It's hard to believe it's been a year already. Your instructors tell me you're among the most playful of their students, always full of fun. You're very brave. It's hard to hide sadness behind laughter.
[As a child] What makes you think I'm sad about anything?! It's a noble thing to die in the line of duty, right? My parents gave their lives to protect this place from the fox demon. I'm the son of heroes. How can I be sad when they died that way?! I'm not even sad because they went and left me all alone. If I cry, it's 'cause I'm proud.
It's all right, Iruka. I know that somewhere inside of you, there's a boy curled up in a ball of pain. But remember this, you are not alone. Inside every ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village burns the Will of Fire.
The Will of Fire?
It's what gives us the strength to defend our village. It's the unbreakable bond that ties us all together. It's what makes us a family. I wonder, do you have it yet, young as you are?
[Back to present, Kakashi is at the Memorial Stone as Yugao arrives]
Are those for Hayate? Better make it quick. The Hokage's funeral has already begun.
And you, Kakashi? Paying respects to Obito? Instead of constantly inventing new excuses for being late, why don't you simply come here earlier?
I did, I've been here since dawn. This place makes me think about the mistakes I've made in the past... and I've made so many of them.
[Everyone takes turns paying their respects to the Third Hokage and remembering the times they shared with him]
Iruka sensei, why do they do it? Why do people risk their lives for other people?
Well, when someone passes away it's the end. His past and future, all the dreams he once had, they disappear along with him. This is true even if he dies honorably in battle as so many have, as Hayate did. All the ties that bind him to the living are severed, all but one, the most important of all: people. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers... the people who were important to him. And these people, the ones left behind, are joined together in a great circle by their shared memories of him, a circle of friendship, trust, and sacrifice that grows larger and stronger as time passes. It's hard to explain it. We remain in the circle together. We have no choice. It's important to us.
So we do it because we have to. I get it, sort of. Still I'm sad he's gone.
Think how sad it would be if he died for nothing. But he left us something priceless. Don't worry, you'll understand one of these days.
Hey give me some credit, that much I get.
The rain, it stopped.
Bye Iruka sensei, see you later.
All right. Do you see it, Lord Hokage? The will of fire is stronger than ever. The sparks you left behind have kindled the flame among the young leaves on the next generation, a mighty flame, Lord Hokage. It will burn brightly and it will shine its light up on our village and keep it warm and safe for many years to come, and someday out of that flame will come a new Hokage.
[Overlooking the Leaf Village]
Well it survived, but barely. The damage is extensive.
Not long ago it was at the height of its glory. Look at it now.
[scoffs] You sound almost sad. Don't tell me you still have feelings for your old home?
No. None.
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