[Naruto] The Reanimated Corpse Refuses to Reincarnate as a Villain

### Announcement ###

I'm very sorry, but this story is temporarily on hiatus. Between my studies and focusing on my other work, Ranpo in the World of Detective Conan, I'll come back after finishing the Conan story. The chapters already posted are a preview. I haven't abandoned this story, I haven't abandoned it! I just really can't manage two stories at once (┳◇┳)

All you lovely readers are welcome to add it to your favorites~

[Archive One]

During the battle when Pain attacked the village, Kakashi was the only one who could not be successfully revived by Rinne Rebirth. His body was still warm, but his soul was affected by time, space, and the legendary forbidden jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation. By accident, he transmigrated into the past and awoke in a secret underground laboratory in Konoha from decades earlier, meeting a pair of cold, wary crimson eyes.

The white-haired, red-eyed man wore the familiar white Hokage cloak, with a bright red "Second" embroidered on the back. Frowning, he studied the stunned stranger for a long moment, then drew a kunai and pressed it to his throat. "This may be presumptuous, but the dead I intended to summon from the underworld were not you, sir... So, would you rather take your own life, or have me do it myself?"

Kakashi: ...??

*

[Archive Two]

This is a parallel world with neither Copy Ninja Kakashi nor the Second Hokage of Konoha. The former "died" beneath the rubble at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, while the latter perished at the hands of his old nemesis in the distant Warring States Period.

In this world, the village called Konoha still flourishes. Only the Wood Release-wielding First Hokage, who had risked everything to kindle this flame of peace, vanished after all was said and done.

Kakashi, reincarnated a second time into a Reanimated Body, opened his eyes in a dark cave. The first thing he saw was a face identical to the one carved on the first Hokage Rock in Konohagakure, along with a pair of dull, lifeless eyes.

"Can this world, where even Impure World Reincarnation cannot summon the souls of those I hold dear, really be the right one...?" The man hailed as a god in legend stared at him gravely for a long while, then murmured.

Kakashi: "...!!"

At the same time, in the distant Land of Rain, an orange-haired boy slowly opened his eyes.

The storm is coming.

*

[Archive Three]

Everyone in Konoha thought the Copy Ninja would remain asleep forever in the state of a "living dead," after the grievous injuries he suffered during Pain's attack on the village. Then, on a smoke-filled battlefield, a silver-haired ninja wearing an ANBU tanuki mask descended from the sky, his kunai pointed mercilessly at the blond boy's throat. Cold, ruthless words replaced the gentle, languid instruction of the past, and he repeatedly called the boy the "Nine-Tails."

After his initial shock, confusion and sorrow spread through the blond boy's bright blue eyes. His repeated questions got him nowhere, and all he could do was watch as Kakashi turned and left.

"Kakashi-sensei, no matter what happened, I'll find you, just like I found Sasuke! Team 7 can't lose another person, you know!!"

"Naruto, go back..."

Your beloved teacher is already dead.

-

Beneath a blood-red moon, the crazed man crushed the mask in his hand and made his first invitation since they had met again after so many years.

"...Kakashi, accept me, then fall asleep in the beautiful dream I've prepared for this world. I'll keep watch over you until you never wake again."

"But Obito, I've already lost the right to dream."

*

[Archive Four (Extra Story)]

In the Warring States Period, when the clans fought endlessly, there was a family that began as samurai but eventually made its name in the Shinobi World with a sword style unmatched under heaven. Its name was Hatake.

The head of the Hatake Clan in this generation was called Shika. His soul came from a hundred years in the future, where people who trusted his abilities had given him the title of "Shadow."

Konoha had yet to break ground, but Chidori had already flown through the cracks in time and space.

*

[Confidential Character File]

Name: Kakashi

Identity: ???

Current status: [Impure World Reincarnation · transmigrate through time and space · reincarnation]

Pros: No more running out of chakra

Cons: His soul is imprisoned, he hasn't quite died, and he's always at risk of being forced to play the villain

Mood: A little gloomy, but still able to keep smiling

>>>>>>

Volume One: Flying Thunder God Chapter [Past Arc]

In this wretched world where war has begun anew, the Flying Thunder God carries a shattered body pieced together by Impure World Reincarnation. What could make the untouchable "light" willingly be swallowed?

*

Volume Two: Wood and Sea Chapter [Search Arc]

Could there really be someone in this world who, even when their dream has been cast aside by time and history and their beloved has perished in the depths of the sea, would still be willing to save this ravaged world?

*

Volume Three: Infinite Tsukuyomi Chapter [Return Arc]

To drown dreams in illusion and overturn reality with falsehood: this Shinobi World, long since soaked in darkness, may already be beyond saving. But those who still struggle to live have never truly given up. So for their sake, what does it matter if one is a god, or even kills a god?

*

Volume Four: Scarecrow Chapter [Extra Arc (Undecided)]

If everything returns to its starting point, who could repay all the hardship and wandering along the way?

P.S.

* This story is primarily plot-driven, with a weak romance. There may not be a pairing; if there is one, it's most likely the man with the fur collar.

* This is a Naruto story. I haven't read Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, so it won't be included, and I probably won't cross over with other anime either.

* Warnings:

1. There may be tragedy, and the endings of the arcs aren't guaranteed to be happy.

2. OOC warning, lots of personal headcanons. Kakashi won't turn evil or become invincible, and he won't truly become a villain. Simply put, this is an "What if Lord Kakashi died during the battle with Pain, but didn't quite die?" ( ) alternate timeline.

3. I started writing this to fulfill my wish to write about my childhood idol. At the point when Kakashi transmigrates, he hasn't had a chance to gain any particularly useful all-seeing perspective, so whether or not to deal with Black Zetsu is entirely up to chance.

4. I'll discuss more if I think of anything else.

* About the blurb: It has been revised and changed many times as the ideas kept expanding. All versions have been archived, and everyone is welcome to add it to their favorites~

Theme: Even if time stands still, we must catch up with the future