The news of the suicide of Hatake Sakumo, also known as 'Konoha's White Fang', had spread. This powerful yet gentle white-haired man ultimately ended his life in this manner.
Upon hearing this news, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had a moment of bewilderment and regret. He had never anticipated things would develop to this point when he initially planned to suppress the White Fang's reputation, adding a blemish to his record. He intended to admonish Hatake Sakumo, teaching him the true duties of a ninja, to simply serve as an obedient and sharp blade.
"Was it to uphold his own ninja way? Or is he blaming me for turning a blind eye?"
Sitting behind the Hokage's desk, Hiruzen lifted his gaze to the pictures of the past Hokages on the wall. The figures in the photos had no souls; they silently watched, observing the Hokage and the village.
"Did I do wrong? But I was also protecting the village!"
The heads of the various notable families in Konoha, upon receiving the news, all showed shock in their eyes. That figure, which was unstoppable on the battlefield and radiated brilliance, the man who followed the ninja way of protecting the village and his comrades...
Just like that, he died silently at his own home, by his own blade, and alongside the rumors and slander. Instantly, they collectively fell silent, looking toward the Hokage's office, seemingly understanding something.
Even ordinary ninjas were greatly impacted.
From this moment on, they knew how to choose between comrades and missions...
Was it to persist with their lifelong ninja way denied by the village? Or was it out of anger at the Third Hokage's disregard for the matter? Or perhaps it was guilt from failing a mission? Or… was it for his young son?
These reasons were now unknown with Hatake Sakumo's suicide.
Ironically, with the spread of 'White Fang's' death news, those villagers who had surrounded the Hatake residence, cursing, and those companions who blamed him for abandoning the mission to save his comrades, disappeared overnight as if they never existed. Even the adults in the village deliberately avoided the topic in their conversations.
In the end, only a five-year-old child, an empty residence, and a broken heart remained.
Konoha had gained another orphan...
Mourn for 'Konoha's White Fang' for three minutes.
At this time, Toshiro was sitting cross-legged by the low table in his study. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his back and the scrolls, notes, and manuscripts spread across the desk.
He was studying ninjutsu, more precisely, the three basic jutsu required for graduation from the Ninja Academy.
Many predecessors who traveled here only valued the Substitution Jutsu among the three basic jutsu, looking down on the Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu. In Toshiro's view, this was biased.
Substitution Jutsu is indeed important; it allows a pre-prepared substitute to take an attack in place of the user, allowing the user to take the opportunity to counterattack or disengage from battle. It is indeed a life-saving technique.
Later on, Orochimaru even developed the Orochi Substitution Jutsu, which could erase any damage inflicted on the body, although it was somewhat nauseating, the effect was remarkable.
However, the advanced clone techniques like Shadow Clone Jutsu can carry the user's consciousness and transmit information back to the original when the clone dissipates. This involves advanced chakra usage and the founding purpose of ninjutsu: to use chakra as a link for communication and sharing, thus bringing peace.
In the original story, whether it was Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki sealing part of their consciousness in Naruto or Dan Kato's 'Spirit Transformation Jutsu,' they all vaguely incorporated aspects of clone techniques, differing in directions and extents of utilization.
Now, speaking of Transformation Jutsu.
Transformation Jutsu is often regarded as trivial by ninjas, used to deceive opponents by transforming into objects, stones, or wooden blocks during combat, or transforming into other people or ninjas during missions to confuse opponents. Such usage is largely ineffective against experienced ninjas or those with special sensory abilities or kekkei genkai.
However, the Sarutobi clan's summoning beast 'Enma' brought a different application and level to Transformation Jutsu. It could transform into an indestructible staff, capable of extending, shortening, thickening, or thinning as required.
Also, the Akimichi clan's Multi-Size Technique — he could hardly believe they just developed it by eating a lot of meat. Whether concerning the physical body, bones, or internal organs, making someone gigantic and then shrinking back is unimaginable. He prefers to believe it's a transformation technique combined with Yang Release to bring about physical changes.
Some advanced Multi-Size Techniques could enlarge specific parts, potentially making a significant impact in personal matters... Ahem, seems some odd thoughts slipped in...
Their combinations have various applications too. Here, Orochimaru must be mentioned. In the original story, Orochimaru's 'Hidden Shadow Snake Hands' seemed more like a combination of clone technique and transformation technique than a summoning technique.
Using chakra to create a separate entity, then transforming it into a snake to attack or bind the enemy.
For instance, Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword in the battle at the Heaven and Earth Bridge, he split it into dozens or hundreds of blades, extending up to hundreds of meters — isn't this a combo of clone technique and 'Enma Transformation Technique' in a simplified form?
Furthermore, Orochimaru transforming his lower body into a snake to perform maneuvers — how could a person's body transform into another animal if not through transformation? Could it merely be scientific transformation? Unlikely!
Even 'God Itachi,' loved by many in his previous life, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, summoned a crow with Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan from Naruto's body. Could that crow be just a summoning beast? Probably not, it looked more like a combination of clone technique, transformation technique, and sealing jutsu.
Otherwise, how could a crow live in Naruto's body without water, food, or air for so long, carrying Shisui's Mangekyo powers?
Is anyone reading? It seems quiet here.
(Chapter ends)