The White Fang's Ninja Way

The next morning.

The streets of the Leaf were even more stifling than in the days prior.

The gossip regarding Hatake Sakumo had not subsided; instead, fueled by rumors that the Anbu had surrounded the Hatake Residence late last night, it had grown even more rampant.

"Did you hear? The Anbu were mobilized last night and surrounded the Hatake Residence!"

"Could it be that Lord Sakumo is planning to defect?"

"Defect? I think he's planning to kill himself! I heard he hasn't stepped out of his house for days..."

"Sigh, a hero of his generation, reduced to this..."

"If you ask me, if he still has a shred of shame, he should just..."

The words died abruptly.

The speaker had caught sight of a figure approaching from the street corner.

White combat gear, silver hair tied back, the White Fang Short Blade at his waist.

His steps were steady, his spine straight.

Though traces of exhaustion remained on his face, his eyes were sharp and clear.

They even carried a long-lost edge—the true sharpness of the White Fang of the Leaf.

Hatake Sakumo.

He walked through the morning streets, meeting countless gazes filled with shock, bewilderment, or shame.

Step by step, he headed toward the Hokage Building.

Wherever he passed, a dead silence fell.

All chatter vanished.

Everyone stared with wide eyes at the man who was supposed to be "utterly broken" or perhaps "already dead by his own hand."

He had reappeared before them with such a powerful presence.

"L-Lord Sakumo..." A Chunin who had previously gossiped behind his back instinctively lowered his head.

Sakumo did not stop, nor did he even glance at him.

He simply walked forward.

Like a blade drawn from its sheath, he cut through all the rumors and slander.

Hokage Building, top-floor office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, watched Hatake Sakumo walk in from the window, his expression complex.

He set down his pipe and whispered to the Anbu captain, Kagami, who stood by his side: "Have the others step out. And... have the guards outside retreat to the stairwell."

"Understood." Kagami's figure vanished.

A few seconds later, the office door was knocked upon.

"Enter."

The door opened.

Hatake Sakumo walked in, stopped five paces from the Third's desk, and knelt on one knee.

"Lord Hokage."

His voice was calm—no grievances, no excuses, only a sense of resolute acceptance.

"Rise, Sakumo." The Third sighed. "I am aware of your situation."

Sakumo stood up and looked at the Third.

"The mission failed, and the responsibility is mine," he said. "I am willing to accept any punishment.

Reducing my mission rank, stripping my Jonin stipend, confinement for reflection... even stripping me of my status as a ninja—I have no complaints."

The Third looked at him in silence.

After a few seconds, he spoke slowly: "Punishment is necessary. But your act of saving your comrades..."

"I do not regret it."

Hatake Sakumo interrupted him.

His voice was not loud, but every word was iron-clad.

The Third was stunned.

"Lord Hokage." Hatake Sakumo took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising, resonant enough to pierce through the walls and reach the corridor outside.

"A ninja's duty is to complete the mission, that is true.

But the bottom line of a human being is to protect one's comrades!"

His gaze was scorching, like a burning flame:

"If we abandon our comrades for the sake of a mission, how are we any different from cold-blooded killing tools?!"

"I, Hatake Sakumo, have been a ninja for thirty years. I have killed countless enemies and saved countless comrades."

"This time, I chose my comrades. The mission failed, and I accept the punishment."

"But my 'Way of the Ninja'—"

He straightened his back, enunciating every word:

"Will never be shaken by this!"

As his voice fell, silence descended inside and outside the office.

In the corridor outside, several clerical ninjas who were "just passing by," along with two Anbu members "handing over their shifts," all froze in place.

They had heard every word clearly.

Each sentence struck their hearts like a heavy hammer.

Indeed...

Ninjas are human, too.

If one can abandon their comrades, then what is the meaning of protecting the village?

Mission failure deserves punishment.

But saving a comrade... was it wrong?

No one could answer.

Yet, everyone had an answer in their hearts.

Inside the office, the Third Hokage looked at the man who had straightened his back once more. After a long silence, he slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"The decision regarding your punishment will be discussed at the high-level meeting this afternoon," he said. "For now, go home and rest."

"Yes." Hatake Sakumo bowed and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the office, the people in the corridor subconsciously cleared a path.

The looks they gave him were no longer filled with contempt or pity, but with... admiration.

Hatake Sakumo did not linger and headed straight downstairs.

When he stepped out of the Hokage Building, the sunlight fell perfectly upon him.

He looked up and squinted.

Then, he saw the black-haired youth with glasses leaning against the wall across the street.

Uchiha Ryūha.

Hatake Sakumo walked over.

The two exchanged a glance, neither speaking.

Everything was understood without words.

He turned and walked toward his home.

His silhouette stretched long under the sun.

Like a blade that had finally wiped away its rust and was reflecting light once more.

Uchiha Ryūha watched his retreating figure, adjusted his glasses, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

Then, he also turned and left.

The two walked in opposite directions.

Half an hour later, in the deepest stone chamber of the Root base, Shimura Danzō stared at the report that had just arrived, his expression so gloomy it could drip water.

The report detailed everything that had happened that morning: Hatake Sakumo's public appearance, his declaration in the Hokage's office, and the shift in the attitudes of the villagers and ninjas...

Hatake Sakumo, known as the White Fang of the Leaf, once held a reputation that surpassed the Sannin.

In terms of his chances of becoming Hokage, he had far more potential than him.

If not for Hatake Sakumo's failed mission, he would never have been able to manipulate public opinion to pressure him.

He had finally managed to deal with this rival, but now...

Shimura Danzō's hand tightened into a fierce fist.

The report paper was crumpled into a ball in his hand.

"Hatake Sakumo..."

A cold glint flickered in his single eye, his voice squeezed through gritted teeth:

"Who... changed you?"

Silence.

Only his heavy breathing filled the stone chamber.

A few seconds later, Shimura Danzō slowly loosened his grip, dropping the crumpled report onto the floor.

He stood up and walked to the wall inscribed with the creed of Root.

His gaze settled on a single line:

"Any uncontrollable factor must be eliminated."

"Or... brought under control."

Danzō closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only cold resolve remained in their depths.

"Hatake Sakumo..."

He whispered the name.

As if reciting a death sentence.

"You must die!"