Chapter 96: Final Farewells with Everyone and Sakumo's Wisdom
On the day of his deployment, Hikari's morning was filled with farewells as Konoha's mobilization neared completion. He was set to go alongside the rest of his division soon.
At the Hyuga clan compound, he shared a particularly emotional goodbye with Hinome after also parting with everyone else he knew well there.
Her worry was palpable, leading to their first and prolonged hug—a gesture that spoke volumes about their ever-evolving relationship.
Hikari assured her that they would stay in constant communication through their clan's secret specialized ultra-fast shinobi pigeons, not through Konoha's official communication technology channels led by Yamanaka and the Hokage, making them possibly susceptible to intrusion, updating each other about their research and personal well-being through letters throughout the war.
Next, Hikari secretly met Kiyomi at their usual spot. She was also about to be deployed to the Southern Front, and her demeanor was unusually subdued. She lacked her typical playfulness and was very serious and perhaps even slightly anxious.
Hikari did his best to lift her spirits. First, he said that he was confident in her abilities, that she would perform well, and that she had nothing to worry about. Then, he managed to draw a blush and a mumbled response from her before she hastily departed.
He also promised her that he might find a way to visit her front, too, if the opportunity arose. Everything went well with his own front's operations as she was running away, hinting at a desire to ensure their paths would cross again soon.
Finally, Hikari now visited the Hatake residence to bid farewell to Sakumo and young Kakashi.
"Hikari, listen carefully...", After some casual talk, Sakumo sighed slightly and then began imparting some wisdom from his experience from participating in the previous shinobi world war for Hikari, who was leaving for one now as well, so his voice, turning low and serious,
"Hikari, I know how strong you've gotten, but please remember, during the war, leverage your allies as well. Shinobi warfare is not just about individual prowess; it's about how effectively you can work as part of a team. Combined tactics, where you synchronize your jutsu with others, can increase your overall odds of survival and success more than you can believe...",
Sakumo continued, "Remember, always conserve your strength at all times. Do not waste chakra on large-scale techniques unless absolutely necessary, as you could have literally hundreds of opponents at the same time coming against you, one after another, so no matter how strong you are, you could falter simply due to attrition; I also have experience of this first hand. Precision strikes to vital points are often more effective than the flashiest jutsu.",
"Never let your guard down. Even when the battle seems won, enemies often become most dangerous. Always be prepared for a counterattack.",
Finally, he offered a last piece of tactical advice, "And when you strike, strike hard and fast. End the battle before the enemy can fully react or recover. Protracted fights drain resources and morale. Swift victories often save more lives than prolonged skirmishes."
Sakumo clasped Hikari's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze, "Use these principles wisely. They're not just tactics; they're your lifeline. Stay sharp out there, and stay safe, Hikari-kun; I expect to see you come back alive and bring further achievements for our joint ambitions."
Hikari nodded resolutely, deeply absorbing Sakumo's tactical wisdom. "Thank you, Sakumo-san..." He said firmly, "I'll keep every one of these principles at the forefront of my mind. Your advice will guide my actions on the battlefield. I will also remain alert, alive, and well at all times and work hard for our goals to come back with positive news for the overall cause..."
Meanwhile, young Kakashi stood to the side, his attention fixed intently on the conversation. His father's words of wisdom resonated deeply with him, each principle embedding itself in his young, keen mind.
Though just a boy, Kakashi's experience and skills were beyond his years, already marked by the village as a Jonin-level shinobi.
Despite his formidable abilities, Sakumo had decided against allowing Kakashi to participate in the war, citing his young age as the primary concern. This decision left Kakashi feeling a mix of frustration and indignation.
He clenched his fists, feeling sidelined at a time when he believed he could make a significant difference. After all, Hikari was just three to four years older than him and was already one of the designated leading commanders of this war on his front.
After nodding to Hikari, Sakumo noticed Kakashi's tense demeanor and addressed him with a stern, serious tone, "Kakashi, you don't yet grasp the true, brutal nature of war. Your current strength, impressive as it may be, especially for your age group and even the first of its kind in history, to be honest, would still make you only cannon fodder on those battlefields.",
"Even seasoned jonins, far more experienced and older, fall in droves during wars of this magnitude. And this war, set to be the grandest in scale in our history, is far more than mere one-on-one battles. It involves deceit, ambushes, and often battles where you are outnumbered ten to one, for example.",
Sakumo's voice softened slightly, but his message remained firm, "You should be thankful that you are not being mobilized like some other Academy kids your age. Instead, use this time to grow stronger.",
He then made a promise, adding a condition to his words, "If you can reach Elite Jonin level strength and I deem you ready in the coming years, and if this war still rages, then I will allow you to join the fight...",
Sakumo's expression was serious. He stressed the importance of readiness and maturity in the face of such large-scale conflict, hoping his words would guide Kakashi to appreciate his current position and focus on his growth.
However, noticing Kakashi's subtle envious glance toward Hikari, Sakumo addressed his son's unspoken concern directly, "Don't compare yourself to Hikari. His strength already places him among the top ten shinobi in this village, which more than qualifies him for the front lines. Moreover, he will be surrounded and protected by his clansmen, an advantage you wouldn't have...", Sakumo explained.
His tone was firm, intended to both clarify the situation and temper Kakashi's frustration, "Each shinobi's path is different, Kakashi. Your time will come, but it is not now. Focus on your training and growth with me here. That's how you can truly prepare for what lies ahead...", He added, hoping to steer Kakashi's ambition towards preparation and self-improvement rather than resentment or impatience.
As Hikari watched Sakumo interact with Kakashi, he sensed a deeper reluctance in Sakumo's demeanor towards the war, likely stemming from past experiences or the less-than-favorable treatment he had received from Konoha's leadership. This made Sakumo's lack of enthusiasm for returning to battle understandable, even predictable.
In Hikari's view, Sakumo seemed genuinely more content to stay behind in the safety of his clan's estate, dedicating himself to training young Kakashi and preparing him for the increasing challenges of the shinobi world.
It appeared that nurturing Kakashi's potential and safeguarding his growth was a source of fulfillment for Sakumo, perhaps offering him a sense of redemption and purpose that the battlefield no longer provided.
It was clear why the two of them didn't need to participate in this war. Even the smaller shinobi clans needed to maintain a certain number of their members within the clan compound to preserve the clan's lineage and ensure its survival, something Konoha's leadership could not override. Sakumo, as the Hatake clan head, decided who they were.
Meanwhile, in the living area, after sensing Kakashi's further lingering doubts and the need for a tangible demonstration, Sakumo decided on a more direct approach to resolve the matter,
"If you're still not convinced, Kakashi, let's step outside and see Hikari's abilities for ourselves; hence the differences between the two of you..." Sakumo suggested, leading the way with a tone of finality.
Soon after, they moved to the courtyard, where they would have enough space for a safe and clear demonstration. This impromptu spar was not just to showcase Hikari's combat skills but also to provide a practical lesson for Kakashi on the level of expertise required for war leadership.
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