After finishing their usual training, Mitsuki and Rin decided to visit the ninja tool shop — recently, their supply usage had been increasing a bit.
Being a shinobi might be a high-income profession, but it definitely came with heavy expenses.
On the way there, the two overheard villagers whispering among themselves.
"Did you hear? The White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, voluntarily abandoned a mission."
"What...? You mean that White Fang-sama?"
"Tch, and you still call him 'sama'? All the advantage we gained at the front lines is gone now."
"I heard the village suffered massive losses because of it."
"Sounds like the Hatake Sakumo suicide incident, huh? The timing checks out too" Mitsuki thought silently.
In the original story, during Kakashi's first year at the Ninja Academy, his father took his own life.
Back then, Sakumo was on a crucial mission when his teammate was critically injured. He chose to abandon the mission to save that comrade's life. However, his actions caused great losses to Konoha.
After returning to the village, although his comrade survived, the villagers turned on Sakumo once the truth came out. Rumors even spread that he had betrayed the village. And tragically, even the shinobi he saved joined in condemning him.
The pressure became unbearable, and in the end, Sakumo committed suicide.
Frankly, before it happened, no one could've imagined that a man powerful enough to earn the title White Fang of Konoha would end his life in such a shocking way.
"...Mitsuki, I think they're talking about…" Rin broke the silence as they walked toward the tool shop.
"Yeah. Sounds like it's about Kakashi's father. But we can't really jump to conclusions based on what a few villagers are whispering"
Mitsuki replied. He already knew the full story but hadn't yet decided what role, if any, he wanted to play in this tragedy.
That said, if there was a chance to save someone, he wasn't the kind to just stand by. In his previous life, he had deeply regretted Sakumo's death. And more importantly, Kakashi was a good friend — to both him and Rin.
But Sakumo's suicide wasn't just a personal tragedy; it was tangled in unseen schemes and political forces. Mitsuki couldn't be sure how much of an impact he could truly make.
As he mulled over his thoughts, Rin tugged lightly on his sleeve.
"Mitsuki, look over there!"
She pointed ahead, where a small crowd had gathered. Rin couldn't see clearly from their position.
But Mitsuki, using the Six Eyes' perception, instantly picked up on the situation.
"It's Kakashi and Obito. Looks like they've gotten into an argument with some villagers."
Kakashi, standing at the center of the storm, was well aware of the harsh atmosphere surrounding his father.
Even though he was a recognized genius, he had no idea how to fix his father's reputation, and the pressure had made him increasingly irritable.
Right now, Kakashi was like a powder keg ready to blow—so what Mitsuki and Rin saw was no surprise.
The argument by the roadside was escalating.
"Do you kids even know how many shinobi died at the front just to gain the upper hand?!"
"A ninja's duty is to complete the mission!"
"To abandon a mission on a whim — does someone like that even deserve to be called a shinobi?!"
The villagers were practically shouting at Obito and Kakashi, venting their anger like they'd found perfect targets.
"My father... he's not that kind of person!" Kakashi replied, angry but unable to find the right words to defend Sakumo.
"Bastards! Kakashi's dad gave up the mission to save his comrade! Don't you jerks have any friends of your own?!" Obito shouted back, surprisingly taking Kakashi's side for once.
Despite their constant bickering, Obito had always considered Kakashi a true friend.
Then came the line that crossed the line:
"Voluntarily abandoning such an important mission? That so-called White Fang is nothing more than a traitor!"
That struck a nerve.
Kakashi's expression darkened. He instinctively reached for the kunai pouch on his lower back.
"Oh? A traitor to the village? That's a bold thing to say."
Mitsuki appeared by Kakashi's side in an instant, gripping his arm to stop him. He whispered:
"Don't act rashly. Your father's situation won't change just because you silence a few idiots."
"And who the hell are you? Here to defend that man too? What would brats like you even know?!"
"You're the one who just said that, right?" Mitsuki turned his gaze to the tall, skinny man with beady eyes.
"So what? He broke protocol and ditched a mission without clearance! Why shouldn't I—"
"That's enough."
Mitsuki cut him off coldly.
"The Hokage himself has never said that Sakumo-san betrayed the village. So where do you get the audacity to slander a hero of Konoha? Or... are you questioning the Hokage's judgment?"
"Wha—? N-No, I'm not questioning Lord Hokage!" the man stammered, but as he tried to say more.
"Inciting public unrest and spreading rumors in the village, huh? Sounds like someone's asking for a little talk with the Uchiha Police Force. Right, Obito?"
"Damn right! The Police Force will throw all you bastards in a cell!" Obito chimed in instantly, fully catching the cue.
The man and his buddies froze. Seeing the Uchiha crest on Obito's back was enough to make them back off, muttering curses as they turned to leave.
Honestly, Mitsuki felt a little bad for dragging the Uchiha name into it, but sometimes it took one "bad guy" to deal with another. When dealing with ignorant mobs, the Uchiha's authority came in handy.
"Thanks, Mitsuki" Kakashi muttered. Without him stepping in, things could've gotten much worse.
As the crowd dispersed, Rin finally caught up.
"Mitsuki, you disappeared so suddenly! You scared me!"
"Sorry, sorry. It was urgent" he replied with a sheepish smile.
Just moments ago, when Kakashi was about to strike, Mitsuki had only managed to say "I'll handle it" before instantly Body Flickering to his side.
Now even Kakashi was starting to realize — Mitsuki's speed back then was at the level of a jonin-class.
Compared to Mitsuki's calm presence, Kakashi saw how impulsive and reckless he'd been. Suddenly, that genius label didn't seem so accurate anymore.
"You really helped us out there, Mitsuki. Those bastards had it coming" Obito grumbled.
"Don't thank me yet. What matters now is what you're going to do next... Kakashi."
"I… I don't know. My father has shut himself in, and he hasn't said anything to the villagers."
"So, are you just going to stand by and do nothing?"
"Of course not! But with the whole village turning on him… and the fact that he did abandon the mission—I honestly don't know what to do."
It was true. No matter how unjust the gossip was, the mission had been abandoned, and the losses were real.
"Then ask for help, Kakashi. Don't try to carry this alone. Relying on friends isn't weakness. Or... do you not consider us friends?"
Kakashi stared at Mitsuki's serious expression, stunned for a moment—then slowly nodded.
"I need your help. Mitsuki, Obito, Rin… please help me."
"Heh, I was gonna help you anyway, you cocky jerk" Obito grinned.
"I might not be much help" Rin said sincerely, "but I'll do whatever I can."
"Then let's not waste time. Let's find a quiet place and make a plan—we've got work to do."
"Yeah!"