Back in the day, Sakumo Hatake had desperately wanted Kakashi to inherit his sword techniques. At first, Kakashi indeed worked hard mastering those sword techniques—Chidori itself was partly born out of those White Fang techniques. However, after Obito's death, Kakashi abandoned his sword training and shifted all his focus toward the Sharingan. Now seeing the exact same Tanto as his father once wielded, Kakashi suddenly found himself reminiscing about those days when he'd trained so diligently with swords.
"Kakashi-san doesn't need to worry about the Sharingan anymore," Sakura smiled. "Why not take up sword techniques again? Not necessarily aiming to become the strongest swordsman in history, but at least help revive the legendary name of the White Fang across the shinobi world!"
Over the years, Kakashi's Sharingan had fully fused with him under the effects of the Mind Stone. It now obeyed him effortlessly, making him nearly indistinguishable from a true-blood Uchiha. He no longer needed to fret about chakra consumption or any such concerns regarding the Sharingan.
Chapter 90: When Conspiracy Meets the Film Crew [Part 2]
"Easier said than done!" Kakashi rolled his eyes.
How did his father gain that reputation? Beyond pure strength, it came down to taking far too many lives during those war-torn times. That was why his father could shine on the battlefield and earn the title Legend of the Konoha White Fang. But now there were no wars anymore. So where was he supposed to go kill people?
"If you really like swordsmanship, though, I can lend you the Hatake clan's ancestral sword scroll for some studying."
Noticing how fondly Sakura handled Starlit Night, Kakashi found himself thinking deeply. If push came to shove, there was no way he could ever reach the level his father once achieved in sword techniques. Maybe helping his father find a proper successor would be a better idea.
"Wait—who said I even like sword techniques?" Sakura looked at Kakashi strangely. She couldn't recall ever saying she had interest in learning sword arts.
"If you don't like swords, then why craft such an amazing blade?" Thinking about the entire slab of meteoric iron that had been used just for this one weapon made Kakashi cringe inside—Meteoric Iron! The stuff was extremely rare and valuable!
"For decoration!" Sakura replied matter-of-factly. "My dream is to become a mage, Kakashi-san. Do you really think I'm bored enough to learn sword techniques instead?"
"You're using such a great sword purely as decoration?" Kakashi clutched his chest. His heart ached.
"What else am I supposed to use it for? Training in sword techniques requires starting from a very young age and consistent practice—I just don't have the patience for that." Sakura placed Starlit Night beside her and continued, "And the main reason I had it forged? First, its striking appearance. Second, to fool my enemies. When they see me holding such an awesome sword, they'll naturally assume I'm a swordsman. Then in battle, I can catch them completely off guard. And third, because I'm a ranged mage by nature."
"But what does being a mage have to do with this blade?"
Kakashi's eye twitched uncontrollably. Such an incredible blade—had it ended up in the hands of a true swordsman, it surely would've become legendary. But now, tragically, it had become nothing more than a decorative prop for posing. If this weapon had a spirit, it would definitely be weeping by now.
"Kakashi-sensei, didn't you know? Every spellcaster secretly dreams of charging into battle themselves. After all, there's nothing more poetic than a mage wielding a blade in hand-to-hand combat!" Sakura began enthusiastically ticking names off on her fingers. "Just look at Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One, Stephen Strange, Loki, Thor, and Gandalf—these are all powerful wielders of mystical arts who often engage directly in battle, and they're incredibly strong when they do. So putting it all together, mages should absolutely focus on melee combat!"
"I haven't even heard of any of these people you mentioned!" Kakashi thought silently to himself. After years of wandering across the shinobi world, he'd never come across those names before.
"That's not the main point," Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "I just want to say one thing: engaging in close combat is exactly what mages should pursue!"
"Whatever, just do as you please," Kakashi sighed inwardly. What a shame to see such a magnificent blade reduced to this.
Speaking about the White Fang of Konoha's sword techniques, I think Kakashi-sensei could teach them to Sasuke. I bet he'd totally ace it!" Sakura mused. In the original story, the later version of Sasuke became quite proficient with sword techniques. If he started learning the White Fang techniques earlier, his mastery of swordsmanship would likely surpass that of his original self.
"Was the sword technique of Konoha's White Fang really that renowned?" Sasuke asked doubtfully. Over the years, many young people had forgotten the name White Fang. They hadn't even heard much about him. Back then, White Fang had been hated by the entire village for abandoning an important mission to save his teammates. Later, he committed suicide and wasn't even inscribed on the Memorial Stone. The history lessons at the Konoha Ninja Academy wouldn't cover him either.
"The White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, was one of only two individuals whom enemy ninja villages issued standing orders to abandon missions upon encountering without penalty. Back during his prime, wielding merely a tanto blade, White Fang dominated entire battlefields, leaving rivers of blood behind. Unfortunately, he eventually fell victim to treachery. Had he lived, there's no way Minato Namikaze would've ever become the Fourth Hokage!"
Sakura explained the legend of Konoha's White Fang to everyone unfamiliar with it. It was really tragic how he died—a man so powerful who didn't fall in battle, but instead was driven to suicide under harsh public criticism. If Sakumo had survived, the title of Fourth Hokage definitely wouldn't have gone to Minato Namikaze.
"One of two? So besides him, who's the other person?" Naruto asked curiously.
"The Fourth Hokage, the Golden Flash of Konoha, Minato Namikaze—someone very closely connected to you."
"Eh? Connected to me?" Naruto couldn't explain why, but his heart gave a sudden jolt when Sakura said that. A strange feeling crept over him.
"You'll find out soon enough," Sakura teased with a knowing smile.
"Don't tell me you're actually thinking..." Kakashi's brow furrowed. Naruto's background has always been a closely guarded secret. For years, no one had dared to mention it. Was she actually planning to tell Naruto the truth?!
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