Konoha's Wind Changed Overnight

In the early morning, Shin-chan walked out of his house with his schoolbag on his back and found the adults on the street whispering to each other.

The Vegetable Selling Aunt and a buying aunt were gathered together, their voices very low.

Two ninjas by the roadside were talking as they walked, their expressions very serious.

Even the usually smiling Dango Shop Owner had a stern face today, his brows furrowed enough to kill a fly.

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Shin-chan tilted his head and watched for a while, but didn't understand. Then he continued on his way to school.

Anyway, he never understood adult matters.

However.

In the classroom, the atmosphere was also a bit strange.

The usually chattering classmates were much quieter today, gathering in twos and threes to whisper about something.

When Shin-chan entered, someone glanced at him and then quickly looked away.

Shin-chan didn't pay attention and walked to his Seat.

Uchiha Toru was already there, reading a book with his head down, but he kept flipping back to the same page.

Shin-chan leaned over: "Xiao Che, good morning."

Uchiha Toru looked up, his expression a little complicated.

"Shin-chan."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Uchiha Toru paused, then lowered his head again.

Shin-chan blinked his eyes, feeling a bit bewildered, and turned to look in another direction.

Kakashi was sitting in the Corner, also different from usual. It felt as if he had shrunk into a shell, keeping everyone out.

Shin-chan stood up and walked over to him.

"Kakashi."

Kakashi didn't look up.

Shin-chan poked his shoulder.

"Kakashi."

Kakashi finally looked up, glancing at him. There was no discernible emotion in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"Why aren't you talking today?"

Kakashi was silent for two seconds. "I don't want to."

Then he lowered his head, ignoring him.

Shin-chan scratched his head and returned to his seat. "Xiao Che, Kakashi is acting strange today."

Uchiha Toru looked up, glancing at Kakashi, then lowered his head again.

"Mm."

"Do you know why?"

Uchiha Toru was silent for a moment, then whispered, "You... haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

Uchiha Toru opened his mouth, then closed it. "Nothing."

Shin-chan became even more confused.

During class, Teacher Ibuki was also acting strange.

As he lectured, his gaze would involuntarily drift towards Kakashi, then quickly move away.

A few times, he even spaced out, staring blankly out the window, only snapping back to attention after a while.

Shin-chan raised his hand.

"Teacher."

"What is it?"

"You're acting strange today too."

Teacher Ibuki coughed dryly and tapped the blackboard. "Pay attention to class, don't overthink things."

But Shin-chan clearly saw him glance towards Kakashi again.

After school, Shin-chan packed his things and walked up to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, let's go cultivate together."

Kakashi paused while packing his bag. "I have something today."

"What is it?"

Kakashi didn't answer, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked out.

Shin-chan watched his retreating back and scratched his head.

"Why is everyone acting so strange today?"

On the way home, Shin-chan noticed even more people whispering on the street, and their voices seemed a bit louder.

"Did you hear? White Fang this time..."

"Really?"

"Absolutely true. My cousin's teammate's younger brother was in that squad..."

"Then that means..."

"Shh, keep your voice down."

When Shin-chan walked past, those people glanced at him, then lowered their voices.

Shin-chan instinctively quickened his pace and ran home.

He pushed open the door.

"I'm home!"

The familiar words blurted out, but no one responded.

In the Living Room, Hiroshi and Miya sat by the table, their tea cold in front of them, untouched by either.

The atmosphere was so heavy it could drip water.

Shin-chan tilted his head and walked over, "Dad? Mom?"

Hiroshi looked up, gazing at him.

Miya also looked up, forcing a smile.

"Shin-chan, you're back."

Shin-chan looked at his father, then at his mother.

"What's wrong?"

Hiroshi was silent for a moment, then patted the Tatami beside him.

"Shin-chan, come sit here."

Shin-chan obediently walked over and sat down.

Hiroshi looked at him, opened his mouth, and then closed it.

Miya said softly from the side, "Hiroshi..."

"I know." Hiroshi nodded, took a deep breath, "Shin-chan, Dad has something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"It's about Lord White Fang."

Shin-chan blinked.

Hiroshi was silent for a while longer, as if choosing his words.

"There are some rumors in the Village today, about Lord White Fang."

Shin-chan blinked.

"Lord White Fang?"

"Mm." Hiroshi nodded, "When he was on a mission, he abandoned the mission to save his companions."

Shin-chan listened intently.

"As a result, the mission failed, and the Village suffered great losses." Hiroshi paused, "Everyone is discussing this matter now."

After Shin-chan finished listening, he nodded, then raised his hand and asked, "Who is Lord White Fang?"

Hiroshi's expression froze.

Miya's expression also froze.

The Living Room was quiet for a moment.

Then a cross popped out on Miya's forehead: "You've been learning Blade Techniques from him for so long, and you don't know his name?"

Shin-chan tilted his head and thought.

"I know he's called Silver Haired Uncle."

"Silver Haired Uncle is Lord White Fang." Miya held her forehead, "Hatake Sakumo, Konoha's White Fang."

"Oh." Shin-chan finally reacted, "So it's Kakashi's Father."

"Right." Miya nodded.

"That Silver Haired Uncle." Shin-chan added.

"Right..."

"It's been a while since I last saw him," Shin-chan said. "Has he been busy lately?"

Miya and Hiroshi were silent for two seconds.

"He... hasn't returned yet."

"Oh." Shin-chan nodded. "Then I'll go find him when he gets back."

Hiroshi looked at his carefree expression and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Miya sighed softly beside him. "Lord White Fang is a good person. He taught Shin-chan for so long and even gave him a Wooden Sword. Now this has happened..."

Hiroshi's brows furrowed slightly.

There were some things he didn't say.

The news had spread too quickly, unnaturally so.

It was as if someone was fanning the flames from behind the scenes.

But he didn't want to talk about these things at Home. Miya and Shin-chan weren't ninjas and shouldn't be involved in such matters.

"Shin-chan," Hiroshi suddenly said.

"Hm?"

"If... I'm just saying if," Hiroshi chose his words carefully. "If anyone asks you about Lord White Fang, just say you don't know."

Shin-chan tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because," Hiroshi paused. "Adult matters are complicated. You just need to know that Lord White Fang is a good person."

Shin-chan thought for a moment and nodded.

"Oh."

He didn't quite understand what the adults were thinking, but he remembered the Silver Haired Uncle teaching him how to swing his sword, remembered him saying "A sword needs heart," and remembered the warm feeling of his hand when he patted his shoulder.

The Silver Haired Uncle was a good person.

He knew that much.

Outside the window, the moon was half-covered by clouds.

The night in Konohagakure was quieter than usual.