Kakashi couldn't understand it.
His father had upheld what a ninja valued most—
Protecting his comrades.
So why…
Did it lead to condemnation and insults?
After a long while, Kakashi finally went to inform the others.
Not long after reporting it to the village, Jiraiya was the first to arrive.
"…Sakumo actually…"
Inside the room, Jiraiya frowned deeply.
He and Hatake Sakumo were of similar age, both born around the 13th year of Konoha.
Yet Sakumo's reputation far surpassed theirs.
The so-called Legendary Sannin—
To outsiders, it was an honor.
But to them…
It was also a mark of shame.
They had merely survived Hanzo by luck.
Even after years of growth, the title had already spread.
But Sakumo was different.
The name White Fang—
He had carved it out with his own strength.
Sakumo's body had already been taken by medical-nin for examination, to rule out the possibility of murder.
"Kakashi… are you alright?"
Jiraiya asked, looking at the boy whose spirit seemed drained, his demeanor now colder than before.
"I'm fine, Jiraiya-sama."
"A ninja should prioritize the mission above all else. My father broke the rules… so he chose…"
Kakashi didn't finish his sentence.
He turned and walked out.
The room was filled with busy ninjas, checking for any signs of infiltration or foul play.
Only Jiraiya remained still, his brows tightly furrowed.
He had been away on a mission.
Only Tsunade and Orochimaru had come earlier.
He hadn't expected—
That this parting would be forever.
"…Old man."
Jiraiya sighed.
This was why he disliked staying in Konoha for too long.
Instead, he wandered—
Searching for inspiration…
And for the Child of Prophecy.
Konoha was like a great tree.
Lush. Thriving. Bathed in sunlight.
But even beneath such light—
Shadows still lingered between the leaves.
"Heh… abandoning one's life. How foolish."
A cold voice sounded.
Orochimaru stepped in.
Tsunade followed behind him.
"Sakumo's understanding of the world… wasn't even as sharp as that Uchiha brat's."
"Enough, Orochimaru."
Tsunade frowned.
No matter what, Sakumo had been their comrade.
Orochimaru's words were too callous.
Seeing the veins faintly rising beneath Tsunade's clenched fist, Orochimaru fell silent.
Then—
He turned his gaze into the distance.
Toward the direction of the Uchiha clan.
"A strong man chose death under this wind called Konoha… while ignorant weaklings chase after it, hoping to live longer."
Uchiha Kiyoshi…
Was he the same kind of person as himself?
The interest in Orochimaru's eyes deepened.
Because he, too—
Was chasing that same "wind."
Several days passed.
Hatake Sakumo's death…
Seemed to change nothing.
The criticism and rumors gradually faded.
Instead—
A new story spread.
That he had died heroically, protecting the village.
"Kiyoshi, do you want to graduate with me?"
Kakashi asked.
His usual dull gaze now carried a trace of extreme determination.
"Have you already prepared your application?"
Kiyoshi threw a shuriken as he spoke.
The blade cut through the air—
And embedded itself deep into a tree trunk.
Three of its four edges sank firmly into the bark.
After several days of training, Kiyoshi had already obtained the shuriken proficiency trait.
Its power had increased by ten percent, just as described.
"…Mm."
Kakashi's voice revealed no emotion.
He took out a form and handed it over.
Kiyoshi glanced at it briefly.
It was simply an early graduation application.
The three basic techniques—
Kakashi had mastered them long ago.
He had only remained in the academy without graduating.
If he could already use Earth Release: Earth Wave…
Then the basic techniques were nothing to him.
"Then I'll finish mine soon as well."
Kiyoshi nodded.
The three techniques were the graduation requirement.
But the academy also taught theory.
And Kiyoshi still needed time to fully grasp it.
After all—
He had entered the ninja world only recently.
"…I see."
Kakashi took back the form.
From behind his black mask, his eyes showed no disappointment—
No emotion at all.
Since his father's death…
He had distanced himself from everyone.
Rin.
Might Guy.
Kiyoshi.
Obito.
The reason he approached Kiyoshi…
Was simple.
Being with him increased the success rate of missions.
For a ninja—
Nothing mattered more than completing the mission.
Those who couldn't follow that rule…
Were failures.
"After you graduate, tell me about your experience. We can spar from time to time."
Kiyoshi said.
Besides swordsmanship, Kakashi might also develop lightning-style techniques worth learning.
In the future, after losing the Sharingan, Kakashi didn't return to his father's swordsmanship.
Instead, he focused on developing new lightning techniques.
Perhaps…
His talent in swordsmanship had never fully inherited Sakumo's legacy.
"Alright."
Kakashi nodded and left, heading to submit his application.
Kiyoshi watched his departing figure.
"…This afternoon, huh? Might be worth taking a look."
Another shuriken flew—
Embedding even deeper than the last.
Nohara Rin…
She would probably come to seek his help.
That thought crossed his mind.
So—
What should he do?
A faint red flicker appeared in his dark right eye.
A slight smile formed on his lips.
Rin…
Should live.
Handled properly—
She could also become a means to deal with Obito.
Of course, she had treated him well.
Kiyoshi didn't want her to repeat her fate—
To die as she did in the original story, trapped in Uchiha Madara's scheme.
Madara…
Was not someone Kiyoshi could face right now.
Nor anyone else.
Who knew what contingencies he still had?
If Rin was to avoid that fate—
Obito would need another trigger.
Something powerful enough…
To awaken his eyes.
For example—
Taking Rin away from him.
What was more painful than losing the one you loved?
Let him be the one to change everything.
As long as the outcome was good—
That would be enough.
"…It's time."
"To awaken."
This period was free training.
Kakashi crossed the wide training ground toward the edge.
"Kakashi, where are you going?"
Rin ran up to him.
As a girl, she was more perceptive.
She could tell something was wrong with him.
Not long ago, the village had been filled with rumors—
Blaming Sakumo for a failed mission.
But now, those rumors had been replaced.
By a new narrative:
That Hatake Sakumo had died heroically… for Konoha.
A lie replaced the truth.
And something inside Kakashi… had already begun to break.