Chapter 62: Shisui Uchiha
Early morning.
Hanakawa stood outside with his eyes closed.
Moments later, his body trembled slightly as lightning coursed through him.
It wasn't until he could no longer hold on that he withdrew his chakra.
Hanakawa let out a breath.
After so long of training, his C-Rank entry, 'Lightning Release Chakra Activation,' had reached 70% progress.
The slower one, the A-Rank entry, 'Super Strength,' was only around 20%.
Just then, footsteps sounded.
Hanakawa turned his head and was slightly taken aback.
It was Kakashi Hatake.
But his face no longer held its usual cool expression; instead, it was filled with worry.
This was clearly not normal.
And he had come alone, not with Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara.
"What's wrong?"
Hanakawa's heart stirred. Had Sakumo Hatake committed suicide? But if he had, Kakashi wouldn't be this calm.
"Have you heard the rumors lately?"
Kakashi hesitated for a moment before asking.
"What rumors?"
Hanakawa was stunned for a moment. "I've been interning at the Konoha Hospital, so I haven't been paying attention."
"It's about my father."
Kakashi explained, "A lot of ninjas are saying my father violated the village's rules by saving his comrades before completing his mission."
Hanakawa thought, As expected, the rumors have finally started, and this is only the beginning.
Right now, Sakumo Hatake was too powerful. He could accomplish both saving his comrades and completing his mission.
But a journey to a river often ends with wet shoes.
What if Konoha assigned him an extremely difficult and important mission, and he failed it because he chose to save his comrades first?
Then it would be just like in the original story, where he would be criticized by everyone, ultimately leading to his suicide.
Without a doubt, someone was behind this.
S-Rank missions were supposed to be highly confidential.
How could the details have spread so quickly throughout the village?
Even if the information had been leaked, the Konoha elders should have stepped in to stop the rumors, but they didn't.
"Hanakawa."
Kakashi's face showed his confusion. "Do you think my father was wrong?"
Whether the mission or one's comrades came first was a difficult question with no easy answer, especially given the unique nature of ninjas.
But Hanakawa thought of Naruto Uzumaki and his generation. Back then, the importance of comrades was emphasized.
Perhaps it was precisely because of Sakumo Hatake's suicide that the Konoha elders changed their stance.
"I don't think he was wrong."
Hanakawa answered with a serious expression.
"Really?"
Kakashi's eyes widened, and he asked almost unconsciously.
The reason he came to ask Hanakawa was because Hanakawa had always seemed more mature than his peers.
Plus, after a year of training together, they had a decent relationship.
"Yeah."
Hanakawa brought up Tsunade. "My teacher told me that as a medical ninja, you can't abandon a single comrade."
"Thank you, Hanakawa."
Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.
He felt a sense of calm in his heart.
"I once heard a saying that fits Hatake-san's situation perfectly."
Hanakawa recited each word carefully: "My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and all I do is righteous."
Sakumo Hatake made him think of the two heroes of justice, Kiritsugu Emiya and Shirou Emiya.
But he knew that simply relying on Kakashi's advice would probably not be enough.
The key to this matter was the Konoha elders, specifically Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanakawa was deep in thought.
He had trained with Kakashi and often saw Sakumo Hatake.
His impression of the man was that he was warm and kind.
It would be a terrible shame if such a person were to die.
"Uh... I don't really get it."
Kakashi stared blankly, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
"Let's go to the academy, I'll explain on the way."
Hanakawa called for Kurenai Yuhi, and the three of them headed to the Ninja Academy.
...
The Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Shisui, congratulations on your enrollment. This is a gift for you."
Teika Uchiha presented a set of custom-made kunai.
"Thank you, Brother Teika."
Shisui Uchiha gave a warm smile.
"It's nothing."
Teika Uchiha patted his shoulder and said with a serious tone, "You have to get back the first place that the Uchiha lost!"
"Huh?"
Shisui Uchiha was a little confused. "What first place?"
"First place at the Ninja Academy."
Teika Uchiha said in a deep voice.
"Is Brother Teika talking about Hanakawa?"
Shisui Uchiha's eyes flashed with curiosity. "I've heard of him, he's been very famous lately."
Hanakawa was young, a student of Tsunade, and had shown an extremely high level of medical ninjutsu.
After interning at the Konoha Hospital for two months, he had gained a considerable reputation among the ninjas.
Many people were calling him the next Tsunade.
"That's him."
Teika Uchiha sighed. "When I enrolled, I went to challenge him, but I couldn't even beat his lackey, Kakashi."
"Is there a possibility that Kakashi is the one who's strong, and not Hanakawa?"
Shisui Uchiha thought for a moment before asking.
"Impossible!"
Teika Uchiha said with conviction. "A prideful genius like Kakashi would only be bossed around by Hanakawa if he had suffered a crushing defeat."
"I suppose so."
Shisui Uchiha agreed.
"Shisui, in our generation, you're the only one I admire. Even though you're younger than me, you're stronger."
Teika Uchiha looked at him. "You can definitely defeat Hanakawa!"
"I... I'll try."
Shisui Uchiha couldn't refuse, so he just nodded.
He was indeed interested in Hanakawa.
"Then let's go challenge him today!"
Teika Uchiha's spirit was lifted, and he said excitedly, "This honor belongs to the Uchiha!"
"No need to rush."
Shisui Uchiha was quite composed. "The most important thing in a ninja battle is information. I need to understand Hanakawa's strength first."
"You... you're so good at everything, it's just that your personality isn't very Uchiha-like."
Teika Uchiha's face stiffened, and he couldn't help but complain.
Shisui Uchiha gave an embarrassed smile.
"How about this?"
Teika Uchiha's face showed a look of determination. "I'll go challenge Hanakawa and try my best to force him to use his full power."
"Brother Teika..."
Shisui Uchiha was stunned for a moment and was immediately cut off.
"You don't have to talk me out of it!"
Teika Uchiha's tone was firm. "This is for the Uchiha!"
Shisui Uchiha wanted to say more but ultimately said nothing.
He knew that the Uchiha clan's ninjas always put their family first, with the village coming in second.
"It's just that Kakashi has stopped my challenges a few times."
Teika Uchiha suddenly thought of a problem. "Shisui, you're always so smart. Is there a way to make Hanakawa not avoid the fight?"
"Send a letter of challenge."
Shisui Uchiha thought for a moment. "With a formal challenge, Hanakawa shouldn't let Kakashi fight on his behalf."
"That's a great idea!"
Teika Uchiha couldn't help but smile.
....
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