Kakashi: Godless Ascension

The next day, as they resumed their journey, they encountered some bandits intent on robbing them. Kakashi sighed and, just like with the earlier chunin, he trapped them in a genjutsu before beginning to experiment with the Children's Playground technique.

…

"Let's clean this up," Kakashi sighed, looking around the clearing where they had just finished testing the Children's Playground genjutsu for the last time near the open forest ground.

"Yeah. We can't leave any traces." Kurenai nodded, her expression serious.

Kakashi was about to use a small fire jutsu but, Kurenai insisted on helping him so, together they worked methodically. Kurenai gathered firewood while Kakashi prepared a small fire. They burned the bodies of the bandits carefully, reducing them to ashes.

Then Kakashi performed a gentle wind jutsu to scatter the ashes over the nearby forest floor, making sure no evidence remained.

"No one will ever know what happened here," Kakashi said quietly, satisfied.

With the area cleared, they began the journey back to Konoha. The walk was slow, paced by exhaustion but also by a desire to savor the quiet moments they had left together.

They stopped frequently, not only to rest, but to steal brief moments of peaceful conversation, shared smiles, or simply to enjoy the forest's calm.

Two days passed like this, walking through the tall trees, crossing streams, and resting beneath the sky. On the third day, as they reached the top of a hill, the landscape opened before them.

"There it is," Kurenai said softly, a small smile touching her lips.

Below them lay the main gate of Konoha. Tall wooden pillars stood sturdy on either side, supporting a massive gate crowned by a high wall and a guard tower right in the center. Above the gate was the unmistakable, bold red symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village.

As they drew nearer, two familiar figures stood waiting at the gate: Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.

Izumo squinted at the approaching pair. "Hey… wait a minute."

Kotetsu blinked, disbelief clear on his face. "That's Kakashi… without his mask?!"

The two stared in shock.

Kakashi, as calm as ever, gave a lazy wave. The sunlight caught his face, fully revealed for the first time in many months. Smooth skin, sharp eyes, and an almost unfair charm that seemed to glow effortlessly.

"Why does he have perfect skin? Does he even age?" Kotetsu whispered, leaning toward Izumo.

Izumo groaned, shaking his head. "I feel ugly just looking at him."

Kurenai chuckled softly and stepped forward. "We need to sign the mission return list," she said, turning to the two ninjas who still looked stunned by Kakashi's unmasked face.

Kotetsu handed her the clipboard wordlessly, eyes still locked on Kakashi's face. The mystery of what Kakashi looked like beneath the mask had circulated for years, and now that it was solved, it almost felt unfair to them.

As they signed and prepared to enter the village, Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged glances, curiosity and confusion written on their faces.

"Are they… close?" Izumo asked quietly.

"They looked really close," Kotetsu replied, folding his arms.

Then suddenly, they both remembered something, and someone.

"Asuma," they said in unison.

They shared a knowing look, shaking their heads sadly.

"No way he's winning against that face," Izumo muttered.

"Not unless he wears two masks and a wig," Kotetsu said, crossing his arms.

Izumo couldn't help but laugh. "Pfft, hahaha!"

Kotetsu, caught by the contagious laughter, joined in. "Hahaha!"

When the laughter died down, they sighed, watching Kakashi and Kurenai disappear into the village streets.

…

Kakashi and Kurenai walked through the lively streets of Konoha, finally home. The sun was bright overhead, and the air was cool and calm.

They stopped at a small shop near the gate. Kurenai purchased fresh herbs and bandages, while Kakashi picked up some kunai and soldier pills. Their shopping was quiet but comfortable.

Afterward, they visited a nearby dango stall and shared a few skewers, watching villagers pass by. Children played energetically nearby, their laughter mixing with the warm, peaceful village sounds. The tranquility of Konoha washed over both of them, helping them relax after days in the wild.

"Feels good to be home," Kurenai said, a genuine smile on her face.

"Yeah," Kakashi replied softly.

"Even the air smells better here." He said as he chuckled lightly.

They continued walking slowly, enjoying the gentle breeze that stirred the leaves above. A few cherry blossoms drifted lazily down the road, soft pink petals decorating their path.

After about an hour of quiet conversation and walking, they approached their final destination, the Hokage's office.

The building stood tall and proud in the village center. Made of solid red stone, it rose in several circular tiers stacked gracefully.

The symbol of the Hokage was carved prominently on the front, a reminder of the village's strength and history. A wide staircase led up to the main entrance, flanked by two Konoha flags waving in the wind.

As they reached the steps, Kurenai looked at Kakashi. "I'll head to the mission commission," she said.

"I'll report to the Hokage," Kakashi answered with a nod.

They split up, Kurenai turning left toward the mission desk while Kakashi climbed the stairs and paused before the Hokage's office door.

He raised his hand to knock but stopped.

He felt it, the presence of eyes. Not visible, but unmistakable.

ANBU.

Hidden in the shadows, watching silently for any suspicious movement near the Hokage's chamber.

Kakashi smirked just slightly behind his calm exterior. He recognized some of the chakra signatures among the ANBU lurking nearby and gave a small, casual wave in their direction.

Then, knocking gently on the door, he waited.

"Come in," came the old, familiar voice from inside.

Kakashi stepped through the door, preparing himself to explain the changes he had undergone to the old man waiting inside.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood by the window, gazing out over the village. When he heard Kakashi's footsteps, he slowly turned.

"Kakashi," the old man said with a warm smile. "Welcome back. I'm glad you returned safely."

But then his eyes widened in surprise.

Kakashi stood before him, maskless, his black eyes calm and steady.

"Your… face," Hiruzen whispered, astonished.

"And your eye… What happened?" The old Hokage's mind raced, panic rising as he thought of the implications.

The Sharingan was too important to the Leaf, not just a powerful tool, but a symbol and a key to the safety of the village, especially with Naruto's unpredictable nature and the responsibility to train the last Uchiha.

Kakashi met his gaze evenly, ready to explain.