His Father Would Do It Himself

Kakashi's gaze remained fixed on Sakumo's face as he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Sakumo did not rush to answer. He stood there quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His eyes seemed to be conveying a message to Kakashi: some things don't need much explanation; they already understand each other perfectly well.

Kakashi stared at Hatake Sakumo's enigmatic smile and quickly understood: what else could his father be doing here?

The answer is obvious: they share the same goal.

On this quiet night, Hatake Sakumo's gaze, like a warm spring breeze, gently brushed across Kakashi's face, containing boundless fatherly love.

His lips parted slightly, and he let out a sigh, a sigh that was a mixture of complex emotions, including joy and relief at his son's growth, as well as worry about the current situation.

Sakumo was secretly impressed by the profound understanding between father and son; they could even understand each other's deepest thoughts without saying a word.

His mind raced with all the speculations he had ever had since learning about Koki's situation.

Although there was no conclusive evidence, his years Anbu Captain told him that this was by no means a coincidence.

He knew the dark side of Konoha better than anyone else, and only one person had the ability and motive to be the mastermind behind it all.

That person was Danzo; that name was deeply etched into his heart.

He recalled his past experiences, those secret missions that no one knew about, and the days he struggled to survive in the darkness.

He was well aware of Danzo's methods and ambitions, as well as his extreme thirst for power.

Today, Hatake Sakumo was not present at the hospital, but he quietly lingered in the shadows outside the window, silently watching Koki lying on the hospital bed.

That once vibrant child, always with a bright smile, now resembles a withered flower, having lost its former vitality and energy.

An indescribable grief welled up in Sakumo's heart, as if he were being torn apart by a sharp blade, causing him unbearable pain.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms. A hint of pain flashed in his eyes, but even more so, there was unwavering determination and resolve.

Hatake Sakumo knew Danzo's character; that man was like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness. Once he set his sights on his prey, he would bare his fangs and attack by any means necessary, never giving up until he achieved his goal.

After this assassination attempt failed, Danzo will certainly not let it go, and his next move will be even more ruthless.

Sakumo couldn't stand idly by; he couldn't let Koki fall into danger again, and he couldn't let her future be filled with fear.

Therefore, Hatake Sakumo made up his mind to take the initiative and eliminate Danzo, this threat, tonight.

A fierce rage ignited within him. He knew this was a life-or-death struggle, and the outcome was uncertain, but he was willing to give it his all to protect the people he loved.

However, to his surprise, he encountered Kakashi here.

"Kakashi, you shouldn't be here." Hatake Sakumo looked at Kakashi and spoke slowly, a strong protective instinct rising within him. He didn't want his son to be involved in this dangerous game.

In the silence, Kakashi stood ramrod straight, his eyes resolute, filled with stubbornness and determination, like a wounded but still tenacious young beast.

Although he didn't utter a sound, the light shining from his eyes said it all—his determination was as unwavering as the stars, and the flames of revenge burned fiercely within him.

Sakumo gazed silently into his son's eyes and saw the indomitable flame burning within them. He knew deeply that Kakashi was now beyond persuasion and unable to relinquish his obsession with revenge.

As a father, he was both proud of his son's determination and deeply worried about the dangers he might face.

Hatake Sakumo slowly turned around and drew the legendary White Fang Tantō from his waist.

This short knife was once his closest comrade-in-arms, accompanying him through countless battlefields and witnessing his glorious years and illustrious achievements.

It was because of this White Fang Tantō Hatake Sakumo earned the world-renowned title of "Konoha's White Fang," turning the sword's name into his own and becoming a unique figure in the ninja world.

Sakumo gently placed the White Fang Tantō in Kakashi's hand. Kakashi gripped the hilt tightly, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"This is..."

Sakumo looked at Kakashi, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, and said softly, "Kakashi, today, I entrust the White Fang to you, hoping you can use it to protect everything we cherish."

Hatake Sakumo stood there quietly, gazing into Kakashi's surprised eyes, a feeling of regret welling up inside him.

He knew that as a father, he had been absent too much during Kakashi's childhood and missed many important moments.

In those years, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the mission and shouldered the responsibility of protecting the village, but he did not notice that Kakashi was gradually growing up.

Now, he can no longer undo the lost time; he can only do his best to make up for the regrets of the past.

He longed to see the smile on Kakashi's face, hear his joyful laughter, and feel his happiness and joy.

In that brief yet seemingly endless moment, Hatake Sakumo's heart was violently shaken, and emotions buried deep within him for many years burst forth like a flood.

Suddenly, he knelt on one knee, opened his arms, and tightly embraced Kakashi in his broad and warm arms.

This embrace, needing no words, spoke volumes. Sakumo's arms were like a vast ocean, carrying his boundless love for his son. It seemed that in this moment, all the shortcomings and deficiencies of the past would be transformed into warm sunshine, illuminating their shared future.

His movements were filled with boundless tenderness, as if telling Kakashi: No matter how treacherous the world may be, you will always have a warm haven to rely on.

Kakashi hesitated slightly in his father's broad embrace, his body stiffening involuntarily, clearly shocked by this sudden act of intimacy.

His heart was immediately filled with a warm current, a long-lost sense of security, just like when he was a child and his father held him tightly in his arms.

Kakashi's eyes welled up slightly, and he slowly raised his hands to embrace Hatake Sakumo.

Everything around seemed to freeze in that instant, and time itself stood still.

Just as Kakashi was about to pull away from this warm embrace, a resolute glint suddenly flashed in Hatake Sakumo's eyes.

His movements were incredibly swift. Without warning, he suddenly raised his hand, his palm like a sharp sword blade, and swiftly and powerfully chopped towards Kakashi's neck.

Kakashi's body stiffened instantly, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

He simply couldn't believe that his father would turn on him at this moment.

However, as the stinging pain and dizziness spread through his neck, his consciousness began to blur, and his body involuntarily and slowly fell to the ground.

Hatake Sakumo's actions were like a gust of wind, without the slightest pause.

He nimbly reached out and caught Kakashi as he was about to fall, then gently placed him under the shade of a towering tree.

Kakashi's head rested against the tree trunk, his breathing as steady as waves, clearly indicating that he had fallen into a deep coma.

Sakumo stared at his son, a complex vortex of emotions surging within him.

He didn't want Kakashi to be caught up in the impending storm, nor did he want him to face the dangers and conspiracies that were about to follow.

Sakumo gently combed Kakashi's hair, his eyes filled with an unyielding sorrow.

He whispered, "Kakashi, I'm sorry. Everything will be alright when you wake up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hatake Sakumo straightened up, gave Kakashi one last deep look, then turned and walked away.

A gentle night breeze rustled the leaves, and Hatake Sakumo's figure gradually disappeared into the night.

Under the big tree, Kakashi lay quietly, waiting for the moment he would awaken.