The day of departure drew ever closer, but the matter weighing on Liumu's mind remained unresolved.
Liumu had even visited the Hatake Clan several times without catching sight of Kakashi.
Thinking back to how Kakashi had looked when he left Hokage Rock, it was as though a heavy bronze door had closed, hiding him completely behind it.
After that, Kakashi immersed himself completely in ANBU, shutting himself away and becoming someone hidden behind a mask.
Opinions in Konoha varied on whether Hatake Sakumo had been right or wrong. No one knew exactly what mission they had been carrying out, but even among those who understood his decision to abandon the mission to save his teammates, the voices expressing that understanding were pitifully few.
Even the two teammates Hatake Sakumo had rescued and brought back to the village complained about him in private, leaving most people afraid to express their own thoughts.
"The Third is interested in having you lead a squad."
Jiraiya suddenly said this over dinner.
"Why? Didn't we agree to go traveling? When would I have time to lead a squad?"
Liumu rolled his eyes and snorted. "Besides, I don't want anyone pulling my strings. Find someone else. Who makes a six-year-old a squad leader?"
Jiraiya had known Liumu would say that, so he could not be bothered to persuade him. After all, he had already warned the Third when the Third brought it up, but the Third had still insisted that Jiraiya ask Liumu, apparently clinging to a slim hope.
The previous trip to Kirigakure had taken over half a year, including the journey there and back. It had really eaten up too much of his time.
Besides, if he had been in Konoha then, perhaps he could have stopped Hatake Sakumo before he lost the will