Soft and Sticky White Fang, Hard and Unyielding Defiant Blade

As Hatake Sakumo finished speaking, the atmosphere in the blacksmith shop seemed to pause for a moment.

The confusion in Asuma's eyes vanished instantly, and he nodded as if he had just realized something.

Oh! So that's how it is. No wonder then...

He then seemed to suddenly realize something, and his brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed tightly again.

Asuma glanced cautiously at Hatake Sakumo, and asked in a low voice, full of concern:

"But, Uncle Sakumo Hatake, are you... really going?"

Before Hatake Sakumo could answer, Asuma couldn't help but speak up:

"This is clearly a trap set for you. The information he provided about Kou is, in the end, only his side of the story!"

There is no corroborating evidence to prove that his claim that he "will travel to the Land of Lightning" is true.

Asuma suppressed his primal urge to find Kokoro and gently advised Hatake Sakumo:

"We should consider this matter more carefully."

Hatake Sakumo was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head:

"No, I have to go."

He looked firmly at Asuma before him and said in a solemn tone:

"Leaving aside the information about Kou, that blacksmith got involved with Sasori of the Red Sands because he was looking for Kou's whereabouts for me."

"Both morally and logically, I must personally go to the Land of Lightning and rescue him from Sasori of the Red Sands."

Hearing Hatake Sakumo's resolute words, Asuma remained silent for a moment.

He did not choose to continue to dissuade him, but instead shifted his heavy gaze from Hatake Sakumo's face to the samurai sword on the anvil, which had just been quenched and was still gleaming with a cold, silvery light under the lamp.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen Uncle Sakumo Hatake forging iron, but he'd never seen Uncle Sakumo Hatake display such a focused, almost solemn expression while forging any knife.

"Is this why... you forged this sword?"

Asuma looked at the katana that gleamed with silver light and asked in a low, heavy voice.

Hatake Sakumo did not answer immediately.

His gaze also fell on the silver-white samurai sword on the anvil, the light reflected from the blade flickering slightly in his pupils.

He nodded slowly.

"No, you can't go! It's far too dangerous!"

Asuma shifted his gaze to Hatake Sakumo's gentle profile and continued in a serious tone:

"You can certainly report this matter to Konoha. After all, this is a problem left over from the Second Ninja World War between Konoha and Sand Village. It's not just a personal grudge of yours!"

You, as a Konoha Ninja, killed two ninjas from an opposing village in a direct confrontation on the battlefield.

That wasn't a personal grudge, it was war!

Konoha should bear the subsequent responsibilities arising from this matter.

At this point, Asuma gritted his teeth and reluctantly began to speak:

"That old man... although he's become hopelessly cowardly and pedantic, there's no way he could remain indifferent to this matter!"

Hatake Sakumo shook his head again, his tone resolute in refusal:

"I am no longer a Konoha ninja. I cannot cause trouble for Konoha, nor can I cause any more trouble for the Lord Third Hokage."

"What kind of trouble is this?!"

Asuma frowned, and his voice suddenly rose a few decibels:

"This is Konoha and that Old Man owe you! You don't need to..."

Asuma!

Hatake Sakumo's voice suddenly rose, interrupting Asuma before he could finish speaking.

He looked at the younger generation who cared about him and sighed deeply.

"It was I who killed Sasori of the Red Sands's parents, making him an orphan."

Regardless of the reasons at the time, this fact remains unchanged.

Even if it has nothing to do with Kou, even if that blacksmith was never involved in this matter... one day, I will stand on the same battlefield as Sasori of the Red Sands.

Then, the death of one of us will end this long-standing feud.

Neither of us is at fault in this matter.

At this point, a rare and intense murderous glint appeared in Hatake Sakumo's usually gentle and calm eyes:

"But the one thing he shouldn't have done... was use the lives of innocent people as leverage!"

For the blacksmith's safety, I will go there myself no matter what!

Asuma stood silently in place, quietly watching the man in front of him with a determined look in his eyes.

Hatake Sakumo looked at him and sighed deeply.

His face, slightly reddened from the firelight, finally showed signs of weariness befitting his age.

"I... I didn't actually want to involve you in this."

I never intended to tell you about this in the first place.

He paused, a bitter smile appearing on his lips:

"But the moment you asked me about Kou, I understood... I can't hide this from you."

"It's not just that, is it?"

Asuma spoke in a deep voice, ruthlessly interrupting Hatake Sakumo's next words.

He stared intently at the silver-haired man before him, his gaze so sharp it seemed to dissect his very thoughts.

"The reason you told me all this is because you hoped that if you didn't come back from this trip, I could return to Konoha and tell Kakashi the whole story..."

And I hope Kakashi will let go of the idea of revenge for you, and not live with hatred...

"I... didn't say anything wrong?"

Hatake Sakumo stared blankly at Asuma in front of him, then nodded slightly.

"... I knew it."

Asuma lowered his head, as if he could no longer suppress the surging anger in his heart, and roared through gritted teeth:

"Kou was right after all. You and my Old Man are just like each other!!"

Before the doubt in Hatake Sakumo's eyes could even take shape, Asuma suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing with undisguised, burning anger:

"You're just like my Old Man, a self-righteous, selfish coward!!"

"Bear everything alone? What a joke! It's just an excuse to avoid the problem!"

Have you ever thought about it, even just once, seriously... what Kakashi would feel if something really happened to you on this trip?!

Hatake Sakumo opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

He simply lowered his head in shame.

Asuma looked at the elder before him, whose head was bowed, and suppressed the anger churning in his chest, lowering his voice even further:

"You must have thought of it... you just didn't continue thinking about it!"

Because in your heart, you always subconsciously put things like righteousness, responsibility, and "not wanting to trouble others" before yourself!

You may think your own ideas are correct, but for those who care about you, for your loved ones, is what you're doing really fair to them?!

"I..."

"Enough! I've heard enough of that annoying lecture from that Old Man."

Asuma raised his hand and pressed it firmly on Hatake Sakumo's shoulder:

"As Kakashi's friend, I will never allow you to make any decision that could hurt him!"

He looked at the "White Fang of Konoha" who was bowing his head in front of him, and spoke in a solemn tone:

"I will write back to Kakashi exactly everything you just told me, word for word!!"

"He should know this!!"

Hearing Asuma's undeniable words, Hatake Sakumo remained silent for a long while before slowly nodding.

Asuma didn't look at Hatake Sakumo in front of him, but instead looked away towards the Land of Lightning:

"Furthermore, to ensure your... cough, safety, I will accompany you to the Land of Lightning!!"