Ninja Recruitment System - Chapter 424
Zhang Miao once posed a “choice question” to Kakashi, asking him if he could only revive one person, would he restore his father, Sakumo Hatake, or Rin Nohara?
Faced with this choice, Kakashi chose the latter.
Although Kakashi had never regretted this decision, it was impossible to say he had no regrets. So he tried his best not to dwell on it.
When Kakashi thought he would never see his father again in this lifetime, Sakumo Hatake suddenly appeared before him, leaving him utterly stunned.
“Father… how is this possible? Is it a genjutsu? No… it can’t be. No matter how advanced the genjutsu is, my Sharingan would detect it. Could it be…”
With this thought, Kakashi immediately rushed towards Zhang Miao’s group to find out the truth.
However, before he could get close, the ninjas guarding Zhang Miao’s palanquin drew their weapons and pointed them at Kakashi.
“Leaf Village ninja, you are not allowed to approach. Step back!”
Hearing their warning, Kakashi snapped back to reality. Sensing the chakra around him, his eyes widened.
“They’re all… ninjas? And Jonin-level?”
To Kakashi’s shock, he realized that all forty-plus individuals in front of him, whether carrying the flower cart and palanquin, guarding the area, or the three beautiful women singing and dancing on the flower cart, were all ninjas!
And all of them were Jonin!
It was common knowledge that in any ninja village, Jonin were the backbone, extremely valuable in terms of strength. Training a Jonin required immense time and effort, so even in a large village like the Leaf, Jonin were few in number.
Becoming a Jonin was incredibly difficult, requiring both talent and hard work. Without a Kekkei Genkai, perhaps only one in a thousand Genin could become Jonin!
Even those with Kekkei Genkai had to work incredibly hard to become Jonin. In this context, any village would only assign tasks fitting for a Jonin’s status.
They would never treat them as mere carriers, as this would be an insult to Jonin’s title!
Kakashi had always thought this was common sense, but now, everything he saw in front of him shattered that belief.
“To have Jonin willingly carry carts and palanquins… not even the Hokage could make this happen. Who on earth is in that palanquin?”
At this moment, Kakashi was utterly overwhelmed by Zhang Miao’s display. He even temporarily forgot his original purpose.
While Kakashi was stunned, Zhang Miao, sitting in the palanquin, noticed him. A quick thought made Zhang Miao realize Kakashi’s purpose.
“Kakashi must have come because he saw Sakumo. Well, let them have a word.”
With this in mind, Zhang Miao immediately communicated with Sakumo through the mind-body switch technique.
“Sakumo, Kakashi is here to see you. Go and have a word with him. Also, remember to tell him that I want to take the bodies of Zabuza Momochi and Haku.”
“Yes, boss!”
Hearing Zhang Miao’s instructions, Sakumo promptly replied and walked over to the stunned Kakashi, greeting him.
“Kakashi, long time no see.”
Hearing Sakumo’s voice, Kakashi snapped back to reality and quickly nodded. “Yes, it’s been almost twenty years, father!”
At Kakashi’s words, Sakumo fell silent, and Kakashi said no more. They simply stood there, silently looking at each other.
Sakumo’s gaze held a trace of guilt, while Kakashi’s eyes showed complex emotions.
Sakumo, having come from another world, possessed all the memories of Sakumo Hatake.
During the early stages of the Third Great Ninja War, Sakumo Hatake was tasked with a mission. However, he faced a choice during the mission: continue and let his comrades die or abandon the mission to save his comrades.
Faced with this choice, Sakumo chose the latter.
Because of Sakumo’s choice, his comrades survived, but the mission’s failure brought significant losses to the village and the nation, leading to many people blaming him. Eventually, even the comrades he saved began to criticize him.
Facing such accusations, Sakumo became lost and uncertain whether his choice was right or wrong. Ultimately, tormented by guilt, he chose to take his own life.
Despite his fame as “Konoha’s White Fang” in life, Sakumo Hatake didn’t even qualify for the memorial stone in the Leaf after his death. His experience had a profound impact on the young Kakashi.
After Sakumo’s death, Kakashi adopted the motto “Those who break the rules are scum,” prioritizing missions above all else and disregarding his comrades. This earned him the nickname “Cold-Blooded Kakashi.”
However, Kakashi’s outlook changed thanks to his comrades, Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha.
During a mission, Rin was captured by the enemy. Kakashi believed they should prioritize the mission, while Obito insisted on rescuing Rin. Unable to convince each other, they clashed.
When Kakashi declared, “Those who break the rules are scum,” Obito retorted furiously.
“Those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum!”
This statement from Obito eventually led Kakashi to agree to rescue Rin.
During the rescue, Kakashi lost his left eye protecting Obito, and Obito, caught in a trap, was crushed by falling rocks on his right side.
Realizing he couldn’t escape, Obito had Rin transplant his left Sharingan to Kakashi, entrusting him to protect Rin before being buried by the cave-in.
Obito’s Sharingan led to Kakashi’s fame as the “Copy Ninja Kakashi” during the Third Great Ninja War, shaping his new motto and ninja way.
“We call those who break the rules and regulations scum. But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum!”
Sakumo had learned all of this from Kakashi’s recounting, and understanding this made him feel both proud and guilty towards his son.
After about two to three minutes of silent eye contact, Sakumo spoke with difficulty.
“Kakashi, I’m sorry. My recklessness caused you so much pain.”
“Hmm!” Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Sakumo’s words, then nodded. “Yes, it was tough, but it’s fine now. Father, are you planning to return to the Land of Waves?”
With Rin’s revival as a precedent, Kakashi understood that Sakumo’s revival was related to Zhang Miao. So, after the initial shock, he quickly regained his composure.
Seeing Kakashi’s calm demeanor, Sakumo’s face lit up with a smile. Nodding while smiling, he said, “Yes, I’m here to escort the boss back. Also, the boss wants to take the bodies of Zabuza Momochi and Haku. He asked me to let you know.”
“Zabuza Momochi and Haku’s bodies?” Kakashi frowned. “Does the Underworld King intend to revive them? They are dangerous!”
“Don’t worry!” Sakumo smiled reassuringly, patting Kakashi’s shoulder. “In the presence of the god who controls death, there is no such thing as danger. Let’s go!”
With that, Sakumo walked toward the bodies of Zabuza and Haku. Seeing this, Kakashi quickly followed.
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