"So that’s how it is, turns out I’ve always been the fool they’ve been mocking..."
Kakashi walked forward, somewhat lost and desolate, stopping shakily just before falling off Kage Rock.
Standing here.
Looking at this village.
Like standing in a dense, foggy forest.
Surrounding darkness, no road in sight.
Fragments of memory flooded his mind.
The day after his father Sakumo’s mission failed, rumors spread throughout Konoha.
All the rumors were one-sided, targeting his father.
Even those who were saved pointed fingers.
Everyone was denying and humiliating him.
Then came the fragment of his father Sakumo lying in a pool of blood, using his White Fang Short Knife to end his life.
Yet those ninjas and villagers who had previously slandered his father continued living as usual, with no one coming to apologize after his father’s suicide.
——Don’t refrain from doing what is right because of others’ denial, nor feel regret because of their ridicule and accusations afterwards. I simply adhered to the beliefs and perseverance that a Konoha Ninja should have.
His father Sakumo’s words still echoed clearly in his ears.
Until the end, there was no hatred or remorse, facing death with a calm mind.
He certainly didn’t want his son to harbor any resentment towards the village.
Because from beginning to end, he gloriously faced death as a Konoha Ninja.
Concealing the truth of the matter until death.
Kakashi looked at his palm, unable to calm the turmoil within.
Nor could he, like his father Sakumo said, feel no resentment against this village, against those higher-ups.
"So, what is your choice? No matter what, I support you. Will you follow me, or follow Sakumo-sensei’s last wishes, generously forgive everything, love this village, protect this village."
Hakushi stood up from Kage Rock, walked next to Kakashi, patting his shoulder.
"Neither Sakumo-sensei nor I can make the decision for you. Because this is a choice Hatake Kakashi must make himself, not a decision others make for you, no matter how difficult the future may be, you must grit your teeth and persist until your last breath. Choose the path you will walk..."
The conversation ended, leaving Kakashi to make his own judgment.
If he chose to continue protecting Konoha, Hakushi would seal his memories related to that, allowing him to live as a true Konoha Ninja.
If he chose to follow him...
"I will surpass my father."
Kakashi uttered these words.
Hakushi looked at Kakashi sideways.
"Is that so?"
Hakushi nodded slightly, knowing Kakashi had made his choice.
Turning to leave, leaving Kakashi alone there.
The moonlight enveloped Kage Rock, Kakashi gazed up.
Father, I will use my own power to surpass you!
And make those higher-ups pay a painful price!
Perhaps it might be a wrong decision, disappointing his deceased father Sakumo.
But Kakashi had decided, this was the path he would take.
A path completely different from what his father Sakumo envisioned.
——The scene of his father Sakumo committing suicide with a Short Knife in the room.
——Ignorant fools among the populace, deceived by the higher-ups.
——Higher-ups who peacefully enjoy the fruits of political struggles, never understanding the agony his father faced when committing suicide.
Whenever he thought of this, Kakashi felt his heart pounding intensely, wildly, fiercely.
A fresh vigor, named hatred.