The Art of Eloquence (Seeking Follow-ups)

Hatake Sakumo returned three days after Kakashi's birthday.

Genma keenly sensed that something was slightly off with Hatake Sakumo.

However, there was no word of it in Konoha. Genma went home and asked his father, but there were no clues to be found.

The next day, Genma skipped class as usual, but he brought Kakashi home with him.

When they arrived at the Hatake residence, Hatake Sakumo was sitting alone in his room, seemingly deep in thought. He looked somewhat surprised to see his son and his apprentice.

He wasn't surprised that they had skipped class, but rather that they had returned at all.

Even though his soul was currently enduring a trial, Hatake Sakumo still offered a gentle smile, hiding his inner turmoil. He raised a hand to gesture toward the space in front of him, inviting the two to sit. "Did you run into some kind of problem?"

Kakashi looked at Genma.

He was merely following along.

Hatake Sakumo also looked at Genma, smiling faintly.

Both his apprentice and his son were the type of precocious, steady children who acted like little adults. His son was more reserved, while his apprentice appeared more mature and steady, though in reality, he was also more flexible.

Genma looked back at Hatake Sakumo. He had already confirmed that something was happening, so he decided not to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

He would do his best and leave the rest to fate.

"Teacher, did something go wrong with this mission?"

Genma asked.

Beside him, Kakashi was stunned; he hadn't noticed anything unusual about his father at all.

Hatake Sakumo was also surprised. He had thought his concealment was perfect, and he hadn't expected his apprentice to see through it.

His smile gradually faded, and Hatake Sakumo sighed softly, falling into a momentary silence.

Kakashi also sensed that something was wrong and spoke up, sounding a bit anxious: "Dad~"

Genma tugged at Kakashi, then spoke: "Teacher, although Kakashi and I are still children, we can understand many things."

"We can also be people you share things with."

"You are not just a powerful ninja, Teacher; you have other identities as well."

"You are a teacher, and you are a father."

"Kakashi and I are not just your apprentice and son; we are also part of this village, your comrades, your juniors, and the ones you protect."

Kakashi nodded immediately, thinking the same thing.

Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, his heart filled with comfort.

He looked at his apprentice and his son, thinking that he should indeed tell them about this, regardless of the final decision he might make.

"The mission was top secret, so I cannot tell you the details."

Hatake Sakumo retracted his smile and explained: "This mission failed..."

Before he could finish, Kakashi was shocked: "Dad's mission failed?"

Hatake Sakumo nodded.

Genma said: "Kakashi, don't make such a big fuss. Mission failure is normal; no one can guarantee a hundred percent success rate."

Kakashi calmed down.

Hatake Sakumo said: "The consequences of this mission failure are severe. Both the village and the Land of Fire have suffered great losses."

Genma followed the thread of the conversation: "Did you encounter a powerful opponent, Teacher?"

"In the ninja world, aside from the Kage of each village, there shouldn't be many ninjas capable of forcing you to return in defeat, right?"

Hatake Sakumo shook his head: "I did not encounter any particularly powerful enemies. I chose to abandon the mission because my comrades were in danger."

Kakashi was a smart boy; he paused for a moment before realizing: "So, is the village going to hold you responsible for this?"

Hatake Sakumo said: "Not yet. The Third Hokage has not issued any orders for punishment regarding this mission."

"It is just... this mission was too important. Even my comrades do not support me."

Kakashi immediately felt indignant: "Is it wrong to save one's comrades?"

Hatake Sakumo did not answer. Although he had already made his choice, the words that followed would have an immeasurable impact on the two children before him, and he had to be cautious.

He remained silent, but Genma spoke up loudly: "Of course it is right!"

"Kakashi, surely you haven't been failing to study the Will of Fire?"

Kakashi frowned: "Of course not, but why would Dad be blamed by his comrades?"

Genma said calmly: "Because some people believe that the mission is above all else, and that a ninja is merely a machine for completing missions."

"But in reality, ninjas have their own emotions, too."

"How was Konoha established? It was founded by the First Hokage for the sake of peace, so that children would not have to go to the battlefield."

"The Third Hokage inherited the Will of Fire from the First Hokage and the Second Hokage. The core of being a ninja is to protect one's comrades, to protect the village, and to protect the next generation."

"And missions are merely a way for a ninja to survive."

Hatake Sakumo felt increasingly gratified as he listened to these remarks; he had truly made no mistake in taking this disciple.

Genma continued, "Kakashi, what do you think the village is?"

Kakashi pondered.

Genma, however, answered his own question with unhurried composure: "Is Konoha this land?"

"Is it these houses?"

"Is it ninjutsu? Is it those missions?"

"None of those. It is people!"

"It is every individual who makes up this village. Only with people can there be a village, and only with a village can there be missions."

Hatake Sakumo felt a jolt in his heart.

Genma fixed his gaze on Hatake Sakumo, his eyes flashing with a powerful mental strength: "Teacher, I do not believe you were wrong."

"If a mission fails and the village suffers losses, those are things that can be recovered later. But if a person dies, they are gone forever."

"If it were not for the sake of your comrades, I believe you would have completed that mission even at the cost of your own life."

"Therefore, I feel you need not blame yourself, nor suffer, and certainly need not care about the opinions of others."

Kakashi nodded repeatedly.

That was perfectly said.

Hatake Sakumo revealed a smile: "Very well said, Genma. I hope you will always remember these words and remain firm in your heart."

Genma nodded: "I will, Teacher."

"If a ninja cannot remain firm in their heart, they will inevitably lose themselves amidst missions and power."

"A ninja's greatest strength does not lie in powerful ninjutsu, but in their own heart—it is the power of the soul!"

"So, Teacher, can you remain firm in your own heart?"

Hatake Sakumo nodded: "Of course, I am your teacher, after all."

Genma was not entirely reassured and continued: "Then this is your Nindo, Teacher."

Hatake Sakumo bowed his head: "Indeed. I also hope that you two can inherit such a Nindo."

Genma shook his head: "Teacher, it is not enough for just Kakashi and me to inherit it. We are still very young, merely two seeds."

"You, however, are already a towering tree. Only through you can such a Nindo shine with sufficient brilliance."

"Between comrades and missions, which is more important?"

"Like you, Teacher, I would choose my comrades without hesitation!"

"Between a mission and my own life, I would choose the mission."

"I believe you are currently at a crossroads where you must make such a choice."

Hatake Sakumo's mind was shaken to its core.

He had already experienced his disciple's keen intellect, but he never imagined it could be this sharp—had he actually grasped his intentions?

Looking at his disciple's earnest little face, Hatake Sakumo decided to temporarily set aside their teacher-student dynamic and asked as an equal: "Genma, if it were you, how would you choose?"

Genma said calmly: "Just as you said, Teacher: remain firm in your heart."

"Those accusations are merely the frost and snow that the tree of Nindo must endure."

"The mission failed, and the village suffered heavy losses. This is indeed a responsibility, and as the captain, you should bear it."

"If I were you, I would make up for these losses, and I firmly believe that if I were you, my own value would be enough to compensate for them."

Genma did not evade the point of responsibility for the failed mission.

He knew very well that, given the current situation, the primary reason his teacher was considering suicide was to take responsibility for the mission's failure.

It was not because of the accusations from comrades, nor was it a collapse of the Will of Fire.

On the contrary, he was quite resolute.

Therefore, Genma had to make Hatake Sakumo understand that the best way to bear responsibility was not to commit suicide in apology, but to use his own strength to make up for the losses.

One could even call it "atoning for one's crimes through meritorious service."

As he said before, people come first, and missions follow; people are the core!

Hearing his disciple's words, Hatake Sakumo smiled and nodded: "Very good."

"Genma, if you ever encounter a situation like this in the future, I hope you remember what was said today."

"Also, thank you!"

Upon hearing that last sentence, Genma secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Kakashi asked: "Father, what has Third Hokage decided regarding this matter?"

Hatake Sakumo shook his head: "Third Hokage has not yet made a specific decision."

Kakashi asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Does the Third Hokage not support Father's decision?"

Before Hatake Sakumo could answer, Genma spoke up first, "Of course not."

"The Third Hokage clearly supports you, Teacher. Otherwise, he could have held you directly accountable to provide an explanation to the Daimyo Estate."

"The Third Hokage's lack of a direct stance is a cold-treatment approach. He hopes to protect you, Teacher, so that you may continue to play an important role in the future."

"To the village and to us, you are far more important than any mission!"

By choosing to handle the matter with cold indifference, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, was trying to have it both ways.

He neither wanted to punish an elite jonin like Hatake Sakumo, nor did he want to negate the Will of Fire that prioritizes saving and protecting one's comrades.

Of course, this was merely Genma's own deduction, placing himself in Sarutobi Hiruzen's shoes.

If that was not what Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking, then he would make Hatake Sakumo believe it was.

In short, he must not die!

Death is the worst possible choice!