A New Prophecy from Mount Myōboku

"What do you want to ask? Go ahead. Nobihi, head back to the tent and rest."

"Okay."

Uchiha Yehuo wolfed down the last of his Barbecue skewer, hugged the enormous scroll like a treasure, and obediently left.

On his way out, he glanced at Kakashi and gave a barely audible snort.

"Tch..."

Shinji raised an eyebrow, then dropped onto the grass and lay back, arms behind his head as he gazed at the full moon in the black night sky.

Perhaps the moon was simply too bright.

Even the stars looked faint.

Kakashi glanced at Nobihi's retreating figure. "He doesn't seem to like me."

"He doesn't like anyone. Hurry up and ask. Keep rambling and I'll fall asleep."

Kakashi tugged at his mask. "Well, there's quite a bit I want to ask. Let's start with the first thing. You told me before why my father died..."

Shinji turned to him in surprise. "Didn't we already discuss that? It was because of the Hokage's..."

"Tch. You want to hear another version?"

Shinji paused, then waved a hand. "Sakumo's death came down to this: he stood out too much. Certain people used a flaw in one of his missions to spread rumors, pressuring him and dragging his name through the mud to curb the calls for Konoha's White Fang to become the next Hokage. Whoever was behind it probably never expected the pressure to drive him to suicide."

"A hero who fought on the battlefield, a ninja with blood on both hands, killed himself over public opinion..."

Shinji smiled and looked at Kakashi. "That's why a ninja can't afford to eat himself alive! And he definitely can't let teammates, friendship, bonds, the Will of Fire, or any of those rules and ideals tie him down."

"When it comes down to it, I