Chapter 35 – Waiting Shadows
The Hatake compound felt emptier without Sakumo. Though he was only gone a few days, his presence lingered in every room, in every corner where silence pressed too hard.
Kakashi sat by the engawa, staring at the training yard. He had practiced the same kunai drill for hours, but his strikes were sharper, faster, almost desperate. Each throw echoed with the need to keep pace with the name his father carried.
Akira arrived quietly, hands in his pockets. He didn't need to be told where Kakashi would be—ever since Sakumo left, this had become routine. He didn't announce himself either, just sat down on the edge of the engawa, watching.
"Your aim is off," Akira finally said.
Kakashi scowled. "No, it's not."
"Left target's chipped," Akira replied evenly, nodding toward the post. "You keep aiming there. Too predictable."
Kakashi hesitated, then looked. Sure enough, the wood splintered in the same spot, a sign of repeated strikes.
"…Tch." Kakashi adjusted his stance and threw again, this time hitting dead center of the right post.
Akira smiled faintly. "Better."
The silence stretched between them again. Both boys carried something heavier than their years. Kakashi, the crushing shadow of a legendary father. Akira, the fragmented past of clans and bloodlines pulling him in every direction.
Finally, Kakashi spoke, voice low. "He'll be fine. My father… he's the White Fang. Nothing can stop him."
Akira looked at him carefully. He didn't answer right away. Then, with uncharacteristic softness, he said, "Even strong people bleed."
Kakashi's grip on his kunai tightened. His pride flared, but so did doubt. He turned away sharply, unwilling to let anyone see the unease in his eyes.
Later that night, Akira lay awake in his own bed. His thoughts tangled restlessly.
I know what's coming… I know the story. Sakumo's choice, his fall… He clenched the sheets. But if I'm here, it doesn't have to be the same. Not this time.
The moonlight spilled across his room, silver and soft. Akira whispered to the empty air:
"Don't break, Sakumo-san. Not before I can reach you."
Far away, beyond the forests of Fire Country, the White Fang of Konoha pressed forward with his squad, unaware of the ripples his decisions would soon cause—not only for himself, but for the boy quietly vowing to change his story.
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✨ End of Chapter 35 (Konoha's waiting & unease)
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