"Takehiko!"
Sakumo Hatake spotted a child in coarse gray hemp clothing running toward him and immediately called out his name.
It was only when he saw the boy that he confirmed this was indeed the same village he'd once visited.
Takehiko—the child he had saved during a mission, a rare moment when he'd let his guard down.
"Uncle Sakumo, I really missed you," Takehiko said, clinging to Sakumo Hatake with a delighted grin. "Are you here on a mission again this time?"
"Why don't you come to my house? I'll have Mom make those sweet rice balls for you—they're amazing."
The boy's enthusiasm warmed Sakumo Hatake's heart, reminding him of his own son back in Konoha.
In a few years, Kakashi might do the same—leaping into his arms, overjoyed.
A faint smile stretched across Sakumo Hatake's face as he replied, "Uncle is just passing through—I thought I'd stop by and see you."
"What happened to the village? Why has it changed so much?"
As a ninja, naturally, Sakumo Hatake had skills for gathering intelligence.
Well, not exactly "intelligence-gathering" skills—more like simply voicing his confusion directly.
Scratching his head, Takehiko answered, "A group came to the village talking about investments and building factories. I don't really get what they meant."
"Ever since they arrived, adults started earning stable incomes, and everyone began rebuilding their houses too."
"Oh right, our family is building a new house as well! Although we need to book an appointment with the construction team first."
As he spoke, his little face drooped slightly, letting out a sigh like a miniature adult.
Beside them, Satori Hyūga cut in curiously, "Are these people from the Umbrella Corporation?"
Takehiko's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly.
"Yeah, yeah! They're part of one of the Umbrella Corporation's subsidiaries—I'm not sure which one myself."
He didn't know much, but Sakumo understood everything clearly.
He knew that the Umbrella Corporation had been founded under Satori Hyūga's leadership, handling various commercial ventures.
Its most well-known subsidiaries were the Konoha Air Transport Company and the Konoha Unified Infrastructure Group.
One ruled the skies, the other dominated the underground—both were corporate titans.
It was said that both monopolized their industries, with wealth pouring in like water.
Thinking about it, he realized that regardless of whether Satori Hyūga himself seemed dubious, the companies under his control truly brought numerous beneficial projects to the country and its people.
"This is just one place—you could have brought me here just to deceive me," Sakumo Hatake said, still not fully convinced.
Satori Hyūga, however, wasn't fazed—he simply led him to another destination.
There was quite a distance between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, filled with many villages and towns in between.
Across the Land of Fire, Satori Hyūga's Umbrella Corporation had aggressively developed local industries in many towns.
To enrich the people and improve public health and living standards, infrastructure development had to be pushed forward aggressively.
Moreover, using knowledge and techniques from his past life, Satori Hyūga had formed alliances with multiple nearby factions, launching large-scale investments and developments.
As they traveled on, Sakumo Hatake passed through two, three, four... villages and towns, yet no matter which one he visited, each showed profound transformation within.
It was as if an invisible, giant hand were working hard to reshape the world.
Everything was moving in a positive direction. People no longer wore the numb, panicked expressions of the past; instead, they smiled.
The rogue ninja and bandit samurai who once plagued the roads had vanished, replaced by countless individuals striving in their work.
When they reached the border of the Land of Fire, Sakumo Hatake finally eased his vigilance and let out a sigh.
"Maybe you are right."
"Everything we've seen along the way clearly shows your kindness toward it. I misunderstood you."
Toward Satori Hyūga, who had changed the world, Sakumo Hatake began to genuinely believe in him.
After all, someone who truly cares for the common folk couldn't be all bad.
Even if he were, how much harm could he really do?
Sakumo stared at Satori Hyūga seriously. "What do you want me to do?"
Years of brutal battles and confronting the village's deep-rooted corruption had left Sakumo physically and mentally drained.
Now, Satori had given him a glimmer of hope, making him willing to try.
Perhaps the world has changed, and life might finally become peaceful—free from slaughter and death.
His son Kakashi wouldn't have to walk the same dark path anymore, becoming a ninja who killed in the shadows.
Seeing the solemn expression on Sakumo's face, Satori Hyūga chuckled and patted his shoulder.
"Actually, I told you from the very beginning—I'm here to save you. The moment you accepted the Hokage Sleeve from the Daimyo, you drew the attention of dangerous people and became a thorn in their side."
"If we're talking about strength, you definitely surpass others and fear no threats or harm."
"But you aren't alone. And when it comes to conspiracies and scheming, you're just a complete novice—any schemer could manipulate you and get you killed."
Sakumo couldn't help but frown, slightly embarrassed, mumbling defensively.
"I simply focus on battle and swordsmanship. I don't involve myself with such murky affairs—I never imagined things could go that far."
Sakumo possessed something akin to a childlike heart found in martial heroes, devoting himself completely to training, avoiding politics and darkness altogether.
Satori, having thoroughly researched Sakumo before, naturally understood this point well.
Satori continued, "Let's drop that subject. Don't follow through with the mission the village assigned you. Just head back to the village soon."
"When you return, say you were ambushed on the road and are temporarily unable to fight."
"Then request a leave of absence from the Third Hokage and rest at home for a while until people stop paying attention to you."
Frowning, Sakumo said, "Abandon the mission? That feels wrong."
"A ninja who fails to complete missions isn't a good ninja. If I abandon this mission, it would bring dishonor to the village."
"The village leadership will be relieved if you abandon the mission," Satori countered. "The better you perform, the more they'll target you."
"Haven't you heard the saying, 'Step back and see a wider sky'?"
"Accepting the Hokage Sleeve from the Daimyo is like setting yourself on fire, signaling your loyalty to the Daimyo. A failed mission equates to dimming your light, reducing your threat and staying off their radar."
Sakumo Hatake nodded silently.
Given how far the conversation had gone, he naturally understood Satori Hyūga's meaning.
When it came to choosing between the Daimyo and the village, Sakumo definitely favored Konoha, where he had lived for decades.
With that thought, he made his decision and prepared to return to the village.
Before leaving, Sakumo asked, "Aren't you coming back?"
Satori gazed toward Sunagakure. It was as if the endless yellow sands were reflected in his eyes.
"I need to visit Sunagakure. There's a major deal to negotiate—it could shift the balance of power in the ninja world."
Seeing this, Sakumo Hatake could only turn and leave alone.
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