"Where's Danzō? Where is Danzō?!"
After being thoroughly "educated" by the two advisors and seeing them off, Hiruzen roared angrily into the empty room.
A few minutes later, a voice sounded behind Hiruzen: "Lord Danzō just departed from the Daimyo's residence and is currently on his way back to the village."
"Ah, Suzaku. Set out immediately and tell Danzō to hurry back to the village—I have urgent business with him." Recognizing the voice, Hiruzen didn't turn around but maintained his position while issuing orders to the ANBU behind him.
"Yes. If Lord Danzō asks what this concerns, how should I respond?" Suzaku acknowledged and then inquired.
"Don't worry—he won't ask." Thinking of the capabilities of Danzō's subordinate ninjas, Hiruzen shook his head.
By now, Danzō should have already received intelligence about the advisors' visit. Next, we'll see who exactly leaked this information...
"Elephant, take your men and investigate—find out exactly what's going on here." Concerned that this matter might be connected to Danzō, Hiruzen summoned a trusted subordinate to investigate as well.
...
"Is it really true? That 'White Fang of Konoha' actually..."
"I also heard it from someone else. Supposedly, this mission failure caused tremendous losses to our village..."
"Keep your voice down—isn't that child White Fang's son?"
"Really? Sigh, such a good child, yet stuck with a father like that."
As the school dismissal bell rang, students left in small groups. Kakashi, heavy with concerns and walking silently beside Feng Bai, quickly noticed the surrounding whispers.
Mission failure?
My own father?
Impossible!
Father is Konoha Village's finest ninja!
But yesterday, father was indeed escorted home by ANBU...
Feng Bai also became completely certain from the gossip that Sakumo's situation had exploded.
I wonder if this has anything to do with that old bastard.
After all, in my previous life, many conspiracy theorists blamed Sakumo's suicide on Danzō. As for the truth—well, Kishimoto never said.
But with Shadow Kage already carrying so many burdens, one or two more wouldn't matter.
Glancing at the silent, head-down Kakashi, Feng Bai reached out and grasped his hand: "Kakashi, no matter what they say, Uncle Sakumo is the greatest ninja and your greatest father, isn't he?"
"Feng Bai..." Kakashi's lips trembled as he looked at Feng Bai with gratitude.
The gossip didn't last long. After all, Sakumo Hatake had maintained a decent reputation among the villagers over the years and held the title of war hero. Therefore, upon seeing Kakashi, everyone unanimously stopped their discussions.
As the rumors gradually spread throughout the village, Yamanaka Zen, who had been sent by Danzō to investigate the matter, also learned of the situation.
"Investigate—find out exactly who leaked this information. Focus on those who participated in the mission!" After instructing his subordinate ninjas, Yamanaka Zen showed an expression of resentment.
Damn bastard—this is a mission Lord Danzō personally assigned. If the mission fails because of this leak, then I...
With ANBU and Root ninjas mobilizing throughout the area, more and more details began piling up on the desks of various supervisors.
Eventually, all evidence pointed to a female ninja named Ib Hana.
"Ib Hana, Chūnin, wife of Ib Rujin. Since this morning, she's been spreading rumors about this matter. It appears to be connected to Ib Rujin."
A Root ninja reported the specific intelligence to Yamanaka Zen.
"Should we apprehend her?"
Hearing the inquiry, Yamanaka Zen pondered for a moment, ultimately deciding to hold back and await Danzō's orders:
"This matter has already begun circulating throughout the village. Arresting her now would be meaningless. I'll report this to Lord Danzō first, then make a decision."
Meanwhile, Hiruzen also received Elephant's report. Learning that the leak came from Ib Rujin's wife, even someone of his temperament couldn't help but curse aloud: "That coward!"
Believing he had seen through human nature, Hiruzen immediately saw through the other's purpose—this was forcing Sakumo to bear responsibility for the mission failure, allowing Ib Rujin to extricate himself and avoid the coming punishment.
"Go—bring Ib Rujin to me!" Not wanting this matter to continue fermenting, Hiruzen immediately issued the order.
"Lord Third!" Before Elephant could depart, an ANBU suddenly appeared and reported a situation that caught Hiruzen off guard: "Ib Rujin, for unknown reasons, has gone to the Hatake residence and is frantically accusing Sakumo."
"This is bad!" Hearing this news, Hiruzen immediately realized the situation was dire.
This Ib Rujin actually went directly to confront Sakumo—this will severely damage Sakumo's reputation.
"Quickly—go and find a way to control him without alerting the villagers!" Watching the ANBU depart, Hiruzen reached for his Hokage hat, also preparing to head to the scene. But upon reflection, if he personally intervened, it would confirm this matter, making the situation even more unmanageable.
Therefore, Hiruzen set down the hat he had just picked up, hoping in his heart that the ANBU could resolve this matter.
At the same time, he mentally complained about Danzō's Root for not taking any coercive measures against Ib Rujin.
If Yamanaka Zen knew this, he would surely cry injustice.
After all, whether from Hiruzen or Danzō, the orders given were only to suspend their duties—nothing was said about restricting their movements. At most, they weren't allowed to leave the village. Who could have anticipated that Ib Rujin would suddenly confront Sakumo?
"Sakumo Hatake, if you have any conscience left, go find Lord Hokage yourself and admit your mistakes—take responsibility for the mission failure!" At the Hatake residence entrance, Ib Rujin had completely lost the composure expected of a Jōnin, pointing at the tightly closed door and cursing wildly.
"I was already prepared to sacrifice myself! For Konoha, for the Land of Fire, I was willing to give everything, yet you actively abandoned the mission, causing irreparable losses to the nation and village. Do you still have the face to wear Konoha's forehead protector?!"
As Ib Rujin's voice grew louder, some passersby stopped to curiously observe the situation.
"I..." Sakumo Hatake, alone at home, looked through the window at the scene outside in disbelief, his lips trembling slightly.
He couldn't understand why the teammate he had sacrificed everything to save would be there questioning him.
He had simply not wanted to lose his comrades, had simply wanted to protect everyone around him. But why—why had things become like this?
Sakumo desperately wanted to push open the door and confront Ib Rujin directly, but thinking that it was indeed his decision that had led to the mission's failure, Sakumo lost the courage to stand up.
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