In the past two days, Hatake Sakumo too had heard the rumors in the village. But those were facts. He couldn’t explain anything. Just when he passed by the two gossiping people, one of them spat at him.
Sakumo didn’t dodge it, and the saliva stuck to his trouser. The passerby sarcastically said, “I’m sorry, White Fang-sama, I didn’t see you.”
Sakumo paused for a moment, then lowered his head and left quietly.
“He didn’t even greet us back. If Konoha has a few more selfish trash like him, then we will be done for, sooner or later.”
……
In the Hatake household, Sakumo sat alone in the bedroom in a daze. Kakashi pushed open the door and stood with his fists clenched. He said, “Father, you shouldn’t have saved that bastard Ryoma.”
Sakumo was startled hearing his son’s words. He turned to look at the furious Kakashi and asked with a withering look, “You also think I shouldn’t have saved my companion?”
Kakashi lowered his head, remained silent for a long time, and replied in a low voice, “Didn’t you always tell me a shinobi’s mission was the most important?”
A hint of loss flashed through Sakumo’s eyes. He nodded and said, “I’m sorry, Kakashi.” Kakashi took a deep breath, slammed the door shut, and ran to the backyard to vent his emotions on the wooden stake.
His right fist’s skin was already torn and bleeding, but he didn’t stop.
Knock, knock, knock…
At this time, Kakashi heard a knock on the door, and his hands stopped. He looked at the sky and knew that Uchiha Tonan had come. He lowered his head and walked to open the door.
Tonan was standing outside with a smile and asked, “Kakashi, it’s time for training, why do you look so desolate?”
Kakashi shook his head and said, “Tonan, I want to rest for some days. I don’t want to train.”
While speaking, he subconsciously hid his bleeding right hand behind him. Tonan narrowed his eyes slightly. Staring at Kakashi, he nodded and said, “Well, then you should spend more time with White Fang-sama. He must be going through a hard time. You shouldn’t blame him. He did the right thing. It just affected the interests of other people.”
After speaking, Tonan turned around and left.
In the evening, at a barbecue shop, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, and Tonan were chatting while eating barbecue. Kushina put a large piece of moderately lean meat into Tonan’s bowl.
“How is Kakashi doing lately? I went to invite him, but he didn’t come.”
Tonan smiled at Kushina and immersed himself into eating. “He has been locked up at home, unwilling to leave. He doesn’t even want to see me.”
Kushina moved the bangs in front of her forehead. She supported her chin with one hand and watched Tonan eat while using the other hand to feed him more with her chopsticks. “This isn’t good. The entire village is abusing White Fang-senpai. I wonder when this storm will subside.”
Minato said in a deep voice while moving meat in front of Kushina’s mouth with his chopsticks. “People have short memories. It’ll pass in a few days. I’m planning to meet Kakashi early tomorrow. The ninjutsu he used last time was very interesting and gave me some inspiration. I wanted to discuss something with him anyway, I’ll console him as well.”
Kushina gave Minato a thumbs up. “Great idea!” She put another barbecue meat into Tonan’s already full bowl and added, “Come on, Tonan, eat more, you’re still growing.”
“Thank you, Kushina-senpai.” Tonan answered trying to look happy. Under the table, his hand was continuously rubbing his bulging stomach. But in his heart, he had dark thoughts, “Tomorrow, is it…”
Early next morning, Minato came to the Hatake household and dragged the unwilling Kakashi away.
At that time, in the breakfast shop located at the street corner of Hatake household. “It’s my turn to enter the stage,” Tonan put down his chopsticks and took a tissue to wipe his mouth. He took out a 1000 Ryo banknote from his wallet, put it on the table, and got up to leave.
“Your change!” The shopkeeper called out as he rushed behind him.
“Keep the change.” Tonan waved his hand without turning back.
The shopkeeper looked at the money in his hand and couldn’t help sighing, “Ninjas are so extravagant.”
Tonan came to the Hatake household. Using the white pigeon’s vision he had left in the Hatake household last time, he knew that Sakumo was in the house.
Tonan was worried that Sakumo would commit suicide too soon but he didn’t dare use Byakugan to monitor him. He hastily knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock…
Sakumo was at the heart of his struggle now.
Tonan’s action made passersby stop and watch. After a while, the door was opened, and Sakumo stood behind it. Tonan saw that his eyes were lifeless.
Sakumo forced a smile and said, “It’s you, Tonan. Kakashi just left with Minato.”
Tonan placed his hands on his knees, bowed to Sakumo, and said, “I’ve come to meet you, senior.”
Sakumo was a little surprised. He shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, it’s not convenient today, please return.”
After speaking, Sakumo was about to close the door but Tonan’s hands were quicker. He held the door that was about to be shut, and there was a hint of determination in his eyes as he said, “No, today is the right time. Senior, you can’t avoid the samurai duel.”
Tonan retracted his hand after speaking and said with a serious look, “The successor of Sanbo Style, Uchiha Tonan, challenges the successor of Hatake Style, Hatake Sakumo.”
Sakumo was dumbfounded for a moment and thought about rejecting Tonan. However, out of the samurai spirit, he nodded and said, “Come in.”
Tonan nodded and followed Sakumo into the courtyard.
“Did I hear it correctly? That kid wants to challenge White Fang?”
“White Fang has triggered the wrath of Heaven and anger of men. It’s expected for that kid to be so disgusted he wants to sort him out.”
“I remember that kid. He seems to be an Uchiha clan member, called Uchiha Tonan.”
“That was him… No wonder he looks so familiar.”
“Although the Uchihas are horrible, this Uchiha Tonan is notoriously affectionate and righteous.”
“I hope he can defeat White Fang and settle the villagers’ grievances.”
“How’s that even possible? Although I don’t want to admit it, Tonan’s strength is not comparable to White Fang.”
“Do you think Tonan will be fine?”
“He should be. White Fang isn’t so tactless. He wouldn’t be heavy-handed towards a junior.”
“What can a scum like White Fang not do? This is not good, I’ve to inform the guards.”
“I’ll go to inform Hokage-sama.”
“If White Fang dares to harm Tonan, I’ll…”
“What’ll you do?”
“I’ll come to his door every night to throw feces.”
