Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Are missions really the most important thing for a ninja?" Haneda stood up and asked the people criticizing the White Fang in a deep voice.

"If a ninja doesn't follow the rules and complete missions, how are they any different from trash?!" one of the middle-aged men retorted, his tone filled with mockery.

Haneda chuckled dismissively and said, "Only the weak are bound by rules. The strong break them."

"Besides, as Lord Jiraiya once said, a ninja is someone who can endure anything."

"Enduring the blame for not completing a mission, enduring the guilt within, and biding your time, silently waiting for the right opportunity."

"In short, missions can always be redone, but a comrade only has one life!"

The middle-aged man snorted, clearly unimpressed with the boy in front of him: "A ninja like Sakumo Hatake completes missions that are of the utmost importance to the village. If he fails, it could have a huge impact on the village. What do you know, kid?"

"An extremely important mission? Then, tell me, what exactly was this mission?" Haneda asked calmly.

"How should I know something that involves Konoha's secrets?" the middle-aged man snapped impatiently.

"If it's a secret, are you even qualified to discuss it? Besides, the mission objectives and the dangers involved—who truly knows those details?"

"Only those involved and the village's upper echelons would know!"

"The White Fang of Konoha was as powerful as the Sannin. If even he thought the mission should be abandoned, shouldn't it have been abandoned?"

"The mission was clearly difficult. If Lord Sakumo had died while completing it, the village would've lost a key protector. The other four major nations would have seized the chance to declare war on Konoha!"

"Would you be satisfied with that result?"

"Hmph. Foolish people always think they're right, but they don't realize they're leading more people into ruin."

When Haneda finished, the entire barbecue restaurant fell silent.

He was right. What he said made sense. Especially the part about how, if Sakumo had died during the mission, the village would have lost a powerful defender, and the other nations would've attacked Konoha.

Would you be satisfied with that?

Would you be satisfied with the resulting war?

Would you be satisfied if it harmed even more of the village's interests?

Instead of letting the White Fang die on the mission, wasn't it more rational to abandon the mission and save his comrades?

It was the sensible choice.

Of course, whether or not it was the best decision is unknown.

But only the people involved and the higher-ups in Konoha knew the full details. And since the village had chosen to keep the mission details sealed, there was no harm in winning a verbal argument.

"Hmph, Haneda's right. Do you really want Lord Sakumo dead, to start a war?!" Obito immediately echoed Haneda's words, loudly condemning those who had slandered the White Fang.

Standing on moral high ground to criticize others was something anyone could do.

Besides, what Haneda said made a lot of sense—the mission details were unclear.

For the time being, the two men who had been the loudest critics fell silent, abandoned their meal, paid the bill, and left the restaurant in embarrassment.

At the same time, the voices criticizing the White Fang disappeared. More people began to think rationally.

*Ding! Kakashi Hatake's affection has increased by 13 points.*

*Ding! Kakashi Hatake's affection has increased by 17 points.*

...

*Kakashi Hatake's current affection has reached 73. Reward: 0.2 units of chakra, Konoha's secret technique "One Thousand Years of Death."*

**'Thousand Years of Death?'**

Haneda blushed as childhood memories resurfaced.

This prank technique? He had mastered it after watching it once—did he really need to learn it?

Well, at least there was the 0.2 chakra bonus, so he could barely accept it.

Haneda paused and glanced at the corner of the restaurant. By now, Kakashi's figure had vanished, but the steady increase in affection showed that his emotions were clearly stirred.

"Hey, Haneda, you were pretty cool tonight, huh? Talking all smooth like that," Obito walked over, slinging an arm around Hatake's shoulder and laughing.

"Of course. I'm always cool," Haneda shot Obito a side glance.

"Hehe..."

Obito turned away, thinking about how Haneda, who usually didn't talk much to his classmates, had argued so skillfully tonight. Something felt off, but since the outcome was good, he didn't dwell on it.

Just then, the waiter came over with a plate of perfectly marbled meat, its delicious aroma filling the air and making the three of them salivate.

"Alright! Time to dig in!"

Obito eagerly reached for a slice of meat, but before he could grab it, Haneda's chopsticks blocked him.

"Hey, Haneda, what's your deal? Trying to start something?" Obito grumbled, pouting.

"Are you stupid?" Haneda gave Obito a look as if he were an idiot.

"It's not cooked yet, Obito."

Rin, afraid they'd start another argument, tugged on Obito's sleeve.

"Hmph, it's already marinated."

Hearing Rin speak, Obito reluctantly agreed and put the meat on the grill.

As the charcoal heat touched the meat, sizzling sounds echoed, and the smell of grilled meat quickly filled the air.

Two and a half minutes later, the meat was just about done.

Obito hurriedly grabbed a piece and stuffed it into his mouth. The scorching hot meat almost made him spit it out.

"Ah! It's so hot!!"

"Pathetic as always. No wonder you're the dead last," Haneda couldn't help but tease.

Seeing this, Rin covered her face and giggled.

"Damn you, Haneda!!" Obito yelled, growing more agitated, and stood up.

"Idiot Obito," Haneda retorted, showing no intention of backing down.

"Alright, you two, calm down!" Rin pressed down on Obito's head, forcing him to sit back down.

"And Haneda, you say less too," she added, seeing Obito still fuming.

"Hehe~" Haneda smiled. In a world without the internet, teasing Obito was one of his few entertainments.

...

Elsewhere in Konoha, at Kakashi's house.

"Father, I'm home."

Kakashi pushed open the door, took off his shoes, and placed them neatly on the rack before walking in.

A man with the same silver-white hair as Kakashi stood before him.

His features were ordinary but gave off a certain handsomeness when looked at for long enough.

This man was Sakumo Hatake, known as the White Fang of Konoha.

However, the man who was once famed across the shinobi world now had an exhausted and confused look in his eyes.

His hair was messy, as if it hadn't been cared for in days.

Beneath his eyes were dark circles, signs that he hadn't slept well in a long time.

Kakashi looked at his father, opening his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, said nothing.

"Kakashi, do you have something to say to me?" Sakumo forced a smile, asking gently.

"No... nothing." Kakashi headed straight for his room and closed the door behind him.

"This kid..." Sakumo shook his head and called out, a little louder this time.

"Did you have dinner?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Remember to get some rest. Staying up late is bad for your health."

...

Lying on his bed, Kakashi stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

He recalled the villagers' criticism of his father, then thought about what Hatake had said earlier, murmuring softly to himself:

"For a ninja, what's more important—the mission or your comrades?"

...