Kakashi had admired his father since childhood.
Because his father was Sakumo Hatake, the man known throughout the entire shinobi world as Konoha's White Fang a ninja so strong that even the Sannin openly admitted his superiority. His fame was great enough that he had once been considered as a potential Hokage candidate, someone worthy of wearing the Hokage's white cloak.
He was a hero of Konoha.
But everything changed the day Sakumo Hatake took his own life.
From then on, Kakashi's feelings twisted.
Instead of nostalgia, resentment filled the space where admiration had once lived.
He resented that his father had ended his life without a word, leaving his young son utterly alone.
And because of the reason for his father's death, Kakashi's personality changed dramatically.
He became cold.
Rigid.
Obsessed with rules.
Every action he took was based on completing the mission no matter what.
Whether comrades lived or died no longer mattered to him.
And he truly believed this was the correct path.
Until that day…
during a mission in the Third Shinobi World War…
Until the tragedy of Obito, and the suffering of Rin, and the unbearable cost he paid for his rigid ideals shattered everything inside him.
He changed that day.
But the price was enormous.
He lost his teammates… his precious friends.
"I admired Senior Hatake," Qianye said quietly. "I really did. It's just a pity that before I had the chance to grow strong, Senior Hatake already passed away…"
Kakashi felt a faint sense of relief.
Even now, to hear that someone still remembered his father eased his heart, if only a little.
But then Qianye's tone shifted.
"However," he continued, "I've always felt something wasn't right about the circumstances of Senior Hatake's suicide."
Kakashi's response was instinctive.
"What… isn't right?"
"First of all," Qianye said, "your father was condemned because he chose to save a comrade at the cost of the mission. True, it wasn't something the village wanted to celebrate."
"But despite the mission failing… he saved a life. Isn't that a warm, human act?"
"I can understand a few cold-blooded villagers failing to grasp the value of that."
"But for the criticism to grow from just a handful of voices into a village-wide condemnation, a collective outcry? That doesn't make sense to me."
"Is the entire village truly that heartless?"
"I don't think so. I think someone was pushing it from behind."
Kakashi's heart trembled violently.
He had been so crushed by grief back then…
he had never questioned any of it.
But now, he realized Qianye was right.
His father had failed one mission, yes.
But it was because he chose to protect his comrades.
He wasn't some monster.
A few villagers scolding him would have been understandable.
But an entire village turning against one of its greatest heroes?
That was unnatural.
Especially since Sakumo had earned countless merits for Konoha.victories that shaped the outcome of a war.
He was beloved, respected, admired.
So how did that admiration suddenly transform into overwhelming condemnation?
"And don't forget," Qianye continued, "Senior Hatake had fought in the Second Shinobi World War. His mental fortitude was incredibly strong."
"How could he break down and commit suicide just because of public criticism?"
"More importantly, you were still a child. Would a father like him truly abandon his son so easily?"
"He must have noticed something."
"He must have sensed someone was manipulating the situation from the shadows."
"And the fact that he endured the insults silently… shows that the person behind it held a position above him."
"Your father likely figured out exactly who it was."
"As for why that person targeted him… perhaps your father posed a threat."
"And in the end, why did your father choose suicide instead of confrontation? My guess is… that person blackmailed him. Forced him."
"Maybe with something important.
Or maybe someone important."
As he said this, Qianye deliberately turned and looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi's hand tightened around his teacup so hard that his knuckles turned white.
With a sharp crack, a thin fracture spread across the teacup like a spider's web.
Kakashi's visible eye was already bloodshot.
"At that time," Qianye continued calmly, "your father was someone who had once worn the Hokage's white cloak over his shoulders. His fame and prestige exceeded even that of the Sannin. In the village, his standing was extremely high."
"But if we're talking about those whose status surpassed even the White Fang… there were very few."
"And what exactly about your father posed a threat to them? Perhaps… it was the Hokage seat."
"At that time, the Third Hokage was already aging. Many in the village were quietly saying that he should retire and pass the position to a younger generation."
"And coincidentally, Senior Hatake's reputation back then was at its peak towering."
"He wasn't only a threat to the Third Hokage… he was also a threat to Danzo, who had always been obsessed with becoming Hokage."
At this point, Qianye suddenly waved his hand and shook his head.
"Bah, bah. Why am I saying this? I must've drunk too much and started rambling. Forget it, don't take any of this to heart."
Of course Qianye didn't directly say:
"I suspect your father was forced to commit suicide by the Third Hokage, or by Danzo… or even by both together."
If he said that outright, Kakashi would definitely become suspicious of him.
So instead
He only laid out the key points.
He only let Kakashi taste the possibilities.
The rest, he would let Kakashi think through on his own.
Because people only truly believe the answers they uncover themselves.
...
...
A long time passed before Kakashi finally left, his expression heavy and clouded with worry.
After his talk with Qianye tonight, his perception of the village leadership had completely changed…
"So full… so full… can't eat another bite."
At that moment, Naruto patted his bloated stomach with a blissful expression.
"Hmph! I win. B–belch~… Finished!"
Sasuke glanced triumphantly at the mountain of empty bowls stacked in front of him, then at Naruto's smaller pile.
He concluded very satisfactorily that he had eaten two more bowls.
Instantly, his ego inflated.
Naruto, hearing Sasuke brag, wanted to challenge him again, but unfortunately, his stomach truly couldn't fit anything else.
Seeing that Naruto's belly was bulging like he'd swallowed a watermelon, Qianye couldn't help but laugh and say, "Eating too much at once isn't good for your body."
Naruto scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
"It's because I only get a really tiny allowance every month, so I almost never get to eat ramen… Especially when someone else treats me! I want to eat as much as I can in one go… so I won't be hungry for the next few days."
By the end, he was grinning sheepishly.
Qianye felt his chest tighten with an unexpected sadness.
He thought for a moment.
Then he looked toward Teuchi and said, "Boss, from now on, whenever this kid comes to eat ramen, put everything on my tab."
"Huh?"
Teuchi blinked, then immediately understood. He knew Qianye's identity and his financial situation, and he genuinely liked Naruto, so he readily agreed with a beaming smile.
"Big brother… really?"
Naruto's eyes widened, shining with disbelief.
"Of course," Qianye replied, rubbing Naruto's hair.
"Do I look like someone who would lie to you?"
His tone was warm, gentle.
But inside, Qianye sighed deeply.
Ah… silly kid.
In the future, I may need the power of the Nine-Tails inside you to reach my own goals—to approach the Sage of Six Paths.
So now… at least let me make up for some of the suffering you endured.
---
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