Weeping Kakashi

"That is the White Fang's blade, you are not qualified to use it."

Hyuga Satoru's words sounded so harsh in Kakashi's ears, acting like a bomb that made him flush red with uncontrollable fury as he roared.

"What do you know! What does an outsider like you know!"

"He's just a coward! So what if he gave up the mission? So what if he was insulted by his comrades? Why did he have to commit suicide? Why did he have to commit suicide?!"

Perhaps he had endured too much these past two years, or perhaps it was the humiliation of being defeated in public by Hyuga Satoru, but Kakashi actually collapsed to the ground in front of everyone, crying out.

"He didn't have to die! Even if the villagers cursed him, so what? Didn't he still have me? Why did he choose to commit suicide? Why..."

At some point, the crowd suddenly grew quiet, and Kakashi's weeping sounded so harsh in such an environment.

"So this is what you care about?"

Hyuga Satoru sighed.

It seemed that his father's suicide had left Kakashi in deep, agonizing grief; these past two years, he had been brainwashing himself with the idea that "a man who can't even finish a mission is nothing more than a coward," numbing his own pain.

Until now, defeated in public by Hyuga Satoru, his internal defenses had been completely shattered.

The surrounding ninjas all fell silent, lowering their heads slightly. Many of them had taken part in heavily criticizing Hatake Sakumo, and the rumors had burned fiercely, fueled by malice. When things finally calmed down, they realized the man was already gone.

Thus, they shared a tacit understanding and no longer mentioned it.

"Kakashi..." Guy couldn't help clenching his fists. He had never seen Kakashi like this-fragile, grief-stricken, helpless...

Hyuga Satoru wore a complicated expression as he said, "I never saw Lord White Fang with my own eyes, but I've heard tales of his deeds. I think his choice at the very end was to carry out his own will."

"Carry out his will?"

On the ground, Kakashi's eyes lit up as he raised his head to look at Hyuga Satoru.

"By dying to prove his resolve, I think that's what he was thinking. He didn't die out of cowardice or fear, but used his own death to silently interpret his will."

"The moment he plunged his Ninja Blade into himself, perhaps he was even smiling?"

"Is that so..."

Kakashi stopped crying, sinking into deep contemplation.

Interpreting his own will... The image of that man who always wore a gentle smile surfaced in his mind.

Father, was this what you were thinking at the very end?

He had always assumed his father chose suicide because he was too weak. Hyuga Satoru's remarks caused a subtle shift in his perspective.

Though minor, this change was like a seed planted deep within his heart...

Hokage's Office.

Hyuga Satoru's voice passed through the crystal ball on the desk, reaching the silent Sarutobi Hiruzen's ears without missing a single word.

For a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked out the window with a wistful expression as the image of that gentle, white-haired man surfaced in his mind.

"Sakumo..."

Hyuga Satoru's words were like tentacles stirring the mirror of his heart.

"Don't blame me. You could not become Hokage..."

He sighed softly.

In front of the mission assignment desk, Hyuga Satoru shook his head inwardly.

In truth, as a transmigrator, he knew very well that the real truth behind this matter was far more cruel, tied up in the internal power struggles of the Konoha High Command and the candidacy for the Fourth Hokage...

And he could only do his best to make Hatake Sakumo's legacy stand tall and proud. After all, his words hadn't been meant for Kakashi alone.

As soon as he had arrived here, he sensed a faint gaze spying on him. With a brief association, he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen must be watching this place.

I wonder what kind of thoughts the Lord Hokage, the man who indirectly drove the White Fang to his death, will have after listening to these remarks of mine?

Pulling his thoughts back, Hyuga Satoru turned his gaze back to Kakashi, speaking with a hint of coldness.

"I know it must be hard for you to accept today's defeat. Whenever you feel you can beat me, you can come challenge me at any time."

"I'll be waiting for you."

With that, leaving behind a bewildered Kakashi and the silent crowd, he turned and walked away.

"Hey, Satoru, wait up!" Anko suddenly snapped out of it and chased after Hyuga Satoru, shouting.

Uchiha Rin watched Hyuga Satoru's departing figure, couldn't help raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Satoru's pretty cool."

Kakashi gazed at Hyuga Satoru's retreating back, his mind still replaying the words spoken just moments before as he lost himself in thought.

Walking to a secluded spot away from everyone, Hyuga Satoru leaned against a wall and suddenly winced, his face twisting in pain.

"Damn it, that hurts like hell."

His body felt as though thousands of needles had been pierced into it, and the slightest movement brought excruciating pain.

Looking cool for a moment means chasing a crematorium later.

His body had not fully recovered yet, and to avoid exposing more of his abilities, he had only used the Magnetic Storm Fist during his fight with Kakashi, which placed an even heavier burden on his body.

Just then, Anko ran over, asking with concern, "Satoru, are you okay?"

Hyuga Satoru turned around, grabbed her wrist, pulled her close to his side, and muttered through gritted teeth.

"Quick, give me that."

That?

The unique scent emitted by a male body rushed into Anko's nose, making her face flush instantly from the roots of her ears, looking just like a ripe red apple.

"Satoru... D-do we have to do it here? What if someone sees us?"

"If not here, then where? You want to change places?"

Anko's face turned even redder as she shyly buried her face in her hair.

"If Rin finds out, she'll be mad, won't she?"

"What does she have to do with it?"

"Forget it, I won't argue with you anymore. Hurry up and cast a healing jutsu on me!"

"Huh?"

Hokage's Office.

After digesting his emotions, Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled the scene of Hyuga Satoru neatly and decisively defeating Kakashi, and couldn't help laughing.

"It seems the strongest member of the younger generation is undoubtedly Hyuga Satoru."

And he was well aware that Hyuga Satoru also possessed a terrifying archery ninjutsu; if he had unleashed that, Kakashi likely would have lost even faster.

"It's just a pity he's from the Branch House."

He couldn't help sighing.

If not for belonging to the Branch House, he genuinely would have groomed Hyuga Satoru to enter the Hokage's inner circle. With flawless talent and the articulation of the Will of Fire he displayed to Kakashi, he had even considered taking such a fine sprout as a disciple.

Yet, being from the Branch House meant any decision regarding Hyuga Satoru required extra caution.

Then, his thoughts shifted to Kakashi, and he sighed softly once more.

"The boy Kakashi can't be left like this any longer. Let Minato mentor him! He needs a few teammates, and I can only choose from those familiar to him in his generation. Hmm..."

"Uchiha Obito's personality is a good fit; perhaps it can neutralize Kakashi's gloom. As for the last one, Nohara Rin, a medical ninja of commoner birth, will fit in just perfectly."

Pondering for a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.

"Then I'll have Minato summoned here right now."