Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 15: Little Sun Obito

After Kakashi's stellar performance and his evident skills surpassing those of a genin, he became increasingly popular following the sparring sessions.

This sudden attention caused Rin, who usually spent her time with Obito, to start gravitating toward Kakashi. For Obito, this was a crushing blow.

"This is unacceptable! Kakashi, I challenge you to a duel!"

Unable to hold back his frustration as Rin gazed at Kakashi with starry-eyed admiration, Obito climbed onto his desk and shouted his challenge.

Kakashi glanced up lazily, his deadpan expression unfaltering, and pointed to the green-clad boy doing push-ups nearby.

"You couldn't even last against Guy. Are you sure you want to duel me?"

"I don't care! I'm challenging you to a one-on-one duel in the forest after school!" Obito shouted, his anger bubbling over as Kakashi brought up his humiliating defeat against Guy.

"Well… I already promised to spar with Guy after school," Kakashi said indifferently, resting his cheek on his hand.

"What?! You've already scheduled a duel with Guy? When will it be my turn? Fine, I'll duel you right after you're done with him!" Obito said, refusing to back down.

"Did you even ask for my opinion? Fighting Guy is exhausting enough. Why don't you spar with him first?" Kakashi replied, his tone filled with mockery.

Rin, sensing the rising tension, tried to mediate. "Obito, maybe you should reconsider—don't fight Kakashi."

"Hmph! I'll defeat him, and Guy too!" Obito declared with a mix of bravado and determination.

"Then start by beating Guy," Kakashi said, waving dismissively with an air of superiority.

"You jerk! Kakashi, I'm dueling you!" Obito yelled again.

"Beat Guy first."

"Duel!"

"Guy."

The two continued bickering in a seemingly endless loop, much to Rin's dismay. Although it was exhausting to watch, there was no actual malice between them, which eased her worries.

They're still good friends, after all. Maybe I was overthinking it.

---

Days turned into weeks, and the great machine that was Konoha churned on tirelessly. Lately, though, it seemed to be running at an even faster pace.

This heightened tension was marked by the frequent departures of Konoha's famed blade, White Fang, on missions.

One day, White Fang—Hatake Sakumo—returned from a mission with his team. However, unlike their usual triumphant demeanor, the team appeared downcast, and several members bore visible injuries.

Sakumo, renowned as Konoha's sharpest blade, had a stellar record of mission success. So, seeing his team in such a state caused a stir among passersby.

The following day, rumors began circulating that Sakumo had faced a dilemma during a critical mission: save his comrades or complete the mission. He chose to save his comrades, but this decision reportedly resulted in significant losses for Konoha.

The rumors spread like wildfire, evolving into increasingly exaggerated versions. What began as whispers of "significant losses" escalated to claims that "Sakumo's actions might lead to war."

Having enjoyed a prolonged period of peace, the villagers were understandably upset. Organized protests and angry mobs soon gathered outside Sakumo's home, shouting insults and accusations.

"Traitor! You're unworthy of the title 'White Fang!'"

"How could someone like that hold such responsibility?"

"What if war breaks out? What will happen to my son, who just graduated?"

Though the house was under strict surveillance, the guards couldn't block out the relentless shouting.

For days, Sakumo sat motionless, his once-proud demeanor replaced by an air of desolation. The hero who had once instilled fear in Konoha's enemies now seemed a shadow of his former self.

Late one night, after hours of sitting in silence, Sakumo glanced at the White Fang short blade mounted on the wall. His face betrayed his inner turmoil.

The sound of the front door creaking open pulled him from his thoughts. Only one person had free access to the house now—his son, Kakashi.

Seeing Kakashi enter, Sakumo managed a faint, weary smile, though it carried a hint of sorrow. "Kakashi, you're back."

"Dad, those people are still outside, yelling at you. Let me go chase them away," Kakashi said, his voice filled with both frustration and concern.

"No need," Sakumo replied, his voice hoarse. "They're right… I made a mistake that cost the village dearly."

Kakashi frowned, struggling to reconcile his father's words with the man he admired. After a brief hesitation, he pulled a letter from his pocket. "Dad, one of my classmates brought this for you. It's a letter signed by many of my classmates. Apparently, Obito was the one who organized it…"

Children scolding me too? The thought made Sakumo's already heavy heart sink further. Still, he reached out to take the letter, his movements slow and mechanical.

Kakashi watched his father carefully. He had no doubt about the sincerity of the letter, but seeing his father in such a state made him feel uneasy.

"Dad, I wouldn't have delivered this if it was critical of you. A lot of my classmates wrote on it. It might seem silly, but they put a lot of effort into it," Kakashi said, his voice softening.

Sakumo nodded faintly. "Alright… I'll take a look."

He opened the letter reluctantly, his gaze skimming over the names and notes. At first, he was indifferent. But soon, something caught his attention.

Obito's handwriting stood out. The letters were large and slightly crooked, but the sheer energy in the words was undeniable. Sakumo could almost hear Obito shouting his encouragement.

Next came a note from Asuma Sarutobi, the Third Hokage's son. His words were measured but supportive, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing comrades over missions.

The more Sakumo read, the more his spirits lifted. A particularly thoughtful message from Genma stood out, citing the Will of Fire as the foundation of Konoha's values and emphasizing that a single mission wouldn't determine the village's future.

As he read on, Sakumo felt a glimmer of hope. By the time he finished, his once-dim eyes held a spark of light.

Turning to Kakashi, he ruffled his son's hair affectionately and smiled—a genuine, warm smile. "Thank your classmates for me, Kakashi. I'm going to start dinner now."

Kakashi watched his father rise, noticing his unsteady steps. Overcome with emotion, he rushed forward and hugged Sakumo's leg tightly. "Dad, let me help you. You've been so tired lately."

For the first time in years, Kakashi's stoic façade cracked. His eyes shimmered with tears.

Sakumo, deeply moved, knelt down and embraced his son. "Alright, let's cook together. I'm looking forward to your help."

"Mm!" Kakashi nodded fervently, blinking away his tears as he leaned into his father's strong embrace.

Though the shouts outside continued, inside the Hatake household, warmth and hope began to bloom once more.

End of chapter 15