Namikaze legend

Chapter 62: Small Changes

Kakashi was currently busy signing various documents and reports that were increasing every day. He had to admit, fighting in a war was more easy than looking after the mess it creates. In all their fighting, none of them had ever realized how much destruction had happened in the world.

Their economies were in shambles, and if the weather didn't turn out to be good...then the ninja world could be facing a food crisis.

Plus there was the fact of jobless ninja, and nothing was more dangerous than that. He was currently in Kiri and was in charge of helping the new Mizukage along with his division. His men were finding it very hard to adjust back to civilian life after 7 years of warfare.

He was relieved to know that the war was over, it was quite a surprise from him when a messenger dashed into his office yelling "Naruto Namikaze defeated the Heavenly Alliance, We Won!".

How the boy was alive was still a mystery for him, but he was happy for his sensei...

"Kakashi..."

The copy ninja was surprised when he found the said man standing before him, and the look on his face was not the one of a victorious Kage.

"Minato-sensei..." said Kakashi in surprise, and immediately bowed before him.

"No need to be so formal, Kakashi" replied Minato as the young Hokage stepped towards the window of the office in order to observe the construction work in one of Kiri's major cities.

"Things are going well here, the people fully support Mei Terumi. And the remaining loyalists of the previous Mizukage have gone into hiding. The Bloodline Purge as well as the Fourth Great ninja war is over for Kiri's people. We finally won..." said Kakashi in a satisfied voice, but the look in Minato's eyes portrayed something entirely different.

"There are things men can do to one another that is sobering to the soul. It is one thing to reconcile these things with Kami, another thing to square it with yourself..." replied Minato in a tired voice,

"Sensei..."

"Nobody is the winner here, Kakashi. In fact, everybody has lost and we are standing in front of a destroyed world...the people of the world have no hopes and are lingering in sadness for the loved ones they lost in this bloody war. 3 great ninja villages have no proper leaders or government, our village has suffered so much that I doubt it would ever regain the strong position it had before the war. There is shortage of food, mental condition of ninjas, it's a mess..." explained Minato in a disappointed voice, making Kakashi understand the true picture that was left after the war.

"But you got your son back..." suggested Kakashi, trying to cheer his teacher up but ended up making him look more sad.

"Yeah, I got what's left of him anyway. He is a body without a soul...there is no love, no spark in his eyes. He's a dead man..." replied Minato regretfully,

"How is he?" asked Kakashi hesitantly,

"Kakashi, he's in the same condition in which you were, after the Third Great ninja war. You lost Obito and Rin, but Naruto lost his teachers, best friends, and many of his comrades. Blacklight made him do things for which he was not mentally prepared and now..." said Minato tiredly,

"Is it that bad?" asked Kakashi sadly,

"Yes, he's in a far worse state than you...and the problem is he has shut himself down. And is not willing to share his pain, I just don't know what to do anymore..." said Minato in a frustrated voice,

"Give him some time...these things don't leave so easily" advised Kakashi

"Time is the one thing I don't have, Kakashi. There are certain factions within the village that would want us to rule over the defeated villages, while the other half would want to re stabilize Konoha and make peace. If I chose any one side, the other would revolt...so I'm taking full responsibility for this war, and resigning from my position of Fourth Hokage" said Minato honestly, as Kakashi took a step back in shock.