Ghostly Figure

Chapter 35: The Talk

-3rd Person-

The morning is crisp and quiet, but Kakashi's mind is anything but. As he walks down the empty streets of Konoha toward the elders' council, tension coils within him. The conversation with Yui from earlier lingers in his head, her quiet voice echoing as she tells him she needs to seal herself. He clenches his fists inside his pockets. It's not right. The elders are going too far.

Kakashi takes a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. The elders, Homura and Koharu, have influence. Challenging them isn't a simple matter. They have experience, authority, and, worse, the ear of the Hokage. But Kakashi can't allow them to treat Yui like a weapon that needs to be disarmed. She's a child, and the pressure they're putting on her isn't just wrong—it's dangerous.

His footsteps feel heavy as he approaches the grand doors of the council building. A weird, sinking feeling twists in his gut, a mixture of anxiety and determination. He knows the elders are more than capable of manipulating the situation to their advantage. But he has to try. Yui's future, her life, is at stake.

~~~

Inside the council chamber, the room is cold and dim, only the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the narrow windows. Homura and Koharu sit at the far end of the long table, their expressions unreadable as always. The Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sits at the head of the table, his eyes wise but weary, as though the weight of the entire village rests on his shoulders. Kakashi bows slightly in respect but keeps his stance firm. There's no time for pleasantries.

"Kakashi," the Hokage greets, his voice calm but cautious, as though already sensing the conflict in the air. "What brings you here?"

Kakashi takes a deep breath, knowing this conversation will not be easy. "I'm here to discuss Yui," he begins, his voice steady but laced with underlying tension. "The elders have given her an impossible choice—to seal her powers or be considered a threat to the village."

Homura shifts slightly in his seat, his sharp eyes narrowing. "It's not an impossible choice, Kakashi. It's a necessary one. Yui's abilities are far too dangerous to be left unchecked. She herself knows this."

Koharu nods, her voice cool and measured. "We are only thinking of Konoha's safety. The child poses a risk, and we cannot ignore that."

Kakashi's jaw tightens. "Yui is a child, not a weapon. Forcing her into sealing herself—do you even understand what that will do to her?"

"She's already a threat," Homura retorts. "Her powers could easily spiral out of control. Would you risk the safety of everyone in this village for one girl?"

Kakashi feels his pulse quicken. "She's not a threat unless you make her one. Forcing her hand like this—it's cruel. It's manipulation."

Hiruzen watches the exchange in silence, his hands clasped in front of him. He seems to be weighing every word, every argument, as the tension rises between Kakashi and the elders.

"You're putting the weight of the village's safety on a child's shoulders," Kakashi continues, his voice rising slightly. "She's already terrified. You're pushing her into a corner, and that's when things get dangerous. Forcing her to seal her abilities won't protect her. It will destroy her."

Koharu's expression doesn't change. "Yui is already aware of the burden she carries. She knows the risks."

"Do you hear yourselves?" Kakashi snaps, his control slipping for a moment. "You're talking about her as if she's nothing more than a threat to be neutralized. She's more than that. She deserves to live without this constant fear hanging over her head."

Homura's voice is sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "And what about the rest of us, Kakashi? Should we ignore the danger she represents? If her powers go unchecked, the consequences could be catastrophic."