Bab 39: Chp-39: The Crying Kakashi
"That's White Fang's sword. You're not worthy of using it."
Satoru's words were like a bomb to Kakashi, causing his face to flush with anger. He couldn't help but shout out.
"What do you know?! You, an outsider, what do you understand?!"
"He was a coward! So what if he abandoned the mission? So what if he was humiliated by his comrades? Why did he have to commit suicide? Why did he have to die?!"
Perhaps it was the years of bearing too much or the humiliation of being publicly defeated by Satoru, but Kakashi unexpectedly broke down in front of everyone, crying out.
"He didn't have to die! Even if the villagers scorned him, so what? Didn't he still have me? Why did he choose to commit suicide? Why..."
At some point, the crowd fell silent, and Kakashi's cries echoed sharply in the quiet.
"So, this is what you were troubled by?"
Satoru sighed.
It seemed that his father's suicide had left Kakashi with immense grief. For the past two years, he had been brainwashing himself with "a man who couldn't even complete a mission is just a coward" to numb his pain.
Now, being defeated by Satoru had completely shattered his inner defence.
The surrounding ninjas were silent, their heads slightly bowed. Many of them had participated in the backlash against Sakumo Hatake, with malicious rumours fanning the flames. By the time things calmed down, it was too late.
So, they tacitly agreed not to mention it again.
"Kakashi..." Guy clenched his fists. He had never seen Kakashi like this, weak, sorrowful, helpless...
Satoru wore a complex expression and said, "I never met Lord White Fang personally, but I've heard of his deeds. I think his final decision was to uphold his own will."
"Uphold his will?"
Kakashi's eyes lit up as he looked up at Satoru.
"Yes, he chose to die to make a statement. It wasn't out of fear or cowardice. He used his death to silently convey his will."
"Maybe, in his last moments, he even smiled while holding that sword."
"Is that so..."
Kakashi stopped crying, falling into deep thought.
Conveying his will... He envisioned the man who always wore a smile.
"Father, was that your final thought?"
He had always believed his father committed suicide out of guilt. Satoru's words sparked a subtle shift in his perspective.
It was a small change, but it became a seed planted in his heart...
In the Hokage's office...
Satoru's words echoed through the crystal ball on the desk, reaching the ears of a contemplative Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After a long pause, he looked out the window, memories of the gentle white-haired man surfacing.
"Sakumo..."
Satoru's words stirred his heart.
"Did you really choose to die to convey your will?"
He sighed deeply.
In front of the mission assignment centre, Satoru shook his head.
As a transmigrator, he knew the truth was far more complex, involving internal power struggles within Konoha and the selection of the Fourth Hokage.
All he could do was try to honour Sakumo Hatake's legacy. After all, his words weren't just meant for Kakashi.
From the moment he arrived, he had sensed a faint, observing presence. With some thought, he knew it must be Hiruzen Sarutobi watching.
"I wonder what the Hokage, who indirectly pressured Sakumo to death, thinks after hearing my words."
Bringing his thoughts back, Satoru looked at Kakashi, his tone indifferent.
"I know today's defeat is hard for you to accept. Whenever you feel ready to challenge me again, you can come anytime."
"I'll be waiting for you."
With that, he left behind a bewildered Kakashi and the silent crowd, turning to walk away.
"Hey, Satoru, wait for me." Anko suddenly called out, running after him.
Rin Uchiha watched Satoru's departing figure with raised eyebrows.
"Satoru... he's pretty cool."
Kakashi watched Satoru leave, replaying his words in his mind, lost in thought.
In a deserted area, Satoru leaned against a wall, grimacing in pain.
"Damn, it hurts so much."
His body felt like it was being pierced by thousands of needles, every movement excruciating.
"Showing off feels good, but there's hell to pay afterwards."
His body hadn't fully recovered. To avoid revealing more of his abilities, he had only used Magnet Burst Fist against Kakashi, increasing the strain on his body.
Just then, Anko caught up, her face full of concern.
"Satoru, are you alright?"
Satoru turned and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close and gritting his teeth.
"Quick, give me that."
"That?"
The unique scent of a male's body filled Anko's nose, flushing her face red like a ripe apple.
"Satoru... here? What if someone sees us?"
"Where else? You want to change locations?"
Anko's face turned even redder, hiding her face in her hair.
"If Rin finds out, she'll be mad, won't she?"
"What's it got to do with her?"
"Fine, stop nagging and give me the healing jutsu!"
"Huh?"
In the Hokage's office...
After processing his emotions, Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled the scene of Satoru's decisive victory over Kakashi, a smile forming on his lips.
"It seems the title of the strongest in the new generation undoubtedly belongs to Satoru Hyuga."
He also knew that Satoru had a terrifying archery technique. If he had used it, Kakashi would have lost even faster.
"It's a pity he's from the branch family."
He sighed.
If he weren't from the branch family, he would have considered grooming Satoru for the Hokage lineage. With his perfect talent and his interpretation of the Will of Fire, he even thought of taking him as a disciple.
However, being from the branch family meant that any decisions regarding Satoru had to be made with caution.
He then thought of Kakashi and sighed again.
"Kakashi can't be left like this any longer. It's time for Minato to guide him. He needs teammates from familiar peers... Hmm..."
"Obito Uchiha's personality should balance Kakashi's gloominess. The remaining spot, Nohara Rin, as a civilian medical ninja, will be a perfect fit."
After some thought, Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's notify Minato now."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone