Return to the Village

Orochimaru and Ebizo ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

Because Ebizo was also a master at spouting nonsense.

Both sides talked nonsense, and the more they talked, the more outrageous it became. They even dragged out things like five times eight equals thirty-five and six times seven equals forty-eight.

Did they really think the Shinobi World had no multiplication table?!

The more they talked, the more absurd it got. There was simply no way to reach an agreement.

In the end, both sides called it off and agreed to fight again the next day.

The negotiations ultimately lasted for more than two months and gradually drew to a close.

It had to be said that Ebizo had some skill.

At the very least, after all that shameless wrangling, Sunagakure's compensation had only barely reached Sunagakure's bottom line. It would not mean that so many people had died for nothing this time.

As long as they tightened their belts from here on out, turned Rasa into a gold miner, and kept up a 997 work schedule for three to five years, the future would still be full of hope.

Orochimaru found it somewhat regrettable. The tide of this war had turned from defeat to victory so suddenly.

He had barely gotten any chance to make money.

He had originally wanted to see whether he could make a little profit during these negotiations, but just as they were about to end, the village had unexpectedly decided to recall him.

Once the negotiations were over, there was no use for Orochimaru remaining at the border.

He might as well return and continue working for Konohagakure.

No one knew how Danzo had pulled it off, but he had successfully persuaded Hanzō to join as an ally and bring the Land of Rain into the war, allowing the Land of Rain and Konohagakure to launch a pincer attack on Iwagakure.

He had already gathered a group of Root subordinates and was preparing to depart.

"Kakashi, did you remember everything?"

Hatake Sakumo demonstrated the Konoha Style Sword Technique once in his own courtyard. Perhaps because of other factors, or because he was unwilling to accidentally injure Kakashi, its force was far inferior to what it had been on the battlefield.

"Mm!"

Kakashi nodded.

Sakumo fell silent for a while before suddenly speaking.

"Kakashi, if one day—if, I mean—one day your father is gone, what would you do?"

"Huh? Father, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

Kakashi cried out in surprise.

"Your father is, after all, a ninja of the village. I do not know what day I might die in some accident.

Even a great ninja like the Second Hokage died on the battlefield."

Kakashi lowered his eyes and thought for a while before saying, "Then I would probably apply to graduate early and become a ninja.

After all, I do not have any means of supporting myself, and there is not much else I can do besides being a ninja.

But fortunately, with Father's guidance, the Genin exam is already far from a problem for me."

Kakashi did not act modest before his father. He believed he had already surpassed those graduates.

"What if I found you another father?"

Hatake Sakumo's words left Kakashi somewhat at a loss.

"Father, what is wrong with you today? Why are you saying nothing but nonsense?"

Hatake Sakumo knew that Orochimaru would be returning soon.

His Sword Heart had already shattered. When the people he had given everything to protect, the people he wanted to protect, repaid him with endless curses, mockery, and misunderstanding—and even let it affect his own son—

the White Fang in his heart had broken.

Though he could still wield White Fang, and its might still far surpassed that of an ordinary Jōnin, he knew that he could no longer hear White Fang breathing in his hand.

Because White Fang was already dead.

Now, he had to find someone capable of protecting his son.

When Orochimaru returned to Konohagakure, he could clearly sense that the rumors surrounding White Fang had already reached a fever pitch.

Whether on the streets or in taverns, people were discussing it everywhere.

Orochimaru revealed a mocking smile. Ignoring the greetings directed at him, he headed for the Hokage Building.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

"Smack."

Danzo once again slammed the Main Gate shut and stormed out in a fury.

Lord Orochimaru watched it all coldly, then walked to the office door and knocked.

"Who is it?"

"Teacher Sarutobi, it's me."

"Orochimaru? Come in."

"What did you come to see me about? Someone will follow up on the negotiations."

Puffing on his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a kindly expression, showing no sign that he had just been arguing with Danzo.

"That isn't what I came to discuss. Rather... Teacher, do you intend to kill the White Fang?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze.

"Stay out of this. I've already instructed Danzo to handle it. He knows his limits. We're merely putting a little pressure on him."

"Teacher Sarutobi, do you know? I, too, am a swordsman."

Without waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to respond, Lord Orochimaru continued:

"A sword is the sharpest of weapons, but it is also the weapon that places the greatest demands on its wielder.

"If used improperly, it may very well break certain upright blades."

"Orochimaru! I've already told you, this is nothing more than routine suppression! Danzo will know where to draw the line!"

"But what if Danzo has already slipped beyond your control, Teacher Sarutobi?"

"Enough! Orochimaru! You've only just returned from the front lines. Go back and rest for a while! During this time, do not involve yourself in anything!"

"Teacher Sarutobi, you'll regret this!"

"Orochimaru, I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze again. Why did that feel so familiar?

"Sorry, Orochimaru. I got a little too worked up... What I said just now was merely a reflex."

Lord Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi for a while, then turned and left.

When Lord Orochimaru arrived home, he found Sakumo standing in front of his door, holding Kakashi's hand.

"What is the White Fang doing here? Is he asking Lord Orochimaru for mercy?"

"Lord Orochimaru, he's a criminal who abandoned his mission and got you seriously injured!"

"Yeah, Lord Orochimaru..."

Kakashi looked somewhat nervous, but Sakumo seemed completely unaffected. His eyes were devoid of ripples, like a stagnant pool, no longer carrying their former naked sharpness.

Lord Orochimaru opened the door and gestured for the father and son to enter.

"Bang."

As the door slammed heavily shut, the clamor outside vanished with it.

"Kakashi, wait here for a moment. I have something to discuss with Orochimaru."

"But..."

"Kakashi! Don't forget the ninja code!"

Sakumo's voice was stern for once.

Inner room.

Lord Orochimaru poured a cup of tea and handed it to Sakumo.

Sakumo accepted it and took a light sip, then pulled a book from the ninja tool pouch he carried and offered it to Lord Orochimaru.

"Konoha Style Sword Technique."

Lord Orochimaru did not take it. He needed to know the price.

"The price is that I hope you can protect Kakashi, at least until he comes of age."

"Why not do it yourself?"

"I can't protect myself, nor can I protect him. Only if I die will they stop. Otherwise, Kakashi will live in rumors for the rest of his life."

"That's too little. Not enough."

Lord Orochimaru wanted something else.

And the White Fang happened to be capable of providing it.