As a shinobi, Kakashi had long noticed the whispers spreading through the village.
After all, every time he walked down the street, he could hear the hushed murmurs of the townsfolk, and he often found himself being pointed at in secret.
"Look, that's the kid..."
"Really? His father is that White Fang, who caused us such heavy losses?"
"Why isn't the Hokage punishing someone like that?"
"Punishment? He should come forward and apologize on his own!"
"Keep your voice down, don't let that child hear you..."
Kakashi turned a deaf ear to all this, pretending not to hear.
Whether his father was right or wrong, whether he should be punished—only the Hokage had the final say.
No one else's opinion mattered!
Besides, there was still that carefree guy acting the same as always, so Kakashi should continue as usual—believing in his father, idolizing his father.
At this point, Kakashi hadn't yet realized that although his father was revered as Konoha's White Fang for his formidable strength, in reality, he was just an ordinary person.
He could be troubled by circumstances, wounded by others' words.
...
On a sweltering summer night, after completing his mission, Kakashi parted ways with his teammates and jonin instructor at Konoha's gates and hurried straight home.
That bastard older brother of him had mentioned curry for dinner this morning.
If he didn't hurry, today's curry might end up being only the sweet variety!
And he hated sweets!
With this thought, Kakashi quickened his pace.
But...
The towering flames and thick smoke, along with the crowd gathered outside his home, left Kakashi at a loss.
A ninja stood on the compound's wall, unleashing water-style jutsu at the blaze.
Pushing through the crowd to rush inside, Kakashi stopped in his tracks and inexplicably sighed in relief when he saw Gintoki emerge from the front door, covered head to toe in soot.
Starting a fire while cooking—that was a first even for Gintoki.
Kakashi thought this, but before he could finish, he noticed something behind Gintoki—a charred, human-shaped object.
In that instant, Kakashi's eyes widened.
Uncontrollably, he pushed past person after person blocking his way until he stood before Gintoki, who hung his head in silence.
There was no need to ask or verify.
The carbonized corpse behind Gintoki was his father.
Under the water-style techniques of the ninja, the flames gradually died down.
Then, Gintoki successively performed Water Style: Wild Water Wave and Wind Style: Air Bullet.
The compressed water sphere in his hand was tossed into the center of the yard.
When struck by the Air Bullet, it scattered like a brief rain shower.
Only the entire yard and the two brothers at the entrance were drenched.
Ninja Rule #25: No matter the circumstances, a ninja must never show emotion...
Soaked by Gintoki's water jutsu, Kakashi suddenly remembered this rule and finally understood why his mother had no fixed memorial day—just whenever it rained.
Slap!
Gintoki abruptly raised his head and smacked Kakashi's dripping wet hair.
"Wait for me at home."
With these words, Gintoki vanished in a shunshin.
'He must be reporting to the Hokage...'
Kakashi knew this well.
Head bowed, he turned and closed the smoke-blackened front gate.
...
Sakumo, having served as a jonin for many years, had wide connections.
His funeral the next day was attended by many.
Yet, not a single one was truly mourning.
At least, that's how Kakashi saw it.
"Despite being so strong, to end up like this..."
"Breaking the rules only harmed himself in the end. How irresponsible..."
"His father has already passed away, yet he remains so composed. It's unsettling."
"This outcome was only natural for that guy!"
These were the muttered words of those who came to pay their respects.
Kakashi sat in seiza at the deepest part of the funeral hall beside Gintoki, enduring the pain as he returned bows to the mourners.
"This makes it seem like I killed you!"
The comrade Sakumo had saved by breaking the rules glared at the portrait and spat.
"I never asked you to save me. You abandoned the mission on your own and got yourself killed. How pathetic."
Kakashi didn't refute him.
Many people said what they wanted to say.
If Kakashi seriously considered which words were right or which answer was correct, he'd probably go mad...
But...
There was one person who preferred solving problems with brute simplicity.
Before Kakashi could react, a silver streak flashed past—a figure had already charged at that ninja with blinding speed!
BOOM!
The ninja who'd been sent flying several meters by the full-force wooden sword strike to his face didn't lose consciousness.
Clutching his swollen, bleeding cheek, he gaped with half his teeth missing at the small figure who'd struck him.
The ninjas present stared in shock at Gintoki, who now had the wooden sword resting on one shoulder while scratching his head irritably with his other hand.
Then, one after another, they began hurling accusations, their flying spittle instantly branding Gintoki as a heretical villain.
Even Kakashi wanted to call Gintoki back now.
After all... today was a funeral.
"Quit your damn chirping. Is it mating season or something you bastards?"
Gintoki's indifferent expression as he dug at his ear with his pinky only further enraged the crowd.
But this time, before anyone could speak, Gintoki blew the earwax off his finger and continued.
"Alright, I know most of you aren't really here to mourn this white-haired masochistic old man. And you—"
He turned to the comrade Sakumo had saved by abandoning the mission, pointing calmly at the portrait as he said.
"Don't flatter yourself. The old man didn't save you. He saved his comrade. A thing like you that isn't even human should just scram. I might be able to handle humans, but dealing with something subhuman just makes me sick."
"You little brat...!"
"What? You think someone who can't even feel basic gratitude after being saved qualifies as human? Don't make me laugh. Face the truth—he didn't save you. He saved the comrade he believed in."
With that, Gintoki glanced at Kakashi, who was biting his lip hard to suppress his emotions after hearing these words, then added.
"Listen up, Kakashi. Before you're a shinobi, you're a living human being. So am I. So is everyone here. And only humans should mourn humans. From now on, keep your eyes open and don't let any trash in again or father would get mad."
The few genuine mourners present bowed their heads thoughtfully at Gintoki's words, while those who'd come for spectacle gnashed their teeth, wishing they could tear him to pieces.
The funeral concluded with most of the ninjas, including the one missing half his teeth, grumbling as they left.
Only a handful remained, but Kakashi knew these were the ones who had genuinely come to see his father off for the last time...