"I understand" Kakashi replied calmly. He didn't question Mitsuki's reasons, nor did he need to. His strength alone wasn't enough, and he knew that now more than ever — believing in your comrades was enough.
Their group arrived at the planned destination — the Hatake residence.
Kakashi led the others into the sitting room.
"Phew…" Kakashi took a deep breath. "Alright, I'm going in."
"Don't worry, show-off Kakashi, you've got this!"
"Good luck, Kakashi!"
"Just remember" Mitsuki added with a meaningful smile, "if things go south, just lie down and play the victim. Sometimes, it's okay for a kid not to act all grown-up."
"…I'm not going to act like Obito and throw a tantrum" Kakashi retorted. Still, deep down, he thought: If it really comes to that… maybe it wouldn't be such a bad move after all.
No wonder this guy would one day read Icha Icha right in front of his students.
With determined steps, Kakashi turned and went to speak with Sakumo.
The three remaining kids sat cross-legged on the tatami mats in the guest room.
As soon as Kakashi left, Obito couldn't help asking Mitsuki,
"Hey, how did you know that Sakumo-san might try to take his own life?"
Rin was also curious. Her soft brows furrowed as she stared at Mitsuki in confusion.
"You guys… aren't you overestimating Sakumo-san's mental resilience a bit?"
"But… he's the White Fang of Konoha! A shinobi like him—how could he commit suicide?"
"Besides, he still has Kakashi. I'm sure he'd think of his son."
"That's just your idealized image of adults. Someone like Sakumo-san — he's a kind man, but that kindness makes him sensitive inside."
Just like Kento, always acting self-righteous. That thought flashed through Mitsuki's mind, though he didn't say it aloud.
He didn't bother explaining further. People rarely believed this kind of thing until it happened. If he didn't already know the future of this world, even he wouldn't have thought the White Fang would take his own life.
Even now, after everything they'd done, Mitsuki couldn't say with full certainty that the outcome would change. But he knew — he had done everything he could.
With a sigh, Mitsuki leaned back and laid flat on the tatami.
"Oi, Mitsuki, I don't get it! Just explain a bit more! I swear I'll understand this time. Right, Rin? You didn't get it either, right?"
"I understood just fine!"
"…Huh?"
Mitsuki ignored their bickering. Rin's father had died in battle before she could even remember him. Obito had lost both his parents. And as for Mitsuki himself… well, no need to elaborate.
He could only hope Kakashi succeeded in reaching his father.
Otherwise, this four-man team might as well be called The Fatherless Alliance.
Meanwhile, outside the Hatake clan's shrine—
Sakumo had been holed up there for a while now. Kakashi gathered his thoughts and gently knocked on the door.
"…Is that you, Kakashi?"
"Yes, Father. It's me."
Hearing the reply, Kakashi opened the door. Sunlight poured into the dim room.
In the past, he'd only noticed the familiar smile on his father's face. But today, he finally saw the mess of dry, disheveled white hair, the sunken cheeks, the hollowed eyes.
"Father… I need to talk to you."
...
"Ughhh, what's taking him so long!? Maybe Kakashi couldn't even find Sakumo-san!" Obito grumbled, already bouncing with impatience.
"Obito, quiet down! We're guests in Kakashi's house" Rin finally snapped, fed up with his pacing.
"Mitsuki! Wake up already! Kakashi must've screwed it up—we need me, Obito-sama, to take charge!"
But Mitsuki, lying there on the floor, didn't move. He hadn't fallen asleep—he was watching everything with the power of the Six Eyes.
Ever since obtaining the Six Eyes, he had taught himself how to read lips, which now let him monitor Kakashi and Sakumo in real time — like he was watching a live broadcast.
"Nice move, Kakashi. Yeah, say that. Perfect. Damn, Kakashi, you really used that tactic? That's how you're resolving this? Hoo boy, the Third Hokage's going to have his hands full later."
He watched until their conversation ended and they started walking back toward the room. Only then did Mitsuki sit up.
"It's done. Looks like Kakashi pulled it off."
"Huh?!"
At that moment, the door to the guest room slid open.
Kakashi and Sakumo walked in.
"I've heard everything from Kakashi" Sakumo said with a humble tone. "Thank you — for everything you've done. I've been an unworthy father and caused you all trouble."
He and Kakashi both bowed deeply toward the three kids.
"No need for thanks. We only did what comrades should do" Mitsuki replied calmly.
"Heh, no need to be so formal, Sakumo-san! But as for Kakashi — he should totally thank me, Obito-sama!" Obito beamed with pride, clearly imagining some exaggerated heroic version of himself.
"Sakumo-san, please stand up. Most of the credit goes to Mitsuki" Rin added softly. She didn't think she'd done much, but once again, she was reminded of just how incredible Mitsuki truly was — not just in battle, but as a person.
Sakumo and Kakashi stood up straight.
Sakumo glanced across the three of them, his gaze lingering slightly longer on Mitsuki before turning to his son.
"Kakashi… to have friends like these—you're a lucky one. Treasure them."
"Of course, Father" Kakashi said with quiet pride.
"It's getting late" Sakumo smiled. "I'd like to treat you all to dinner. Name whatever you want."
"Yesss! Grilled meat!" Obito shouted, raising both hands in approval.
"Of course" Sakumo chuckled. Feeding a few kids wasn't a problem.
And so the group set off for the Yakiniku Q restaurant.
Along the way, they still heard some whispers in the village — but now, Sakumo had found a new reason to live. To put it simply, he'd grown thicker skin.
Well… humans evolved from monkeys. Growth is only natural.
There were many barbecue places in Konoha, but the one they headed to was the most famous and delicious — and, naturally, the most expensive.
"Oh! If it isn't Sakumo-sama! It's been ages since I've seen you out and about — bringing kids along today too?" The restaurant owner greeted them warmly — he clearly knew Sakumo.
That wasn't surprising. The owner used to be a shinobi himself, and like most, he recognized the legendary White Fang.
"That's right. These are Kakashi's friends. We're a big group, so could we get a private room?" Sakumo returned the friendly gesture.
Once seated, Obito — who had been holding back the whole way — immediately started firing questions.
"Retiring?!"
"That's right."
"You're retiring, Sakumo-san?! For real?! But what about your strength?! You could be the Fourth Hokage!"
Walking straight into a minefield, Obito. Though if even he sees Sakumo as Hokage material, no wonder this crisis happened, Mitsuki thought silently.
"I think retiring is the right call" Mitsuki said aloud. He had already known about this from earlier—after all, he'd watched the whole thing.
"Alright, Obito, Rin — Sakumo-san made his decision. All we have to do is support him" Mitsuki added. "Power only matters when it's used to protect what's important. You don't need to be a shinobi for that."
He was starting to feel like a kindergarten teacher. Explaining things over and over, acting like some wise magic conch shell.
That meal ended with laughter and full bellies.
None of the kids were bottomless pits, so they didn't rack up a massive bill — and the owner even tossed in two extra plates on the house.
Turns out, there were still plenty of people in the village who truly respected Sakumo.