"Kakashi, don't be impulsive!"
Minato stepped forward, trying to stop him.
A death match was a life-and-death duel, born when shinobi conflicts could not be reconciled.
It wasn't only about victory or defeat—life itself was on the line.
Because it was too bloody and cruel, unsuited to the village's peace, the Third Hokage had abolished it years ago.
But now he himself had revived it, clearly trying to use pressure and authority to force Kakashi to yield.
Of course, Kakashi could refuse.
But refusing would mean bowing his head, reminding everyone again of Sarutobi Hiruzen's title as the "Strongest Hokage."
At that point, clan leaders caught between the Third and Fourth Hokage would choose neutrality, silencing themselves in the role of "peacemakers."
If the clans withdrew their support, Minato's political influence would be left hanging alone.
Then Kakashi's plan—to force accountability from the two advisors and even push Hiruzen to step down as elder—would collapse.
"Haha, Kakashi, so courageous to accept. Rest assured, after the fight, I won't kill you."
"After all, you are Konoha's future, the hope of the village."
"But don't let youth make you reckless. Today, I'll teach you proper conduct… on behalf of Hatake Sakumo!"
The Third Hokage chuckled, wearing the lofty air of a teacher correcting a wayward student.
Kakashi tilted his head."Oh, so this is the part where the old master gives life lessons, huh? Did I miss the ramen stand handing out lecture coupons?"
His voice turned sharp."And on behalf of my father? Please. You really don't qualify."
"Because that's exactly what I wanted to ask you about. Danzō admitted it himself before he died."
"When he saw my father's reputation climbing too high after the Second Great War, he personally designed a 'secret mission.'"
"He assigned a Kage-level shinobi like my father to lead two ordinary chūnin."
"And those two? Death soldiers secretly raised by Danzō!"
"Everyone here knows what followed."
Kakashi's voice cut like steel."My father's mission was sabotaged. The damage spread across the village like wildfire, a scandal everyone whispered about."
Seeing Hiruzen open his mouth, Kakashi cut him off coldly.
"Don't bother explaining. Yes, you sealed the specifics later. But what's the use?"
"When the village already believed that my father betrayed the shinobi code—abandoning a mission for his comrades—truth didn't matter anymore."
His head lowered slightly, tone tinged with regret.
"But here's what I want to ask you: as the Third Hokage, the man my father trusted most… did you know? Did you know this so-called mission was a trap crafted by Danzō?"
Hiruzen's expression stiffened. His overflowing aura wavered.
"Kakashi… I'm sorry for what happened to Sakumo. When I learned of the spreading rumors, I did order them suppressed. In truth, Danzō only wanted him kept low-profile. No one expected Sakumo would be so… desperate, so extreme—"
"Hahahahahaha…"
Kakashi pressed a palm to his forehead and laughed, sharp and mocking.
"My father, desperate? That's rich."
"Let me spell it out. Danzō confessed everything before he died."
"After he smeared my father, he turned the blade on me—threatening my life until my father swallowed humiliation and admitted guilt."
"My father was torn apart."
"As a warrior, he had his pride—better death than disgrace.
As a father, his son's life outweighed everything.
As a shinobi, he remained loyal to you, his Hokage."
Kakashi's eyes burned."Oh, my wise and mighty Hokage-sama. You don't really believe that gossip and two backstabbing survivors drove my father to suicide, do you?"
"No—the dagger that cut him deepest was you—the one he admired, swore to serve, entrusted everything to!"
He roared the words, his voice tearing with fury.
He was speaking not only as himself, but for the five-year-old boy who had lost everything.
"Yes, my father was naive."
"He naively believed that the Hokage who preached the Will of Fire would stand tall, expose Danzō, and clear his name."
"But the result? You couldn't even give him a private word of comfort!"
Kakashi's sarcasm cut deeper than any kunai."Oh, the grand 'Professor of Ninjutsu,' the noble heir of the Will of Fire… yet you couldn't even say: I believe you. Truly inspiring leadership."
He leaned forward, one eye gleaming coldly."Tell me, Lord Hokage. You knew my father's stubbornness. As Danzō's closest friend, you knew his dirty tricks. Did you really not understand what was happening?"
"I think you did. You just didn't care."
"Hah—when the birds are gone, the bow is hidden. My father was too bright, too beloved, so you let Danzō trim him down for you."
"That's the art of balance you love so much, isn't it? Only this time, the scales crushed a man who would have gladly died for the village."
Kakashi exhaled, his voice softening into grief.
"How pathetic. How pitiful. My father chose death to prove loyalty, not betrayal. He wanted his blood to remind you—to stop wallowing in power games, and to deal with Danzō's rot before it devoured the village itself."
His accusations rang like thunder.
Every clan leader present sank into silence, their faces grim.
They all knew parts of the White Fang's tragedy. They had whispered in private: Why so extreme? Why suicide over rumors?
Now they knew.
The truth was filthier than anyone imagined.
Danzō… you murdered loyalty itself for your ambition. You truly deserved your fate.
That thought struck every clan leader at once.
As for Hiruzen—shame burned across his face. His earlier aura had shattered.
Yes… am I truly blameless in Sakumo's death?
He had been his most loyal subordinate, yet when the fire spread, Hiruzen chose silence.
He smothered the gossip, yes—but he never comforted, never intervened, never struck at the root.
Because the root was Danzō. And Danzō was his friend.
As for Danzō threatening Kakashi… that, Hiruzen truly hadn't known.
But as the one Sakumo trusted most, he hadn't even asked. He hadn't lifted a finger to uncover the truth.
Even later, when Danzō's shadow loomed over everything, he never fully pursued it.
Am I worthy of Sakumo's trust? Of his loyalty?
The Third Hokage fell into silence.