Chapter 166: The End of the Third War

Chapter 166: The End of the Third War

In the latter half of Konoha Year 49.

Sakumo Hatake led an assault unit to attack Iwagakure, nearly occupying the Hidden Stone Village. Later, during a battle within the borders of the Land of Fire, he fought against Onoki and others, using his life to delay Onoki's retreat. Konoha achieved a major victory in the face of Iwagakure's counterattack.

Meanwhile, Kirigakure launched a naval assault on the Land of Fire, pushing as far as Kikyo Mountain, just a few kilometers from Konoha. After heavy losses, they emerged victorious in the Battle of Kikyo Mountain.

Thus, the Third Shinobi World War ended, and the ninja world entered a period of peace.

---

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns," spoke the Third Hokage solemnly at the Memorial Stone, reciting Konoha's nearly fifty-year legacy of the Will of Fire.

He held a bouquet of flowers, stepping toward Sakumo's grave. A figure was already standing there—Kakashi, Sakumo's son. Kakashi stood silently before the tombstone, motionless, only noticing someone else's presence when the Third Hokage placed the flowers at the grave.

"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said hoarsely.

Seeing Kakashi's desolate expression, the Third Hokage quietly consoled him, "The village will always remember your father's heroism, Kakashi. He's watching over you from another world."

There was no response, only a heavy silence.

After the Third Hokage left, Minato, Guy, and others close to Sakumo visited in turn, leaving bouquets in front of the black-and-white photo on the tombstone.

As the sunset bathed Kakashi's face in its final glow, he took up his father's silver short sword and left. Just then, another figure arrived, placing fresh flowers by the grave and gazing at the black-and-white photograph, his three-tomoe Sharingan activated, slowly spinning.

"Haneda, how long are you planning to avoid me?" Kakashi asked as he approached from afar.

He was here to honor those who had died in the war, but when he hadn't seen Haneda earlier, he knew Haneda would only come after he had left. True to form, he had left just moments before Haneda arrived.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi, I…" Haneda's voice trailed off, guilt rendering him speechless. No matter what he said, Kakashi's father had sacrificed himself to save him, a sacrifice he might not have had to make.

Kakashi put a comforting hand on Haneda's shoulder and said softly, "You don't need to feel guilty. I asked my father to protect you, and he told me… it was a man's promise."

Haneda stood in silence for a while, finally whispering, "Before he left, Sakumo asked me to tell you something—that he died protecting his comrades and the village. You are the son of a hero."

Haneda fell silent again, his mind filled with memories of Sakumo shielding him, smiling as he turned back one last time. Tears welled up in his eyes but were quickly suppressed.

"I understand, Haneda. Let's move forward," Kakashi said gently.

Hearing Kakashi's words felt like a punch to Haneda's heart, breaking through his final defenses. A tear rolled down his cheek, and he struggled to contain his emotions.

"Please… leave me alone for a while, Kakashi," Haneda said hoarsely.

Kakashi patted him on the shoulder. "Alright. Take care, and remember to get some rest. Don't stay up too late."

Kakashi looked back at Haneda's lonely figure as he walked away, a single tear staining his black mask. His father's death had hurt him deeply, too, though he refused to show it in front of Haneda.

Haneda remained standing at the grave, alone in the stillness, until the moon rose. Then, another figure approached, a mature, thoughtful man accompanied by a young child.

"Haneda, the night air is cold. Don't catch a chill," Fugaku said, draping his jacket over Haneda's shoulders. "I heard about Sakumo. I know how you feel, but if you stay like this… he would feel heartbroken, too."

Young Itachi looked around the silent graveyard and, reflecting on the sorrow that had followed the war, asked quietly, "Father, why do people die? What is the meaning of life?"

Hearing this, Fugaku paused. "To let new leaves sprout," he replied.

Haneda heard their conversation and realized something, looking at Fugaku and then at Itachi. "Where there is war, there will be death. Where there is conflict, there will be struggle. Life's meaning is in how one chooses to live and follow through."

Without further explanation, he patted Itachi's head and left the graveyard.

Itachi pondered for a while and then asked Fugaku, "Was Grandfather like that too?"

Fugaku recalled his father's often annoying lectures and his brave back as he left, and replied solemnly, "Yes, he always was."

As he spoke, Fugaku felt a sharp pain, a heaviness in his chest that made it hard to breathe. But remembering his father's final words, he held back his tears, a new resolve settling on his face. He had taken on the mantle of Uchiha clan leader—he could not afford to cry.

---

The Uchiha district was quieter than usual that night, the streets empty and dimly lit by the occasional streetlamp. Walking down a deserted street, Haneda paused at a corner.

Around the bend was Obito's house. He had promised himself he would bring Obito back, but he hadn't fulfilled that promise. Peering around the corner, he saw Obito's grandmother sitting by the door, eyes fixed on the street, as if waiting for someone.

The moment Haneda peeked out, she noticed him. "Haneda, come in and have a seat," she called with a gentle smile, waving him over.

After a brief hesitation, Haneda stepped out from around the corner. Approaching the warm-hearted elderly woman, he felt familiarity replacing the awkwardness.

"Haneda, you must be hungry after spending the whole day at the cemetery," she said, bringing a tray of food from the kitchen as he stepped inside. She reheated the dishes that had grown cold and set them on the table.

Haneda hadn't had much of an appetite, but as he inhaled the familiar aroma, his stomach growled. His grandmother poured him a glass of orange juice and placed it beside him.

Seeing all his favorite foods and drink on the table, he realized something. Taking a bite, he found his throat tightening, the orange juice's sweetness unable to wash away the bitterness he felt. His grandmother had known about Obito's "death" for some time. She had stayed at the cemetery all day, watching him hide behind a tree, too ashamed to face Kakashi.