Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 12: Ronin - Sakumo Hatake

Hearing Jinhi's words, Kagami lowered his blade.

He was willing to show Jinhi respect; after all, he had benefited greatly from him.

But Fugaku wasn't quite ready to stop.

Up to now, Kagami looked unscathed, while he was battered and exhausted.

If it ended like this, where would that leave his reputation as the clan leader?

"Elder Jinhi…" Fugaku said, his face darkening as he prepared to argue, but a pair of gentle hands held his arm.

Mikoto's delicate face was filled with worry, and she shook her head.

…

Sighing in resignation, Fugaku lowered his hands as well.

Kagami had no intention of fighting for the clan leader position just yet, so he said, "Thank you, Clan Leader, for your guidance, and congratulations on your son. I'll take my leave now."

"Shisui, let's go."

Watching Kagami walk away in silence, the remaining Uchiha clan members felt no anger over the disrupted celebration. Instead…

"Maybe we were mistaken…"

"Perhaps it's not just Lord Izuna; maybe he can reach the level of that legendary figure…"

"Enough!" Jinhi interrupted, ordering, "No one is to speak of what happened today. The Clan Leader needs rest; everyone, disperse."

The village's surveillance over the Uchiha clan had always existed, but it wasn't yet all-seeing.

Watching Kagami leave, Jinhi frowned, deep in thought.

He didn't know about the imminent Third Great Ninja War; he thought Kagami was being too aggressive.

Even as the leader of the clan's radical faction, he couldn't understand why Kagami would choose this moment to show his strength.

The reason was simple: Kagami hadn't lied.

He had only wanted to test his strength.

The kids at the Academy weren't worthy opponents, nor were ordinary jonin within his reach.

After considering his options, Fugaku was the best choice.

On the way home, Sukuna's voice sounded in Kagami's mind.

"Combining slashes with chakra, kid, that technique of yours was far too weak."

"Nothing good ever comes from your mouth. You think I didn't hear you muttering before?" Kagami replied nonchalantly.

Sukuna sneered, "I don't deny your talent; I just think your technique lacks power compared to domain expansion."

"You seem to know me well. Then you should understand the power of a domain."

"Kid, make a pact with me. I won't take over your body; I already have one of my own."

"I'll teach you domain expansion, even the Ten Shadows Technique!"

"Once a year, just three minutes outside. It's been too long since I've enjoyed the thrill of killing!"

He might actually be able to kill the Third Hokage and the others, Kagami thought.

But he also worried about encountering Kushina Uzumaki.

Outside of Hashirama Senju, each generation's strongest fighter in the village had always been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

As Sukuna's Jinchuriki, Kagami wasn't confident about facing that fiery woman.

Sealing techniques in this world were extraordinarily powerful—even Kaguya Otsutsuki had fallen to one.

Even the demon Moryo, who was said to be able to destroy the world, had been sealed by a young girl.

If he let Sukuna loose and suddenly a sealing master showed up to bind him like some evil god, it would be a problem.

"Sukuna, I'm not lying; this world is dangerous. Staying in my body isn't a prison; I'm protecting you."

…

"Do you even know who you're talking to? I don't need protection, you little brat!!"

Sukuna exploded in fury.

"If you don't lower your voice, it'll be a month in solitary confinement," Kagami said calmly.

Sukuna fell silent.

If he couldn't experience the outside world, he could endure the darkness.

——

The next morning, looking at his father, who had prepared breakfast, Kakashi let out a long sigh of relief.

"Father…"

Sakumo Hatake gestured for Kakashi to sit and eat with him.

After a silent moment between them, Sakumo finally spoke.

"Kakashi… I've decided to follow my beliefs. Maybe, as they say…"

"I'll be a worthless ninja who breaks the rules."

The frail man known as Konoha's White Fang continued with a smile:

"But I believe that those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash."

…

"Is that so…?"

"I'll support you, Father!"

Sakumo smiled with relief; his greatest fear had been losing Kakashi's respect.

Perhaps that Uchiha boy was right—he didn't need to worry about others and should focus on Kakashi's feelings.

Sakumo took out the White Light Chakra Sabre and placed it on the table.

"Kakashi, you're grown now, and I want to tell you everything."

Kakashi had a bad feeling…

"I did consider taking my own life to atone, but I won't let certain people have it easy."

Sakumo's eyes shone with a fierce determination as he continued.

"I'm leaving the village."

Kakashi's eyes widened, and he jumped up in alarm.

"Father! I want to…"

Sakumo raised his hand to let him finish listening.

His firm hand rested on Kakashi's head as he spoke. "You have people you care about here, don't you?"

"Take care of yourself, and protect your friends."

"I'll always be watching you, always loving you."

"No matter what choices you make in the future, I'll support you."

"Goodbye, Kakashi."

"Please… take care of yourself."

Poof!

A cloud of smoke burst forth.

Kakashi stood alone, silent, as two silent tears slid down his cheeks.

——

Outside Konoha.

Receiving the memories of his shadow clone, Sakumo paused, sighing deeply.

He looked back at the village he loved, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

A dozen masked ninja suddenly appeared around him.

"Sakumo Hatake, leaving the village without permission—what are you planning?"

One of them demanded.

Sakumo looked at them with indifference, speaking softly.

"Root, huh…"

As an elite jonin, Sakumo knew about this shadowy organization.

Its leader was none other than that man.

Taking one last look at Konoha, Sakumo turned without hesitation.

"Tell Danzo that if he dares harm Kakashi, I'll kill him."

"You dare threaten Lord Danzo?!"

A few of the Root ninja rushed forward, but before they even got close…

A white flash passed by.

With the sound of bodies falling to the ground and blood splattering, the rest of the ninja trembled, unable to hold their weapons steady.

This man, Konoha's White Fang, a warrior feared on the battlefield, beyond even the Three Sannin…

How could such a man be within their reach?

"It's not a threat; it's just a statement of fact."

Sakumo's final words lingered in the air.

"Call it treason, or exile… Maybe becoming a wandering ronin is the fate of someone like me."

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