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"Sakumo Hatake, this is your next mission. It has been classified as S-rank, and you will be assigned two teammates. I expect you to meet both my expectations and those of Konoha." Danzō Shimura slid a mission scroll across the wooden desk.
The edge of the scroll was marked with a deep red S-rank symbol, burned into the paper.
Sakumo glanced at the bright red mark, frowning slightly.
By this point, he was already one of the most renowned shinobi in the world, far stronger than an ordinary jōnin. Unless a top-secret mission posed a threat to the entire village's survival, there was usually no reason to send him personally.
Even for S-rank missions, Konoha had many skilled jōnin who could do the job alone. Wouldn't it make more sense to send one of them?
The idea of having two teammates confused him even more. Sakumo was used to working alone, thanks to his speed and skill. Why add two others to his team now?
Still, a shinobi had to follow orders. No matter his doubts, this was a direct command from the Hokage. He couldn't refuse.
"Understood. I won't fail you." Sakumo accepted the scroll, his voice calm.
He said nothing else before turning and striding out. Sakumo had never liked Danzō much, so there was no point hanging around to catch up.
The office door closed behind Sakumo.
Alone, Danzō let a dark smile cross his face.
After packing his things at home, Sakumo thought about his closest friend, Manji.
Since the mission would last months, he figured he should say goodbye. Otherwise, Manji might wonder where he'd disappeared to.
Sakumo walked quickly to Manji's house. As he lifted his hand to knock, he stopped halfway.
Strange sounds were coming from inside.
He froze for a moment, then lowered his hand. His ears turned red.
"Forget it. Better not interrupt them." With that, Sakumo quickly left.
…
A few months later, shocking news spread through Konoha.
Konoha Hero Sakumo Hatake Abandoned A Critical, Top-Secret Mission To Save His Teammates' Lives!
Rumors spread quickly through the village.
Some people cursed Sakumo for throwing away years of careful planning for the sake of his personal feelings. Others accused him of ignoring the village's safety and wasting the blood and sacrifices of countless Konoha shinobi.
The legendary White Fang of Konoha became the most hated man in the village almost overnight.
Soon, everyone in the village blamed Sakumo.
Danzō, now the Sixth Hokage, only said, "It's fine," in private.
But he wouldn't defend Sakumo in public. He just watched as the anger pushed one of Konoha's greatest heroes toward ruin.
Manji heard the news as well.
At home, he tapped his fingers on the table and remembered Sakumo stopping by his house months ago.
"So he came to say goodbye that day…" Manji had sensed Sakumo's chakra back then. But Tsunade was with him, and she was too worked up to let him go.
Besides, Manji didn't think it was anything serious. To him, unless the shinobi world was ending, it was just a small problem.
"This wasn't some ordinary mission failure. Someone set Sakumo up." Manji shook his head. He was sure Danzō was behind it.
Since Danzō became Hokage, Sakumo had openly opposed him. He didn't hide his belief that Danzō was wrong and often visited Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Danzō saw that Sakumo wouldn't follow him, he decided to take action.
"Why doesn't Danzō try that crap on me?" Manji muttered, shaking his head again.
Danzō didn't have the nerve.
Manji's wife was Tsunade, one of the Sannin and the Second Hokage's granddaughter. Then there were his three students: the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Konoha's civilian-born genius, and Shinnosuke, the son of former Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
All three were already accomplished jōnin who could handle themselves.
Anyone who wanted to go after Manji would have to think twice because of all those connections.
Sakumo was different. He didn't have a powerful family, but he had many military achievements and lots of public support. That made him an easy target.
"Danzō really is a fool." Manji couldn't hide his disappointment. "If Sakumo dies, Konoha loses one of its strongest shinobi. He's willing to hurt the village just to get rid of a political rival, and he calls that protecting Konoha?"
When Manji was the First Hokage, he thought highly of Danzō. He hoped Danzō would lead Konoha differently if he ever took charge.
Manji saw him as someone who would act behind the scenes and take on any burden for Konoha. But in the end, Danzō just became another power-seeker.
"I'd better see how Sakumo's doing…" Manji rose and strode out of the house.
Hopefully, he wasn't too late.
If Sakumo was still alive, Manji could save him. If not, all he could do was stand over his body and say, "I'm sorry. I got here too late…"
..............
The gate to the Hatake house was partly open and unlocked. The courtyard inside was quiet.
Sakumo's wife wasn't home. She had probably gone grocery shopping or left to pick up Kakashi.
Manji opened the door and went straight to the bedroom. Sakumo's despair was obvious.
The White Fang of Konoha used to be confident. Now, one of Konoha's Twin Lights sat slumped on the tatami mat.
Sakumo's hair was messy, his face pale, and his eyes empty. He didn't notice when Manji walked up behind him.
"I'm a sinner… I failed the village. I failed the comrades who gave their lives…" Sakumo muttered.
Before he finished speaking, he squeezed his eyes shut. Using all the strength he had left, Sakumo raised his short blade and thrust it toward his abdomen without hesitation.
"STOP!" Manji's strong hand grabbed Sakumo's wrist and held it tight.
The blade stopped less than an inch from Sakumo's abdomen. No matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't go any farther.
Sakumo's whole body shook. He looked up, his unfocused eyes slowly clearing as he recognized the familiar face in front of him.
"Manji?!"
Manji barely moved. He took the short blade from Sakumo's shaking hand and calmly put it back in its sheath.
"Why would you kill yourself over something like this?" Manji asked.
"I…"
Sakumo's empty gaze shifted. He tried to say again that he was a sinner and had failed Konoha, but Manji stopped him.
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