Entrusting His Son

Just as they were about to leave, Chiyo asked Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"We've been in Konoha Village for nearly three months. How come we still haven't seen your Konoha's White Fang?"

Hatake Sakumo had killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law. How could she not dwell on it?

For this final match, Chiyo intended to take the field herself and test Hatake Sakumo's strength.

If given the chance, she might disregard the rules and kill Hatake Sakumo outright. Trading one life for one life would count as avenging her son and daughter-in-law.

In truth, this was exactly the outcome the Konoha higher-ups hoped for. Ever since the Second Shinobi War, when Hatake Sakumo earned the title of Konoha's White Fang, his prestige had only continued to rise.

Of them all, the one who most wanted Hatake Sakumo dead was undoubtedly Konoha's pot-shadow—Danzo Shimura.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Of course he'll be the one fighting in the final match. He was previously away on another mission and only recently returned to the village. We still need to inform him."

There was no helping it. Such were the interests at stake among the higher-ups.

Chiyo respectfully said, "Then I'll have to trouble Lord Third Hokage with the arrangements. This old woman is also looking forward to tomorrow's final match."

Having said that, she did not dwell on it any longer. She still needed to check whether Rasa's condition after falling under the genjutsu was serious.

The Konoha higher-ups could not very well stop them, and they also had important matters to discuss with Hatake Sakumo.

That evening, inside Konoha Hospital.

Several Sand Shinobi exchange delegation leaders were gathered in Rasa's recovery room, discussing matters.

Pakura said, "Is Rasa all right? I heard Uchiha Yato's genjutsu is particularly nasty. You need to be careful."

The instant those words were spoken, Rasa had a stress reaction.

An experienced Sand Shinobi immediately struck him across the neck, knocking him unconscious.

This was their only means of escaping that horrifying genjutsu.

Seeing this, Chiyo sighed. "He's fine. After resting and recuperating for a while, he'll recover. The willpower of a high-ranking shinobi is not as weak as you imagine."

"Pakura did well this time. We can obtain three things from the Uchiha Clan, so we should plan them carefully."

After glancing at the surrounding leaders, Chiyo continued, "This old woman has an unwilling request to make, relying on her age and seniority."

"If I should unfortunately die in my battle against Hatake Sakumo, I ask that all of you look after my disappointing grandson."

As she spoke, the elderly woman gave everyone a deep bow as a sign of respect.

The emotional Pakura immediately burst into tears. "Grandmother, what are you saying?"

"Konoha's White Fang is your sworn enemy. We all know that. I'll take that cheap life of his for you. You won't need to lift a finger."

Chiyo cut off everyone's attempts to dissuade her and replied in a unified tone, "I've thought about this for a long time. Which is more important, the dead or the living?"

"Whether from an emotional standpoint or from the standpoint of the nation, trading myself for one Konoha's White Fang is an absolutely profitable deal."

"Besides, this is merely my worst-case scenario. What will truly happen remains to be seen."

Seeing everyone's somewhat sorrowful expressions, Chiyo roused her spirits. "Let's discuss the three things we need to take from the Uchiha Clan."

One Sand Shinobi said, "We've been staying with the Uchiha Clan this whole time, and we've really enjoyed the food within their clan."

"And Sand Shinobi cuisine truly pales in comparison before it. My personal suggestion is that we bring back a kind of food called canned goods to the village."

Chiyo could understand this suggestion. She knew that canned food could be preserved for a long time and tasted quite good as well.

Pakura said, "The Uchiha Clan also possesses many Fire Release techniques. The technique Uchiha Yato used before, the one that produced black ash, should belong to the Sarutobi Clan."

"Could we ask for that technique and drive a wedge between them?"

This suggestion also made Chiyo's eyes light up. After all, it was not something that belonged to the Uchiha Clan, yet whether they handed it over or refused, it would have negative consequences for them.

Pakura said this partly to get revenge on Uchiha Yato. After being mocked and humiliated by him, she would not be Pakura if she did not recover some face.

At this point, a bold shinobi suggested that the Uchiha Clan contribute one or even several pairs of Sharingan.

That suggestion did not make it out of the hospital before it was immediately rejected.

You were allowed to think about it; you were allowed to ask for it. But no one allowed you to fantasize wildly.

In the end, Chiyo suggested that the Uchiha Clan provide more money. At least this exchange trip would yield some gains.

While they were discussing matters in Konoha Hospital, a shinobi concealed in the shadows quietly departed.

The destination of this hidden shinobi was Root.

He reported everything he had overheard—their attitudes and their plans—to Danzo Shimura.

Danzo Shimura did not care that they wanted a few things from the Uchiha Clan. What interested him were certain attitudes he had heard.

First was Chiyo's attitude toward Konoha's White Fang. To Danzo, this was truly delightful.

He could eliminate a major enemy threat—Chiyo—and also a major thorn in his own side—Hatake Sakumo. It was killing two birds with one stone.

The other matter concerned the Sand Shinobi asking for a ninjutsu. That technique should be the Sarutobi Clan's Ash Pile Burning, and Danzo Shimura was very interested to see how Uchiha Yato would handle it.

After being reprimanded by Hiruzen Sarutobi last time, he would merely watch from the sidelines this time. In the negotiation meeting, he could always conveniently add fuel to the fire.

Inside the Hatake Estate.

Hatake Sakumo was instructing Kakashi Hatake, "Kakashi, be good. You're a grown boy now, so you must take good care of yourself."

Kakashi could not understand it at all. His father was only participating in an exchange event, so why was he making it sound so grave?

Ever since returning home, he had constantly been telling Kakashi to take care of himself, yet he had not explained why.

Hatake Sakumo did not want to either, but he had received a secret order from Danzo Shimura.

The meaning was simple: if Konoha's honor needed to be preserved, Hatake Sakumo was expected to throw himself into battle.

The wording was particularly subtle.

What did it mean to preserve Konoha's honor?

What did it mean to throw himself into battle if necessary?

Hatake Sakumo was no fool. Of course he understood the implications.

That was why, upon returning home, Hatake Sakumo had urged Kakashi to behave himself.

At that moment, Uchiha Yato entered through the window. "Looks like I came at a bad time. I interrupted a warm moment between father and son."

Seeing the visitor, Kakashi politely greeted him. After all, Uchiha Yato could be considered half his teacher.

Hatake Sakumo also knew why Uchiha Yato had come. Making an excuse, he sent Kakashi away first.

After Kakashi left, Uchiha Yato spoke first. "You really are weak. Just a few words, and you're ready to throw your life away?"

It was not because Hatake Sakumo was weak. Earlier, he had already been assigned to carry out a secret mission.

That secret mission was to lie in wait and gather intelligence in the Land of Lightning.

During the process, Hatake Sakumo had keenly sensed that something was wrong. He knew the Konoha higher-ups could no longer tolerate him.

As someone who had transmigrated here, Uchiha Yato naturally knew about this matter.

Konoha's White Fang's suicide was also one of the triggers of the Third Shinobi War. Otherwise, with the Hidden Sand Village's strength, and with one Third Kazekage already gone, would they have dared to launch an attack on Konoha?

What a joke. That would have been nothing more than an egg smashing against a rock.

Uchiha Yato said, "Don't be so pessimistic, and don't give up on yourself so easily."

"Don't tell me you still naively believe in the Konoha higher-ups?"

As he said this, Uchiha Yato pointed to the large tree outside the window. "There's a Root shinobi up there. But don't worry, he's already under the Sharingan's control."

Uchiha Yato understood Hatake Sakumo's pain as well. His faith had simply collapsed, and he was unable to accept it for the moment.

For Uchiha Yato, if one's faith collapsed, then one simply established a new faith. In any case, his bottom line was flexible and ever-changing. (Though harming his family was a true bottom line.)

After pondering for a long while, Hatake Sakumo said to Uchiha Yato, "Kakashi is in your care. I believe you'll take good care of him."

Uchiha Yato said, "Don't you know what kind of person I am?"

"Believe it or not, after you die, I'll make Kakashi go hungry nine meals out of every three days."

"I'll fill his head with twisted ideas every day, live in your house, spend your money, steal your wife, and beat your kid."

Uchiha Yato had misspoken. Hatake Sakumo's wife had already passed away during the Second Shinobi War.

Those words moved Hatake Sakumo somewhat. Seeing hope, Uchiha Yato continued, "Since you want to die so badly..."

"Why not let your death do something for me?"

Hatake Sakumo asked in surprise, "What do you want to do?"

"But you absolutely cannot harm Kakashi."

Uchiha Yato smiled. "How about we make a bet?"