It was already July.
The warmth of summer still lingered as Hakken walked through Konoha's bustling streets, the lively scenes around him passing by in a blur. The villagers had long grown accustomed to the sight of the young man who strolled through the village with a sword slung over his shoulder, sake in hand, moving with effortless ease.
The initial surprise and curiosity had faded. Now, their eyes held only respect.
The Wall of Honor in Konoha had forever engraved this youth's name into their memories. He was the one who had guarded the village while they slept.
This era needed heroes—and Konoha had never been short of them.
Hakken's heart was calm. The waves stirred by Minato Namikaze had gradually settled.
Had he truly blended into this world?
Maybe.
Having a few more people to share meals with wasn't such a bad feeling either.
Lifting his head, he realized he had somehow wandered into Konoha's central plaza.
Before him stood the monument he had personally created—the Wall of Honor and Merit.
Yet for now, only his own name was carved upon it.
Hakken shook his head. He had no habit of admiring his own achievements and was about to leave when his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure nearby.
It was him.
"What are you looking at?"
He walked over and patted the man on the back.
"Owl, only you could sneak up on me so quietly."
Kakashi turned around with a wry smile. To be honest, after spending so much time working alongside Hakken, he had long since gone from shocked to numb—especially when it came to that uncanny ability to completely conceal his presence while sensing others'.
Truly terrifying.
Among the Night Owl Team, Kakashi was the only one who still called him by that codename, "Owl." He seemed to like that bird as well—vicious and fierce, yet utterly loyal to those it cared for.
It fit Hakken's nature perfectly.
He glanced at Kakashi, then at the Wall of Honor before them.
This was the third section of the Wall—the Monument to the Fallen.
If nothing unexpected happened, it would soon be filled with the names of ninja who had given their lives for Konoha.
"I know everything about your father."
Handing the gourd of sake to Kakashi, Hakken spoke suddenly.
It was probably because of Naruto or the situation with Kumo that Kakashi was reminded of what had once happened to him. Having personally experienced it and come to understand White Fang, he no longer held any resentment toward his father.
If nothing else, he could sense that same aura from Hakken—and had even heard the same words from him.
A ninja who breaks the rules is scum, but one who abandons his comrades is worse than scum.
That line had become something Kakashi silently repeated to himself whenever he recited the ninja creed.
But Father...
Glancing at the Memorial Stone before him, Kakashi gave a bitter smile.
White Fang's death had not been honorable, so his name would probably never be engraved upon this stone.
And Kakashi would never argue on his father's behalf just because he was friends with Hakken.
He wasn't that kind of person.
Nor was there any need to.
He knew exactly what kind of man his father had been.
If his father could not be remembered, then Kakashi would inherit his will and leave his own mark upon that stone.
That was his way of living.
"Rest assured, White Fang is a hero. He'll appear here someday."
"As a hero of Konoha, there's no reason for him to fade from memory with time."
"And those who need to be dealt with will be dealt with eventually. They're just useful to keep around for now."
Hakken gave Kakashi a symbolic punch to the chest before turning to leave.
Those last words, however, left Kakashi puzzled.
Useful for now.
Who was he talking about?
Shaking his head, Kakashi decided not to think too much about it. Then, as if remembering something, he slapped his forehead.
He had almost forgotten the main matter.
"Owl, the Raikage has awakened and requests to see you."
...
Konoha Hospital.
Ever since Tsunade, one of the Sannin, left the village, Konoha's medical standards had seemed to decline. No truly outstanding Medical-nin had stepped up to replace her. They had slipped, but were far from terrible—in comparison with other villages they still led. It was just that Hakken felt something was missing without Tsunade.
The intensive care ward was a mess. Vials whose spiritual properties should have been visible lay smashed to pieces.
The Raikage now resembled Killer Bee as he lay in Kumogakure—his chakra scrambled, his body racked with a pain that felt like being eaten alive by ants. Every time he tried to draw chakra out of himself the agony flared and he froze.
How could an old man like me be bested by a brat?
Clutching the bedsheet with trembling hands, fury burned in the Raikage's chest. The plan had failed utterly, and he had become a captive like a wooden puppet. He had never felt such humiliation. Even dying in battle would have been a thousand times better than this. And now—even killing himself was impossible.
He forced his head to turn despite the pain. Suddenly the ward door swung open and two figures strolled in. One of them was the brat who had ruined his plan.
He understood now. It wasn't that the barrier "key" Mabui brought from Konoha had failed, or that Konoha had left guards behind. The reason was simple: when Konoha's Fourth Hokage arrived he was still in his underwear. No Kage would choose that attire for a mission. So it had been this brat who detected the patrol. How strong was his sensory ability?
Muscles tensed, large beads of sweat slid down his forehead. The Raikage forced himself up with everything he had. A Raikage was a Raikage—the sheer force of his will alone set him apart from ordinary men.
"Need me for something?" Hakken crossed his arms and handed his Zanpakuto to Kakashi, who stood beside him.
Kakashi took the Zanpakuto with shaking hands. He'd seen that blade take lives; thankfully, aside from its weight, no such vision appeared this time. He breathed a sigh of relief and forced a shy smile.
An official sword bearer? Not a bad role. Hakken hadn't thought about giving him a title—he just felt the ward was stifling and wanted Kakashi to have something to do so he wouldn't keep thinking about his father.
As for the White Fang and Konoha's internal affairs, Hakken had his own plans. It wouldn't be long before the village became as united as iron.
"Let him... leave..." the Raikage croaked, sitting upright had drained the last of his strength. His voice trembled as he glanced at Kakashi.
Kakashi gave a wry smile and started to step back. He never liked being a bother, and the Raikage probably had important matters to discuss with Owl; Kakashi had no right to interfere.
"No need to pretend." Hakken tossed the words off casually, planted a foot on the hospital bed, and stared directly at the Raikage. "He's my friend. To me, he matters far more than you."
"Also remember this: you're just a bargaining chip at the negotiating table. You have no right to make demands, and you certainly have no right to intimidate anyone!"
Hakken gripped the Raikage's throat with one hand and tightened his hold. Without warning, his anger exploded.
"I heard you woke up and scared the Medical-nin who tried to inject you into tears, and knocked over that bottle of medicine?!"
"Get down here and wipe that floor clean, or I'll tear your thigh off!"