Chapter 24: The Grief of Konoha
The day after the battle started, in a vast underground chamber of Konoha Village.
After reviewing the report from the intelligence department of ROOT, Danzo's long-dormant ambition surged to life.
"Kudo Ryofun, what hidden secrets do you possess? You belong to me; you can never escape!" With plans brewing in his heart, Danzo waved his hand, and the ROOT ninja kneeling in front of him vanished in an instant.
Two days passed, and Ryofun didn't inquire further about the details of the last battle. He focused diligently on his work at the Konoha hospital.
"Sister, sister! Your technique is wrong; it should be like this." After saying that, he began to teach her hands-on. This was a healing technique he had personally improved upon.
Although it was a basic healing technique, it was essential for all medical ninjas to master. Of course, Ryofun had only realized there was room for improvement after using the technique several times.
After extensively referring to the experiences and notes left by previous medical ninja predecessors, he finally developed what he called "True Healing Technique," an improved version of the ordinary healing technique.
"Ryofun, come tell me, what was it like to be on the battlefield for the first time? I heard Lady Tsunade even rushed over to support you!" Looking at this caring older sister, Ryofun felt a bit helpless.
It was just too clingy. Normally, in Konoha Hospital, Ryofun was a well-behaved and smart child, the perfect "other people's kid" in the hearts of all medical ninjas. When many patients needed treatment and the staff was overwhelmed, Ryofun would help handle those who weren't severely injured but needed urgent care.
At first, Ryofun enjoyed the attention from the older sisters surrounding him, but sadly, no matter how pleasant an experience was, it could become overwhelming over time...
After demonstrating the technique, Ryofun politely said goodbye to his sister and used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive at his training room. "Did you hear? White Fang actually gave up vital information for the village just to rescue an injured comrade." One background character said to another with an air of gossip.
"That's right! It's truly heartbreaking that White Fang did such a thing. Without that information, our village might lose many excellent ninjas. I just don't understand what he was thinking!" The other background character responded seriously.
Overhearing their conversation outside the door, Ryofun's heart tightened. Could this be...? Remembering the power of public opinion in the future, he felt both anxious and powerless.
Hastily bidding farewell to Tsunade-sensei, he rushed to the residence that was currently in the spotlight and knocked on the door of the Hatake family. Shortly after, White Fang opened the door, seeing Ryofun standing outside.
There were no polite exchanges; White Fang simply led Ryofun to the courtyard to sit down. Disregarding the threats from Danzo, he felt gratitude toward the person who was the main pillar of Konoha, his sword technique instructor, and the perfect ninja!
During his time in the Anbu, other than his squad members, the person he was closest to was White Fang. Whenever he had time, he would seek out White Fang to ask him about "momentum" and sword techniques, and White Fang would patiently instruct him.
"Uncle Sakumo, this was all orchestrated by Danzo. He secretly sent people to spread rumors throughout the village, trying to tarnish your reputation in the eyes of the public, even to the point of making people despise you. You must not fall for his tricks!" Ryofun exclaimed, pouring out his heart.
Hatake Sakumo simply nonchalantly brewed tea, pouring a cup before taking a gentle sip. Oblivious, he said, "Is this something you deduced on your own? At your young age, don't involve yourself in political struggles, understand?"
"But, White Fang-sensei, shouldn't you clarify? This is a matter of your reputation!" Ryofun almost shouted.
"When something's meant to happen, it will come. If you avoid it this time, the next will come with even greater sacrifices. Don't narrow your focus to this village or this land; your future is long. I believe you will come to understand this," White Fang said, handing Ryofun a cup of brewed tea.
Ryofun was stunned and mechanically accepted the tea that White Fang had offered, sipping it slowly. His thoughts drifted back to the heated discussions of the past: Was White Fang really such a fragile person? Did he choose to prove his innocence through a humiliating suicide merely because he couldn't withstand the public outcry? As the head of the Konoha Anbu, could Sakumo not understand the consequences of his choices? Could this truly be a momentary lapse in judgment?
As Ryofun experienced White Fang's feelings up close, he seemed to understand that this was actually a covert struggle between the Third Hokage and Danzo.
According to White Fang, this event was just about one vital piece of information; what about next time? How much greater would the cost be for the village? Danzo was someone who wouldn't relent once he had made up his mind.
For White Fang, who loved the village so deeply, would he continue to endure this?
As if he could sense that Ryofun had begun to understand, White Fang spoke, "If you genuinely want to help me, then do your best to guide Kakashi when the time comes. I hope you can lead him onto the right path! The future of Konoha belongs to you! The leaves may fall, but the fire will continue to burn bright, and it will help the new leaves to germinate!"
"Go back now; if you don't, the Third Hokage will likely come looking for me." After drinking the tea from his cup in one gulp, he walked out without looking back, leaving Ryofun sitting there, lost in thought.
"The wheels of history cannot be changed by individual will, can they? For those who made countless sacrifices in the shadows to protect the village, would they simply become the targets of resentment and disdain due to a task's failure? If so, what is left worth protecting?" Ryofun thought, laughing bitterly as he shook his head and made his way home.
The next day, while working as usual in Konoha Hospital, Ryofun overheard in hushed conversations that White Fang had committed suicide at home the previous night.
"Everything is vanity; only by possessing overwhelming strength can one earn the right to speak!" That thought sprouted in Ryofun's heart.
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