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No matter the outcome, Sara always hoped Sakumo Hatake could resolve his inner turmoil. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to share everything she knew.
"Master Asahi, it's like this. You know that my teacher has been unable to break through for years, so he has been training tirelessly day and night."
"He only rests when his energy is completely exhausted. I didn't know much about Kakashi's situation; my teacher only told me his true identity but didn't elaborate."
"I learned about Kakashi when I overheard something while my teacher was resting a few days ago."
"That day, I brought food for him, but found him asleep in the training room, exhausted."
"I was about to leave quietly when he started muttering Kakashi's name as if in a nightmare. He woke up suddenly, clearly shaken."
"Although he quickly composed himself, I could see fear in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong, but he didn't answer. I believe my teacher's inner conflict stems from his fear that Kakashi resents him."
Hearing Sara's words, Asahi's mind raced. He thought Sara's suspicion made sense.
In the past, he had subconsciously overlooked this aspect because of Sakumo's portrayal in the anime.
Sakumo originally committed suicide, but now he was alive. For a father who deeply loved his son, no matter how strong he was, this fear was understandable.
Now that the cause was known, the solution was clear. As the saying goes, "He who ties the knot must untie it." If Sakumo feared facing Kakashi, then he must face him.
With this in mind, Asahi spoke to Sara, "Sara, I have a task for you. Go to Konoha, explain the situation to Minato, and have him help guide Kakashi. Then, bring Kakashi here."
As he finished speaking, Asahi gently tapped Sara's forehead.
Instantly, the information about Sakumo's fake death and his connection with the hidden sect flowed into Sara's mind.
Asahi had originally planned to go to Konoha himself to talk to Kakashi, but with Nagato in the critical phase of his breakthrough, he couldn't leave.
Minato, however, was an excellent person to help Kakashi understand.
He wasn't directly involved, but he was Kakashi's teacher and would undoubtedly understand Sakumo's choice.
Upon receiving this information, Sara's face showed a pained expression. Sakumo, such a proud person, had gone to great lengths for Kakashi.
Even though she wasn't directly involved, Sara could feel the loneliness and heavy heart Sakumo must have had.
To endure this state for over ten years, what kind of emotions must he have been suppressing?
At this moment, Sara's determination to help her teacher resolve his inner conflict grew even stronger.
Without hesitation, she bowed to Asahi and then disappeared, heading straight for Konoha.
As Asahi watched Sara vanish, he gazed deeply in the direction she had gone. It was as if his eyes pierced through space, following Sara's swift progress.
A faint smile appeared on his face. How fortunate Sara was to be Sakumo's disciple.
However, from another perspective, having a disciple like Sara made Sakumo Hatake quite fortunate as well.
After standing there for a moment, Asahi returned to the underground altar of the Dragon Vein.
Watching the three of them train, Asahi nodded in satisfaction. Both Nagato and Yahiko, as well as Konan, were progressing smoothly.
Particularly Nagato, whose training seemed to flow naturally, advancing even faster than Asahi had anticipated.
At this rate, Nagato might successfully breakthrough before the sect's entrance ceremony. Moreover, Yahiko and Konan were also making considerable progress.
Asahi did not speak, instead, he sat cross-legged on the ground, studying ancient texts.
Although his training was nearing a breakthrough, he wasn't in a hurry to train.
At his current level, intense training wouldn't yield significant results; enlightenment would be far more beneficial.
Thus, Asahi focused primarily on studying the texts, seeking inspiration through comparative analysis.
Of course, part of his reason for not training was also to protect Nagato. Only two days had passed when Asahi sensed a slight disturbance.
It wasn't that there was a problem with Nagato's training; rather, he sensed that Minato and Kakashi's chakra had appeared above the Dragon Vein.
Without disturbing the three who were training, Asahi quietly made his way to the surface.
Sure enough, Minato and Kakashi had arrived, led by Sara. Although Kakashi's mask obscured his facial expression, his eyes revealed everything.
Despite his usual dead-fish look, his eyes sparkled with emotions that couldn't be hidden—excitement, anticipation, and nervousness, but no resentment.
Asahi understood that Sara and Minato had completed their tasks perfectly. The situation wasn't as severe as Sakumo had imagined.
Although Kakashi had gone through a dark period, with the help of Minato, Rin, and even Obito, he had emerged from it.
As he matured, he gradually understood and even accepted Sakumo's actions. Far from resenting Sakumo, he had come to admire him.
Besides, Kakashi's situation, though unfortunate, wasn't as dire as in the original series where he lost his father, teammates, and even his teacher.
Despite such adversities, Kakashi had persevered. In comparison, dealing with the illusion of his father's death was manageable.
Thus, the root of the issue lay in Sakumo overcomplicating matters.
-Flashback-
Once Sara explained the situation to Minato, Minato immediately summoned Kakashi, who was on a mission. It wasn't an S-rank mission, though.
As a newly promoted team instructor and team leader, Kakashi was overseeing a prestigious D-rank mission—weed pulling.
Of course, he wasn't the one doing the wedding; it was his three genin students. Nevertheless, Kakashi was thoroughly exasperated with such tasks.
Despite being a renowned elite jonin of Konoha, with strength surpassing many Kage from other villages, he was now supervising weed-pulling missions.
His recent idle months had left him feeling rusty. So, upon receiving Minato's summons, Kakashi didn't hesitate.
He left his three adorable subordinates behind and rushed to the Hokage's office.
He assumed it would be at least an A-rank mission, finally giving him a chance to stretch his muscles.
However, upon arriving at the Hokage's office, Kakashi realized the situation was not as he had expected.
In the office of Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake was taken aback to see Sara, someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
Sara was the guardian of the Dragon Vein for the Hidden Door. Her presence here indicated something significant.
Yet, neither Sara nor Minato seemed anxious. They both wore complicated expressions as they looked at him.
"What...?" Kakashi instinctively took a step back, sensing something unusual. Minato then smiled and spoke up,
"Kakashi, there's something I need to tell you. Actually, about Sakumo-senpai..."
...
After listening to Minato, Kakashi's expression was complex. As an adult, he could understand and accept Sakumo Hatake's decisions.
However, as a son who had lost his father for over a decade, Kakashi was overwhelmed with emotions.
Despite the confusion, he knew he had to see Sakumo. He missed his father dearly. Without further delay, the three left Konoha and headed to the Dragon Vein.
With Minato's teleportation abilities, they reached their destination much faster, arriving in just one day.
-End of Flashback-
Seeing Kakashi's conflicted expression, Asahi couldn't help but chuckle. "Kakashi, after all these years, he's still your father, isn't he?"
Asahi's light-hearted remark eased Kakashi's tension. Smiling slightly, Kakashi followed Sara into the air at Asahi's signal.
Meanwhile, Minato remained with Asahi, looking resigned as he said, "Clan Leader, you kept this secret from me for a long time."
"I always wondered why White Sparrow seemed so familiar. Turns out, he was White Fang."
Asahi smiled wryly at Minato's complaint and replied, "I intended to tell you once you became Hokage, but Sakumo didn't want anyone to know, and I respected his wishes."
"Now, though, if he doesn't confront this issue, he'll be stuck forever. That would be a great pity and too cruel for Sakumo."
Minato nodded in agreement, reflecting, "Indeed, Sakumo-senpai has suffered greatly over the years."
"Without this mental burden, with his talent, he might have already reached the Six Paths level."
The term "Six Paths," once mysterious, now rolled off Minato's tongue easily. Joining the Ogami Clan had demystified this legendary realm.
With his growing strength, Minato himself was nearing this level. He often felt that joining the Ogami Clan was one of the best decisions he ever made.
As Minato finished speaking, Asahi nodded in regret, though this feeling quickly passed, replaced by a sense of anticipation.
"It's unfortunate, but Sakumo will soon overcome this hurdle," Asahi said, and the two fell silent, looking up at the island hidden among the clouds.
Time passed slowly. Neither Asahi nor Minato knew how the conversation between Sakumo and Kakashi was going, but they weren't worried.
They believed everything would turn out well. Indeed, as time went on, a powerful surge of energy burst forth from above.
Despite the distance, Asahi and Minato were able to sense the energy surge with ease.
Their faces lit up with joy, knowing that Sakumo Hatake had made a breakthrough. Indeed, with Kakashi's arrival, Sakumo initially felt very uneasy.
He even considered reprimanding Sara for bringing Kakashi. However, the moment Kakashi called him "Dad," Sakumo's mind went blank.
Trembling, Sakumo responded softly. At that moment, he was not a powerful ninja but a vulnerable father. Only he knew the depth of his guilt towards Kakashi.
Yet, Kakashi's attitude reassured him that there was no resentment.
With his fears alleviated Sara quietly left the room, giving the father and son the privacy they needed after so many years apart.
Sakumo and Kakashi talked extensively. Sakumo was eager to catch up on everything Kakashi had experienced over the years.
Kakashi enthusiastically recounted countless stories, sharing nearly every memorable mission.
His descriptions brought to life his comrades, teachers, and students in Sakumo's mind.
As they talked, Sakumo's emotional burden gradually lifted, and his energy began to flow like a floodgate opening.
Although Sakumo had no intention of training at that moment, the energy within him operated on its own, pushing him toward a breakthrough he had been unable to achieve for five years.
His deep-seated training memories, ingrained over years of practice, took over. Without the psychological barrier, his body instinctively continued the cultivation process.
Outside the door, Sara smiled with relief as she sensed Sakumo's breakthrough.
Her joy wasn't just because he had advanced but because his emotional burden was finally lifted.
He wouldn't have to live under such pressure anymore and could find happiness. As she smiled, tears of joy silently streamed down her face.
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