Endure When You Can No Longer Endure, Then Endure Again: Kakashi's Heart Knot (Part 2)

Konoha is located twenty miles to the northwest.

There used to be a small hill here, about 100 meters above sea level.

There was nothing unusual about it, but the headquarters of the Root was located underground in this mountain.

At this point, the entire mountain had completely disappeared, leaving only a giant crater with a diameter of nearly a kilometer and a depth of over a hundred meters.

Several hundred meters away from the giant pit, the soil suddenly loosened.

An arm broke through the soil and stretched out.

Then he vigorously swung the ball, breaking up the surrounding soil.

A Anbu Ninja emerged from underground, his mask riddled with cracks.

Immediately afterwards, three more Anbu crawled out of the narrow hole.

"Quickly! Danzo!"

Four members of the Anbu service dug through the mud to open the cave entrance and pulled out an old man covered in mud from below.

Danzo was pulled out from underground and slumped on the ground in a disheveled state, completely lacking the imposing presence he once had as the powerful Hokage Advisor.

Only then did the five of them have time to look up at the sky.

The enormous mushroom cloud had gradually dissipated, but the surging air currents created a strong wind that made people unsteady on their feet, even at a distance of several hundred meters.

The clouds in the sky parted from the very center, as if someone had poked a huge hole in them.

"This... this..."

Witnessing the scene up close, even though the Anbu Ninja had been trained by Root to lose their normal human emotions, they couldn't help but gape and stare blankly at everything before them.

The shock I felt was beyond words.

"Danzo, what should we do now?" the Anbu Ninja asked, pursing his dry lips.

Danzo walked forward without saying a word.

The five people quickly arrived at the location of the giant pit.

A giant crater with a diameter of nearly 1,000 meters came into view.

The Root Ninja looked down and saw a bottomless, pitch-black pit.

There should have been a mountain here.

The Root ninjas were extremely familiar with this place, because directly below was Root's headquarters.

What kind of attack could instantly shatter the multiple defensive barriers of the Root Headquarters and collapse the entire underground base?

"Ding, use your Sensory Ninjutsu to see how many people are still alive." Danzo recovered from his shock.

The most serious loss was to the members of the Root. Although most members were away from headquarters on missions, many of the Anbu remained were special talents, and losing any one of them would be a huge loss.

"Danzo, the Chakra fluctuations around us are too strong. My Sensory Ninjutsu has been affected and I can't sense anything right now. The entrance in front has completely collapsed, so we can only search and rescue through the secret passage we just came out of."

"Go," Danzo said in a deep voice. "Kaku, you stay here."

Of the four Anbu, A was the shortest. Judging from his build, he was probably only five or six years old, just a child. Upon hearing Danzo's order, he immediately stopped and came to Danzo's side.

The other three members of the Anbu quickly returned to the "dog hole" they had just crawled out of.

Danzo's face was ashen as he looked at Kagami beside him without saying a word.

The losses were already so great, and since Kagami was his hope for becoming Hokage, he naturally could not return to the underground to continue his adventures.

Even if all the Root ninjas were to die, it wouldn't be as serious as losing the armor.

Three members of the Anbu returned underground to search for survivors at the Root, and soon rescued more than a dozen more people.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that, apart from everyone being injured, no one had actually died.

Is it a coincidence?

still

Seeing this, Danzo breathed a sigh of relief. After all, most of the Root ninjas were selected from the Ninja Clan, and it would be a great pressure for him if they died inexplicably.

Danzo's heart bled at the thought that the headquarters he had painstakingly built up over twenty years was gone.

Many of the experimental instruments and materials inside were probably destroyed.

One day, we were back to the First Shinobi World War.

"Someone's coming!" said the Anbu Ninja with sensory abilities.

At that moment, Orochimaru appeared in the five people's sight.

Orochimaru approached Danzo, looked at his disheveled appearance with a mocking expression, and said, "Danzo, the Third Hokage summons you to see him immediately."

Orochimaru, do you know what happened?

Danzo frowned as he saw Orochimaru arrive with a clear objective.

"Only you have the right to know."

Orochimaru said calmly.

Upon hearing Danzo, Danzo waved his hand, and the Root members quickly moved away.

"Kushina successfully mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra, but your subordinates attacked her and were killed by Shiraha. To test the power of the Nine-Tails Chakra, Kushina released a small Tailed Beast Ball towards the outside of the village, but it unexpectedly hit the Root headquarters. You're really unlucky."

Orochimaru looked at Danzo with a cold expression, his tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

"The Jinchuriki successfully mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra?! And it hit the Root right in the middle?" Danzo's face darkened.

How could he possibly believe such a perfunctory explanation?

"This is the Third Hokage's decision. Kushina will not pursue the matter of the Root Ninja attacking her and Shiraha, and the same goes for you. This matter ends here," Orochimaru added.

The Third Hokage and Danzo were largely to blame for Sakumo's death, and Orochimaru was filled with glee at seeing Danzo suffer such a loss.

"I understand." Danzo understood what the Third Hokage meant. It must be that the Jinchuriki was able to extract the Nine-Tails Chakra like Uzumaki Mito and had learned the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to successfully use the Tailed Beast Ball to cause such damage.

It was enough to make the Third Hokage submit and issue such an order.

It's easy to imagine how terrifying the Jinchuriki's strength was.

Even if she's not as Uzumaki Mito at her peak, she's definitely a level above other normal Kage Level ninjas.

"Damn it, Hiruzen!" Danzo cursed inwardly, feeling extremely frustrated. His Anbu were such idiots; how could they possibly attack Jinchuriki directly?

Regardless, the situation is beyond human control now, and the Third Hokage is clearly trying to appease the Jinchuriki and shift the blame onto him.

Thinking of this, Danzo revealed a smile that was more like a grimace, his face twitching slightly, and said:

"Please convey my apologies to Kushina and Shiraha. This matter was handled by the Root ninjas without my knowledge."

Before Kagami fully masters Wood Release, it's best not to mess with Jinchuriki.

"I think Kushina and Shiraha will be very forgiving of you," Orochimaru nodded, deliberately trying to disgust Danzo.

Orochimaru felt somewhat disappointed by the true colors of the Third Hokage and Danzo.

Are these the Konoha High-Level?

Hokage position really that tempting? Does it twist people like this, or are all politicians this ugly?

"Okay, I'll go see the Third Hokage now."

Danzo, his face dark, turned and left.

The Root Headquarters was completely destroyed, and it's unknown how much manpower and resources it will require to rebuild it. The financial aspect is not a small amount. After disbanding the Shimura Clan, his main source of income came from the village.

After Danzo left, Orochimaru arrived at the giant pit, looked down into the bottomless abyss, and was unable to calm down for a long time. His eyes gradually revealed a fanatical look.

"Is this the power of the Kurama?"

the next day.

In the morning, Kushina opened her sleepy eyes, and a ray of sunlight shone through the window, illuminating her face, warm and gentle.

Fresh air entered the room through the cracks in the half-open window, bringing a pleasant feeling to my heart.

"Hmm~!" Kushina sat up and stretched vigorously.

That was a really good night's sleep!

Kushina rubbed her messy hair and walked out of the room.

"You're awake so early? Why don't you sleep a little longer?" Shiraha came upstairs with a tray in his hand, containing breakfast, which he seemed to be preparing to take to Kushina's room.

"Uh-huh?"

Kushina was still a little sleepy and answered absentmindedly. Then she suddenly realized that she was in Shiraha's house.

Thinking of how she used to look when she first woke up at home, Kushina exclaimed, "Don't look at me! I'm so ugly!"

As she spoke, she covered her eyes and ran to the right.

"The restroom is downstairs, and the storage room is on the right."

Shiraha reminded him.

Kushina turned back and, as she passed by Shiraha, covered his eyes with her hand. "Don't look at me."

"Okay, okay, I won't watch."

Ta-da!

Kushina released Shiraha and quickly ran downstairs.

Shiraha turned his head and saw that Kushina's beautiful red hair was messy, with a small tuft of hair stubbornly sticking up on top of her head, looking like a cowlick, swaying from side to side as she walked.

Her most authentic side is quite adorable.

"Kushina, do you want me to comb your hair?!" Shiraha called downstairs.

"No!"

Kushina's embarrassed and annoyed voice came from the bathroom.

Although she has already established a relationship with Shiraha and often visits his house, it's only their first day living together, and she wants to maintain her image as a beautiful young woman.

Um.

I'm sure.

Konoha's main road.

Yesterday's "pillar of light shooting into the sky" incident dampened the villagers' enthusiasm for the Lunar New Year.

Although the Lord Third Hokage later explained the reason to everyone—that the village was developing a brand-new S-Rank Ninjutsu —the commotion was so terrifying that many people felt it was safer to stay home for a few days.

There were nearly half fewer pedestrians on the street.

Shop owners whose businesses were affected only complained verbally.

After all, the stronger the village, the more stable their lives will be.

At this moment, a white-haired boy wearing a mask walked expressionlessly down the bustling main street. Pedestrians were chatting and laughing, but his eyes were lifeless, as if he were dead. He silently crossed the street and headed home.

Kakashi wouldn't want to go out unless all the food at home had been eaten.

Human joys and sorrows are not the same for everyone; he only felt that the people around him were noisy.

"Kakashi ~!"

At that moment, a shout came from behind Kakashi, followed by a series of hurried footsteps.

A boy with thick eyebrows, wearing a green bodysuit and sporting a kappa-like hairstyle, rushed to Kakashi's side, carrying a large stack of ingredients in his arms.

"Kakashi, it's been so long since I've seen you!" Might Guy exclaimed excitedly.

"Um."

Kakashi responded coldly.

"You're so cold! My dad and I came out to buy groceries, why don't you come to my house for dinner? You must be bored spending the New Year alone, right?"

Might Guy pointed to Might Duy Day, who was walking slowly behind him.

Kakashi's expression darkened, and he clenched his fists, saying, "No need, I'll go back first."

After saying that, Kakashi left immediately.

"Uh." Might Guy stood there awkwardly, stunned. Had he said something wrong? He probably shouldn't have Kakashi's affairs alone, after all...

Kakashi had just arrived at West Street when he ran into Shiraha and Kushina.

"Senior Shiraha, Senior Kushina."

As Kakashi passed by the two, he greeted them.

"Kakashi," Shiraha said with a smile, "We were just about to go eat, want to come along?"

Kakashi shook his head slightly. "No need, I'll go home and cook."

"Cooking is such a hassle, and you have to wash the dishes afterwards. Besides, don't you want to talk to me?"

Shiraha said.

Kakashi's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something, and he asked, "Senior Shiraha, can you tell me what you said to my father before?"

"Of course you can, but you wouldn't want to talk about such a sensitive topic on the street, would you?" Shiraha smiled slightly. "Let's go, let's eat first."

"Um."

Kakashi followed Shiraha and Kushina into the High-Class Restaurant.

However, during the meal, Shiraha and Kushina took turns serving him food, and he didn't intend to speak until he finished eating.

Do you really think everyone has a huge appetite like you two? Kakashi rolled his eyes from being so full.

However, the feeling of eating without speaking at all, immersed in the moment, is very familiar.

After the meal.

The three of them walked out of the Restaurant.

Shiraha: "Kushina, I'll take Kakashi home first."

"Okay, I'll wait for you." Kushina smiled and waved, "See you Kakashi."

Thank you for your hospitality.

Kakashi bowed slightly and left with Shiraha.

Halfway there, Shiraha spoke first:

"No one will be bothering you now. You can ask me anything you want. I can tell you anything I know."

"Senior Shiraha, is there any hidden reason for my father's death? Why did he commit suicide? I know my father; he wasn't a fragile person!" Kakashi clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with confusion and hope.

He wanted to get the real answer.

"You could say yes, or you could say no," Shiraha replied.

"What's the meaning?"

"Senior Sakumo's decision to commit suicide was his own. With his reputation, no one could force him to take his own life. However, there were many reasons that led him to commit suicide," Shiraha explained.

"Your father was a great ninja, and the Will of Fire was his unwavering belief. He committed suicide because his belief collapsed, and someone trampled on the Will of Fire! So he wanted to use his life to sound the alarm for some people."

"Who is it?!" Kakashi's eyes turned cold, filled with murderous intent.

"The Third Hokage," Shiraha said slowly, "And those villagers who followed suit and made accusations."

"The Third Hokage?! How is that possible?" Kakashi looked incredulous. After Sakumo died, the Third Hokage cared a lot about him. How could it be the Third Hokage?

"Senior Sakumo's mistake wasn't a matter of choosing between prioritizing the mission or his comrades. Because there's no right or wrong in such matters; the final interpretation rests with those in power. His only mistake was that he was too strong and had too high a reputation. But he wasn't strong enough, and his reputation wasn't high enough either."

Shiraha then asked.

"If you were the Hokage, you wouldn't want someone to succeed you, but that person is the most popular choice to succeed you. In that case, suppressing him and making him lose the trust of the people is obviously better than killing him directly."

But the tools he can manipulate at will are, in the eyes of some, faith and spiritual pillars!

Foolish people like to follow the crowd, believing that the Hokage represents the Will of Fire Hokage is the authority, which is why they become accomplices.

"How could this be?" Kakashi stared blankly at Shiraha. "That's why you said the Will of Fire has become a tool."

"My words are just a reference for you. Whether they are right or wrong is not important. What is important is that you use your own eyes to find the truth."

Shiraha patted Kakashi on the shoulder, then turned and left.

"Find the truth for yourself."

Kakashi stood there, lost in thought.

If he becomes Hokage, will he be able to find out the truth?

"How did it go?" Kushina asked. "What did Kakashi say to you?"

Shiraha: "It's nothing. I just planted a seed. Whether it can take root and sprout depends entirely on the soil. It has nothing to do with me."