Watched

Hatake Sakumo's expression did not relax. He looked at Fang Xu and Kakashi, lowering his voice.

"However, there's one more person you two must remember."

Kakashi asked, "Who?"

"Shimura Danzō."

Hearing that name, Fang Xu's expression turned serious as well.

Hatake Sakumo looked at them.

"Danzo is one of Konoha's higher-ups and the leader of Root."

"Most of what Root does is hidden in the shadows."

"He is different from Lady Tsunade."

"Lady Tsunade may be sharp-tongued and soft-hearted, and she protects her own, but she won't treat you as tools."

"Danzo is different."

Hatake Sakumo said each word deliberately, "He is an extremely dangerous person."

"You must never contact him in private."

"Do not bring him up on your own."

"And under no circumstances should you go anywhere alone with anyone claiming to be from Root."

This was the first time Kakashi had heard his father speak of a Konoha higher-up in such a tone, and his heart tightened.

"Father, would Danzo make a move against us?"

Hatake Sakumo did not give a definite answer.

"I hope not."

"But if you realize Root has its eyes on you, tell me immediately."

"Don't try to tough it out, and don't test them."

"Especially you, Fang Xu."

Fang Xu looked up.

Hatake Sakumo said, "You've revealed too much already."

"Lightning-Attribute Nintaijutsu, talent in Kendo, Senju bloodline, and now you have ties to Lady Tsunade."

"All of that together is enough to tempt certain people."

Fang Xu fell silent for a moment, hesitation on his face.

Hatake Sakumo noticed something was wrong.

"What is it?"

Fang Xu did not answer immediately. He first glanced at Kakashi, then looked at Hatake Sakumo.

"Teacher, I've actually had a feeling lately."

Hatake Sakumo's brow twitched slightly.

"What feeling?"

"That I'm being watched."

Fang Xu slowly said, "Ever since I revealed my talent, my sensory abilities have become much sharper than before."

"At first, I thought it was the Third Hokage's Anbu or the Telescope Technique."

"But these past few times, that gaze has felt different."

"It wasn't mere observation. It felt more like malice."

Kakashi's expression changed.

"Are you sure it isn't an illusion?"

Fang Xu shook his head.

"I'm not sure."

"That's why I never said anything."

"But when Teacher mentioned Danzo just now, I started to think it might not be an illusion."

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent.

Kakashi and Fang Xu turned their heads almost at the same time, looking beneath the eaves.

Hatake Sakumo stood there.

It was not his real body, but a Shadow Clone.

Ever since Fang Xu and Kakashi had begun training, Hatake Sakumo had made a habit of leaving a Shadow Clone outside the courtyard to keep watch.

The Shadow Clone opened his eyes and nodded.

"I had vaguely sensed someone watching before as well."

Kakashi immediately asked, "Father, you noticed it too?"

The Shadow Clone said, "At first, I thought it was the Third Hokage's Anbu or the Telescope Technique, so I did not pay much attention to it."

"After all, it wasn't strange for Fang Xu to receive attention lately."

"But combined with what Fang Xu said now, that feeling of being watched may not have come from the Third Hokage."

Hatake Sakumo's real body went completely cold as he looked at the Shadow Clone.

"You stay here."

The Shadow Clone nodded.

"Understood."

Hatake Sakumo then looked at Fang Xu and Kakashi.

"You two stay in the courtyard. Don't go anywhere."

Fang Xu and Kakashi nodded at the same time.

The next instant, Hatake Sakumo's figure blurred and vanished directly from the backyard.

Under the night sky, Konoha's rooftops stretched out in an unbroken expanse.

Hatake Sakumo was astonishingly fast. After a few leaps, he had crossed several streets.

His senses spread outward.

Very quickly, he locked onto a deeply concealed chakra fluctuation.

There was more than one. Three Root shinobi hid in the shadows, scattered across different positions, none too far from Fang Xu's home or the Hatake Residence.

They had merely been watching from afar, but the instant Hatake Sakumo approached, all three sensed danger.

"Not good!"

"It's White Fang!"

"Retreat!"

The leading Root shinobi's voice sank.

"Split up and run!"

The three black figures immediately fled in different directions.

They reacted quickly, but Hatake Sakumo was faster.

The first Root shinobi had just leaped onto a rooftop when the sound of rushing wind came from beside his ear.

Before he could turn around, the back of his neck was struck hard by a sword sheath.

Bang!

His entire body tumbled from the rooftop and crashed heavily onto the ground.

The second Root shinobi tried to slip into an alley.

But the moment he landed, a foot had already planted itself against the wall ahead of him.

Hatake Sakumo used the wall for leverage, spun around, and drove his knee into the man's chest.

Crack!

The sound of breaking bones rang out clearly.

The Root shinobi let out a muffled groan, his body flying backward and smashing through a pile of clutter.

The third Root shinobi was the fastest.

He formed hand seals in rapid succession, trying to use the Body Flicker Technique to escape.

But before he could finish the seals, a white figure had already closed in before him.

Hatake Sakumo grabbed his wrist and twisted it backward.

"Ah!"

The Root shinobi's arm bent grotesquely as he was slammed to the ground.

All three had fallen in no more than a few breaths.

The leading Root shinobi's face was covered in blood, yet he still forced himself to raise his head.

"Hatake Sakumo!"

"We are carrying out a mission under Lord Danzo's orders!"

"You attacked Root shinobi without authorization. Are you trying to rebel?"

Hatake Sakumo walked toward him step by step.

His voice was terrifyingly cold.

"Root rats."

"You watched my disciple, and you still dare use Danzo to pressure me?"

The leading Root shinobi gritted his teeth.

"This is a village mission!"

"Fang Xu's identity is special. Root has the right to investigate!"

"Obstructing Root means obstructing the village!"

Bang!

Hatake Sakumo kicked him in the face.

The Root shinobi's mask shattered on the spot, and his body rolled several meters across the ground.

Two bloodied teeth fell onto the ground.

The remaining two Root shinobi stiffened, even lowering their breathing.

They had seen plenty of ruthless people.

But at this moment, they truly understood that White Fang of the Leaf was not a mild-mannered hero.

The reputation he had carved out had never been earned through gentleness.

Hatake Sakumo walked up to the leading Root shinobi and looked down at him.

"Go back and tell Danzo."

"Fang Xu is my disciple."

"From today onward, no one is to be sent to watch him again."

"If there is a next time, I won't merely break a few of your bones."

Half of the leading Root shinobi's face was swollen, blood streaming continuously from the corner of his mouth.

He no longer dared speak of rebellion, nor did he dare make threats.

Hatake Sakumo withdrew his gaze, his figure flashing as he headed straight for the Hokage Building.

The lights were still on in the Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, several documents laid out before him.

The window was pushed open, and Hatake Sakumo landed in the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, frowning.

"Sakumo?"

"Is there an urgent matter at this hour?"

Hatake Sakumo did not beat around the bush.

"Lord Hokage, I just injured several Root shinobi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed.

"Root?"

Hatake Sakumo said, "They were watching Fang Xu."

"They were not far from Fang Xu's residence or the Hatake Residence."

"They tried to flee after I discovered them."

"The leader said they were carrying out a mission under Danzo's orders."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.