Morning.
Hanekawa stood outside with his eyes closed.
After a moment, his body trembled slightly, and lightning danced across him.
He kept it up until he could no longer sustain it, then released his chakra.
Hanekawa exhaled deeply.
After so much training, his C-rank skill entry, Lightning Release: Chakra Activation, had reached 70% progress.
However, his A-rank skill entry, Monstrous Strength, lagged behind at only about 20%.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Hanekawa turned his head and was momentarily startled.
It was Kakashi Hatake.
But Kakashi's usual cool expression was replaced by one of worry, which was quite unusual.
Moreover, he was alone. Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara were nowhere to be seen.
"What happened?"
Hanekawa's mind stirred.
Has Sakumo Hatake already committed suicide? But if that were the case, Kakashi wouldn't look so calm.
"Have you heard the recent rumors?"
After a brief hesitation, Kakashi asked.
"What rumors?"
Hanekawa paused before replying, "I've been interning at the Konoha Hospital lately, so I haven't been paying attention."
"They're about my father."
Kakashi explained, "Many ninjas believe my father broke the village rules by prioritizing saving his comrades over completing the mission."
Hanekawa thought to himself, So the rumors have begun. This is only the start.
At present, Sakumo Hatake's strength is overwhelming. He can perfectly balance saving comrades and completing missions.
However, as the saying goes, even the most careful walk by the river will eventually wet their shoes.
What if Konoha assigns him an extremely difficult and critical mission, and he fails it because he chose to save his comrades first?
Then, just like in the original story, he would face widespread condemnation, ultimately leading to his suicide.
There's no doubt that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
S-rank missions are highly confidential under normal circumstances.
How could the details spread so quickly throughout the village?
Even if there was a leak, the Konoha leadership should have stepped in to suppress the rumors, but they hadn't.
"Hanekawa."
Kakashi's face showed confusion as he asked, "Do you think my father was wrong?"
Mission priority or comrade priority—it's hard to say who's right or wrong, given the unique nature of a ninja's work.
But Hanekawa thought of Naruto and his peers, who valued comrades greatly.
Perhaps it was Sakumo Hatake's suicide that pushed Konoha's leadership to change their perspective.
"I don't think he was wrong," Yuchuan replied earnestly.
"Really?"
Kakashi's eyes widened, asking instinctively.
He had come to Hanekawa because of his maturity, far beyond his peers. Over the past year of training together, their relationship had grown closer.
"Mm-hmm."
Hanekawa brought up Tsunade and said, "My teacher once told me that as a medical ninja, you must never abandon a comrade."
"Thank you, Hanekawa," Kakashi said, breathing a sigh of relief.
He felt a sense of calm settle over him.
"I've heard a phrase that fits your father's situation perfectly."
Hanekawa recited, word by word, "My heart and actions are clear, for all I do is righteousness."
Sakumo Hatake reminded him of two comrades in justice: Kiritsugu Emiya and Shirou Emiya.
But Hanekawa knew that merely persuading through Kakashi might not be enough.
The key to this matter lies with the Konoha leadership, particularly Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanekawa was deep in thought.
Through training with Kakashi Hatake and often interacting with Sakumo Hatake, Hanekawa had come to see Sakumo as kind and approachable.
It would be a great pity if someone like him were to die.
"I… don't really understand."
Kakashi froze for a moment, a trace of awkwardness appearing on his face.
"Let's head to school. I'll explain it to you on the way."
Hanekawa called for Kurenai Yuhi, and the three of them headed to the ninja academy.
---
Uchiha Clan Grounds
"Shisui, congratulations on entering the academy. Here's a gift for you."
Uchiha Tetsuka handed Shisui a set of custom-made kunai.
"Thank you, Tetsuka-nii."
Shisui Uchiha gave a gentle smile.
"It's nothing."
Tetsuka patted Shisui's shoulder and said earnestly, "You must reclaim the number one that the Uchiha lost!"
"Huh?"
Shisui looked puzzled. "What number one?"
"The top spot at the ninja academy," Tetsuka said seriously.
"Tetsuka-nii is referring to Hanekawa, right?"
Shisui's eyes flashed with curiosity. "I've heard of him. His name has been spreading lately."
Hanekawa, despite his young age, was Tsunade's student and had already demonstrated exceptional medical ninjutsu skills.
After just two months interning at Konoha Hospital, he had gained a fair bit of fame among the ninjas.
Many were calling him the next Tsunade.
"That's right," Tetsuka sighed. "When I entered the academy, I challenged him immediately, but I couldn't even defeat his underling, Kakashi."
"Isn't it possible that Kakashi is the stronger one, not Hanekawa?"
Shisui thought for a moment and asked.
"Impossible!"
Tetsuka said firmly, "A proud genius like Kakashi would only submit to someone who thoroughly defeated him."
"That's true."
Shisui nodded in agreement.
"Shisui, you're the one I admire most in our generation. Even though you're younger than me, you're much stronger."
Tetsuka looked at him and said, "You can definitely defeat Hanekawa!"
"I… I'll try."
Shisui didn't want to refuse, so he nodded.
Besides, he was indeed curious about Hanekawa.
"Then let's go challenge him today!"
Tetsuka's excitement was palpable. "The glory of being number one belongs to the Uchiha!"
"No need to rush."
Shisui replied calmly, "In ninja combat, intelligence is key. I need to understand Hanekawa's abilities first."
"You, everything about you is great, except that your personality doesn't quite feel like a true Uchiha."
Tetsuka's expression froze, and he couldn't help but complain.
Shisui smiled sheepishly.
"How about this?"
Tetsuka's face turned resolute. "I'll challenge Hanekawa and force him to go all out."
"Tetsuka-nii…"
Shisui froze but was immediately interrupted.
"No need to persuade me further!"
Tetsuka said with unwavering determination, "For the Uchiha!"
Shisui hesitated but ultimately said nothing.
He knew well that the Uchiha clan's ninjas always prioritized the family above all, with the village being secondary.
"It's just that my previous challenges have all been blocked by Kakashi," Tetsuka suddenly recalled. "Shisui, you're always clever. Do you have a way to ensure Hanekawa doesn't avoid the fight?"
"Send a formal challenge letter."
Shisui thought for a moment and replied, "A formal challenge would likely prevent Hanekawa from sending Kakashi in his place."
"Great idea!"
Tetsuka couldn't help but smile.
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