Chapter 7: Mission or Comrades
Konoha Year 43.
A secret mission had somehow become public knowledge: Sakumo Hatake abandoned a mission to save his comrades.
At the Ninja Academy.
Kakashi had been training hard these past two years, yet he still couldn't surpass that one person.
He even felt that the gap between them was widening rather than shrinking over time.
Sometimes, he didn't understand why Kagami didn't graduate early—his strength was clearly beyond that of the academy teachers.
But right now, Kakashi had no thoughts of challenging Uchiha Kagami.
Father…
Kakashi had never seen his father so defeated, so lifeless.
Without knowing why, he found himself standing under the tree where Kagami was eating his lunch.
"Kagami…"
"Which is more important: comrades or the mission?"
Kagami swallowed a bite of chicken and looked up at the lost Kakashi.
He had heard about Sakumo Hatake's situation, and this internal conflict within Konoha was something he was pleased to see.
Let it stir.
The fewer "green onions" left standing, the easier it would be to deal with them.
"Obviously, the mission is more important. We're ninjas, after all."
Kakashi's face showed conflict; this was the answer most people would give, even what he believed himself.
"Then… if a mission requires abandoning comrades, what should be done?"
Setting down his lunch box, Kagami answered indifferently, "It depends on the mission's importance and the level of the comrades."
"If you're talking about your father's situation, then I think he was wrong."
…
Kakashi looked down, dejected. "You think so, too…?"
"Of course."
"As a powerful ninja, he should never have let a group of weak people judge him."
"If he had just eliminated a few of the loudest villagers, there wouldn't have been any controversy."
…
"My father would never harm defenseless villagers!"
"No, he's about to."
After two years of growth and the added benefits of medicinal baths, Kagami was slightly taller than Kakashi.
He stood up and grabbed Kakashi's hair, forcing him to meet his gaze.
"Your father is weak. His ideals fell apart, so he let himself sink. If he had courage, he should have directed his blade at those behind it all."
"Not at the weakest target."
"W-what do you mean…?"
Kagami's lips curved up slightly; he wondered if Sakumo Hatake could become an ally.
From his outsider's perspective, Sakumo's death wasn't just due to villagers' criticism—he wasn't that fragile.
What truly led Sakumo to take his own life was the betrayal of his lifelong belief in the Will of Fire.
The Konoha leaders, who preached the importance of comrades time and time again, allowed him to be humiliated, clearly showing their stance.
The Hatake clan was originally a samurai family from the Warring States period, and Sakumo was more like a samurai than a ninja.
He committed suicide because he realized he had devoted himself to the wrong people.
His beliefs had crumbled.
Lacking the courage to confront the Third Hokage and others, he chose to end his own life.
"Let me be clear," Kagami said, shaking Kakashi by the hair. It was probably the only time Kakashi wouldn't explode over it.
Touching his hair—a nice texture.
"Your father wants to end his life. Instead of wandering around asking people questions, why not go see him?"
!!
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock; he hadn't even considered that possibility.
The situation was indeed severe, but he never imagined his father might take his own life over it!
Breaking free from Kagami's grip, he bolted out of the academy without a word.
…
Watching Kakashi's retreating figure, Kagami narrowed his eyes.
He wouldn't put too much effort into saving Sakumo. If Kakashi couldn't convince him, then so be it.
If he survived, he likely wouldn't align himself with the Third Hokage and his supporters anymore.
Obito and Rin, both concerned about Kakashi, approached.
Although he really didn't want to talk to Kagami, Obito asked anyway, for Kakashi's sake:
"Kagami… what did you say to Kakashi?"
"Kagami, did something happen to Kakashi…?"
Glancing at them, Kagami turned to Obito and asked, "Goggles, if a mission required sacrificing a clan member, what would you choose?"
"Isn't that obvious? I wouldn't sacrifice a clan member!"
"I'd complete the mission without hurting anyone from the clan!"
…
It must be said, time and experience shape a person.
Obito was one of the kindest Uchihas, and Madara saw this, choosing him as his successor.
An Uchiha with such deep emotions, if they fell into darkness, would be terrifying indeed.
"And you, Rin?" Kagami asked, looking at Rin Nohara.
After thinking for a moment, Rin smiled, "If the mission required a sacrifice, I'd want it to be me."
Such… pure Will of Fire.
"Rin! I'll protect you no matter what!"
The Will of Fire isn't about right or wrong; it's about the actions of those who uphold it.
Sacrificing oneself for the next generation's peace is noble.
But many leaders forget that original purpose, even Hashirama Senju.
He built the village to protect children, yet later… he was willing to kill his best friend and even children to protect it.
Life's choices are never perfect, and Madara left because he saw that.
A victory without sacrifices is impossible, and will inevitably breed resentment.
"So, Kagami, what about you?" Obito gathered the courage to ask.
"Between a mission and the clan, what would you choose?"
"If one side had to be sacrificed, I'd kill whoever issued the mission," Kagami answered bluntly.
"…That's just like you."
"Wait, that's not what we asked! We were talking about Kakashi!"
Kagami shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Either choice is both right and wrong."
"That's… hard to understand…"
"Well, you're an idiot with goggles, so not understanding is normal."
"Fine, call me goggles, but why add 'idiot'?! Can't you just call me by my name?"
"Maybe when you have eyes like mine, I'll consider it."
Kagami's three-tomoe Sharingan spun slowly, the intense dojutsu knocking Obito unconscious.
"Again… it's happening again…" he groaned before passing out.
Every few days, Kagami would knock him out with his dojutsu.
Big deal—Sharingan.
Was there a need to show off like that?
Kagami did enjoy showing off, but he wasn't using the Sharingan on Obito so often just for the sake of it.
Obito was the key to connecting with Madara and those White Zetsu.
With each injection of his power through a transfer seal, bit by bit, one day…
He would finally meet the legendary ninja.
Obito, you're just a messenger.
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