Shaking his head, Sōkyū Hatake put Saitama-sensei's unrealistic training method out of his mind.
Better to be practical.
After finishing his check-in, Sōkyū Hatake did not linger and headed straight home.
After Sōkyū Hatake left, a figure entirely shrouded in a black robe swiftly departed from the woods, heading straight for the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage." After arriving at the Hokage's office, the shadowy figure respectfully dropped to one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat inside.
This was a member of the Anbu, specifically responsible for tracking and reconnaissance.
"Yes, what is it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was hastily putting away a crystal ball, taking a moment to wipe away the nonexistent glistening moisture at the corner of his mouth.
"Lord White Fa... Konoha White Fang's younger son, Sōkyū Hatake, has been appearing on Hokage Rock every day lately. Should we...?" the Anbu member said bluntly.
"Sōkyū Hatake? Ah, Hatake Sakumo's younger son, right? What is he doing on Hokage Rock?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Anbu member in some confusion, as though that could conceal the sharpness he had displayed upon hearing "Lord White Fang."
"We don't know yet, but judging by his actions, he just sits up there for a short while. It's been the same for the past three days," the Anbu member answered directly.
After Hatake Sakumo took his own life, both Kakashi Hatake and Sōkyū Hatake had people specifically assigned to watch them.
"Three days already... Sakumo's burial is this afternoon, isn't it? As it happens, these old bones of mine could pay their home a visit." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and stretched his limbs.
"Should we ask the other three elders to come?" The Anbu member suddenly trembled, sounding somewhat uncertain.
"No need. I'll go myself. Those three..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, seemingly unruffled by the Anbu member's words.
"Yes, I'll make the arrangements right away." A sheen of cold sweat suddenly appeared on the Anbu member's forehead. He knew he had said the wrong thing.
At the Hatake Clan compound, Sōkyū Hatake was preparing tonight's lunch.
After the Hatake Clan joined Konoha, its numbers had dwindled further and further. By now, only he and Kakashi Hatake remained.
So after Hatake Sakumo's death, he was the only one left to prepare lunch.
For the past two days, Kakashi Hatake had only returned at night, like a machine working nine to nine, six days a week, leaving early and coming home late. Even when he saw Sōkyū Hatake, he merely gave a slight nod.
As for this brother of his in name, Sōkyū Hatake merely pursed his lips slightly, then went about his business.
Although Kakashi Hatake had yet to return at this hour today, that did not stop Sōkyū Hatake from filling his own stomach.
Soon, after a flurry of work from Sōkyū Hatake, three simple dishes and a soup appeared on the table.
Since Kakashi had not returned, Sōkyū would not go out of his way to wait and eat with him.
Who knew when Kakashi would get back today? Filling my stomach comes first. Hatake Sakumo's burial ceremony is this afternoon, and then tonight there's still some extra training I planned myself.
Soon, the aroma of food filled the entire dining room, and Sōkyū Hatake was ready to eat.
Tap, tap, tap...
Just then, someone knocked on the Hatake Clan's front gate.
Rising to his feet, Sōkyū Hatake walked toward the gate, step by step.
Who would come over at this hour?
Kakashi Hatake? No way. He has his own key and doesn't need to knock.
Could it be one of Kakashi's friends?
Or those villagers who only know how to kick people when they're down? After what happened with White Fang, those villagers certainly came to make trouble outside the Hatake Clan compound often enough.
At that thought, a sharp glint flashed through Sōkyū Hatake's eyes. Those ignorant villagers really deserve to die!
Shaking his head and casting aside the various thoughts in his mind, Sōkyū Hatake reached the entrance and pulled the gate open a tiny crack to look outside.
It was not that Sōkyū Hatake was being cautious, but after the incident involving Konoha White Fang, he could sometimes sense strange people appearing around him.
Although they did not look out of place, Sōkyū Hatake knew they belonged either to Hiruzen Sarutobi's Anbu or Shimura Danzō's Root.
With these people appearing around him while he still could not sense their presence, he had better make sure his appearance was in order.
"Hokage? Grandpa Hokage?" After opening a narrow crack, Sōkyū Hatake caught sight of Hiruzen Sarutobi's deeply lined face.
Although he really did look like a monkey, Sōkyū Hatake suppressed that particular reaction inside him and called out "Grandpa Hokage" in a very childish manner.
He even added a slight tremor to his voice, as though Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrival had made him very excited.
"Good boy. I happened to be nearby today, so I came to see you two." Hiruzen Sarutobi kept his eyes on Sōkyū Hatake's face. Seeing his expression shift from initial astonishment to excitement, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.
He really is Sakumo's child. He already has the Will of Fire at such a young age. Very nice.
"Please come in, Grandpa Hokage." Sōkyū Hatake quietly stepped aside and let Hiruzen Sarutobi through the gate.
Looking at the simple belongings in the courtyard, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight sigh.
"Were you eating, little Sōkyū?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sudden sniff, catching the rich aroma of food.
It happened to be lunchtime, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's stomach obligingly growled.
"Have you had lunch, Grandpa Hokage? Why don't you sit down and eat with me?" Sōkyū Hatake said, then closed the Hatake Clan's gate.
He knew that when Hiruzen Sarutobi entered this place, Anbu members must already have surrounded the area.
Although Sōkyū Hatake could not sense them at present, this was a very real issue.
"Then I'll gladly accept. Did Kakashi make this? Why haven't I seen him?" Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out a chair and sat down casually, placing his Hokage hat to one side.
"My brother hasn't come back yet. I made this myself," Sōkyū Hatake said directly, serving Hiruzen Sarutobi a bowl of rice and bringing it over.
"You can already cook at such a young age, Sōkyū. It really hasn't been easy for you," Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked casually. How could he not know that Kakashi had yet to return?
"It's all right. Father was always busy with missions these past years, and my brother was promoted to Chunin too. My mother died early, so I've been cooking and eating by myself all these years."
Sōkyū Hatake spoke mildly. He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi could least bear to see people playing the sympathy card in front of him. It's just playing the sympathy card. As if anyone couldn't do that.
Before you continue