Cold and Ruthless, Can't You Do It?

His heart was ashes, and a trace of confusion crossed Hatake Sakumo's dejected face. Where had he gone wrong? Hadn't he been wrong from the very beginning?

Just as he had said, although he knew he had been wrong, he did not regret it. Most people might have chosen to continue the mission and abandon their teammates. If a rescue was possible, they would help; if not, they would give up.

There would inevitably be danger when carrying out missions outside the village, let alone Anbu missions filled with all kinds of risks.

Since he had chosen to abandon the mission and save his companions, he could not regret it. Hatake Sakumo did not regret it, but his teammates' accusations, the villagers' accusations, and the strange looks from his clansmen had pushed his nerves taut, leaving him in a dazed state.

Hikaru walked step by step until he stood before Hatake Sakumo, staring directly at him. Under Hikaru's gaze, Hatake Sakumo lowered his head somewhat flusteredly. A middle-aged man appearing panicked and agitated before a young man in his early twenties was a rather strange sight.

"Just as you said, don't regret what you've done. Between completing the mission and abandoning it to save your teammates, you chose to save them. I have nothing to say about that. Don't regret what you've done. That's how a man should be."

Hikaru sighed and continued, "Even without you saying it, I know that you, Hatake Sakumo, aren't someone who regrets his actions. I believe that if you had to choose again, you would still save your teammates first, because you are Hatake Sakumo, my subordinate, Uchiha Hikaru's trusted companion."

Hatake Sakumo's body trembled slightly, and a faint voice slowly emerged. "I'm sorry. I've disappointed you, Department Head."

"No, you haven't wronged me."