Hatake Residence.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The Konoha Five sat in a neat row, munching on delicious red apples.
"So, Sakumo-san, you were just peeling apples? Then why did you take out the White Fang blade? You nearly scared us to death, you know?"
Hyūga Hiyasu said as he ate.
At this moment, the still-bound Sakumo had a livid expression.
Damn it—who exactly got scared to death? I was just eating an apple at home, and suddenly you barged in and tied me up.
And the worst part is—you actually succeeded.
When did these five brats get even stronger?
"A swordsman's most trusted tool is always his blade, no matter the situation. What's wrong with using it to peel an apple?"
Hatake Sakumo said proudly.
"But why did you suddenly break into my house and tie me up? No—why exactly did you tie me up?"
Hatake Sakumo demanded sternly.
"Um, Sakumo-san, why have you been so down lately?"
Aburame Shiken asked.
"Down? More like a little depressed. My 100% mission completion rate got broken, so of course I feel a bit off. I'll recover in a few days. Is that a problem?"
The Konoha Five instantly began a silent eye-conversation.
This time, they even included Aburame Shiken.
Don't ask how they communicate with sunglasses on—the answer is pure teamwork.
Hyūga Hiyasu: Damn it, we came too early. What now?
Uchiha Kamito: Hideki's fault. He suggested tying him up.
Senju Hideki: Damn, you guys have no loyalty.
Aburame Shiken: Stop fighting among ourselves. Don't we still have that guy?
Inuzuka Ryoha: Exactly. If it weren't for that brat Kakashi, we'd still be happily playing Three Kingdomsl. How did we end up like this?
The five quickly came up with a plan.
They shoved the young Kakashi in front of Hatake Sakumo.
"Sakumo-san, it's all him."
"Kakashi told us you have suicidal tendencies."
"He told us we had to stop you."
"And if necessary, we could use force."
"I think sometimes kids really need a good beating. How can you lie like that?"
The five spoke righteously, one after another, as if Kakashi were truly the culprit.
At this moment, tears welled up uncontrollably in Kakashi's eyes.
His tiny head filled with a massive question mark.
How can you guys do this?!
"Waaahhh!"
Damn it—this is bad. Why is he crying?!
At the same time, a massive surge of chakra erupted.
The seal on Hatake Sakumo shattered instantly, and the ropes binding him snapped one by one.
"Good. Good. Good."
"First you barge in and tie me up without a word."
"Then you shamelessly dump the blame on my son."
"Do you five think my son and I are easy targets?!"
Hatake Sakumo gripped the White Fang tightly, glaring at the five culprits ahead.
"Damn it—the wind's picking up, retreat!"
Hatake Sakumo slashed at Aburame Shiken, who had spoken first.
"Flying Thunder Insect."
The struck Aburame Shiken instantly turned into a swarm of insects.
The real Aburame Shiken had already returned to one of his underground bases.
Looking at the remaining uses of his Flying Thunder Insect—only ninety-nine left—
"Tsk, what a loss. Still too few. Gotta keep saving up."
With a flash—
Hatake Sakumo turned his blade toward the tallest one, Senju Hideki.
Senju Hideki was instantly swallowed by the earth.
Boom!
A deep gash split the ground, but there was no trace of him.
Sakumo immediately shifted his target to Hyūga Hiyasu.
"Byakugan—activate. Lingbo Microsteps."
Thanks to years of training since childhood, Hyūga Hiyasu dodged with an extremely strange footwork pattern.
Graceful as a startled swan, fluid as a swimming dragon, he fled outward.
Seeing he couldn't catch him, Sakumo instantly switched targets again—to Inuzuka Ryoha.
"Lightning Style: Acceleration."
A flash of white—
Hatake Sakumo caught up instantly and slashed out a wave of blade energy, intending to block Ryoha's path.
But unexpectedly, Inuzuka Ryoha neither dodged nor avoided it.
He took the attack head-on, using the force to propel himself forward and escape instantly.
The wound caused by the blade energy healed completely in an instant.
Now only Uchiha Kamito remained.
"White Fang Secret Technique—"
"Genjutsu: Temporary Paralysis Technique."
Hatake Sakumo froze for a moment.
Uchiha Kamito successfully escaped.
The once-spacious Hatake residence was left in complete disarray.
A sobbing Kakashi.
And Hatake Sakumo, questioning his entire existence.
"Have I gotten weaker? I couldn't catch even one of them."
Those insects… that swift Earth Style… that strange footwork… that abnormal regeneration… that vastly strengthened genjutsu…
Has Konoha really become like this now?
Just as Hatake Sakumo sank deeper into self-doubt—
Three voices rang out.
"This is bad!"
"Sakumo-sensei, this is bad!"
"Sakumo-sensei, a lot of people in the village are saying you caused huge losses to Konoha. They're calling you a criminal who should die to atone!"
The ones who came running were his students—
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza.
Hatake Sakumo: ????
...
In a dark place within Konoha—
"Danzō, will your plan really work?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked worriedly.
At some point, he had begun to distrust this old companion.
It always felt like whenever Danzō got involved, things would definitely fail.
"Hmph, Hiruzen, do you think I'm like you, Koharu, and Homura?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura: That was uncalled for.
"I've already instructed Root personnel to manipulate public opinion. If nothing unexpected happens, by tomorrow, news of Hatake Sakumo causing massive losses to Konoha will spread everywhere."
"Mm. A man with a tarnished reputation can never become Hokage."
Hiruzen spoke with double meaning.
One meaning pointed at Hatake Sakumo.
As for the other…
Cough, cough—
Better not say it. Would hurt unity.
"Hiruzen, this plan isn't foolproof. You need to deal with that ninja Sakumo saved. Otherwise, everything will fall apart."
Shimura Danzō said.
Hiruzen, you have to get involved too. Don't think you can dump this on me.
"That ninja will remain in seclusion for a while. Sakumo's 100% completion rate was like a mountain pressing on his heart. Now that the mountain is gone, he needs time to settle. Once he does, he'll soar."
Hiruzen perfectly found an excuse.
Speaking of righteousness on the surface, hiding schemes underneath.
Let's see how long you can keep acting, Hiruzen.
Danzō thought.
...
The next day—
A group of people were gossiping.
"Have you heard? Hatake Sakumo caused huge losses to the village this time."
"Really?"
"A ninja should prioritize missions. A ninja who fails a mission is trash. A ninja who causes losses to the village is a criminal and should die to atone."
"Hey, did you hear? The pork at the village entrance dropped by three ryo!"
"What? Let's go!"
"Charge!"
The crowd instantly scattered.
Only the two Root shinobi tasked with stirring trouble remained, staring at each other in silence.