It was him—Konoha's White Fang!
"It's Uncle White Fang!"
The massive tree was split in two, its cut surface as smooth as a mirror. As the dust settled, it revealed the man wearing a green jonin vest, carrying the short blade on his back that had claimed countless lives.
Shisui and Itachi stopped their movements and turned to look, a flicker of light suddenly blooming in the young ninjas' eyes.
The former was excited and full of worship—it was as if he had seen his idol!
The latter was thoughtful, stealing a glance at his big brother before silently crouching down to pick up the spilled pebbles, placing them back in the basket hanging from the tip of his sword, and continuing his swings.
A gentle breeze rose, ruffling their bangs as they swayed...
From behind the crashed tree,
Konoha's White Fang—a man whose chakra short blade 'White Fang' had shaken the shinobi world, and who had independently completed 27 S-rank missions, including the one where he killed Sasori's parents—was a figure clearly at the Kage level in terms of both record and current strength. He didn't mind being discovered at all.
He smiled slightly and waved to them. "Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting your training."
The man had arrived uninvited. His gaze flickered to the ground, noting the hundred-meter-long trench carved by the crescent slash Roy had just unleashed. His focus eventually settled on Roy as he stepped over the fallen tree and walked over slowly.
"The training ground is for everyone, Uncle White Fang. There's no need to apologize. Please, make yourself at home..."
Roy sheathed his blade and turned toward the White Fang, then glanced at Shisui out of the corner of his eye. "I don't recall telling you to stop."
Oops, I got too excited!
Shisui's small frame trembled, and he hurriedly followed Itachi's lead, gathering the stones that had fallen and putting them back into the basket. Hanging it on the tip of his sword, he resumed his swings. The snowy white blade light flashed, but he lacked his previous focus, and stones kept falling out as he grew distracted. Clearly, the arrival of the White Fang had made it impossible for the young boy to remain calm.
'Shisui of the Body Flicker' and 'Konoha's White Fang' were both ninjas known for their speed, though one relied on the ocular power of the Sharingan and the other on lightning-attribute chakra. It was hard to say that Shisui's future fame on the battlefield wasn't influenced by Sakumo Hatake.
"Shisui,"
"Big brother, I'm here."
"If I see you drop a single pebble again,"
"Itachi... you'll add a thousand swings."
"Why, big brother? It's my fault, so why should Itachi be punished for me?"
Shisui asked, confused. His form wavered again due to the distraction, and two more stones spilled out.
"Because you are brothers and comrades. Two thousand."
Brothers. Comrades. The sound of footsteps 'tap... tap' rang out.
Hearing the boy's words and observing his actions, Sakumo Hatake stepped forward and stood beside Roy. He watched as Shisui gave a dejected 'oh' and reset his stance, no longer daring to be distracted. Sakumo spoke softly, "I used to think your swordsmanship was just impressive and that you were a good prospect for the blade, but I didn't expect,"
"Your resolve to be so deep as well."
"The Will of Fire is eternal. It's all taught at school." Roy opened his right hand and caught a falling leaf, holding it up to the sunlight. Its veins were distinct and full of life. His handsome face, which looked three parts like Fugaku and seven parts like Mikoto, inexplicably radiated a calm and peaceful aura that left Sakumo Hatake stunned for a moment before he chuckled.
"The school certainly doesn't teach people how to blow up the school."
"Believe me, every student has dreamed of blowing up their school. Didn't you, Uncle White Fang?"
"Me?" Sakumo was taken aback.
"Because you are brothers and comrades. Two thousand."
Brothers. Comrades. The sound of footsteps 'tap... tap' rang out.
Hearing the boy's words and observing his actions, Sakumo Hatake stepped forward and stood beside Roy. He watched as Shisui gave a dejected 'oh' and reset his stance, no longer daring to be distracted. Sakumo spoke softly, "I used to think your swordsmanship was just impressive and that you were a good prospect for the blade, but I didn't expect,"
"Your resolve to be so deep as well."
"The Will of Fire is eternal. It's all taught at school." Roy opened his right hand and caught a falling leaf, holding it up to the sunlight. Its veins were distinct and full of life. His handsome face, which looked three parts like Fugaku and seven parts like Mikoto, inexplicably radiated a calm and peaceful aura that left Sakumo Hatake stunned for a moment before he chuckled.
"The school certainly doesn't teach people how to blow up the school."
"Believe me, every student has dreamed of blowing up their school. Didn't you, Uncle White Fang?"
"Me?" Sakumo was taken aback.
He actually rubbed his chin and thought seriously for a long while before saying, "I never thought about blowing it up, but..."
The man winked mischievously at Roy. "I did once corner someone in the bathroom and give them a good beating."
Uh... Roy looked at him askance. 'You... you were actually a bully back then?'
The image was crumbling. Noticing the boy's skeptical look, Sakumo Hatake mimicked Roy's expression and widened his eyes. "What? He stole my sword! Am I not allowed to hit him for that?"
"Then he definitely deserved it." Roy turned serious. "A blade is a swordsman's life."
"Yes, a blade is a swordsman's life." Sakumo watched as the boy let go of the green leaf, allowing it to swirl away with the wind. A trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes as he said slowly, "Unfortunately... I couldn't hit him again even if I wanted to."
"Is he dead?"
"He's dead."
Sakumo looked up at the sky with a distant gaze. The drifting white clouds looked like the silhouettes of old friends. "You probably won't believe it, but he died protecting me."
"I believe it." Roy looked up at the sky with him. On this bright afternoon, as the two children practiced their swordsmanship nearby, he said solemnly, "My father once told me that discipline is a sign of care. Since he could die to protect you, he must have truly acknowledged you as his comrade."
Sakumo Hatake was slightly stunned.
It was exactly as Roy said; that man had died with a smile.
Sakumo could still remember what he looked like—chubby, with a thick beard, always liking to keep a piece of foxtail grass in his mouth, and frequently making fun of him... Kazuya.
"Fugaku?"
"That doesn't sound like something he would say."
Sakumo returned to the present and looked at the boy again, his eyes filled with nothing but admiration. "Honestly, I'm starting to like you more and more."
Roy smiled, revealing a row of clean white teeth. "Many people say that, Uncle White Fang. You aren't the first."
"Ho ho ho... is that so?" Sakumo was speechless, but as he looked seriously at the boy, he added, "I believe it."
Then his gaze shifted down, settling on the sword in the boy's right hand. The Asauchi was straight, without even the slightest curve, just like the man himself. He didn't seem like the type to lie. After a pause, he said, "Roy, could you let me see your blade?"
"Solar Eclipse?"
The Asauchi vibrated, letting out a sharp sword cry as if responding to Roy's call.
To achieve Bankai, one must know the true name!
Hearing the sword's cry, Sakumo Hatake repeated the name under his breath, "Solar Eclipse."
He looked up again and laughed helplessly. "It seems it isn't very willing."
The man bowed slightly to the Asauchi. "My apologies, I was being presumptuous."
Roy lowered his eyes and ran a finger full of affection along the body of the Asauchi, from the hilt to the guard, the blade, and finally the tip, answering for it.
"I hope you don't mind, Uncle White Fang."
"This child has been with me since I was small and only recognizes me, so... it's a bit shy around strangers."
Since he was small? Sakumo's gaze shifted slightly. He had originally thought the blade was a gift from Fugaku to his son, but it seemed there was far more to it than that.
"Zing—"
There was another sword cry.
Compared to before, it was sharper. This time, Solar Eclipse was thoroughly enjoying Roy's touch, even tilting its tip upward uncontrollably...
Roy felt its emotions and patted the blade to quiet it. He then looked up at Sakumo Hatake and said deeply, "Uncle White Fang didn't come here just to chat with me, did he?"
"Of course. Chatting is part of it... chatting about swords!"
With a sharp ring, Konoha's White Fang drew the short sword from his back and looked solemnly at the boy. "Jin, since I cannot see the blade, I've come to ask for guidance in your swordsmanship."