Ronin - Hatake Sakumo

Upon hearing this, Kagami Uchiha lowered the hand holding his sword.

He was willing to give Elder Shenhuo some face; after all, he had benefited greatly from him.

Fugaku, however, was less willing.

After fighting this long, Kagami Uchiha seemed unharmed, but he was in a sorry state.

If it ended like this, where would his Clan Head's Face go!

"Elder Shenhuo..." With a dark expression, he was about to retort when a pair of hands grabbed his arm.

Mikoto Uchiha's beautiful face was full of worry, and she shook her head.

Sighing helplessly, Fugaku also lowered his hand.

Kagami Uchiha had no intention of competing for the Clan Head position at this time. He spoke, "Thank you for your guidance, Clan Head. Congratulations on the birth of your son. I'll take my leave now."

"Shisui, let's go."

Staring blankly as Kagami Uchiha walked away, the remaining Uchiha showed no anger about the disrupted celebration. Instead...

"Perhaps we were mistaken..."

"Not just Lord Izuna, maybe he can reach that legendary figure..."

"Enough!" Elder Shenhuo interrupted their conversation and ordered, "No one is to speak of today's events. The Clan Head needs rest. Disperse."

The village's surveillance of the Uchiha had always existed, but it hadn't reached the point of knowing everything.

Looking in the direction Kagami Uchiha had disappeared, Elder Shenhuo frowned in thought.

He was unaware of the impending ninja war and felt Kagami Uchiha was too radical.

He, the leader of the Radical Faction, didn't understand why Kagami would choose this time to display his strength.

The truth was simple: Kagami Uchiha was not lying.

He merely wanted to test his own strength.

The brats at the Ninja Academy were not worthy of being his opponents, and he had no opportunity to spar with ordinary Jonin.

It was even more inappropriate to make a move against the village's Higher-ups.

After much thought, Fugaku was the most suitable.

On the way back, Sukuna's voice rang out.

"The fusion of slashing and Chakra, brat, your technique's power is too weak."

"A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory. Do you think I didn't hear your previous muttering?" Kagami Uchiha responded nonchalantly.

Sukuna sneered, "I won't deny your talent, I just think... compared to Domain Expansion, the power of your technique is insufficient."

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

"Brat, sign a pact with me. I won't take your body, I already have a physical form."

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

"Once a year, a three-minute outing is enough. I haven't experienced the joy of killing in a long time!"

"You already can't stand those Higher-ups in Konoha, how about I help you kill them!"

If Sukuna could kill the Third Hokage and the others, Kagami Uchiha believed it.

But he was afraid of him encountering Kushina Uzumaki.

Besides Hashirama Senju being alive, the strongest combat power in Konoha for every generation has been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

As Sukuna's Jinchuriki, Kagami Uchiha didn't have the confidence to provoke that Little Pepper.

Sealing Jutsu had extremely high priority in the ninja world; even Kaguya Otsutsuki fell.

Mōryō from the Land of Demons, who claimed to be able to destroy the ninja world, wasn't he also sealed by a girl?

If he really let Sukuna out, what if some Seal Master suddenly appeared and suppressed him as an evil god?

"Sukuna, I'm really not lying to you. This world is dangerous. Staying inside me isn't a cage; I'm protecting you."

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

Sukuna exploded in anger.

"Call out any louder, and it's a month of Solitary Confinement," Kagami Uchiha said calmly.

Sukuna quieted down.

If he hadn't seen the outside world, he could still endure the darkness.

--

The next day, seeing his Father preparing breakfast, Kakashi let out a long sigh of relief.

"Father..."

Hatake Sakumo called Kakashi over to sit down and eat breakfast.

Father and son sat in silence for a while, then Hatake Sakumo spoke.

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

"I will be a piece of trash who breaks ninja rules."

The gaunt Hatake Sakumo smiled and continued, "But I believe those who don't cherish their comrades are not even worth trash."

"Is that so..."

"I will support you, Father!"

Hatake Sakumo smiled with relief. What he feared most was not receiving Kakashi's approval.

Perhaps that Uchiha youth was right. He didn't need to overthink things; the only one he needed to care about was Kakashi's feelings.

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

"Kakashi, you've grown up. I've decided to tell you clearly about this matter."

Kakashi had a bad premonition...

"I did consider suicide to atone before, but I don't want someone to have it too easy."

As he spoke, the man known as Konoha's White Fang's eyes flashed with sharpness.

"I am going to leave the village."

Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply, and he stood up excitedly.

"Father! I also..."

Hatake Sakumo raised his hand, signaling him to continue listening.

He placed his thick palm on Kakashi's head and smiled, "Here, you also have comrades you cherish, don't you?"

"Protect yourself, protect your comrades."

"I will always be watching you, always loving you."

"From now on, no matter what choice you make, I will support you."

"Goodbye, Kakashi."

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

Bang!

A puff of smoke exploded.

Only Kakashi remained, silent and still, two tears silently falling.

--

Outside Konohagakure.

Hatake Sakumo, having received the memories from the Shadow Clone, paused. He let out a long sigh.

Looking back at the village he loved, the emotions in his eyes were incredibly complex.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

More than ten ninjas wearing strange masks appeared with the Body Flicker Technique.

"Hatake Sakumo, leaving the village without authorization, what are you doing!"

One of them shouted.

Looking indifferently at the newcomers, Hatake Sakumo said softly:

"Root, huh..."

As an Elite Jonin of Konoha, he knew something about this secret unit hidden in the darkness.

The leader of this organization was that person.

He cast one last glance at Konohagakure, turned his back without looking back.

"Tell Danzo, if he dares to lay a hand on Kakashi, I will kill him."

"Bastard! How dare you threaten Lord Danzo!"

Several Root ninjas immediately drew their swords and charged, but before their bodies even left the ground...

A white line streaked across.

Accompanied by the sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground, blood splattered, and bodies fell.

An intense killing intent enveloped the entire area, causing even these Root ninjas, who had undergone brutal training, to tremble uncontrollably, their hands unable to even grip their weapons!

The man who surpassed the Sannin, the Konoha's White Fang who struck fear into the hearts of all on the battlefield...

How could someone like him be touched by the likes of them, the Root dwelling in the shadows!

"It's not a threat, I'm just stating the facts."

Hatake Sakumo's voice echoed one last time.

"Whether it's betraying the village or leaving, perhaps as a Ronin is the final destination for people like me..."