Chapter 50: The Death of the White Fang
"The winner is Uchiha Kyosuke!"
As the referee's voice fell, the venue erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Yay! We won!" Nagisa jumped up and down, cheering. The Second Elder was so happy that he didn't bother to scold her.
Not bad. The clan's investment in this child, Kyosuke, has not been in vain, the Second Elder thought to himself, stroking his beard with satisfaction.
It wasn't just the Uchiha clan who were cheering; many of the ordinary villagers were also applauding enthusiastically for Kyosuke. After all, he had gotten to know many of them during his previous patrol missions. And with his "kind and virtuous" public image, it was only natural that the villagers liked him.
"Public opinion" was often useless. But in times of "turmoil," it became incredibly important.
Kyosuke looked at the cheering crowd, a cryptic smile on his face.
"Father, I... I lost," a newly awakened Kakashi said, standing before his father with a look of shame.
"It doesn't matter. Just keep working hard," Sakumo comforted him. Without looking at the surrounding crowd, he simply said, "Let's go home."
"Oh," Kakashi replied casually, his head still bowed in thought.
In his dejected state, he didn't notice the strange look in his father's eyes.
Just as the two of them were about to leave, Kyosuke's voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Are you just going to 'leave' like that?" Kyosuke asked, looking directly into Sakumo Hatake's eyes.
"If I don't leave, what else can I..." Kakashi turned around, frowning. He was about to say something, but he suddenly stopped.
He realized that Kyosuke's words were not directed at him, but... at his father?
Puzzled, Kakashi couldn't help but turn to look at his father. His pupils suddenly contracted.
This... this pale-faced man with lifeless eyes, was this really the invincible father in his heart?
"Father, you..." Kakashi looked at him in horror, stammering, at a loss for words.
At this moment, he had a very bad feeling.
In his panic, Kakashi subconsciously glanced at Kyosuke.
"Can you leave Kakashi behind with peace of mind?" Kyosuke ignored him, his gaze still fixed on Sakumo Hatake's eyes as he asked again.
This child... is he that perceptive? Sakumo thought to himself.
But Sakumo did not respond to Kyosuke's question. Instead, he turned again and walked toward his "home."
His heart, which was already a stagnant pool of water, was not something that could be saved by a few words from Kyosuke.
It still didn't work? I can only do so much... Kyosuke was about to give up on this seemingly useless rescue attempt. But when he saw the look in Kakashi's eyes, he paused for a moment, then lowered his head and sighed.
We're not even that close, really, he complained to himself. He then quickly ran toward the Hokage Tower.
"Hey~ where is Kyosuke going?" Nagisa asked her grandfather, watching Kyosuke's retreating figure. She had been hoping to celebrate today, and she couldn't help but pout.
"Something must have happened," the Second Elder said with a frown. He then made a subtle gesture to the shadows.
Instantly, a barely visible figure followed in the direction Kyosuke had gone.
The Second Elder, feeling uneasy, had sent a clan operative to see what was going on.
Inside the Hokage Tower, the Third Hokage had just put away his crystal ball when there was a knock on his office door.
"Come in," the Third said coolly after lighting his pipe and taking a couple of puffs.
The door opened, and an expressionless Kyosuke walked in.
"Oh, it's Kyosuke-kun," the Third said with a kind smile. He praised him, "As expected of my grand-disciple. To be able to defeat that Hatake boy at your age is truly remarkable."
With that, he let out a loud laugh.
However, Kyosuke was in no mood to play along with his insincere act.
Noticing this, the Third also restrained his laughter and asked with a strange expression, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Seeing that the Third had finally asked, Kyosuke recounted the issue of Sakumo Hatake's mental state in detail.
The Third was silent for a long time after hearing this. He relit his extinguished pipe before slowly saying, "Then, according to your assessment, how bad is Sakumo's situation?"
"I estimate that he... is already having suicidal thoughts," Kyosuke said in a low voice.
The hand holding the pipe trembled violently. The Third's voice also suddenly became low. "Is it... that serious?"
Seeing Kyosuke nod, the Third took a couple of forceful puffs from his pipe.
Then, he slammed the pipe down on his desk.
Instantly, an Anbu member appeared before them, kneeling on one knee.
"Go, summon Sakumo Hatake to see me," the Third ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"Wait a minute," the Third suddenly stopped the Anbu.
After a moment's hesitation, the Third suddenly said to Kyosuke, "You and I will go to the Hatake clan ourselves."
"Yes, sir," Kyosuke replied, nodding.
Soon, the two of them, along with the Anbu, set off.
This child, Kyosuke, is really different from the other Uchiha. Seeing him is like seeing the 'Kagami' of the past, the Third thought to himself with a sense of relief as they traveled.
The Uchiha clan can be guided onto the right path. He became even more convinced of this as he looked at the slightly anxious Kyosuke walking behind him.
Danzō, I will not let you destroy this child, the Third made a certain resolution in his heart.
Just then, the Anbu who was scouting ahead suddenly appeared and reported, "Hokage-sama, something seems to be wrong with the Hatake clan's situation."
Hearing this, both the Third and Kyosuke's hearts sank.
They exchanged a look, and then, disregarding all rules and regulations, they leaped over the wall.
As soon as they entered the Hatake clan's courtyard, the three of them caught the faint smell of blood.
Damn it, are we too late? Kyosuke sighed to himself. He then followed behind the Third as they walked toward the source of the smell.
Pushing open the door, Kyosuke and the Third saw an expressionless Kakashi, and...
Sakumo Hatake, kneeling there with a short sword plunged into his chest.
"Sakumo!!!" the Third cried out in disbelief.
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