Ronin—Hatake Sakumo

At those words, Kagami Uchiha lowered the hand holding his sword.

He was willing to show Shen Huo some respect. After all, Shen Huo had benefited him greatly.

Fugaku, on the other hand, was far less willing.

By now, Kagami Uchiha appeared virtually unscathed, while he himself was utterly disheveled.

If this ended just like that, where would he put his dignity as Clan Head?

"Shen Huo Elder..." With a dark expression, he was about to argue when a pair of hands grabbed his arm.

Uchiha Mikoto's gentle face was full of worry as she shook her head.

With a helpless sigh, Fugaku lowered his hand as well.

Kagami Uchiha had no intention of competing for the position of clan head just yet. He said, "Thank you for your guidance, Clan Head. And congratulations on the birth of your son. I'll take my leave now."

"Shisui, let's go."

As they watched Kagami Uchiha walk away in a daze, the remaining Uchiha felt no anger over their celebration being disrupted. Instead...

"Perhaps we were wrong..."

"Not just Lord Izuna—perhaps he may even reach that legendary figure..."

"Enough!" Shen Huo cut off their discussion and ordered, "No one is to speak of what happened today. The clan head needs rest. Disperse."

The village had always kept watch over the Uchiha, but not to the point of knowing everything they did.

Watching the direction in which Kagami Uchiha had vanished, Shen Huo frowned in thought.

Unaware that a great ninja war was about to begin, he felt that Kagami Uchiha was being a little too aggressive.

Even he, the leader of the hawkish faction, could not understand why Kagami chose this moment to display his strength.

The truth was simple: Kagami Uchiha had not lied.

He merely wanted to test his own strength.

The brats at the Ninja Academy were unworthy opponents, while ordinary jonin gave him no opportunity to trade blows.

It was even less appropriate to make a move against the village higher-ups.

After thinking it over, Fugaku was the most suitable choice.

On the way back, Sukuna's voice sounded.

"Combining slashes with chakra, brat—your technique is far too weak."

"Nothing good comes out of a dog's mouth. Did you think I didn't hear you muttering to yourself earlier?" Kagami Uchiha replied casually.

Sukuna sneered. "I won't deny your talent. I simply think... compared to Domain Expansion, the power of that technique of yours is still lacking."

"You seem to know me well. Then you should know the power of a domain."

"Brat, make a binding vow with me. I won't take your body—I already have a physical body."

"I can teach you domains, and the Ten Shadows Technique!"

"One chance a year, three minutes outside is all I need. It's been so long since I last enjoyed killing!"

"You already can't stand those Konoha higher-ups, can you? How about I help you kill them!"

Kagami Uchiha did believe that Sukuna could kill the Third Hokage and the others.

But what if he ran into Kushina Uzumaki?

Ever since Hashirama Senju's era, the strongest force in every generation of Konoha had been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

As Sukuna's Jinchuriki, Kagami Uchiha did not yet have the confidence to pick a fight with that little hothead.

Sealing techniques held an extraordinarily high priority in the ninja world. Even Kaguya Otsutsuki had fallen victim to them.

Moryo of the Land of Demons was said to be capable of destroying the ninja world, yet wasn't he sealed by a young girl as well?

What if he let Sukuna out, only for some sealing master to suddenly appear and suppress him as an evil god?

"Sukuna, I really wasn't lying to you. This world is dangerous. Staying in my stomach isn't a prison—I'm protecting you."

"Who do you think you're talking to?! I don't need protection! Bastard!!"

Sukuna immediately exploded.

"Raise your voice again, and it's one month in solitary." Kagami Uchiha said flatly.

Sukuna fell silent.

If he had never seen the outside world, he could still endure the darkness.

The next day, Kakashi let out a long breath when he saw his father had prepared breakfast.

"Father..."

Hatake Sakumo beckoned Kakashi over to sit down and eat.

The father and son sat in silence for a while before Hatake Sakumo spoke.

"Kakashi... I've decided to follow my own will. Perhaps, just as they say..."

"I'll become trash who breaks the rules of a ninja."

The gaunt Hatake Sakumo continued with a smile.

"But I believe that anyone who does not cherish their comrades is worse than trash."

"Is that so..."

"I'll support you, Father!"

Hatake Sakumo smiled in relief. What he feared most was failing to earn Kakashi's approval.

Perhaps that Uchiha boy had been right. He did not need to think so much; the only thing that mattered was Kakashi's feelings.

Hatake Sakumo took out the White Fang Short Sword from behind him and placed it on the table.

"Kakashi, you're grown now. I've decided to tell you the truth."

Kakashi had a bad feeling...

"I did consider taking my own life to atone for my sins, but I don't want someone to have it too easy."

As he spoke, the man hailed as the Konoha White Fang had a sharp glint in his eyes.

"I'm leaving the village."

Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply as he sprang to his feet.

"Father! I also..."

Hatake Sakumo raised a hand, signaling for him to listen.

His broad palm rested on Kakashi's head as Hatake Sakumo smiled. "You have companions you cherish here too, don't you?"

"Protect yourself. Protect your companions."

"I'll always be watching over you. I'll always love you."

"No matter what choices you make in the future, I'll support you."

"Goodbye, Kakashi."

"You must... you must take good care of yourself."

Bang!

A cloud of smoke burst forth.

Only Kakashi remained, standing there in stunned silence as two streams of tears quietly slid down his face.

Outside Konoha.

Hatake Sakumo halted after receiving his Shadow Clone's memories, then let out a long sigh.

Turning back to gaze at the village he loved, his eyes were filled with indescribably complicated emotions.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

More than a dozen ninjas wearing strange masks flashed into existence.

"Hatake Sakumo, why are you leaving the village without cause?! What are you planning to do?!"

One of them demanded.

Hatake Sakumo looked at the newcomers impassively and spoke softly.

"Root..."

As a Konoha elite jonin, he knew something of this secret force hidden in the darkness.

The leader of this organization was that man.

After one last look at Konoha, Hatake Sakumo turned away without looking back.

"Tell Danzo that if he dares lay a hand on Kakashi, I'll kill him."

"Bastard! You dare threaten Lord Danzo?!"

Several Root ninjas immediately drew their blades and charged. But while their bodies were still in midair...

A white line swept past.

Amid several heavy thuds, blood sprayed as bodies hit the ground.

A fierce killing intent blanketed the area, making even these Root ninjas, hardened by brutal training, tremble from head to toe. They could not even hold their weapons steady!

A man who stood above the Three Legendary Sannin, the Konoha White Fang whose name struck terror into hearts on the battlefield...

How could someone like him possibly be touched by roots like them, lurking in the shadows?!

"It wasn't a threat. I was simply stating the truth."

Hatake Sakumo's final words drifted back.

"Call it desertion or departure—perhaps becoming a Ronin is the final destination for someone like me..."