Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Will of Fire

"In the ninja world, those who don't follow the rules are considered trash, but those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash..."

As Kakashi walked home, Haneda's words echoed in his mind over and over.

Thud!

Kakashi wasn't paying attention and accidentally bumped into a man walking in front of him.

"Sorry!" Kakashi immediately apologized.

"It's alright," the man said with a smile, looking down at the boy. "Are you hurt, kid? I was in a hurry, and I'm a bit on the heavy side, haha..."

As he spoke, the man scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed.

"No, it's fine, sir," Kakashi replied. "I'm a ninja, I'm not that fragile."

Kakashi smiled as he responded. The man didn't say much more but waved goodbye to Kakashi.

"See you, future little ninja."

"Goodbye, sir."

As Kakashi watched the man leave, his eyes caught a glimpse of a reflection in the shop's glass window nearby.

The glass reflected his face, partially covered by the black mask.

Suddenly, Kakashi removed the mask.

In the reflection, he saw the face of a young boy. Kakashi and the boy in the reflection looked at each other, both smiling.

"Kakashi, remember, strength is meant to protect comrades and the village."

His father's words echoed in his mind, from a time when he first showed his talent and had just started at the academy.

He didn't respond to his father back then, only nodding silently.

But this time, he had an answer.

Just like the man he had bumped into, as an adult, the man's first concern was Kakashi, the child.

And Kakashi, as a ninja, had instinctively worried about the man, a civilian.

That was the Will of Fire, the meaning behind his father's resolve to protect his comrades and the village.

Kakashi put his mask back on and resumed walking toward home.

The sun set at the end of the street, and at that moment, his eyes no longer held any confusion.

...

Arriving home, Kakashi opened the door and neatly placed his shoes in the shoe cabinet.

"I'm home, father," Kakashi said with a smile, his tone much more relaxed.

His voice hadn't changed since the night before, but to Sakumo, it sounded as if it came from someone completely different.

"Kakashi, you seem to be in a good mood today. Did something happen at school?" Sakumo asked softly.

Seeing his son looking so at ease, Sakumo also felt more at ease, the gloom and fatigue on his face lifting slightly.

"Father, today, Asuma, the son of the Third Hokage, mentioned your failed mission."

"Did he now? He must have been feeling upset," Sakumo said casually, waving his hand, not taking it to heart.

He didn't want to involve the children in the matters of their parents' generation, especially with Asuma, whose rebellious streak was something Sakumo had heard a lot about from the Hokage.

Kakashi nodded and continued slowly, "He called you trash, and at the same time, there were those who called you a hero."

"Oh? And who are these children?" Sakumo asked with a smile.

"Uchiha Haneda and Uchiha Obito."

Upon hearing this, Sakumo's brows furrowed slightly. He thought about Asuma calling him trash in public but then relaxed his expression.

Children's issues shouldn't involve their parents. After all, the Uchiha were also part of the village.

Kakashi didn't notice his father's fleeting expression and continued, "Haneda told me that in the ninja world, those who don't follow the rules are considered trash, but those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash."

"Father, do you remember what you once told me?"

"Strength is meant to protect, whether it's comrades or the village."

"A ninja is not just a tool, but a symbol of protection."

"That is the Will of Fire!"

When Kakashi finished speaking, Sakumo fell silent.

He stared blankly at his son, and after a long while, he calmed his emotions.

"You're absolutely right, Kakashi. Protection is the true meaning of strength. That is the Will of Fire, and it is also my ninja way!"

After saying this, Sakumo suddenly smiled.

This time, his smile wasn't forced but genuine.

Perhaps he was comforted by his son's change or maybe because he had finally come to terms with everything that had happened.

...

*Ding! Hatake Kakashi's Affection +5*

*Ding! Hatake Kakashi's Affection +7*

...

*Ding! Hatake Kakashi's Affection +37*

*Ding! Hatake Sakumo's Affection +61*

*Host's Affection with Sarutobi Asuma has reached 63, gaining insight into basic Fire Release techniques.*

*Host's Affection with Hatake Kakashi has reached 153, gaining 0.3 chakra points, A-Rank Jutsu: Chidori, and partial Sharingan abilities.*

*Host's Affection with Hatake Sakumo has reached 81, gaining expertise in swordsmanship.*

"Looks like Kakashi's affection can even enhance Sharingan abilities!"

Seeing the reward of Sharingan power, Haneda couldn't help but feel a desire for Kamui again.

Among Mangekyou Sharingan abilities, Kamui's power ranked in the top two for Haneda.

As for the only rival to Kamui, it was, of course, the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami.

In Haneda's opinion, Kamui had a versatile range of uses, while Kotoamatsukami had a long cooldown but could be decisive.

And as for Sakumo and Asuma? Well, that was just a bonus...

Wait, what about Asuma??

Did this second-generation Hokage candidate, whom I mocked and defeated, still increase his affection?

Could he be... a masochist?!

...

Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was holding a crystal ball, watching intently.

The surface of the crystal ball projected the interior of a bathhouse in Konoha.

Inside the bathhouse, many young women were laughing and playing...

It was clear that the Hokage was, in his own way, observing the daily life of the village.

Knock knock knock...

There was a knock on the door, and Hiruzen discreetly wiped the crystal ball, retracting his Telescope Jutsu.

He picked up the pipe from his desk, taking a deep puff to calm his inner thoughts.

"Come in."

At that moment, Haneda's teacher, Takakura Bunta, entered the room.

He taught a class made up of representatives from the village's prominent clans, including the Uchiha, Hyuga, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Among them was also Asuma, the Hokage's son, which naturally gave him the right to report directly to the Hokage, much like Iruka.

"Lord Third, I've come to report on the progress of my class."

"Did Asuma cause trouble at school?" Hiruzen asked with a smile, taking a puff from his pipe.

Takakura Bunta thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Asuma called Sakumo Hatake a failure in front of the class and spoke about some of the rumors circulating in the village."

"Hmm, I see. I'll have him apologize to Sakumo personally," Hiruzen said, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

As Asuma's father, it was his responsibility to clean up after his son.

Seeing that Takakura Bunta hadn't yet left, Hiruzen smiled and asked, "Is there anything else, Bunta?"

"Yes, Lord Third. When Asuma said those things about Sakumo, Uchiha Haneda and Uchiha Obito both defended him, calling him a hero."

"Not only that, but Haneda also defeated Asuma, and even Kakashi lost to him."

***

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