The White Fang Unsheathed
Hokage Building
On the top floor of the Hokage Building, the Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara, dressed in the Hokage robes, with White Fang of Konoha Hatake Sakumo, standing beside him.
Sakumo wore a green vest over a white short-sleeved shirt. The sleeves of the shirt were embroidered with flame patterns, and a leaf was wrapped in a flame in the middle of the sleeve. This was the Hokage uniform that Naraku, as the Fourth Hokage, specially bestowed upon Hatake Sakumo.
The two remained silent, looking down at the Konoha landscape and the ninjas rushing by.
Finally Naraku broke the silence, asking in a deep voice:
"Sakumo, you've been inactive in the Security Department for six years. Although you still fought for Konoha during the Ninja War, you weren't the head of any base or the commander of any operations. You've had achievements, but your reputation remains unknown. Don't you have any complaints about this?"
Hatake Sakumo remained calm and said softly:
"Where the Konoha dance, the fire will never cease; its Kakkō will illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout. But fame brings me only trouble."
"I used to believe in the samurai code, but a ninja should be someone who dedicates themselves silently, without needing a glamorous appearance or a illustrious reputation. Quietly giving and eliminating threats to the village—that feeling is wonderful."
Hatake Sakumo spent six years in the Security Department, clocking in and out. He didn't have many serious criminals who actually needed his help to arrest, and he was mostly free to study the Will of Fire and Ninjutsu.
These remarks Naraku.
"Having seen through the illusions of the world, are you going to become a monk?"
Naraku's heart stirred, and he nodded slightly, saying softly:
"Heh, that's how the ninja way works, but Sakumo, your reputation is known throughout the Shinobi World, Konoha needs your reputation."
Sakumo, Konoha's squads have been reorganized into twelve major departments. You've been quiet in the Security Department for a long time, so come and take charge of the Department of Defense.
The safety of Konoha needs your protection. With you, the one known as the White Fang of Konoha, in charge, I believe all the villagers of Konoha will feel at ease."
Upon hearing Naraku's words, Hatake Sakumo showed a slight surprise and looked at Naraku to ask:
"Minister of Department of Defense? Are those the Twelve Departments listed on the bulletin board? Haven't they selected any outstanding Jonin to take charge of them yet?"
Naraku's expression remained calm as he continued to gaze at the surroundings of Konoha, and he said softly:
"No, there are many Jonin applications, but I hope you will be in charge of the Department of Defense. As the head of the Twelve Departments, you can be considered a core high-ranking official in Konoha."
"Sakumo, your prestige and ability are wasted in the Security Department. And I owe a debt to you in becoming Hokage; I've always remembered that. Do you really just want to live a peaceful life in the Security Department?"
Finally, Naraku his head and glanced at Sakumo Hatake Sakumo. After their eyes met, Naraku back and continued to gaze at Konoha below.
Since becoming Hokage, Naraku's favorite place to talk to people is the rooftop of Konoha. From there, he can overlook most of Konoha, and standing there makes him feel like he is the guardian deity of Konoha.
Naraku suddenly understood why the Third Hokage liked to handle many things on the rooftop of the Hokage Tower; against this backdrop, the Hokage seemed truly great.
After exchanging glances, Hatake Sakumo and Naraku fell into deep thought.
"Serving Konoha is my duty, and I will obey the Hokage's orders."
In the end, Sakumo agreed to take charge of the Department of Defense's affairs.
Naraku noticed that Sakumo's words seemed somewhat forced, which made him a little confused.
"Does Sakumo not want to work for the Department of Defense? Or...?"
Recalling what Sakumo had said earlier, he said seriously:
"Sakumo, you will temporarily serve in the Department of Defense. Konoha needs our dedication and contributions."
Moreover, it doesn't matter what position you're in; it's all for Konoha.
"If you want to take charge of the Anbu, then you'll have to wait until I take back all the authority over the Anbu before making any adjustments."
Naraku spoke directly, but the Anbu is a more complex organization. The Anbu hasn't been completely cleansed and filtered yet. Although Naraku has taken over four Anbu teams, it's impossible for him to replace them all.
We need to gradually gain a better understanding of the Anbu, not to mention that there are many spies from the Root within the Anbu service itself.
Danzo was previously in charge of the Anbu Training Department), and many Anbu members were trained under his Danzo.
"In the fourth generation, that year, when I failed my mission and was misunderstood and blamed by the villagers, I was actually ready to die."
The greatest sorrow is a broken heart, and it was your words and thoughts, passed down through four generations, that pulled me back from the brink of suicide.
Looking back now, I realize how cowardly I was. At the slightest setback, I contemplated suicide to escape. How could a ninja not withstand the gossip and rumors?
I will always remember your wise words.
Hatake Sakumo spoke in a deep tone, expressing his approval of Naraku, and then, as if reminiscing, said:
"Yes, missions are nothing compared to the importance of your comrades. You upheld this belief, you spread this belief to me, and then you became the Hokage."
I think Konoha will change under your leadership, and perhaps even the Shinobi World will change under your leadership.
People in the past, just as they revered and feared the Yellow Flash of light now, revered and feared the White Fang.
However, my White Fang were already broken and repaired by the Fourth Hokage. Since the Fourth Hokage has given the order, I should also regroup and start afresh...
When it came to the final moment of regrouping, Sakumo seemed to be somewhat moved, and his Chakra building.
"Sakumo, it should have been done long ago. The reputation of White Fang of Konoha has been dormant for too long. The current Shinobi World only knows the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, but has forgotten Konoha's White Fang."
This should remind all the great powers of the fear of being punished by White Fang, and ensure that none dare to underestimate Konoha, and that no ambitious villain dares to covet the Hokage's throne.
Naraku was somewhat pleased that Hatake Sakumo had rallied and regained his faith.
The Konoha Military Police Force, responsible for internal incidents, rarely leaves the village. Even the Special Mission Processing Division's Special Police Division was formed through expansion and reorganization within Naraku.
Working in the Security Department command is a lucrative position; it may offend some people, but it grants great power.
As long as the Security Department is not controlled by a single family, it will remain a powerful Security Department.
If the Security Department is controlled by one, two, or three families, then the families that control the Security Department will only meet one end, and the Konoha will absolutely applaud the destruction of such families.
The Security Department is an important internal management institution of Konoha. It cannot be monopolized by a few families and must be open to the outside world.
As long as the Security Department personnel are all kinds of Konoha ninjas, the villagers punished by the Security Department will only hate a particular person, employee, or department, and will not hate a particular clan.
Under Naraku's reorganization, the Public Security Division Security Department Village Management Division were almost entirely devoid of Uchiha members. Most of the Uchiha members were now in the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Police Division, their reputation transforming from bullies to protectors.
Hatake Sakumo served in the Military Police Force for many years, acting as a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the Konoha Ninja, deterring them from committing crimes or harming their comrades.
Hatake Sakumo was recruited into the Security Department by Naraku, but his reputation was ruined because of the conflict between his mission and his comrades' ideals.
Otherwise, these legendary ninjas, whose sharp sword was used against external enemies, would not have turned into an internal force because of the White Fang Rumor Incident.
"Is it possible to ensure that no country dares to underestimate Konoha? That no ambitious villain dares to covet the Hokage position? I will."
Hatake Sakumo gazed at Konoha, a resolute thought flashing through his mind.