Just as they were about to leave, Chiyo asked Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"It's been nearly three months since we arrived in the Hidden Leaf. Why haven't we seen your White Fang of the Leaf yet?"
Hatake Sakumo had killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law—how could she not hold a grudge?
For the final match, Chiyo intended to take the field herself and test Sakumo's limits.
If given the chance, she might even disregard the rules and kill him outright. Trading one life for another would at least avenge her children.
This outcome was actually something the Hokage's inner circle hoped for. Ever since the Second Shinobi World War, Sakumo's reputation as the White Fang had only grown.
Among them, the one who most desired Sakumo's death was undoubtedly their resident scapegoat—Shimura Danzo.
Hiruzen replied, "Of course, he'll be the one to fight in the final match. He was away on a mission until recently. We still need to inform him."
Such was the nature of high-level politics.
Chiyo bowed slightly and said, "Then I'll trouble the Third Hokage to arrange it. This old woman looks forward to tomorrow's final battle."
Without further complaint, she left to check on Rasa's condition after being trapped in the genjutsu.
The Hokage's advisors didn't stop them—they, too, had urgent matters to discuss with Hatake Sakumo.
…
That evening, inside the Leaf Hospital.
In Rasa's recovery room, several high-ranking Sand shinobi from the exchange program gathered to discuss the situation.
Pakura asked, "Is Rasa alright? I heard Uchiha Yato's genjutsu is particularly vile. You should be careful."
The moment she said this, Rasa's trauma response flared up.
An experienced Sand shinobi promptly knocked him out with a swift chop to the neck—their only reliable method of escaping the horrific illusion.
Sighing at the sight, Chiyo reassured them, "He'll be fine after some rest. High-ranking shinobi's willpower isn't as fragile as you think.""Pakura did well this time. We can obtain three things from the Uchiha Clan, and we should plan carefully."
After glancing at the surrounding high-ranking officials, Chiyo continued, "This old woman will presume upon her age to make an unreasonable request."
"If I should fall in battle against Hatake Sakumo, I ask that you all look after my disappointing grandson."
As she spoke, the elderly woman bowed deeply to the others in respect.
This moved the emotional Pakura to tears instantly. "Grandmother, what are you saying?" she said.
"We all know the White Fang of the Leaf has an irreconcilable blood feud with you. Let me take his wretched life for you—there's no need for you to act."
Chiyo interrupted their dissuasive words and replied uniformly, "I've thought about this for a long time. Which is more important—the dead or the living?"
"Whether emotionally or from a national perspective, trading one old woman for the White Fang of the Leaf is a bargain by any measure."
"Besides, this is just my worst-case scenario. The outcome is still uncertain."
Seeing the somber mood of the group, Chiyo rallied their spirits. "Let's discuss the three things we should take from the Uchiha Clan."
A Sand shinobi spoke up, "During our time with the Uchiha Clan, we've grown quite fond of their food supplies."
"And compared to them, our Sand rations are truly pitiful. I propose we bring back a type of preserved food called 'canned goods' to our village."
Chiyo could understand this suggestion. She knew canned food had a long shelf life and tasted decent.
Pakura then said, "The Uchiha Clan also possesses many fire-style ninjutsu. That technique Uchiha Yato used, the one that produced black ash, likely originated from the Sarutobi Clan."
"Could we demand some of their jutsu to sow discord between them?"
This idea also caught Chiyo's interest. After all, it wasn't originally the Uchiha Clan's technique. Whether they handed it over or refused, it would create problems.
Pakura's suggestion was partly motivated by revenge against Uchiha Yato. Having endured his mockery and humiliation, she wouldn't be Pakura if she didn't reclaim some dignity.
Then, a bold shinobi proposed that the Uchiha Clan contribute one or more pairs of Sharingan eyes.
This suggestion didn't leave the hospital—it was vetoed immediately.
You're allowed to think, and you're allowed to ask, but you're not allowed to indulge in wild fantasies.
In the end, Chiyo suggested that the Uchiha Clan provide a substantial sum of money, ensuring this exchange would still yield some gains.
As they deliberated in the Leaf Hospital, a hidden shinobi slipped away unnoticed.
This covert shinobi made his way to Root, where he reported all the attitudes and information he had overheard to Shimura Danzo.
Danzo wasn't concerned about them taking things from the Uchiha Clan. Instead, he was intrigued by certain attitudes he'd heard.
First was Chiyo's stance toward the White Fang of the Leaf. To Danzo, this was cause for celebration.
He could eliminate a major enemy threat (Chiyo) and simultaneously remove a thorn in his side (Hatake Sakumo)—a classic two-for-one deal.Another piece of news was about the Sand Village's demand for Ninjutsu—specifically, the Sarutobi clan's Ash Pile Burning technique. Shimura Danzo was particularly eager to see how Uchiha Yato would handle this situation.
Having been reprimanded by Sarutobi Hiruzen last time, this time he chose to quietly observe. After all, during the negotiation talks, he could always add fuel to the fire if needed.
...
Inside the Hatake residence.
At this moment, Hatake Sakumo was instructing Kakashi Hatake, "Be good, Kakashi. You're a big boy now—you must take good care of yourself."
Kakashi couldn't understand it at all. It was just his father attending an exchange meeting—why did it have to be treated with such gravity?
Ever since returning home, Sakumo had been repeatedly telling Kakashi to take care of himself without explaining the reason.
Sakumo didn't want to do this either, but he had received a secret order from Shimura Danzo.
The message was simple: if the Hidden Leaf's honor needed to be preserved, Sakumo was expected to fight with his life on the line.
The wording here was very deliberate.
What did "preserving the Hidden Leaf's honor" mean?
What did "fighting with his life on the line" imply?
Sakumo wasn't stupid—he knew exactly what it meant.
That was why, after returning home, he had been urging Kakashi to behave.
Just then, Uchiha Yato entered through the window and said, "Seems I came at a bad time—interrupting this heartwarming father-son moment."
Seeing the newcomer, Kakashi politely greeted him, as Yato was something of a mentor to him.
Sakumo, recognizing Yato's presence, also understood why he had come. He made an excuse to send Kakashi out first.
After Kakashi left, Yato spoke first. "You're really weak, aren't you? A few words are enough to make you give up your life?"
This wasn't because Sakumo was weak. Earlier, he had been assigned a secret mission—to infiltrate and gather intelligence in the Land of Lightning.
During the mission, Sakumo had keenly sensed something amiss. He realized the Hidden Leaf's higher-ups could no longer tolerate him.
As a transmigrator, Yato was well aware of this situation.
The White Fang of the Leaf's suicide was one of the triggers for the Third Shinobi World War. Otherwise, would the Hidden Sand Village—already weakened by the loss of the Third Kazekage—dare to attack the Hidden Leaf?
That would be nothing short of suicide.
Yato said, "Don't be so pessimistic. Don't give up on yourself so easily."
"You're not still naive enough to trust the Hidden Leaf's higher-ups, are you?"
As he spoke, Yato pointed to the large tree outside the window. "There's a Root shinobi up there. But don't worry—he's already under the control of my Sharingan."
Yato also understood Sakumo's pain—his faith had collapsed, and he was struggling to accept it.
For Yato, if faith crumbled, he would simply establish a new one. After all, his moral boundaries were flexible. (Though harming his family was an absolute line he would never cross.)
After a long silence, Sakumo finally spoke to Yato. "I'm entrusting Kakashi to you. I believe you'll take good care of him."
Yato smirked. "Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
"Want me to prove it? After you die, I'll make sure Kakashi skips three meals a day—nine meals in three days."
"I'll fill his head with nonsense, live in your house, spend your money, steal your wife, and beat your kid."
Yato's tongue slipped—Sakumo's wife had already passed away during the Second Shinobi War.
Still, his words visibly moved Sakumo. Seeing an opening, Yato pressed further. "If you're so eager to die..."
"How about doing something for me first?"Hatake Sakumo asked in surprise, "What do you intend to do?"
"But you absolutely must not harm Kakashi."
Uchiha Yato smiled and said, "How about we make a bet?"
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