On the third morning of this week, Renzou sat at the meatball shop, idly twirling a skewer of three-colored meatballs while his gaze subtly scanned the house opposite – Kakashi's residence. His strategy was simple, if somewhat passive: wait for Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang, to be alone and perhaps offer a word of solace. The outcome, he knew, was uncertain. Bored, Renzou continued to eat, one meatball after another.
As he reached his twenty-ninth skewer, Renzou, who had been glancing at Kakashi's door intermittently, straightened up. A white-haired, handsome man of middle age, a short sword strapped to his back and clad in a Konoha Jōnin vest, emerged. The flame insignia on his left sleeve spoke of his rank and skill. The short sword, "White Fang," was the very blade that had carved his legend across the ninja world: Hatake Sakumo.
However, the hero's demeanor was somber. He walked with a slight stoop, his head bowed. Passersby cast him strange glances, their whispers like poisoned darts carried on the breeze.
"Look at him. Caused so much trouble for the village, yet he still dares to show his face. If I were him, I'd be too ashamed to be seen."
"Exactly! Does someone like that deserve to be called a hero? The Third Hokage is just too soft, unable to punish him because of old ties."
The harsh words reached both Sakumo and Renzou. The White Fang faltered for a moment, then continued onward. Renzou frowned, quietly following at a discreet distance. Around a corner, he saw Sakumo enter an izakaya, purchase some sake, and then resume his walk. Renzou wondered where he was headed.
After a while, Sakumo entered the Yamanaka flower shop, bought several white chrysanthemums and white lilies, and continued his journey. Sake, chrysanthemum, lily? Renzou's eyes widened. A memorial. He was going to the cemetery! This is the chance!
Renzou quickly bought some delicate pastries and a few white flowers from a nearby vendor and hurried towards the memorial monument. A few minutes later, arriving at the cemetery, he slowed his pace, carrying his offerings, and walked amongst the tombstones, guided by the memory of his own parents' resting place.
He found the two heavy stones, beneath which his parents in this life lay. He placed the pastries and white flowers before them, knelt, bowed his head, and observed a moment of silence.
After an indeterminate time, a hesitant voice came from behind him. "Boy, are you Shanzhou and Mina's child?"
Renzou looked back. It was Hatake Sakumo, his expression complex as he gazed at the commemorative monument.
Twenty minutes earlier…
Haunted by the relentless public condemnation, Sakumo Hatake had sought solace at the memorial monument, hoping to connect with his fallen teammates. Arriving at their stones, he set out a pair of sake cups, poured the liquor, and began to speak, sharing his burdens. Lost in conversation with his departed friends, he poured another cup.
"That's enough for today. I'm going to see Shanzhou and Mina now. See you next time, brothers."
Their monuments weren't far apart. Turning a corner, Sakumo was taken aback to see a boy of seven or eight kneeling before Shanzhou and Mina's stone. Pastries and white flowers lay before it. Clearly, the child was also there to pay his respects. Sakumo vaguely recalled that Shanzhou and Mina's child was in the same class as his son, Kakashi, though they had never formally met. Hence his question.
"Who are you? Wait… Lord Sakumo Hatake! Hello, I am Uchiha Renzou. I heard my father and mother mention you. Are you here to visit them?" Renzou's initial confusion morphed into surprise, then respect as he greeted the legendary ninja. He knew of the connection between his parents and Sakumo. His mother, Hyuga Mina, had once been on the same team as the White Fang. His father, Uchiha Shanzhou, had also been a close friend.
"Yes. Let me see your father and mother's tombstones." Sakumo offered a forced smile. "You're Renzou. This is the first time we've properly met after all these years. I am Hatake Sakumo, a friend of your parents. You can call me uncle." His former comrades were gone, and now he faced widespread condemnation. What was the meaning of it all? With a complicated sigh, Sakumo placed his own flowers before the monument, bowed his head in silent tribute, and then looked at Renzou. He asked, seemingly out of the blue, "Renzou, what do you think is more important, your companions or your mission?"
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped Sakumo as soon as the words left his lips. He was being foolish, asking such a question of a child. "Sorry, just pretend I didn't say anything. Stay a little longer, then head home early. I'll be going now." The cacophony of rumors and accusations churned within him, unsettling his usually calm heart. All he wanted was to retreat home, to escape the harsh reality.
"Uncle Sakumo," Renzou said, his voice clear and steady, "I think we call people who break the rules trash, but people who don't cherish their companions are worse than trash! I believe your choice wasn't wrong. They are wrong!"
Sakumo Hatake, who had already walked more than ten steps away, stopped abruptly. His eyes flickered crimson for a fleeting moment, and he tilted his head back, gazing at the bright sun overhead. When he had returned after his mission failure, all because he had chosen to save his teammates, he had been met not with understanding but with a torrent of accusations, even from those he had saved. He had made countless contributions to Konoha, yet one perceived failure had turned him into a pariah. He had begun to question his own judgment. He had suppressed the rising tide of negativity, but as time wore on and public opinion intensified, his spirit had teetered on the brink of collapse. Today, a child's simple words had finally cracked the dam of his despair, releasing the pent-up pressure.
*"We call those who break the rules trash, but those who don't cherish their companions are worse than trash…" *Sakumo murmured, his eyes briefly closing. When he opened them again, the lingering moisture was gone, replaced by a steely resolve. His aura shifted, a palpable wave of power radiating from him, his killing intent reaching towards the heavens. The invincible White Fang of Konoha, the legend of the battlefield, was back!
Is this the aura of a Kage-level powerhouse?Renzou's eyes widened slightly, a thrill coursing through him as he witnessed the White Fang's resurgence. This is what I strive for. I must become as strong as him, perhaps even surpass him!In that moment, the seeds of Renzou's ambition to become truly powerful took deeper root. He would weather any storm to reach that height.
"Renzou, I have some matters to attend to. See you next time. Feel free to visit my home if you have time. You and Kakashi were in the same class, so you should have plenty to talk about." Sakumo's demeanor had regained its former strength. He smiled warmly at Renzou, extending an invitation. As the son of an old friend, he felt a responsibility to look out for him. And truth be told, he was grateful for the boy's unexpected support. At least he now knew that not everyone in this vast village condemned him. But first, he had some shadowy figures to deal with – those who had orchestrated his downfall.
"Okay, Uncle Sakumo. I will definitely come to visit you someday. I'll head back now." After bidding farewell to the White Fang, Renzou turned towards home, leaning against the door panel once inside, his back damp with sweat. That was intense. But seeing Sakumo's renewed spirit, he doubted the man would succumb to despair now. I'm looking forward to seeing what role I'll play in this fascinating ninja world. The butterfly's wings had already stirred the winds of fate. A future shrouded in uncertainty. Exciting!
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End of Chapter 7