"White Fang," Uchiha Ryu said calmly,"after your death, Kakashi was deeply affected. Did you know that he was once prepared to join Root because of a mission?"
Hatake Sakumo's pupils shrank violently.
"What?! Kakashi was going to join Root?!"
Every word from Ryu struck like a blade, stabbing straight into Sakumo's heart.
As a former ANBU captain, Sakumo understood Root better than anyone.
Root shinobi were not humans—they were weapons.
No emotions.No family.No friends.
Only missions.
And Shimura Danzō, the man who controlled Root, was also one of the key figures who had pushed Sakumo toward death.
The thought that Kakashi might enter such a place because of him nearly shattered Sakumo's spirit.
"How could this happen…?""How could Sarutobi Hiruzen allow Kakashi to enter Root?!"
Hatake Sakumo shouted the Third Hokage's name in anger, disbelief written across his face.
Ryu sneered.
"White Fang, what are you still pretending not to understand?"
"Do you really think your death was caused by nothing more than pressure from a few elders?"
"Without Sarutobi Hiruzen's silent approval, do you think public opinion alone could force a hero like you to die?"
Ryu's voice was cold and merciless.
"..."
Hatake Sakumo let out a long, heavy sigh.
He did not refute it.
In the years since his death, he had already figured it out.
Almost every high-ranking official in Konoha had been involved.
That was precisely why his soul had lingered, bound to this grave.
He was afraid.
Afraid of what kind of life Kakashi would live under those same cold-blooded people.
"Sarutobi… Hiruzen…"
Hatake Sakumo slowly raised his head, staring toward the distant Hokage Tower.
Hatred and fury burned in his eyes.
"I trusted you."
"I believed your promise."
"I thought that as long as I died… everything would be stable."
"But instead… you let my son walk into hell."
At that moment, Ryu quietly observed him.
Hatred was consuming Sakumo completely.
And that was exactly what Ryu wanted.
"Calm yourself," Ryu said indifferently."Kakashi did not join Root in the end."
Sakumo's head snapped back.
"What?"
"Namikaze Minato secured him a position in ANBU instead," Ryu continued."As the future Fourth Hokage, Minato still has enough influence to protect his own disciple."
Only then did Hatake Sakumo finally breathe out.
"…Minato…"
A trace of relief appeared on his face.
Then—
Ryu suddenly smiled.
"Hatake Sakumo," he said lightly,"how about we make a deal?"
"A deal?"
Sakumo looked at him in confusion.
"I'm already dead. What could I possibly trade with you?"
Ryu shook his head.
"Whether alive or dead, everyone has value."
"It's only a matter of how much."
Sakumo frowned.
"Then tell me," he said slowly,"what do you want from me, and what do I gain?"
Ryu met his gaze.
"I can resurrect you."
"And during the time you are alive again, you will be free to leave this cemetery… and watch Kakashi with your own eyes."
"What?!"
Hatake Sakumo froze.
His soul trembled.
"You… resurrect me?""That's impossible!"
In all his life—and death—Sakumo had never believed resurrection could exist.
"Look into my eyes," Ryu said calmly.
Ryu opened them fully.
The Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan revealed itself.
Hatake Sakumo felt an instinctive terror rise from the depths of his soul.
Every instinct screamed danger.
It felt as though those eyes could see through everything he was.
"…What are those eyes?"
Sakumo swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
"You don't yet have the capacity to fully understand them," Ryu replied."But you've heard of the Sage of Six Paths, haven't you?"
"The founder of all shinobi."
Sakumo's breathing stopped.
"…The Rinnegan?"
"You can think of mine as a form of it," Ryu said calmly.
He did not bother explaining further.
Hatake Sakumo stared at him, completely shaken.
Anyone who knew the legends of the Sage of Six Paths understood what such eyes meant.
Ryu had no reason to lie to a dead man.
After a long silence, Sakumo finally spoke.
"…What price must I pay?"
He understood.
A man like Uchiha Ryu would never act without benefit.
And more importantly—
He wanted to live.
After years of darkness, Ryu had shown him a light.
No dead man could refuse resurrection.
"Very simple," Ryu said.
"After I revive you, when the time comes, you will stand with me."
"You will tear away the false mask Sarutobi Hiruzen wears."
"And you will help me overthrow the current Konoha."
Hatake Sakumo was completely stunned.
"…What exactly are you planning to do?"
Ryu's answer was calm, almost indifferent.
"Nothing special."
"I just refuse to end up like you."
"So I'm preparing an escape route for myself."
He looked straight at Sakumo.
"Whether you accept… or refuse…"
"That choice is yours."