In the evening, Ren Kurogane and the others learned about the situation regarding White Fang. Sitting in the courtyard, everyone looked displeased.
"Lord White Fang is a hero of Konoha. He made a small mistake that didn't even cause much loss, yet these people dare to speak of him like this! I'm going to get justice for him!" Nawaki clenched his fists indignantly. He looked ready to storm the Hokage building to have a "chat" with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Although Nawaki was technically just an unremarkable Chunin, his word carried immense weight now that he had awakened the Wood Style.
Ren watched him leave, and no one stopped him. There weren't many people in the ninja world who could actually hurt Nawaki.
"I'll go talk to White Fang and see how he's doing," Tsunade said, standing up to leave.
Ren turned to Minato and asked, "Do you know the specifics of the mission he was on?"
"The word outside is that he was protecting the Daimyo and was ambushed, terrifying him. But in reality, the Daimyo's route is classified. The path was scouted multiple times; it shouldn't have been an issue," Minato said, his expression darkening.
A top-secret route had been leaked. Furthermore, from the intelligence Minato gathered, White Fang had actually killed two high-level officials from the Hidden Sand Village during the mission and was severely injured himself. The identities of the victims were unknown, but the negative news about White Fang had spread through Konoha like wildfire. People spoke with cold, disgusted tones, as if White Fang had personally murdered their loved ones.
Ren had seen the "white-eyed wolf" nature of the Konoha villagers before, but this was a new level of enlightenment.
"Is there a mole in our high command?" Mikoto frowned.
Minato nodded heavily. The idea that a high-level official had betrayed their own person made him feel sick. He vowed that once he became Hokage, he would purge the parasites of Konoha. With his current strength and Ren's backing, it wouldn't be difficult.
Hokage's Office.
BANG!
Nawaki kicked the door open, shouting at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo inside, "Lord Third! Please step forward and clear the air for Senior White Fang! He did nothing wrong!"
Danzo looked at Nawaki, a flicker of gloom passing through his eyes. However, remembering his target wasn't this brat, he suppressed his anger, though his tone remained harsh. "Nawaki, we are discussing classified matters. It is not appropriate for you to be here!"
Nawaki snapped back, "Senior White Fang's situation is the most important thing in Konoha right now! Is there anything more critical? War? Negotiations? I'll go talk to them with my Wood Golem!"
Both Danzo and the Third's faces went dark. They knew Nawaki wasn't exaggerating. After three years of training, Nawaki had fully mastered the Wood Style. If he really went out with a Wood Golem, Hiruzen might have to step down and let him lead immediately.
White Fang was being targeted by Danzo precisely because his reputation was too high. Danzo had been waiting for the Third to step down so he could take over. Even though they were the same age, the First and Second Hokage were less than five years apart—why couldn't the Third and Fourth be contemporaries?
Danzo believed in his plan. However, the younger generation was becoming too outstanding. First White Fang, then the Sannin, and now super-geniuses like Nawaki and Minato. They were serious threats to his ambitions. So, Danzo chose to destroy White Fang first to clear the path. As for Orochimaru and the others, they were still too young to be a concern for now.
"Enough, Nawaki. Don't be reckless," the Third frowned. "I know you're angry, but this matter is suspicious. We are investigating. Don't make things worse. As for the villagers, I will provide an explanation."
Nawaki was ushered out. Soon, the room echoed with the familiar argument:
"Danzo! I am the Hokage!" "Hiruzen! You will regret this!"
After a "spirited" dialogue, the two parted on bad terms. Under the Third's suppression, the public outcry did diminish on the surface. But in the shadows...
Ren visited White Fang's house. They had worked together before, and Ren was genuinely concerned about his state—mostly because he didn't want the guy to actually commit suicide. If White Fang died, Kakashi's psyche would be shattered, leading to a butterfly effect of negativity across the future timeline.
Kakashi, only seven years old, was preparing lunch. Seeing Ren, he greeted him, "Lord Ren! Are you here for my father?"
Ren ruffled the kid's white hair. "Yeah. How is he?"
Kakashi's mood was low as he led Ren to White Fang's door. Inside, White Fang sat at the table, looking haggard with dark circles under his eyes. Seeing Ren, he forced a pained smile. "Sorry for showing you this pathetic side of me."
Ren sat beside him. "Can you tell me the details? The Daimyo's route shouldn't have been leaked."
"Yes, an impossible leak, yet the Sand Village was lying in wait," White Fang said, his voice exhausted. He saw through it now. He was the Anbu Captain and had been Nawaki's bodyguard for years; he thought his path to becoming the Fourth Hokage was set, only to be tripped up now. He knew Konoha's high command was sabotaging him.
"Don't worry. the Third is suppressing the rumors. People will forget in time," Ren said.
"Perhaps..." White Fang replied. The people might forget, but he would remember for a lifetime.
Ren spent some time letting Kakashi "hover" around White Fang, using the bond of father and son to ground him. He didn't care about being selfless; he just needed Konoha to stay strong for the upcoming Third Great Ninja War.
Konoha Park.
A few days later, the rumors had died down, and White Fang had returned to work at Anbu, though he was no longer a workaholic. He spent more time with Kakashi.
In the park, Kakashi, Obito, and the others were playing. White Fang sat with Might Duy, watching them.
"Kakashi is finally opening up," White Fang said to Duy. "I have your boy to thank for that!"
Because Guy and Obito were constantly annoying him, Kakashi's "cool genius" persona had been shattered multiple times. Eventually, he gave up and just acted like a normal kid.
Duy laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Not at all! The kids just get along!"
Watching the children, the gloom in White Fang's heart lifted slightly. Though he was disappointed in the shinobi world, there were still things worth holding onto.
"But... is that kid really an Uchiha? He looks more like... Nawaki?"
One Piece World.
After months of sailing, Ren arrived at Punk Hazard. Aokiji and Akainu hadn't fought here yet, so the island was just a barren wasteland.
Doflamingo was waiting for him, his entire crew assembled for a final stand.
"You didn't run? Surprising," Ren noted.
"Fufufufu! To be hunted across the world by a big shot like you... I'm honored!" Veins throbbed on Doflamingo's forehead, his expression twisted. Today, he would try to slay a god.