligent, earnest disciple?
Sakumo tilted his head, thoughtful. "Renji… the blue-haired kid?" Kakashi and Guy's hearts clenched.
"He's above your heads. Didn't you notice?" Sakumo's smile deepened as he pointed upward.
Plop.
It wasn't rain.
Kakashi caught the thick scent of blood. Fear gripped him, rooting him in place. He couldn't look up.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +1,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +1,000,000!]
[Chakra (18,436,000 / 100,000,000)]
Guy charged, blue steam swirling around him like a hurricane, his body a blazing meteor. His eyes burned red with rage. This monster dared to hurt Renji—his hardworking, serious student! Guy wouldn't forgive him!
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (18,438,000 / 100,000,000)]
Sakumo's figure flickered, and Guy's fist slammed into the ground.
Boom!
The earth exploded into a massive crater, like a missile had struck.
Guy leaped from the debris, teeth gritted, hair bristling with fury. His body was like tempered steel, unscathed despite the devastating impact.
Sakumo hadn't expected Guy to unleash the Gate of Wonder so quickly. Without pre-placed Flying Thunder God marks, he wouldn't have dodged that space-warping speed.
Kakashi finally looked up. Blood dripped steadily, painting a living hell above. Renji's body hung from the highest branch, riddled with countless knife wounds. The leaves below were soaked in pools of crimson, sagging under the weight.
The blood splattered onto Kakashi. Renji's face was ghostly pale, eyes shut tight, his body trembling faintly from pain even in unconsciousness.
For the first time, Kakashi cursed his Sharingan's precision. Each wound felt like a cut on his own soul, flaying him a thousand times over. His Sharingan burned, like a red-hot coal lodged in his socket. His mind screamed, scorched by agony.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000!]
[Chakra (23,438,000 / 100,000,000)]
A strange sound came from behind Sakumo. Guy, moving at blinding speed, attacked again. His fist hadn't fully connected when the air erupted, forming a massive tiger head. "Daytime Tiger!" The white tiger roared, lunging forward.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (23,440,000 / 100,000,000)]
Sakumo thrust out his hand, his short blade carving dazzling arcs through the air. He retreated swiftly, neutralizing much of the Daytime Tiger's force.
Zzzzzzz!
Lightning crackled behind him, chilling and sharp. Kakashi appeared, his face twisted with hatred, his lightning-coated right hand swinging fiercely.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000!]
[Chakra (23,445,000 / 100,000,000)]
Puff!
Sakumo reacted but didn't resist. Kakashi's lightning sliced through his neck, blood spraying as crimson muscle glistened.
Kakashi stood drenched in blood, blinking as it dripped into his eyes. At the moment of the strike, he heard Sakumo's voice—familiar, warm, filled with relief. "Kakashi, you've truly grown up. To die by your hand, to break free from his control… It's… wonderful."
Sakumo's body dissolved like water, seeping into the ground, leaving no trace.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000!]
[Chakra (28,445,000 / 100,000,000)]
Kakashi collapsed to his knees, drained. Controlled? Who was pulling the strings? Mocking the dead like this? His fingers clawed into the dirt, blood seeping from his torn nails.
Guy hoisted Renji onto his back, the boy's wounds slowly healing.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000!]
[Chakra (28,450,000 / 100,000,000)]
Guy knew Renji's regeneration was powerful, but the lingering wounds meant one thing: the enemy had tortured him, reopening cuts as they healed. Guy's eyes burned red, tears streaming down.
Warm tears fell onto Renji's eyelids. "Hiss…" Guy stumbled, pain shooting through him from the Gate of Wonder's toll.
"Guy-sensei…" Renji's weak voice rasped.
Guy sniffled, forcing a grin. "You're okay, Renji! Don't be scared! Sensei's taking you back to Konoha!"
Renji, slumped on Guy's back, felt hot tears drip onto him. "Guy-sensei, you're hurt…"
Guy's tears poured out, but he fought to keep his body steady. "These little scratches? Nothing to your sensei!"
Renji mumbled Shikamaru's name.
"They're safe, don't worry!" Guy reassured him instantly.
Renji sighed in relief, his consciousness fading into darkness, still muttering, "I'm sorry, Guy-sensei…" The pain in his heart dwarfed his physical wounds.
Guy had never wished so desperately to turn back time, to stop this mission from ever happening.
Kakashi, physically and emotionally spent, gently touched Renji's forehead. "Let me carry him. Your body…"
Guy shook his head. "Willpower trumps the body." He and Renji both believed that. Renji had held on until they arrived; Guy could hold on to get him home. As his sensei, he couldn't falter.
...
Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade sat by Renji's bedside, her hand gently brushing his pale cheek. Tears welled up, and she quickly wiped them away.
Guy was off treating his injuries; Kakashi's were minor, so he patched them up and entered the ward.
Tsunade sniffled, forcing back tears. "Was it Sakumo Hatake?" Her voice trembled faintly.
Kakashi wanted to deny it with every fiber of his being, but he couldn't. "Yes, but… he was controlled." Sakumo's final words echoed in his mind.
Tsunade's face darkened. "Resurrecting the dead, controlling them… Who could do this?"
Kakashi shook his head, then added, "It wasn't Edo Tensei. It seemed like true physical resurrection."
Tsunade's lips tightened. True resurrection? How was that possible?
"This is huge. If they can resurrect Sakumo, they can bring back others…" They were blind to the enemy in the shadows, yet faced the prospect of fighting loved ones and legends.
Tsunade took a deep breath. "I'll have Jiraiya investigate. If we find anything, I'll tell you immediately." Kakashi, as Sakumo's son, deserved to know first.
"Yes." Kakashi glanced at Renji. "Lady Hokage, let Renji… rest for a while."
Tsunade gave a wry smile. "I know." She'd pushed him too hard, forgetting everyone has their own pace of growth.
As they left the ward, they spotted Shikamaru outside, pacing nervously.
"Go see him," Tsunade urged.
Shikamaru's face was taut, his nerves frayed. Facing Renji after abandoning him felt impossible. That final look haunted him. Did he even have the right to visit?
Kakashi clapped his shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Renji'll be happy you came."
Shikamaru stood alone long after Tsunade and Kakashi left, still unable to push open the door. He knew Renji wouldn't blame him, but he couldn't forgive himself. He feared meeting those eyes.
"Shikamaru…" Sakura, carrying two insulated containers, spotted him pacing. "Why aren't you going in?"
She hadn't heard the full story, only that Renji was gravely injured again.
Shikamaru saw her red, tear-streaked eyes and looked away. "I… you go first."
Sakura found his behavior odd but said nothing, pushing open the door.
She set the containers on the table, swapped out the vase's flowers for fresh lilies, and cracked the window, letting a breeze stir the curtains. She tucked Renji's blanket snugly, then felt his gaze. Looking up, she saw he was awake.
"Sakura." Renji's lips curved, barely containing his glee. What a haul, what a haul.
Sakura smiled back, warmth flooding her. She raised the bedside table and opened the container. "Papaya and squid soup—great for your body."
The table brimmed with salmon soba noodles, shrimp cakes, soy sauce dango, and pickled plum tomatoes.
Watching Renji dig in, Sakura's heart swelled with contentment. If he could just sit there, safe and healthy, eating her food with gusto, she'd be happy forever.
"Sakura, I'm sorry. I couldn't bring Sasuke back," Renji said suddenly, lowering his head mid-meal.
Sakura chuckled, her eyes red. "It's okay. You and Naruto coming back safe is enough." If they'd been in mortal danger, she'd never forgive herself.
"Sasuke…" Sakura blinked, tears sliding down silently, her eyes soft with acceptance. "He has his own path. I know that."
She took Renji's hand, smiling. "As long as we're all safe, Team 7 will never break apart, right?"
Renji, eyes misty, nodded. "Mm!"
After he finished, Sakura packed up. Before leaving, she mentioned, "Shikamaru's waiting outside."
Renji paused, instantly grasping Shikamaru's fear. After Sakura left, he did a full stretch on the bed, brimming with energy. He hopped up, strode to the door, and flung it open.
Shikamaru jumped, eyes wide as eggs. "Ren… Renji…" His body stiffened, gaze darting everywhere but Renji's face.
"You're not feeling guilty, are you?" Renji grinned, nailing it.
Shikamaru froze, even more rigid.
Renji stroked his chin, pretending to ponder. "How about this? To make it up, you treat me to barbecue for three years!"
Shikamaru blinked. "Th-three years?"
Renji tilted his head. "Too much?"
"N-no, not too much," Shikamaru stammered.
His guilt and self-blame melted away, oddly soothed. Not because Renji forgave him—Renji wasn't even mad. He'd sensed Shikamaru's turmoil and tossed out the barbecue deal to lighten the load.
----
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