As a result, Kakashi became the child that many parents talked about.
After that, Hakushi also gave up the idea of competing with Kakashi. Without showing his true strength, it was definitely impossible to surpass Kakashi in ninja level promotion.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Kakashi was indeed one of the most talented ninjas he had ever seen.
After all, he was an adult and couldn't compare himself to a child.
——Just a few days into this ordinary life, something happened on Hakushi's way to the Security Team.
"Did you hear? It seems like the mission failed..."
"Yeah, a ninja like him giving up on a mission, it's really disgraceful..."
"Turns out he's only at this level..."
"Such a person doesn't deserve to be a ninja at all..."
Among the people talking, there were civilians and ninjas. They huddled together, as if speaking cautiously.
Hakushi just glanced at them and didn't pay attention.
He had only walked a few steps when he saw the Uchiha ninja from the Security Team hurrying over from another street.
Seeing the Security Team arriving, these civilians and ninjas immediately stopped their conversation and looked nervously at the Uchiha ninja from the Security Team.
The Security Team members just gave them a cold, stern look without saying anything.
Had the Security Team all been dispatched? The previously unconcerned Hakushi immediately sensed something was wrong.
Ordinary rumors wouldn't warrant the involvement of the Security Team, unless it was a major incident.
With this in mind, he was a bit puzzled and quickly walked toward the Security Team building.
Once he arrived, he saw a group of civilians and ninjas gathered in the lobby of the Security Team building, with Ruri standing there with a cold expression, making these people silent out of fear.
The Uchiha ninja in her team also looked unfriendly.
When Ruri saw Hakushi coming over, she had her team members watch over these people and took Hakushi to a corner.
"What's going on? There are suddenly some inexplicable rumors in the streets, and the Security Team has arrested so many people. Has something happened in the village?"
Hakushi asked, confused.
"You don't know?"
"I've been in the laboratory the past two days, just came out today. What exactly is going on?"
Hakushi looked at Ruri, hoping she would explain.
Ruri took a deep breath and said with rare helplessness and frustration, "Sakumo-sensei has run into trouble."
"What?"
Hakushi frowned.
Could Sakumo be in trouble?
He then recalled some rumors he'd heard on the road, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.
"We don't know where the rumors originated, but since this morning, they've spread throughout the village at an alarming rate, and the source cannot be found."
For the first time, Ruri felt at a loss with such a situation.
"What's the reason then?"
"Sakumo-sensei's mission failed this time. It's said that he abandoned the mission to save his comrades."
Hakushi was taken aback.
Just for this?
Although it was a bit unbelievable for Sakumo to halt a mission, because his strength could not be judged by common sense, could such a matter really cause rumors to spread throughout the village?
"What about the higher-ups? Have they explained anything?"
Such a big matter couldn't possibly escape the notice of the higher-ups.
With the Security Team's ninjas being deployed on a large scale, how could the higher-ups not know about it?
"Unclear. There's been no command from the higher-ups; we're just handling it according to the Security Team's rules, controlling those who severely disrupt public order."
"But doing this only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause."
"Yes, if the higher-ups were willing to explain something about what mission Sakumo-sensei was on, or what the village lost after the mission was aborted, there might still be a turnaround. But now, with the higher-ups being silent, it's all left to the villagers' imaginations."
"..."
Hakushi's expression turned a bit grim.
Imagination running free?
Hakushi was unwilling to assume the worst about others, but allowing such rumors to continue spreading would mean the source of the issue would be overlooked, eventually becoming a bloodless weapon in the hands of those spreading the rumors.
That kind of situation was truly dire.
"No matter what, let's go see Sakumo-sensei first. He's not someone with a fragile will."
Hakushi thought for a moment and decided to find Sakumo to understand the cause and effect of the situation and see if there was any turnaround.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Ruri nodded, planning to accompany Hakushi to see Sakumo.
Since the higher-ups were indifferent, they would have to find a way to resolve it themselves.