Konohagakure Ninja Dog Incident

"Uncle Sakumo, just help me this once!"

"No way, how could I possibly agree to such a ridiculous request!"

"Uncle Sakumo, I'm about to go to the battlefield. The road ahead is perilous. Whether I live or die depends on that one thing. Can you really bear to watch me die on the battlefield?"

In Konohagakure, at Hatake Sakumo's home, a rogue named Zhou Duan was clinging to Hatake Sakumo's leg, crying and pleading with a runny nose and tears. However, Hatake Sakumo, who was accustomed to Zhou Duan's petty cleverness, was completely unmoved. Instead, he asked:

"Zhou Duan, since it's such an important item, why don't you ask Lord Hokage directly? Why resort to these underhanded tactics? You know, given how eager and well-reasoned you are, Lord Hokage might actually agree to your request. I'll help you, no matter the cost!"

"Uncle Sakumo, you know that's impossible..."

Zhou Duan looked at Hatake Sakumo's unyielding expression and continued to struggle:

"Uncle Sakumo, I know you believe me, but others might not. The Hokage will think I'm being unreasonable. And if that guy's owner finds out about this, they'll skin me alive!"

"No, I can indulge you in other matters, but this is too important. I absolutely will not agree!"

Seeing his resolute stance, Zhou Duan understood that Hatake Sakumo was determined not to grant his request. However, after years of struggling in the ninja world, Zhou Duan was no pushover. With that thought, Zhou Duan pointed at Hatake Sakumo and shouted:

"Hatake Sakumo, since you're pushing me too far, don't blame me for disregarding the kindness of you raising me all these years!"

"Heh heh!"

Hatake Sakumo chuckled, amused:

"Zhou Duan, although you've improved rapidly over the years, I really don't know where you get the confidence to provoke an elite Jonin like this. Come on, I want to see what tricks you have up your sleeve!"

Seeing that the situation had escalated to this point, Zhou Duan sighed and showed a hint of pity towards Hatake Sakumo, but it was quickly masked by his own resolve. This had become a battlefield, and for his goal, he had to go all out!

With that thought, Zhou Duan tore open his clothes, his expression quickly shifting from unwillingness to fear, anger, disbelief, and pleading. He even forced out a few tears:

"Hatake Sakumo, I never realized you were this kind of person!"

"?"

Hatake Sakumo was bewildered, and at the same time, a bad premonition gnawed at him:

"What kind of person am I? Kid, why are you tearing your clothes?"

"Don't you know what kind of person you are?"

At this moment, Zhou Duan was still in full actor mode, covering his chest with both hands and angrily berating Hatake Sakumo with tears streaming down his face:

"Konoha's elite Jonin, the universally praised Hatake Sakumo, picked me up from the center of the battlefield, only to have designs on my beauty! Fortunately, I discovered your wicked intentions early. I will now announce this evil deed to the entire village, so you can live in everyone's scorn!"

"There's such a move?"

Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened. He never expected that his adopted son, who, despite his troublesome personality, had always shown him great respect, would pull such a stunt. If he hadn't been so familiar with Zhou Duan, Hatake Sakumo might have suspected that the Zhou Duan before him was an imposter!

As an elite Jonin, the ability to instantly process sudden and complex information had become second nature to Hatake Sakumo.

First, the village would absolutely not believe Zhou Duan's slander against him. Second, although Zhou Duan didn't care about his reputation and pulled this stunt, the impact of this matter could be significant. Zhou Duan was a genius and would undoubtedly become a high-ranking official in Konoha in the future. If someone used this incident to cause trouble, it would greatly affect Zhou Duan!

Alright, actually, after thinking so much, Hatake Sakumo was genuinely concerned for Zhou Duan. He wasn't worried about people believing Zhou Duan and looking at him strangely. Although he cared most about his reputation, he truly wasn't afraid. Hatake Sakumo silently comforted himself. After a long moment, he looked at Zhou Duan and slowly said:

"Zhou Duan, since your resolve is so strong, as your guardian, I must constantly monitor you to prevent you from doing anything detrimental to Konoha. But correspondingly, as your guardian, I will find ways to clear all thorns from your path!"

White Wolf Maru, as the most powerful combat ninja dog in Konohagakure's Inuzuka Clan, enjoyed the respect of all ninja dogs and the top-tier care of the Inuzuka Clan. He had the most robust and beautiful breeding partners, ate dog food painstakingly prepared by the Inuzuka Clan, and was attended to by two clan members specifically to care for him. Although the war had reduced the caretakers from Jonin to Genin, it did not change the fact that he was the most respected ninja dog!

He heard from the clan leader that the day he would go to the battlefield was fast approaching, but White Wolf Maru had no complaints. Instead, he was very excited. His powerful combat abilities were honed on the battlefield; only the battlefield could ensure his position remained unchallenged!

Lost in his excitement, White Wolf Maru felt a bit thirsty. Having dedicated caretakers was indeed good. White Wolf Maru thought this and, as usual, turned his head to the right. However, the two Genin he expected to be fawning over him were not standing beside him humbly. Instead, they were lying on the ground, unconscious!

White Wolf Maru's pupils instantly shrank to the size of pinpricks. Although he possessed Jonin-level strength, anyone who could incapacitate the people beside him without him noticing must possess terrifying strength!

Without getting up to look around or hastily preparing for battle, White Wolf Maru made the most accurate judgment in an instant—he opened his mouth wide, preparing to let out a powerful warning roar!

However, the enemy not only possessed terrifying strength but also combat awareness so terrifying it drove dogs to despair. The moment White Wolf Maru's lips parted slightly, he was immediately bound tightly by a steel wire rope. Before White Wolf Maru could even put up a proper resistance, accompanied by a sharp pain at the back of his head, he instantly lost consciousness!

Night had deepened, and a cool breeze blew, rustling the clothes of the two figures who had appeared beside White Wolf Maru at some unknown time. Hatake Sakumo held the steel wire rope tied around White Wolf Maru's muzzle while constantly scanning their surroundings:

"Zhou Duan, hurry. The Inuzuka Clan is very protective of White Wolf Maru, and it's going to the battlefield soon. We don't have much time!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Sakumo..."

Zhou Duan held a surgical knife, his hands moving in swift, blurring motions. In an instant, White Wolf Maru's thick, snow-white fur was completely shaved off by Zhou Duan!

"Even counting the top-tier Medical Ninjas, my hand speed is recognized as top ten in the entire hospital!"

Seeing Zhou Duan's swift and precise movements, Hatake Sakumo breathed a sigh of relief. But just as he was about to leave, he noticed Zhou Duan smearing a green ointment between White Wolf Maru's hind legs:

"Zhou Duan, what are you doing?"

"Oh, this!"

Zhou Duan grabbed a corner of the rapidly solidifying ointment and revealed a "pure and kind" smile:

"Just a skin-smoothing ointment!"

The night was peaceful. As the two figures, one tall and one short, rapidly disappeared into the distance, a heart-wrenching, tragic dog's howl echoed throughout the entire Konohagakure!