Hatake Sakumo didn't return until three days after Kakashi's birthday.
Genma had a keen sense that something was a little off about Hatake Sakumo.
But there had been no rumors in Konoha. Genma went home and asked his father, but couldn't find out anything.
The next day, Genma skipped class as usual, but brought Kakashi home with him.
When they arrived at Kakashi's house, Hatake Sakumo was sitting alone in his room, deep in thought. He seemed surprised to see his son and student.
Not because they'd skipped class, but because they'd come back.
Though he was under tremendous emotional strain, Hatake Sakumo still gave them a gentle smile, hiding what he was feeling. He gestured to the seats in front of him and said, "Did something happen?"
Kakashi looked at Genma.
He'd been dragged along.
Hatake Sakumo also looked at Genma and smiled faintly.
Both his student and son were precocious and steady, like little adults. But his son was quieter, while his student seemed more mature and composed, yet was actually more flexible.
Genma looked at Hatake Sakumo too. He'd already figured out that something was happening, so he decided not to beat around the bush and to speak directly.
Do what you can, then leave the rest to fate.
"Sensei, did something go wrong with this mission?"
Genma asked.
Kakashi, sitting beside him, was stunned. He hadn't noticed anything unusual about his father.
Hatake Sakumo was also surprised. He'd thought he'd hidden it very well, and hadn't expected his student to notice.
His smile gradually faded. Hatake Sakumo sighed softly and fell silent.
Kakashi sensed that something was wrong too and anxiously spoke up. "Dad..."
Genma tugged at Kakashi, then said, "Sensei, Kakashi and I may still be kids, but we understand a lot of things."
"We can share the burden, too."
"You're not just a powerful ninja, Sensei. You have other roles as well."
"You're our teacher and a father."
"Kakashi and I aren't only your student and son. We're also members of the village, your comrades, your juniors, and people you protect."
Kakashi immediately nodded. He felt the same way.
Hatake Sakumo couldn't help smiling, his heart full of comfort.
He looked at his student and son, then considered it and decided he should tell them about this, no matter what he ultimately chose to do.
"This mission was classified, so I can't tell you the details."
Hatake Sakumo's smile faded as he explained, "The mission failed..."
Before he could finish, Kakashi exclaimed in shock, "Dad's mission failed?"
Hatake Sakumo nodded.
"Don't be so surprised, Kakashi," Genma said. "Missions fail all the time. No one can guarantee a hundred percent success rate."
Kakashi calmed down.
"The consequences of the mission's failure were severe. The village and the Land of Fire suffered great losses," Hatake Sakumo said.
"Did you run into a formidable opponent, Sensei?" Genma asked, following up on what he'd said.
"Besides the Kage of the various villages, there shouldn't be many ninja in the Ninja World who could force you to retreat, right?"
Hatake Sakumo shook his head. "I didn't face any particularly powerful enemies. My comrades were in danger, so I chose to abandon the mission."
Kakashi was a smart boy. He froze for a moment, then understood. "So the village is going to hold Dad responsible for it?"
"No," Hatake Sakumo replied. "Lord Hokage hasn't issued any punishment over this mission."
"But...the mission was too important. Even my comrades don't support what I did."
Kakashi immediately protested, "Was it wrong to save your comrades?"
Hatake Sakumo didn't answer. Though he'd already made his choice, what he said next could have an immeasurable impact on the two children before him. He had to be careful.
He didn't say anything, but Genma declared, "Of course it was right!"
"Kakashi, you didn't seriously study the Will of Fire, did you?"
Kakashi frowned. "Of course I did. But why is Dad being blamed by his comrades?"
"Because some people think the mission comes before everything else, and that ninja are machines whose only purpose is to complete missions," Genma said calmly.
"But ninja have feelings, too."
"How was Konoha founded? The First established it for peace, so children wouldn't have to go to war."
"The Third inherited the Will of Fire from the First and Second Hokage. A ninja's core duty is to protect comrades, the village, and the next generation."
"A mission is just one way a ninja makes a living."
As he listened, Hatake Sakumo felt even more comforted. He truly hadn't chosen the wrong student.
Genma continued, "Kakashi, what do you think a village is?"
Kakashi thought it over.
Genma calmly asked and answered his own question. "Is Konoha the land itself?"
"Is it these houses?"
"Is it ninjutsu? Is it all those missions?"
"None of those. It's the people!"
"A village is made up of its people. There can be no village without people, and no missions without a village."
Hatake Sakumo's heart jolted.
Genma fixed his gaze on Hatake Sakumo, his presence radiating powerful conviction. "Sensei, I don't think you were wrong."
"The mission failed, and the village suffered losses, but those can be made up for later. Once people are dead, they're gone."
"If it hadn't been for your comrades, I believe you would've completed the mission even if it cost you your life."
"So I don't think you need to blame yourself, feel troubled, or care what other people think."
Kakashi nodded repeatedly.
He was absolutely right.
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Well said, Genma. I hope you'll always remember what you said today and stay true to your convictions."
Genma nodded. "I will, Sensei."
"If a ninja can't stay true to their convictions, they'll inevitably lose themselves between missions and power."
"A ninja's greatest strength isn't powerful ninjutsu. It's their heart—the strength of their spirit!"
"Then, Sensei, can you stay true to your convictions?"
Hatake Sakumo nodded. "Of course. I'm your teacher, after all."
Genma wasn't reassured. He continued, "Then this is your way of the ninja, Sensei."
Hatake Sakumo nodded. "That's right. I hope you two can carry on this way of the ninja, too."
Genma shook his head. "Sensei, it isn't enough for just Kakashi and me to carry on this way of the ninja. We're still young, only two seeds."
"But you're already a towering tree. This way of the ninja can shine brightest through you."
"Which matters more: your comrades or the mission?"
"Just like you, Sensei, I'd choose my comrades without hesitation!"
"Which matters more, the mission or my own life? I'd choose the mission."
"I think you're standing at a crossroads now, Sensei."
Hatake Sakumo was deeply shaken.
He'd already witnessed how perceptive his student was, but he'd never expected Genma to be perceptive enough to see what he intended to do.
Looking at his student's earnest little face, Hatake Sakumo decided to set aside the fact that he was a child for a moment and ask him as an equal. "Genma, if it were you, what would you choose?"
"Just as you said, Sensei: stay true to your convictions," Genma replied evenly.
"Those accusations are nothing but the storms a tree must weather as it grows along its way of the ninja."
"The mission failed, and the village suffered great losses. That is a responsibility you must bear as the team leader."
"If I were you, I'd make up for those losses. And I'm certain that my worth would be enough to make up for them."
Genma didn't sidestep the issue of responsibility for the failed mission.
He knew perfectly well that, given the circumstances, his sensei's main reason for choosing suicide was to take responsibility for the mission's failure.
It wasn't because of his comrades' accusations, nor because his faith in the Will of Fire had collapsed.
On the contrary, his conviction was firm.
So Genma had to make Hatake Sakumo understand that the best way to take responsibility wasn't to kill himself in atonement, but to make up for the losses with his own strength.
He could even say he'd make amends through meritorious service.
The point was, people came before missions. People were the core!
After hearing his student's words, Hatake Sakumo nodded with a smile. "Very good."
"Genma, if you ever face the same situation as I did, I hope you'll remember what you said today."
"And...thank you!"
Hearing those last words, Genma secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, Kakashi asked, "Dad, what did the Third decide?"
Hatake Sakumo shook his head. "The Third hasn't made any specific decision."
Kakashi was puzzled. "Why?"
"Doesn't the Third support Dad's decision?"
Before Hatake Sakumo could answer, Genma spoke up. "Of course he does."
"The Third clearly supports you, Sensei. Otherwise, he could've held you accountable and given the Daimyo Estate an explanation."
"By not taking a public stance, he's handling it quietly. He wants to protect you so you can continue to play an important role in the future."
"To the village—and to us—you're more important than the mission!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had chosen to handle the matter quietly because he wanted to have it both ways.
He didn't want to punish Hatake Sakumo, an elite Jonin, but neither did he want to reject the Will of Fire, which called for saving and protecting one's comrades.
Of course, this was just Genma's deduction, made by putting himself in Sarutobi Hiruzen's shoes.
If that wasn't what Sarutobi Hiruzen had in mind, then Genma had to make Hatake Sakumo believe that it was.
In short, he couldn't die!
Death was the worst choice!
Before you continue