Hokage Office
"Hokage-sama."
"Hm? Go on. Report the mission."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. Regarding this mission…"
Jiu and Hirai began reporting the mission's details to the Third Hokage in turn. Shirō and the others stood quietly to the side, listening attentively and only occasionally offering brief supplements.
Overall, however, the report was carried almost entirely by Jiu and Hirai.
Whether it was because the Kumogakure ninja had died, or because Shirō and the others lacked sufficient rank, neither of them explained why Cloud ninja had been so important.
At this moment, Shirō didn't care about any of that.
There was only one thing on his mind.
Unfortunately, the mission report wasn't over yet, and he couldn't leave. More than that, Shirō couldn't gauge the Village's stance on his act of shooting down that Kumogakure ninja.
At first, Shirō felt a bit relieved. Although the mission had failed, they had still prevented Kumogakure from succeeding. At the very least, it could be considered partial redemption—there shouldn't have been any punishment.
But everything he had seen after returning to the Village unsettled him. Now, he was no longer certain of the Third Hokage's intentions.
At last—just as Shirō was growing increasingly anxious—Hirai spoke the words he most wanted to hear.
"Hokage-sama, that concludes the mission report."
"Hm. I understand."
The Third Hokage nodded slowly. "This failure is not your responsibility. No one could have anticipated the Raikage's personal intervention. As for this mission… it will not be recorded in your files. What do you think?"
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Jiu bowed slightly. "We'll take our leave."
The Third Hokage gave a small nod, signaling dismissal.
Just as Shirō turned to follow the others out, a calm voice stopped him.
"Shirō, stay behind."
Shirō paused for a fraction of a second, then replied, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Once the others had left, the Third Hokage rose from his seat and walked to the window, his back turned to Shirō.
"Shirō," he said quietly, "I hope you won't take the rumors in the Village to heart. I will deal with them as soon as possible."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
"…Shirō."
The Third Hokage sighed softly. "You may go."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shirō bowed and left the office.
The Third Hokage remained by the window, watching Shirō's figure recede from the Hokage Building. He drew slowly on his pipe, then exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
In truth, he had wanted to say more.
Shirō's talent was undeniable, and his contributions to this mission were significant—whether it was providing the flying birds, facing A head-on, or minimizing losses after the mission failed. All of it deserved praise.
Yet Shirō hadn't even been the one in charge.
And still, all blame had fallen squarely on his shoulders.
It was undeniably unjust.
"…Go invite Elder Danzō."
From the shadows, an ANBU acknowledged the order with a soft sound before vanishing, leaving the Third Hokage alone with his thoughts.
---
Hatake Residence
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Shirō? Come in."
Hearing Sakumo's voice, Shirō finally relaxed. He pushed open the door and entered.
"Teacher."
"Mm. Sit down first."
"Yes."
Once Shirō had taken his seat, Sakumo spoke calmly, "Shirō… I'm sorry. You were dragged into this."
"There's no need, Teacher. The mission did fail."
Sakumo looked at him for a long moment.
"Shirō, do you know why my own mission failed back then?"
"I've heard about it. You chose to save your companion."
"That's right—saving a comrade."
Sakumo's gaze sharpened slightly. "Tell me, do you think a ninja should abandon a mission for the sake of a companion?"
"Yes," Shirō answered without hesitation. "Companions come before missions."
"And what if that companion ends up blaming you for it?"
Shirō shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I saved him because I wanted to. As long as he's alive, that's enough. How he feels afterward… that's his choice."
Sakumo smiled faintly.
"Following your heart… I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Shirō."
"In the past," Sakumo continued, "we ninjas were nothing more than tools—hidden in the shadows, wielded by those in power. To fulfill our roles, we were taught to discard emotion and prioritize missions above all else."
"But now, we live in the light."
His voice softened. "So the things we once abandoned must be reclaimed. I believe that's one of the reasons the First Hokage founded the Village."
"Remember this, Shirō. For a ninja, companions come first. Only after that does the mission matter. Because we are no longer just tools."
"Yes, Teacher. I understand."
"I trust you."
Sakumo paused briefly, then added, "In the future, I'll have to rely on you to look after Kakashi. That child is stubborn—too rigid. I worry he might lose his way."
Shirō frowned slightly. "Teacher… why?"
Given everything Sakumo had just said, there should have been no reason for him to step back.
Sakumo shook his head.
"This incident is only the beginning. Think about your own mission. You weren't in command, yet all the blame fell on you. Doesn't that strike you as strange?"
"…Because my contributions were too great," Shirō said slowly, "and because I'm the ANBU Commander. That position doesn't match my influence."
Sakumo gave a faint nod. "You understand."
"But Teacher, you could still—"
"It's not that simple."
Sakumo cut him off gently. "Konoha cannot allow a pure clan ninja to become Hokage."
"Pure clan… ninja?"
"In simple terms," Sakumo explained, "unless one's teacher is Hokage, a ninja from a major clan cannot be chosen. Clan authority supersedes everything. Even if such a person became Hokage, they would still be bound by their clan head's orders. That is unacceptable."
"But the Third Hokage—"
"He is different."
Sakumo's eyes sharpened slightly. "He was the Second Hokage's disciple, his ties to the clans were weak, and he himself is the clan head. His situation is unique. Konoha cannot permit any single clan to dominate the Village."
"Then… we could choose not to contend for it."
"Hahaha."
Sakumo laughed and patted Shirō's head. "If only it were that simple. The Hokage is chosen by the people."
Shirō fell silent.
He understood.
The selection itself couldn't be controlled—but who the people chose could be influenced.
Sakumo's reputation was simply too great. There were few in Konoha who could rival him.
Naturally, those who coveted the Hokage position—and the forces backing them—would first tarnish his name.
This wave of public opinion was merely the opening move.
Once a stain existed, Sakumo would be eliminated from contention.
Yet Sakumo was still indispensable to the Village. In time, the stain would fade.
And when it did—
They would strike again.
---
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