reborn as Sakumo Hatake

The next morning dawned clear and bright, the chirping of birds filling the air. Sakumo stood in the training yard, a tanto in one hand and a scroll in the other. Today, he was determined to push the boundaries of his new ability. 

The memories he had inherited from Sakumo were extensive, detailing years of rigorous training and battle experience. The man had been a prodigy, hailed as one of Konoha's strongest, yet even his skill hadn't been enough to protect him from the crushing weight of regret. 

*Not this time,* he thought. 

He set the scroll aside and focused, gripping the tanto firmly. With a quick slash, he executed the basic strikes and parries Sakumo's body already knew by heart. The blade cut through the air with deadly precision. 

Then, he paused, looking toward the distant forest. *I need to test more than muscle memory.* 

---

The forest was quiet, sunlight filtering through the leaves in soft beams. Sakumo moved swiftly through the underbrush, his sharp senses on high alert. He wasn't just here to train; he was hunting for inspiration. 

Moments later, he spotted it—a pair of wild boars rooting through the foliage. He crouched low, watching their movements carefully. 

One of the boars lifted its head, its sharp tusks gleaming in the sunlight. With a sudden charge, it barreled toward a smaller boar, its movements raw and primal. 

Sakumo's eyes narrowed, his mind honing in on the aggressor's movements. Its speed, its angle of attack, the power behind its charge—every detail burned itself into his mind. 

When the boar stopped, Sakumo leaped from his hiding spot, mimicking its movements with precision. He dashed forward, his body low and his tanto aimed in a piercing strike. 

The force of the attack sent him skidding across the ground, his blade slicing cleanly through a thick branch he had aimed at as a stand-in target. 

He stared at the severed wood, a grin spreading across his face. "It works," he whispered. 

His ability wasn't limited to just human techniques. Even the instincts and movements of animals could be copied and adapted. 

But as exhilaration filled him, a voice interrupted his thoughts. 

"Father?" 

He spun around, finding Kakashi standing at the edge of the clearing. The boy's expression was one of cautious curiosity, his young eyes darting between the severed branch and Sakumo's stance. 

"Kakashi," Sakumo said, lowering the tanto. "What are you doing here?" 

"I was following you," Kakashi admitted. "You didn't say where you were going." 

Sakumo chuckled softly, walking over to ruffle his son's hair. "I didn't want to disturb your training." 

"I'm done for the day," Kakashi said. "What were you doing just now?" 

Sakumo hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Practicing. Even your old man needs to sharpen his skills sometimes." 

Kakashi frowned. "It didn't look like regular training. You moved… differently." 

For a boy so young, Kakashi's observation skills were sharp. Sakumo sighed, realizing he'd have to tread carefully. 

"Sometimes, we learn from nature," he said. "The way animals move, the way they survive—it can teach us a lot." 

Kakashi tilted his head, processing the explanation. "Can I try?" 

Sakumo blinked. "Try what?" 

"What you just did," Kakashi said, pointing to the severed branch. 

The boy's eagerness caught Sakumo off guard. This was the same Kakashi who, in his original life, had grown distant and cold after his father's death. But here, standing before him, was a boy who still sought his father's guidance. 

"Alright," Sakumo said, kneeling to Kakashi's level. "Watch carefully." 

He mimicked the boar's charging movement again, this time slowing it down for Kakashi to observe. 

"Keep your body low," he instructed. "Focus on building momentum, and strike at the last second." 

Kakashi nodded, his young face set with determination. He mimicked the motion, his small frame moving with surprising agility. His strike wasn't as powerful as Sakumo's, but it was precise—a clear reflection of his innate talent. 

Sakumo couldn't help but smile. "Good. Very good." 

Kakashi's lips twitched upward in the faintest hint of a smile, and Sakumo felt a surge of warmth. 

---

Later that evening, after Kakashi had gone to bed, Sakumo sat alone in the living room, staring at a map spread out before him. 

The map detailed Konoha and its surrounding regions, marking key locations and routes. He traced a finger along one of the marked trails—a supply route frequently used during missions. 

In the original timeline, Sakumo's downfall had been a mission that went horribly wrong. He had chosen to save his comrades at the expense of the mission's success, earning the scorn of the village and plunging him into despair. 

*Not this time,* he thought, his jaw tightening. *This time, I'll be ready.* 

But to change the future, he needed information—details about the mission, the political landscape, and the key players involved. His inherited memories were helpful, but they were incomplete. 

He would need to dig deeper, to observe and learn everything he could. 

---

The next day, Sakumo visited the Hokage Tower. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a man of immense wisdom and power. Sakumo knew that gaining his trust and support would be crucial. 

As he entered the tower, he was greeted by several shinobi, their expressions a mix of respect and curiosity. The White Fang was a revered figure in Konoha, but Sakumo could sense the undercurrents of tension—whispers of his unorthodox methods and the weight of his reputation. 

When he was finally ushered into the Hokage's office, Hiruzen greeted him with a warm smile. 

"Sakumo," the Hokage said, gesturing for him to sit. "It's been a while. What brings you here?" 

Sakumo bowed respectfully before taking a seat. "Hokage-sama, I've been reflecting on my role in the village. I want to ensure that my skills and knowledge are used to their fullest potential." 

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "You've always been one of Konoha's most capable shinobi. Is there something specific you have in mind?" 

Sakumo hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "I'd like to be more involved in strategic planning. Missions are the lifeblood of the village, but I believe we can improve how they're structured and supported." 

Hiruzen studied him for a long moment before nodding. "A commendable goal. I'll arrange for you to attend the next strategy meeting. Your insight will be invaluable." 

Sakumo bowed again. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I won't disappoint you." 

As he left the tower, a sense of purpose filled him. This was only the beginning, but every step counted. 

*I will rewrite the White Fang's legacy,* he thought. *And I'll ensure Kakashi grows up in a world where he doesn't have to carry the burden of my mistakes.* 

---