At that, Kagami Uchiha lowered the hand holding his sword.
He was willing to give Elder Shenhuo some face. After all, Shenhuo had benefited him greatly.
Fugaku, however, was far less willing.
After fighting this long, Kagami Uchiha barely looked injured, while Fugaku was a complete mess.
If things ended like this, where would that leave his dignity as Clan Head?
"Elder Shenhuo..." Fugaku's face darkened, and just as he was about to argue, a pair of hands grabbed his arms.
Mikoto Uchiha's delicate face was full of worry as she shook her head.
With a helpless sigh, Fugaku lowered his hands as well.
Kagami Uchiha had no intention of competing for the position of Clan Head just yet. He said, "Thank you for the guidance, Clan Head. And congratulations on the birth of your son. I'll take my leave."
"Shisui, let's go."
The remaining Uchiha stared blankly as Kagami Uchiha walked away. None of them showed any anger at the disrupted celebration. Instead...
"Perhaps we were mistaken..."
"It isn't just Lord Izuna. Perhaps he can even reach that legendary figure..."
"That's enough!" Shenhuo interrupted them and ordered, "No one is to speak of what happened today. The Clan Head needs to rest. Everyone, disperse."
The village had always monitored the Uchiha, but its surveillance had not reached the point of knowing everything they did.
Watching the direction in which Kagami Uchiha had disappeared, Shenhuo frowned in deep thought.
He did not know that the Ninja World War was about to begin, and he felt that Kagami Uchiha was being too aggressive.
Even he, the leader of the Radical Faction, could not understand why Kagami had chosen this moment to display his power.
The truth was simple: Kagami Uchiha had not lied.
He had merely wanted to test his strength.
The brats from the Ninja Academy were unworthy of being his opponents, while ordinary Jonin had never given him a chance to fight.
Attacking the village's Higher-ups would have been even less appropriate.
After thinking it over, Fugaku was the most suitable choice.
On the way back, Sukuna's voice rang out.
"The fusion of slashing attacks and Chakra, brat—your move is far too weak."
"Nothing good ever comes out of that mouth of yours. Do you think I didn't hear you muttering to yourself earlier?" Kagami Uchiha replied carelessly.
Sukuna let out a cold laugh. "I won't deny your talent. I just think... compared to Domain Expansion, the power of your technique is still lacking."
"You seem to know me quite well. Then you should know how powerful a domain is."
"Brat, form a binding vow with me. I won't take over your body. I already have a physical body."
"I can teach you Domain Expansion, as well as the Ten Shadows Technique!"
"Just let me go out once a year, for three minutes. I haven't tasted the joy of killing in a long time!"
"You already dislike those people among Konoha's Higher-ups, don't you? How about I help you kill them?"
Kagami Uchiha believed that Sukuna could kill the Third Hokage and the others.
What worried him was Sukuna encountering Kushina Uzumaki.
Other than Hashirama Senju while he was alive, the strongest combatant in every generation of Konoha had been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
As Sukuna's Jinchuriki, Kagami Uchiha still lacked the confidence to challenge that Little Pepper.
Sealing Jutsu held an extremely high priority in the Ninja World. Even Kaguya Otsutsuki had fallen to it.
Mōryō of the Land of Demons was said to be capable of destroying the Ninja World, yet even he had been sealed by a girl.
If he really released Sukuna, what if a sealing master suddenly appeared and suppressed him as an evil god?
"Sukuna, I'm really not 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! You bastard!!"
Sukuna instantly flew into a rage.
"Shout any louder and you'll get a month in the dark room," Kagami Uchiha said flatly.
Sukuna fell silent.
If he never got to see the outside world, he could endure the darkness.
--
The next day, Kakashi let out a long sigh when he saw his father preparing breakfast.
"Father..."
Hatake Sakumo called Kakashi over to sit down and eat.
After father and son sat facing each other in silence for a while, Hatake Sakumo spoke.
"Kakashi... I've decided to follow my own convictions. Perhaps, just as they said..."
"I'll be a good-for-nothing ninja who breaks the rules."
The gaunt Hatake Sakumo smiled and continued:
"But I believe that those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than good-for-nothings."
"Is that so..."
"I'll support you, Father!"
Hatake Sakumo smiled in relief. What he had feared most was failing to earn Kakashi's approval.
Perhaps that Uchiha boy had been right. He did not need to worry about so much. The only thing 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 explain everything to you."
Kakashi had a bad feeling...
"I did consider killing myself to atone for my sins, but I don't want to let someone have it too easy."
As he spoke, the man known as Konoha's White Fang revealed a sharp glint in his eyes.
"I'm leaving the village."
Kakashi's pupils suddenly contracted, and he sprang to his feet.
"Father! I'll go with you..."
Hatake Sakumo raised a hand, signaling him to keep listening.
His broad palm rested on Kakashi's head as Hatake Sakumo smiled and said, "You have comrades here whom you cherish too, don't you?"
"Protect yourself. Protect your comrades."
"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."
"Be sure... be sure to take good care of yourself."
Bang!
A cloud of smoke exploded.
Only Kakashi remained, silent and expressionless, as two streams of tears quietly slid down his face.
--
Outside Konoha.
After receiving the memories of his shadow clone, Hatake Sakumo stopped and let out a long sigh.
He turned back to gaze at the village he loved, his eyes filled with indescribably complicated emotions.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
More than ten ninjas wearing strange masks arrived using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Hatake Sakumo, you left the village without authorization. What are you planning to do?" one of them demanded.
Hatake Sakumo looked at them indifferently and said softly:
"Root..."
As a Konoha Elite Jonin, he knew something about this secret force hidden in the darkness.
The head of this organization was that man.
After taking one last look at Konoha, Hatake Sakumo turned around without looking back.
"Tell Danzo that if he dares lay a hand on Kakashi, I'll kill him."
"Bastard! How dare you threaten Lord Danzo!"
Several Root ninjas immediately charged forward with their blades drawn, but while their bodies were still in midair...
A white line flashed past.
Amid several thuds, blood sprayed as their bodies hit the ground.
A powerful killing intent enveloped the entire area. Even these Root ninjas, who had endured brutal training, could not stop their bodies from trembling. Their hands could barely hold on to their weapons!
A man who surpassed the Sannin, Konoha's White Fang who struck terror into the hearts of all on the battlefield...
How could someone like that be within reach of Root, a group lurking in the shadows?
"It wasn't a threat. I was merely stating the truth."
Hatake Sakumo's final words drifted back.
"Whether I betray the village or leave it behind, perhaps becoming a rōnin is the final destination for someone like me..."
Before you continue