Naruto: IY Ch. 17

"Sensei?!"

The chunin who had accompanied Yahiko and Nagato showed a puzzled expression.

"Yes, yes... Our sensei is Jiraiya."

Yahiko quickly put on a harmless smile.

Beside him, Nagato hurriedly bowed his head in shyness. Whether it was out of embarrassment or hidden hatred was unclear.

"You're the three students Jiraiya took in from Ame?"

"That's right. I'm Yahiko, and he's Nagato, we're both students of Jiraiya-sensei."

Hiruzen thought for a moment and remembered that during the Second Great Ninja War, Jiraiya had found three pitiful children in Ame and stayed to care for them for two years.

"So it's you two. What brings you to my door?"

One looked mischievous, the other looked honest, he trusted his judgment of people, though he didn't yet know what they had come for.

"Well, I brought Nagato to observe the prosperous Konoha and learn from your experience, Hokage-sama."

Yahiko felt nauseous at his own overly polite tone, but still forced himself to speak respectfully.

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow as the boy named Yahiko sneakily came closer.

Never wrong to be cautious, he silently prepared for combat.

"Ahem... Yoake inherits the teachings of Jiraiya-sensei, who himself was taught by you. So in the end, we're practically all connected by the same fate."

Whether by accident or on purpose, Yahiko approached the table and accidentally dropped a book from his arms. He quickly picked it up, but Hiruzen had already caught a glimpse.

"Call Me Her Majesty?!"

"Yahiko, Nagato, come, let's chat a bit." Hiruzen suddenly smiled like someone who'd found treasure.

His demeanor toward Yahiko and Nagato changed entirely, now full of warmth and unexpected fondness.

After a short chat, Yahiko and Nagato tactfully took their leave.

That afternoon, a piece of intel regarding Yoake was delivered to Hiruzen's desk.

Hiruzen, looking thoughtful, slowly said: "They really are Jiraiya's students."

"Don't worry about them for now, but if either of them makes a move, report to me immediately."

---

Outside the Hatake residence, Yahiko and Nagato crouched not far away, waiting for Sakumo to attempt suicide so they could rush in and stop him.

Nagato trusted his friend.

And Yahiko trusted his knowledge of future events.

Just as the two waited, a boy wearing goggles suddenly slid in and landed on his knees right in front of them.

"..."

"Damn it! What kind of rock tripped me!" Obito said, blushing furiously.

"What the hell? You're Obito?!"

Yahiko looked him up and down, the clumsy kid even ran back to pick up the rock that had tripped him.

Is this the guy who later plunged the shinobi world into chaos and started the Fourth Great Ninja War?

What's the difference between him and any other kid?!

"You know me?" Obito tossed the rock away and grabbed Yahiko's hand excitedly.

"I was the runner-up in last year's Academy Ninjutsu Competition!"

"Let's say I do." Yahiko nodded.

If it weren't for you, there wouldn't have been so much tragedy!

Obito let go of Yahiko's hand, stepped back, and proudly gave a thumbs-up to himself.

Nagato looked confused. "Konoha holds events like that? Yahiko, let's hold one ourselves when we get back. You were second? Then who got first?"

"First place was..." Obito's little face turned dejected, a few dark lines forming over his head. He looked utterly defeated.

"Pfft, hahahaha..." Yahiko slapped his leg and laughed.

"Shut up! I'll definitely surpass that arrogant guy!"

Obito crossed his arms and turned his head away, no longer speaking to Nagato.

Looking at this still-young, innocent Obito, Yahiko honestly wanted to take him home and prevent his future corruption.

---

A silver-haired boy with dead-fish eyes stared at the two unfamiliar boys in front of him. Beside the unfamiliar boys squatted a kid with goggles on his head.

"Hey, what do you guys want?"

"It's been three days, hasn't it? Why are you still hanging around outside my house?"

Kakashi had been observing the two strangers camped at his doorstep for a while now. If he hadn't sensed they had no ill intent, he would have already reported them to the Police Force.

"Hey! Idiot, are you okay?"

Obito stood up, holding a spinning top in one hand and a wooden slingshot in the other.

Clearly concerned, but still putting on a stubborn attitude like he didn't want to show he cared.

"Who are they?" Kakashi didn't answer Obito, just looked calmly at the two standing behind him.

"Them? Listen up, Kakashi! The one with orange hair is Yahiko-nii, and the one with red hair is Nagato-nii."

Obito puffed up with pride as he introduced the two older boys who'd given him toys.

"Yo!" Yahiko gave Kakashi a casual greeting, then stopped paying attention to him.

This time, he wasn't here for Kakashi, but for his father.

Recently, rumors had begun to circulate, slandering Sakumo, claiming he had abandoned his mission for the sake of his comrades, resulting in massive losses for Konoha.

Where exactly these rumors originated, he had a good idea, this involved sensitive political figures.

But over the past few days, the rumors had intensified.

Yet no high-ranking village officials had stepped forward to clarify or defend Sakumo. Was it because he was obstructing their plans to appoint their own successor? Trying to suppress him?

But honestly, none of that mattered to Yahiko. All he cared about was Sakumo's well-being.

And so, Yahiko and Nagato had kept watch outside the Hatake residence for three days.

"Whatever." Kakashi couldn't be bothered anymore. He needed to go back inside to care for his father.

"Tch!" Obito curled his lip in disdain. Still, Yahiko and Nagato were better, they gave him those sweet milk candies.

---

Sakumo sat calmly on the tatami mat, drinking tea, as if all the scorn from the outside world had nothing to do with him.

"You're back?" Seeing Kakashi return from a mission, Sakumo gave a gentle smile.

"Father!" Kakashi greeted respectfully.

He nodded slightly, looking like he had something to say but didn't speak.

Sakumo didn't ask. He simply patted Kakashi on the shoulder and glanced at the broken window, where a rotten egg had been thrown by some anonymous villager.

"If you're asking whether I regret it, maybe I do. As a ninja, failing a mission is a serious matter. But no matter how many times it happens, if I must choose between completing a mission or saving a comrade, I will always choose my comrade. Life is priceless. Protecting comrades, family, children, that is the founding spirit of Konoha's original ideals."

Kakashi nodded firmly, lost in thought.

So protecting comrades was his father's core belief? Even if it meant breaking the rules?

But... what about those insults from others?

The more he thought, the more confused he became.

"Sakumo! Why did you abandon the mission for me? Stop pretending to be noble. You think I'm grateful?! For the village, I was already prepared to die! You trampled on my beliefs just to protect your reputation!"

Two loud accusations came from outside, voiced by the very teammates Sakumo had saved during that mission.

There were also a few ignorant villagers passing by, pointing and whispering.

Crash.

Suddenly, the teacup in Sakumo's hand slipped and shattered into pieces.

Every word outside had fallen on his ears. His chest tightened, like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart. His eyes were filled with confusion and pain.

Was he right... or wrong?

"Father!" Kakashi's face flushed with emotion. He grabbed the tantō from the shelf, ready to rush out and defend his father.

"Stay where you are, Kakashi!" Sakumo's face showed exhaustion. He gave a bitter smile.