Stupidity and Malice (6th Update)

Swordsmanship cannot save Konoha.

But perhaps death can.

At least that's what Sakumo thought, so he chose to burn himself out, hoping to illuminate the darkness of Konoha.

Unfortunately, some people have no heart.

Once the foundation rots, the city wall won't last long.

Not many people came to the Konoha Cemetery to mourn Sakumo.

In the village, a considerable number of people still believe that Sakumo chose to commit suicide because he was too psychologically fragile.

After all, foolish people always hope to have followers and partners, rather than going it alone.

Looking at the cold tombstone, Shiraha's determination to help Kushina rebuild the Land of Whirlpools grew stronger.

Apart from Tsunade, who was away on a mission, other people who usually interacted with Sakumo gradually arrived.

The group, dressed in black, took turns standing before the tombstone to pay their respects.

Kakashi stood beside the tombstone, his eyes vacant, bowing to each of the mourners who came to pay their respects.

Just like the scene at the end of the last Ninja World War, when everyone mourned at the tombstone under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru stood alone in the corner, quietly watching everything, as if he were independent of this world, and everything was irrelevant to him.

However, Shiraha sensed his Chakra and became much colder at that moment.

Of the four Jōnin previously belonged to Sakumo's Squad, only Uchiha Soujin came to pay his respects. He solemnly approached the tombstone, observed a moment of silence, and then turned and left.

Just as Shiraha and Kushina were about to leave, a distraught figure stumbled over, crawled to Sakumo's gravestone, and muttered incessantly:

"No, no, this wasn't my intention. I didn't want it to be like this, I didn't want it to be like this."

Jiraiya shook his head and sighed. Minato Namikaze stepped forward and tried to help Sakamoto Kouta up.

A cold laugh rang out, sounding unusually out of place at the solemn and respectful memorial service.

Jiraiya frowned slightly and asked, "Shiraha, what are you doing?"

"Senior Kota, have you heard the story of the Farmer and the Snake?" Shiraha looked at Sakamoto Kouta: "The farmer used his body heat to warm the frozen snake, but was bitten to death by the snake."

Sakamoto Kouta's trembling body suddenly froze.

"Shiraha, stop talking. Kota didn't mean it!" Jiraiya said in a deep voice.

"Sometimes, fools are more hateful than bad people!" Shiraha paused. "Senior Xingtai, which one are you?"

Sakamoto Kouta raised his head, his expression blank and his eyes vacant.

After saying that, Shiraha didn't even look at Sakamoto Kouta's reaction, and led Kushina away from the cemetery.

Halfway there, Kushina pulled Shiraha to a stop.

She clenched her fist and said firmly, "Shiraha, don't worry, whether they're fools or bad guys, I'll make sure they stay far away from you. Anyone who dares to come near you, I'll beat them to a pulp!"

"Aren't you an idiot yourself?!"

The Kurama fox in the Sealing Space complained.

Shiraha smiled knowingly and hugged Kushina: "I will protect you too."

"Mmm." Kushina buried her head in Shiraha's chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Tch~" Seeing Kurama Kushina ignored it, Chakra connection and closed its eyes to sleep.

The two snuggled together, feeling each other's warmth.

The Hyuga clan.

Hyuga Hideto followed the Jōnin Hyuga Hideto the Branch Family to the Main Family's residence.

On behalf of the clan head Hyuga Hiashi, the heir of the Main Family, commended Hyuga Hideto.

"Hideto, the family is very satisfied with your recent performance and hopes you will continue to work hard."

"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hiashi!" Hyuga Hideto bowed respectfully. Since becoming Orochimaru's disciple, his treatment within the Hyuga clan had improved considerably, but there was no fundamental difference; he was still treated like a "dog."

In the Hyuga clan, the Main Family controls everything in the Branch Family.

The status of a member of the Branch Family is roughly equivalent to that of a dog, though slightly better, since the Main Family still needs to maintain a basic semblance of kinship.

Of course, saving face is not the same as friendship.

When Hyuga Hideto was very young, he suffered the consequences of being Caged Bird Seal because he questioned why there was a distinction between the Main Family and Branch Family.

The Main Family's commendation was not an honor to him.

Many members of the Branch Family, having gotten used to kneeling, can no longer stand up.

But Hyuga Hideto refused to kneel down.

"Keep it up. The clan has always been watching you. Always put the clan's honor first." Although Hyuga Hiashi was only in his early twenties, his words already carried the authority of a young clan leader.

"Yes, I understand!" Hyuga Hideto replied respectfully. In his view, Hyuga Hiashi had already internalized the arrogant attitude of the Main Family.

The fact that the young clan leader personally "rewarded" him this time is probably because Orochimaru became the most promising contender for the Fourth Hokage after White Fang's suicide.

It's only at times like this that the Hyūga clan shows a bit of "human touch."

"Step down."

"Yes."

Hyuga Hiashi sighed inwardly, sensing the resentment hidden beneath Hyuga Hideto's respectful exterior.

Many members of the Branch Family do this, especially some of the Branch Family geniuses.

Just like his younger brother Hizashi Hyuga, who was even more talented than him, Hizashi was put into the Caged Bird Seal and became Branch Family simply because his father chose him.

The Branch Family is always one level below the Main Family, with a strict hierarchy. If the Main Family gives an order to the Branch Family to die, the Branch Family must comply.

Although in most cases the Main Family would not do this.

However, once inequality exists, the gap will only widen.

His once spirited younger brother has now lost all his edge, becoming meek and obedient.

Hyuga Hiashi gradually got used to it.

The Main Family, the Hyūga, Konoha have many problems that he alone cannot change.

The Uchiha Clan.

In the backyard of a luxurious mansion.

Under the eaves, Uchiha Hayato was basking in the sun, leaning back in a deck chair.

A cute black cat was lying on his lap, with a ring of white fur around its neck, making it look like it was wearing a white collar.

At this moment, the black cat was squinting its eyes, enjoying Uchiha Hayato's petting, and kept making "huffing" sounds.

A short while later, a servant led Chiho into the courtyard.

"Hayato, Chiho- san has arrived."

"Grandpa," Chiho said respectfully.

Uchiha Hayato smiled warmly, finding Chiho more and more pleasing to the eye the more he looked at her.

With the death of White Fang, the Third Hokage has temporarily won.

Chiho's current status as Orochimaru's disciple carries extraordinary significance.

"I heard you're on good terms with that Yagami Shiraha. What's he like?"

"Uchiha Hayato suddenly asked."

Chiho hesitated for a moment. "He's very reliable."

"Is he reliable?" Uchiha Hayato pondered for a moment before saying, "In that case, you should get closer to him."

Chiho looked bewildered.

Uchiha Hayato shook his head and chuckled. Instead of delving into the topic, he chatted about everyday things and inquired about Chiho's well-being.

Chiho stood obediently in the courtyard, her gaze occasionally glancing at the black cat.

After Uchiha Hayato stopped petting it, the black cat stood up from his lap, stretched vigorously, then sat down again. It licked some saliva off its tongue with its two front paws, mimicking a human washing its face, and then kept licking its fur until it became a little shinier.

Noticing Chiho's absent-mindedness, Uchiha Hayato picked up the black cat and asked:

Do you like it?

Chiho nodded, then shook her head.

Uchiha Hayato smiled slightly and said, "You should go back first."

"Yes, Grandpa." Uchiha Chiho bowed respectfully and left the courtyard.

"Hayato, have you decided it's her?"

At this moment, the black cat suddenly spoke in human language.

"You've observed her too, don't you think she's unsuitable?" Uchiha Hayato retorted.

"An introverted personality, emotionally slow, and few friends—such a child is indeed more likely to open her eyes wider after experiencing love and then losing it. But... aren't you afraid she might lose control?"

The black cat was a little worried.

"I never intended to control her; I was just paving the way for her. Whether she succeeds or not ultimately depends on herself. And even if I'm gone, you'll still help her, won't you?"

Uchiha Hayato entered the tunnel quietly.

The black cat raised its head, staring at Uchiha Hayato's aged face, and said coldly, "I am merely abiding by the agreement between the Ninja Cat Clan and your lineage."

"That's enough."

Sakamoto Kouta dead.

I heard that he committed suicide in front of Sakumo's tombstone.

After losing White Fang, the village suffered another devastating blow by the death of an Elite Jonin.

The Third Hokage specifically summoned Shiraha to inquire about this matter.

Shiraha gave a perfunctory reply and left the Hokage Office.

On the way, he suddenly remembered the Konoha Crush Plan from the original story.

The Third Hokage fought Orochimaru with his strength.

Why did Jiraiya go to deal with the weaklings, while Kakashi and Might Guy just coasted along, and none of the other powerful Ninja Clan offered any help?

Those who act justly will find many supporters; those who act unjustly will find few.

Shiraha recalled how moved she was to tears back then, and suddenly felt like laughing.