I watched as Kakashi nodded in understanding.
He didn't question my reasoning, nor did he feel the need to. He seemed to finally grasp that relying solely on one's own strength was clearly insufficient—believing in one's companions was enough.
Kakashi seemed to fully understand this now.
When we arrived at our planned final destination, the Hatake residence, he led us into the guest room.
"Whew~" he took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Well, I'm off."
"Show-off, you can totally do this," Obito said, his voice carrying unusual weight despite his typical brash tone.
"Good luck, Kakashi," Rin added softly, her hands clasped together in worry.
"Don't worry, Kakashi. Worst-case scenario, just lie down on the ground and play the helpless card. Sometimes, as a kid, it's better not to act too mature," I said with a meaningful expression.
"... Like I'd ever stoop to Obito's level of playing helpless." he rejected it outwardly, but I could tell from his expression that he was considering my suggestion as a backup plan.
I suppressed a smile, thinking how this was the same guy who would years later casually read Icha Icha in front of his students.
With firm steps, Kakashi turned and headed off to meet his father.
I watched him go, noting how his usual confident stride held just a hint of uncertainty. It was rare to see the typically self-assured Kakashi showing even that slight weakness, but this was no ordinary situation. This was about family, about preventing a tragedy that I knew could reshape everything about his future.
The three of us remained seated on the tatami mats in the guest room. The silence stretched for only a moment before Obito, predictably, broke it. He just couldn't hold back any longer.
Well, being silent was never his thing. Hm... but as a ninja, shouldn't it be?
"Hey Ryouma, why would you think Sakumo-san might...you know, commit suicide?"
Rin was equally curious, furrowing her eyebrows and looking at me with confusion.
"Don't you guys think you might be overestimating Sakumo-san's emotional resilience?" I replied carefully, measuring my words.
"But he is called the White Fang of Konoha! How could a ninja like him possibly take his own life?" Obito's voice rose with conviction. "Plus, he has Kakashi. He'd probably think about him before doing anything drastic, right?"
Titles don't shield you from pain. Sometimes they make it worse.
"That's just the rosy image you two have of adults. For someone like Sakumo-san, who's so kindhearted, his inner self is probably really sensitive."
Just like Father, always so self-righteous, I thought to myself, though I kept that observation private. No need to voice it.
I didn't offer much more explanation. This sort of thing, until it happened, was hard for most people to believe. If I hadn't already known the storyline, I wouldn't have believed that the White Fang would commit suicide either.
Even now, despite all my efforts, I couldn't guarantee I'd change the original outcome. But I believed I had done everything I could.
I leaned back and lay down on the tatami mat, my mind working through various possibilities. The rough texture pressed against my back as I stared at the ceiling, seemingly disinterested but entirely focused.
"Hey, Ryouma, I didn't get it. Say a bit more, okay? Next time, I'll definitely understand. Rin, you didn't get it either, right?"
Ignoring their chatter, I thought about how Rin's father had died on the battlefield before she could even form memories, how Obito was an orphan, and how I myself...well, that went without saying. Right now, I could only hope Kakashi succeeded in helping his own father. Otherwise, we might as well rename our team "Alliance of Fatherless Souls" in the future.
Meanwhile, outside the Hatake family shrine, Kakashi took a moment to organize his thoughts before knocking on the door where his father had been staying for days.
"Kakashi? Is that you?" Sakumo's voice carried through the door, tired but alert.
"Yes, it's me, Father."
Hearing the response from inside, Kakashi opened the door. The long-absent sunlight spilled into the room.
At first glance, he noticed only his father's usual gentle smile, but he failed to register the dry, disheveled white hair, the hollowed eyes, and the sunken cheeks.
"Father, I have something I need to tell you."
"Argh, that Kakashi guy hasn't come back yet! It's been so long," Obito, ever impatient, couldn't sit still anymore.
"Obito, calm down! We're guests in Kakashi's house right now," Rin finally couldn't tolerate Obito's restless behavior.
"Ryouma, stop lying around. That idiot Kakashi probably messed it all up. It's time for me to step in."
Back in the guest room, I lay still on the tatami mat, appearing disinterested in the world outside. But I wasn't asleep. I had been using the Rikugan the whole time to watch Kakashi's actions.
Ever since acquiring it, I had taught myself how to interpret lip movements. It was like watching a live broadcast, and I followed their conversation intently.
Well done, Kakashi. Yes, say it just like that.I didn't expect you'd actually use that approach.
Oh? Solving it this way? The Third Hokage will have his hands full soon enough.
I observed their entire conversation until it ended and they started walking back toward us. Only then did I sit up, the corners of my mouth lifting slightly.
"It's done. Kakashi probably succeeded."
At that moment, Kakashi and Sakumo opened the guest room door and walked in.
"I've heard everything from Kakashi. Thank you all for what you've done. I've been an unworthy father and caused you trouble," Sakumo said as he and Kakashi bowed deeply toward us.
"Heh, no need to thank us! But Kakashi, you'd better properly thank me!" Obito said, grinning so wide it nearly reached his ears.
"Please stand up, Sakumo-san. It was mostly Ryouma giving us advice," Rin said modestly.
"No need to be so formal. We were simply doing what teammates should do," I replied first, keeping my tone casual but watching carefully.
As they straightened up, I noticed Sakumo's gaze sweep over the three of us, lingering on me for a few seconds before turning to Kakashi. "Having companions is truly your good fortune. You must cherish them."
"Of course, Father," Kakashi said proudly, his usual aloof demeanor softening just slightly.
"It's getting late. I'd like to treat all of you to dinner. Tell me what you'd like to eat," Sakumo offered with a smile.
"Yes! I want barbecue!" Obito exclaimed, raising both hands in excitement, his earlier serious mood forgotten entirely.
"Of course," Sakumo agreed warmly.
And so, we set off for a barbecue restaurant.
Along the way, I noticed people still whispering and spreading rumors, but Sakumo now walked with his head held high. He had a new reason to live, and you could see it in the way he carried himself.
People could adapt to almost anything with the right motivation—and Sakumo had found his.
The restaurant we arrived at was the most famous in Konoha for its exceptional flavor, and naturally, the most expensive. I watched as the owner greeted us with genuine warmth, his eyes lighting up at the sight of our group.
"Oh my, it's Sakumo-sama! It's been a while since I've seen you out and about. And today, you've brought quite a group of kids with you!"
This wasn't surprising—the owner had once been a ninja himself and naturally knew of the legendary White Fang of Konoha.
"Yes, these are Kakashi's friends. We're a bit of a large group, so we'll need a private room," Sakumo replied cheerfully.
At the table, Obito, who had been holding back the entire way, couldn't help but blurt out, "Retirement!?"
"You are really retiring?"
"Is that true? But wouldn't it be a waste for someone as strong as you to retire? You could even become Hokage!"
Wow, Obito, you're really dancing in a minefield here, I thought to myself. Still, even he realizes that Sakumo had the potential to compete for the Hokage position. No wonder things unfolded the way they did.
"I actually think retiring is a great choice," I said in support. I had already known about this decision when we were at the Hatake house—after all, I had been watching the entire "live broadcast."
"Alright, Obito, Rin. Since Sakumo-san has made his decision, we should simply support him. Power is meaningful when it's not used to protect those who matter, not just to uphold the title of a ninja," I said, realizing I sounded more and more like a kindergarten teacher guiding a group of unruly children.
The dinner turned out to be a delightful experience. None of us were big eaters, so there wasn't any comical wallet-emptying moment. The restaurant owner even generously gave us two complimentary plates of barbecue.
It proved that, despite the rumors, there were still many in the village who respected Sakumo. I smiled inwardly at this realization—perhaps the village wasn't as cruel and unforgiving as it sometimes appeared. The way the restaurant owner treated us, and especially Sakumo, with such genuine respect gave me hope that things could really change for the better this time around.