Chapter 91: 87: A New Beginning
"Did Sakumo-sensei truly take his own life over such a matter?" Ayane approached Shiraishi after the funeral to ask this question.
Ayane couldn't believe that Sakumo, who she knew so well, would resort to suicide because of such a trivial dilemma between prioritizing his comrades or the mission.
"What do you mean?"" Shiraishi replied.
Ayane persisted, "I'm asking about the cause of Master Sakumo's death."
"It's no longer relevant" Shiraishi said, casting a brief glance at her.
Ayane felt uncomfortable and sighed heavily. "I feel like I've failed Sakumo-sensei."
"Sakumo-sensei wasn't cut out to be a ninja. He's just one of the tragic outcomes of this era of ninja."
Ayane was taken aback by Shiraishi's words and stared at him in astonishment..
"The question you're wondering about, from the start, doesn't have an answer. The mission is a matter of professional ethics, while a comrade is a personal choice. Either choice could be right, or both could be wrong. It all depends on how those in authority frame the issue."
"But Sakumo-sensei abandoned the mission, and it led to a loss for the village..."
As Ayane spoke, she began to understand the issue. What was Sakumo-sensei's mission? What had the village lose? The higher-ups hadn't provided any explanations, allowing the villagers to speculate freely. In essence, the question of whether the mission or comrades mattered more didn't even exist.
Ayane understood Shiraishi's point. Both answers were simultaneously right and wrong. The crucial factor was how the higher-ups defined the situation. Today, a companion could be more important than the mission, while tomorrow, the mission might take precedence.
To the upper echelon, it was merely a political struggle in the election for the Fourth Hokage, it had no other meaning. The Will of Fire, centered around bonds, had devolved into a political tool for those in power to vie for control and profit, silencing the voice of the village.
The villagers were oblivious to this manipulation, unwittingly becoming pawns in the game. Few facts could be more disheartening.
Ayane shuddered, imagining the despair Sakumo had faced. This was all just a political contest. The choice between missions and companions had never been the real issue. Sakumo hadn't taken his own life over such a trivial matter; he had simply witnessed the complete deterioration of the village.
"When did it start?" Ayane inquired, wondering when Sakumo had become disappointed with the village higher-ups.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Shiraishi sighed and asked, "Ayane, do you really believe that Sakumo-sensei was oblivious to the events of a few years ago?"
Ayane knew that Shiraishi was referring to the mission four years ago, which had led to a conflict with Root.
"Sakumo-sensei..."
"How could someone like him not realize the unusual transfer order from Orochimaru? He spent two months recuperating in the village due to his injuries. What kind of injury requires such a long recovery period? If it was genuinely severe, he should have withdrawn from the battlefield. Returning would only have been a burden to others."
Shiraishi picked up a leaf from the ground, held it, and examined it while speaking to Ayane.
"Did he begin to have doubts back then? I thought the three of us were convincing actors."
Ayane showed a wry smile.
"Our acting was flawless. If the three of us had returned from the battlefield severely injured, missing limbs, and tried to appear as pitiable as possible, Sakumo-sensei wouldn't have suspected a thing."
Holding the leaf tightly, Shiraishi continued while gazing at the gloomy sky, "The protection of comrades isn't about choosing between comrades and missions; it's about safeguarding everything that must be protected. This is the essence of the Will of Fire. It should never be a tool for political struggles or to deceive and mistreat comrades."
Shiraishi guessed that Sakumo must have uncovered something—whether it was divulged by the Sannin or learned through other channels was irrelevant at this point. Sakumo Hatake, the ninja, had come to an end. Alongside his departure, the Will of Fire he held dear had crumbled entirely.
"I still can't fathom the state of mind it Sakumo-senseimust have been in to take his own life," Ayane mused.
"You needn't try to understand it. Those of us who lack belief in the Will of Fire can't fathom that kind of despair," Shiraishi replied.
"Will the higher-ups ever awaken to this reality?" Ayane asked skeptically.
"If they truly understood, this political struggle wouldn't exist. That's why I say Sakumo-sensei wasn't cut out to be a ninja. He was too pure and idealistic. He was better suited to be a teacher, educating others, not a ninja."
Shiraishi couldn't help but feel sorrow for Sakumo. His purity and ideals, his prowess as a ninja, and his threat to the Fourth Hokage's plans had all contributed to his tragic fate. The higher-ups hadn't intended to force Sakumo to his death, but it had been the method he found most intolerable.
Ayane understood that Sakumo had made this choice himself, despite her inability to accept it. "Indeed, now all we can do is hope that someday, a great figure in Konoha will discover this vicious cycle of the Hokage."
Shiraishi, too, was far from convinced.
Is it truly feasible, among Konoha's upper echelons, to nurture a Hokage who isn't consumed by the thirst for power and possesses the courage to reform everything?
Therefore, Sakumo conveyed his aspirations through death, while Shiraishi held a pessimistic outlook.
However, Shiraishi wasn't particularly invested in this.
His path had never truly aligned with Konoha.
Whether Konoha would eventually have the Hokage that Sakumo envisioned had little bearing on Shiraishi.
The chapter of Konoha's White Fang ends here, but his life is just beginning.
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"Shiraishi-senpai, between comrades and missions... which holds greater significance?"
Kakashi was the sole individual left beside Sakumo's grave when Shiraishi and Ayane returned.
Upon hearing Kakashi's question, Shiraishi and Ayane felt their hearts sink.
"When Shiraishi-senpai made his choice, he never looked back."
"But he's gone..."
"Death is but a release, not a mistake."
"Yeah?" Kakashi whispered these words, then departed in a daze, akin to a living ghost.
"Why didn't you tell him the truth?" Ayane questioned Shiraishi, her expression confused.
"Taking good care of Kakashi is not only Sakumo-sensei's entrustment, but for a child with incomplete life values, it is too easy to go to extreme. Allow him to witness the village's realities with his own eyes."
Once he starts asking questions, he will comprehend why Sakumo chose suicide.
Instead of becoming entangled in boring questions about missions and companions, he would awaken to the village's darkness.
Sharing this now would be counterproductive and prematurely expose Kakashi to Konoha's shadows which will be detrimental to his future.
Shiraishi believed that Konoha's upper management would undoubtedly be his greatest support. He didn't even need to arrange it; they would willingly do so. These high-ranking individuals had never let him down, which was proof enough.
Moreover, the opportunity was fast approaching. Sakumo's suicide had undoubtedly posed a challenge for them as well. After all, they had lost a valuable and vital combat asset.
"When he goes out on missions, I'll secretly assign someone to monitor him. The truth can wait until he understands it on his own. Perhaps, one day, he'll grasp it without the need for our explanations."
Becoming a Chunin at the age of six demonstrated his unquestionable ninja talent. He merely lacked worldly experience and insightful eyes to perceive the core of matters.
Ayane concurred that this was the better course of action.
When Kakashi asked which important question about the mission and his companions, Ayane already understood that he must have misunderstood something and fell into fruitless train of thoughts.
He remained oblivious to the reason behind his father Sakumo's suicide. Right now, he probably wouldn't heed any explanation, rendering any further discourse futile.
"Then, it's time for me to return. Hyuga is in your hands."
"Don't worry; I'll handle things on my end."
Bidding farewell to Ayane, Shiraishi returned to the Uchiha clan.
Right before the funeral's conclusion, Ruri had already returned. Her bad mood mood was evident, and even her police responsibilities had been neglected due to her preoccupation.
"The funeral is over; there's no need to wear such a gloomy expression. Are you still mourning Sakumo-sensei?" Shiraishi said to Ruri, who was seated in the corridor, upon hearing her sigh.
Ruri, sitting in the corridor, heard these words and turned toward their source.
"You seem rather calm" Shiraishi remarked.
Shiraishi walked to Ruri and sat down, gently holding her palm, watching the scenery in the courtyard with her.
"Sakumo-sensei wouldn't want anyone grieving his death. Whether it's us or anyone else, this was his choice. He held no resentment. His love for this village and its people surpassed all."
"I understand. That's why I despise these boring political struggle. The high individuals, the elderly clan members, the foolish villagers... The older they get, the more experienced they become. Yet, they end up in this pitiable state?"
Ruri expressed her thoughts in one breath, revealing her unrest. She had never anticipated that Sakumo would exit the world so resolutely.
"The era has chosen ninjas, and ninjas have chosen this way of life."
"Chosen?" Ruri lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then rested her forehead lightly on Shiraishi's chest.
Shiraishi felt the warmth of Ruri's body through his clothes. He gently caressed her snow-white cheek with his palm. Subsequently, he placed his hand on her black hair, stroking it tenderly.
Her hair was of exceptional quality, dense and black, extremely straight. She likely combed it diligently each day. After all, she was a young woman.
"I'm not a child," Ruri retorted, expressing her dissatisfaction with his actions.
However, Shiraishi's hand remained entwined in her hair, despite her verbal protests.
Ruri, despite her words, did not resist the gentle touch.
"Is'nt there something to do at the police today?"
"I asked for leave in the morning, and there is nothing important to do anyway."
The forehead was raised from Shiraishi's chest, and began to rest on his thigh, lying defenseless on the floor of the corridor, closing her eyes, preparing for a lunch break.
Shiraishilooked at Ruri's unsuspecting state at the moment. Although it was nice to be able to see her sleeping face up close, he always felt that something was missing.
Think carefully, isn't there something missing on the other thigh?
At this moment, the face of another girl appeared in his mind.
"Why do I suddenly feel a bit uncomfortable? Do you know why?"
"This is your imagination, Ruri. You must be exhausted today. I'll wake you for dinner later."
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