After parting ways with Hatake Seiko, Uchiha Gen headed toward the Hatake Clan grounds.
As he passed Kakashi's large residence, he once again saw the soul of Sakumo Hatake.
Sakumo stood before the gate, his gaze fixed directly on Gen.
This was the second time in two months that Uchiha Gen had seen Sakumo Hatake's soul. From Sakumo's eyes, Gen was certain—this time, the former White Fang was truly looking at him.
Uchiha Gen calmly continued forward, pretending not to notice Sakumo's presence, until he reached the gate of Kakashi's residence.
Suddenly, a short blade appeared in Sakumo Hatake's hand. A cold flash of light—swift as lightning—slashed toward Uchiha Gen.
Faced with the sudden attack, Gen instantly dodged, then couldn't help but show a wry smile.
He had fallen for it.
The moment he evaded, the cold flash of light that should have struck him dissipated into nothingness.
It was an illusion—completely powerless.
Uchiha Gen landed lightly and turned toward the gate, his expression a mix of helplessness and confusion.
Sakumo Hatake scrutinized him and said calmly,
"Uchiha clan boy… you really can see me."
Uchiha Gen let out a soft sigh, then smiled faintly.
"Uchiha Gen greets Senior White Fang."
"I wonder how Senior noticed. I believe that neither this time nor the last did I reveal any flaw in my expression."
Sakumo Hatake smiled appreciatively.
"Others might not have noticed, but don't underestimate any jōnin who has survived years on the battlefield."
"The moment you saw me, your emotional fluctuations vanished completely. Still, my eyes caught them."
"As expected of Konoha's White Fang," Gen replied sincerely. "Such sharp perception—this junior admires it. But may I ask why Senior stopped me?"
Sakumo Hatake stared at him deeply. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes, and an overwhelming killing intent descended upon Uchiha Gen.
In an instant, Gen felt the air around him turn icy cold.
This was the terrifying killing intent forged through countless life-and-death battles—an invisible pressure that crushed the mind like a mountain or pierced the body like frozen wind.
An ordinary person would have collapsed, lost consciousness, or wet themselves on the spot.
Yet Uchiha Gen showed no fear.
Meeting Sakumo's gaze directly, he asked calmly,
"Senior… what is the meaning of this?"
Sakumo Hatake said coldly,
"I overheard your conversation with Seiko. You were trying to mislead him."
Uchiha Gen frowned.
"I cannot agree with that statement. Everything I said was the truth."
The two locked eyes.
After a long silence, Sakumo asked,
"What is it that you want to do?"
Uchiha Gen answered without hesitation,
"Just as I told Seiko—I want to break the darkness of the Village."
"You want to betray the Village!"
The killing intent intensified instantly, like countless blades pressing in from all sides.
Hearing this, Uchiha Gen laughed.
"Senior, I cannot accept that accusation. Since you heard my conversation with Seiko, you should understand my stance."
"The Village belongs to everyone. The high-ranking officials—led by the Third Hokage—do not represent the Village as a whole."
Sakumo replied coldly,
"The Uchiha clan has always harbored dissatisfaction toward the Village. Your words alone cannot convince me."
"Why not?" Gen countered.
"Is the Uchiha clan not part of the Village? Or do we not love Konoha?"
"The Uchiha are a clan of ambition… a clan with darkness in their hearts."
Uchiha Gen looked at Sakumo with disappointment.
"I didn't expect even Senior's vision to be clouded by prejudice."
"Those words sound like they came straight from Senju Tobirama."
"In my eyes, he was merely a man who became the Second Hokage by relying on his elder brother's prestige. What right did he have to judge the Uchiha clan?"
"I can even say this—Senju Tobirama is the source of the Village's darkness. The Third Hokage and the others inherited his will; you can still see Tobirama's shadow in their decisions."
Sakumo Hatake frowned.
"How can a child your age harbor such radical ideas? How can the Second Hokage be the despicable person you describe?"
"Because I think independently," Uchiha Gen said indifferently,
"and I don't allow admiration or reputation to cloud my judgment."
"Tobirama did not target the Uchiha because we are 'evil,' but because we were strong."
"Throughout the entire ninja world, only the Uchiha could rival the Senju."
"Senior White Fang—if it had been Senju Hashirama who left the Village back then, instead of Uchiha Madara… do you think the Senju clan would have stayed behind?"
Sakumo Hatake froze.
No one had ever posed such a question to him before. Yet the moment he considered it, he found himself unable to answer.
The killing intent slowly faded.
After a long silence, Sakumo sighed.
"…The Senju clan might have followed the First Hokage."
Uchiha Gen smiled.
"But the Uchiha didn't," he said softly.
"For the sake of peace, we abandoned our clan head—Uchiha Madara—and chose the Village."
"The Uchiha also love Konoha."
"You should know this—we were the ones who abandoned Madara."
Sakumo Hatake's killing intent had completely vanished.
"Your ambition is dangerous," he said slowly,
"but your ideal is beautiful."
"One thing you said is absolutely true—the Village belongs to everyone. On that point, you've convinced me."
"The Village… may indeed need to change."
Uchiha Gen bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your understanding, Senior."
"I simply don't want a tragedy like yours to happen again."
"I believe Senior understands how the Village's higher-ups view the Uchiha clan."
"In my opinion, our situation may be even worse than yours once was. The only difference is that our strength forces them to suppress us quietly instead of openly."
"This is a hidden crisis—for the Uchiha, and for the Village itself. One day, the conflict between clan and Village will erupt."
"I don't want to see that day."
Sakumo Hatake looked at Gen with clear admiration in his eyes.
"I understand. But promise me one thing—do not place Seiko in danger."
With that, Sakumo turned to leave.
"Senior," Uchiha Gen called out, "I have a request."
"I am merely a lingering soul," Sakumo replied. "I cannot interfere with the living world."
"No—Senior can, if you simply agree."
Uchiha Gen bowed deeply.
"Senior White Fang… I ask that you become my teacher and guide me in my training."
Sakumo Hatake was stunned.
He stared at the young Uchiha for a long time, silent.
Uchiha Gen remained bowed.
Several minutes passed before Sakumo finally spoke.
"Rise."
"I accept."
Uchiha Gen's face lit up with joy.
"Greetings, Teacher."
Sakumo Hatake looked at him quietly, thinking:
Perhaps… this child is worth watching.
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