His clothes were neat, and he had groomed his face, but all his vitality was gone. His eyes were calm, as though he had no thoughts at all.
He was probably a dejected man who could still take care of himself. As for tidying his clothes and cleaning his home every day, he probably did that to keep Kakashi from worrying.
"Mr. Hatake, you should have a clear understanding of your situation by now. With your pronounced samurai ways, you've always been somewhat different from other ninja. Your outstanding strength and lack of a clear allegiance are probably what put you in this position. I have a suggestion, but I don't know whether you'd be willing to accept it."
Karn spoke directly to Hatake Sakumo. A man like this was no fool; he simply held too firmly to his convictions. Had Hatake Sakumo compromised his principles even a little, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo would have had no way to deal with him.
If Karn talked in circles, Sakumo might take him for a typical politician.
After hearing Karn out, Hatake Sakumo turned to look at Rin Nohara and spoke slowly. "Please forgive me for not being a proper host on your last visit. You're Kakashi's classmate, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Rin Nohara. I'm very sorry for intruding without warning."
Rin Nohara answered somewhat nervously when Hatake Sakumo addressed her. The last time she had accompanied the president of the Konoha Newspaper to the Hatake residence, Hatake Sakumo had barely spoken. She had thought he disliked her.
Karn added from beside her, "Rin Nohara came to see me first thing this morning, hoping I might know a way to help you out of your predicament, Mr. Hatake. But if you're unwilling to help yourself, probably no one can help you.
"Perhaps