Third Hokage and Danzo

That Night, the lights in the Hatake Household stayed on for a long time.

Sakumo sat in the Living Room with a cup of tea that had long since gone cold in front of him, the faint sound of Shin-chan's voice echoing in his ears.

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"Uncle, you saved your comrades and sacrificed the mission; isn't that the Will of Fire?"

"Uncle, you've completed so many successful missions in the past. Even though this one failed, surely the previous ones add up to much more than this?"

These words were like a small Key, unlocking something within him.

For these past few days, accusations had been pouring in from all sides.

The gazes of the Villagers, the silence of his teammates, and even the people he had saved didn't dare to stand up and say a single word.

He had thought he was truly wrong.

He had thought he should use his death to offer an apology.

But that child had said:

You were not wrong.

You saved people.

Sakumo lowered his head and looked at his hands.

These hands had saved many, and they had killed many. This time, he had chosen to save a life and abandon the mission.

Was that really wrong?

He recalled the words the Third Hokage had once spoken.

"Protect the Village, protect your comrades, protect the future."

He had protected his comrades.

He had simply protected his comrades.

Sakumo took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

The moon Outside Window rose, casting its cold, clear light through the glass.

Sakumo slowly stood up, walked to the window, looked at the moonlight, and whispered.

"Thank you, Shin-chan."

Early the next morning, at the Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage was reviewing documents when he heard a knock at the door. He paused and said, "Come in."

The door opened, and Sakumo walked in.

The Third Hokage was slightly stunned when he saw his appearance.

Sakumo's complexion was still somewhat weary, but the calmness of old had returned to his eyes.

"Lord Third." Sakumo walked up to him and bowed deeply.

The Third Hokage sighed softly: "You've come."

Sakumo pulled a scroll from his robes and offered it with both hands.

"This is my Letter of Apology."

The Third Hokage took it and opened it to take a look.

It was written clearly: the course of the mission, the reason for the failure, and his willingness to bear all responsibility.

The Third Hokage's brow furrowed: "Sakumo, this..."

"And this."

Sakumo pulled something else from his robes.

Half a Hokage Sleeve.

This was something the Third had personally gifted him after he had achieved countless merits in his youth.

Sakumo placed the piece of sleeve beside the Letter of Apology.

The Third's expression changed: "What are you doing?"

"I am not worthy of this." Sakumo's voice was very calm. "The mission failed, causing losses to the Village; this is a responsibility I cannot shirk."

The Third looked at him with a complex gaze: "No one truly blames you."

Sakumo gave a bitter smile.

"Lord Third, you don't need to comfort me."

"It is not comfort." The Third Hokage stood up. "Missions and comrades have always been an eternal dilemma. You chose to save your comrades; that is not a mistake."

Sakumo shook his head: "But the mission failed."

"Missions can be attempted again, but once a person is dead, they are gone."

Sakumo remained silent, saying nothing.

The Third Hokage sighed and reached out to take the severed sleeve: "You should take this back for now..."

"No need." Sakumo interrupted him, "Lord Third, I know what I am doing."

The Third Hokage looked at him for a long time without speaking, finally nodding gently: "Very well, I will keep it for you for now."

Sakumo bowed and turned to leave.

"Sakumo." The Third Hokage called out to him, his tone filled with worry, "Are... are you alright?"

A faint smile appeared on Sakumo's face involuntarily: "I'm fine, I just encountered a light."

The Third stood by the window, watching his retreating figure, his brows furrowed tightly.

Encountered a light?

What kind of light?

Meanwhile, deep within the base of Root.

Danzo sat in a dimly lit room, listening to his subordinate's report.

"Hatake Sakumo went to the Hokage Building this morning, voluntarily handed in a Letter of Apology, took responsibility for the failed mission, and returned his Hokage sleeve."

Danzo's brows furrowed: "Just like that?"

"Yes, after he left, he went straight home. There were no irregularities."

Danzo's fingers tapped against the table subconsciously.

Given Hatake Sakumo's personality, after enduring overwhelming accusations and being betrayed by the very people he saved, he should have fallen into deep self-doubt or even veered toward an extreme.

But now, he had recovered too quickly.

Too quickly to be normal.

"What happened?" Danzo asked.

"Yesterday evening, a child visited his home."

"A child?"

"Yes." The ninja pulled a piece of Paper from his robe, "I have already investigated."

Danzo took it and looked down.

There were a few lines written on the Paper.

Shin Nohara, five years old, First Year at the Ninja Academy.

Father Nohara Hiroshi (Chunin), mother Nohara Miya (Commoner).

In the same class as Kakashi Hatake.

Once followed Hatake Sakumo to learn Blade Techniques.

Third place in the third-year exams.

The Third Hokage once gifted him a Shouye Bell, calling him "a good child capable of inheriting the Will of Fire."

Danzo's gaze lingered on the words "Shouye Bell."

That old man Hiruzen actually gave away the Shouye Bell.

He snorted coldly and continued reading.

Yesterday evening, the child returned home with Kakashi Hatake and spoke with Hatake Sakumo alone for about ten minutes. After he left, Hatake Sakumo's condition improved significantly.

Danzo looked up, his eyes turning deep and inscrutable.

A five-year-old child talked to Hatake Sakumo alone for ten minutes, and then Hatake Sakumo was fine?

What did that child say?

Danzo thought for a moment and asked: "Has the child's background been thoroughly checked?"

"It has." The ninja said, "The background is very clean, nothing suspicious. He's just... a somewhat special child."

"Special?"

"Yes, it is said that he is often late for class, absolutely hates eating Chinjao, likes to chat up pretty girls, but has good talent, and his Blade Techniques are progressing very quickly."

Danzo was silent for a while, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a chilling smile.

"This is interesting."

He placed the Paper on the table and tapped his fingers against the surface again.

A child capable of changing Hatake Sakumo.

If he could be brought into Root and properly trained.

No, he wouldn't even need training.

As long as he could be controlled, he could be used to influence Hatake Sakumo.

Danzo had been eyeing that blade of Hatake Sakumo for a long time; if he could indirectly gain control of it, even if the probability was only one in ten thousand...

"Go investigate," Danzo said. "Find out everything about this child—his daily habits, his interpersonal relationships, and his personality flaws."

"Yes."

"Also," Danzo paused, "look into exactly what kind of relationship he has with Hatake Sakumo, and why Hatake Sakumo would be influenced by him."

"Yes."

The Ninja withdrew.

Danzo sat under the dim light, staring at the name "Shin Nohara" on that piece of Paper.

"A good child who can inherit the Will of Fire..." he muttered to himself, "then let's see if your will is firm enough."