In the original story, when Hatake Sakumo was performing a top-secret mission, he chose to abandon it in order to save the lives of his comrades.
Because of his choice, the mission failed, and Konoha suffered tremendous losses.
Later... for some unknown reason, what should have been top-secret information became widely known to everyone.
The villagers of Konoha began accusing Sakumo Hatake of being a failure who couldn't even complete a mission. Even the comrades he had saved stood up to condemn him.
Drowned in endless ridicule and hatred, Sakumo Hatake chose to end his life.
And now, unbelievably, a similar scene was happening again.
That night, Yuzuru Uchiha stepped into Sakumo Hatake's room, just in time to see him kneeling motionless on the floor, a dagger in his hand.
Seeing this, Yuzuru spoke first. "Sakumo Hatake… we meet again."
The moment he finished, Sakumo suddenly turned and thrust the dagger toward Yuzuru's chest.
But in the next instant, Yuzuru caught Sakumo's wrist with ease.
"Sakumo, I can see hesitation in your blade," he said calmly.
"You're not my match right now."
Yuzuru hadn't even activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Just as he said, the Sakumo before him could no longer deliver a proper strike.
"You've infiltrated Konoha several times. What are you really after?"
"Nothing much," Yuzuru replied with a faint smile. "I simply wanted to admire the pathetic faces of those who fail yet refuse to admit defeat."
Sakumo fell silent at the taunt.
Yuzuru's abilities were terrifyingly strange—he could enter even the most heavily guarded heart of Konoha at will.
If not for Yuzuru, they would never have lost to the Cloud so easily.
But now, Sakumo no longer cared about such matters.
He sat back on his knees, placing the dagger and towel before him. "If possible, I'd like to ask you not to interfere," he said softly.
"These are the last moments of my life. I want to leave quietly."
"For you, losing an enemy like me must be something worth celebrating."
Yuzuru chuckled. "I once told you that you were destined to become a sacrifice of political strife. It seems I wasn't wrong."
"This is my own choice," Sakumo said coldly. "It has nothing to do with politics."
Hearing that, Yuzuru couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Sakumo asked, frowning.
"I'm laughing at your naivety," Yuzuru replied with a low hum. "Haven't you wondered why everyone suddenly turned on you overnight?"
"Just yesterday, I recall the villagers were still condemning Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Sakumo froze, confusion flashing in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I mean…" Yuzuru's dark eyes locked onto him, voice turning icy. "All of this was arranged by Hiruzen Sarutobi. You're his scapegoat."
"I don't know what nonsense you're spouting."
Yuzuru said calmly, "Konoha has been shaken by one upheaval after another, and resentment is building. Someone had to step forward and take the blame."
"That someone was supposed to be Hiruzen Sarutobi. But now, it's you."
"I've walked through the streets of Konoha—everywhere I went, people were spreading rumors about you. How else do you think you became the villagers' villain in just one day?"
Sakumo quickly protested, "I'm the Head of the Anbu, personally appointed by the Hokage himself, and even granted the right to wear the Hokage's haori. There's no way the Hokage would choose me as a scapegoat."
Yuzuru gave a small laugh. "Do you think just anyone could absorb the people's fury for Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"It had to be someone respected, someone of high standing."
"And most importantly…" Yuzuru's Sharingan spun open, the crimson pattern of the Mangekyō gleaming ominously.
Staring unblinking into Sakumo's eyes, he said in a deep voice, "At this very moment, if the villagers were to pick someone to succeed the Hokage, you would be the best candidate."
"So by destroying your reputation—by disqualifying the one best fit to inherit the Hokage's seat—the villagers' anger toward Hiruzen can be softened enough to keep him in power."
Sakumo's expression faltered, but he persisted. "These are only your assumptions. What proof do you have?"
"The proof," Yuzuru said sharply, "is that Hiruzen Sarutobi hasn't spoken a single word in your defense."
That final blow shattered Sakumo's last hope. His eyes went vacant, his body slumped to the floor, even his resolve to die seeming to crumble.
Seeing him like that, Yuzuru extended his hand. "Sakumo, come with me. Leave Konoha."
"The roots of this tree are rotten. They must be torn out completely to heal."
Sakumo hadn't expected such words from Yuzuru. Instinctively, he shook his head, about to protest—
But Yuzuru cut him off. "Sakumo, even if you don't care about yourself, can't you at least think of Kakashi?"
"You can end everything by dying—but Kakashi will live branded as the son of a sinner, scorned by everyone."
"You know that boy's nature. Proud and unbending. His life will be nothing but suffering."
"And besides…" Yuzuru tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Do you really think Hiruzen Sarutobi—the one who made you his scapegoat—would allow Kakashi, a potential threat, to grow up peacefully?"
In truth, Hiruzen would never do such a thing, and perhaps he hadn't even imagined Sakumo would choose death.
But what did that matter?
Sakumo didn't know Hiruzen's true intentions. And Yuzuru could twist the truth however he wished.
Not giving Sakumo time to think, Yuzuru pressed on. "As Head of the Anbu, you've seen the darkness that festers beneath the light, haven't you?"
"Have you ever truly considered what it is you've been giving your life to protect?"
"The Will of Fire? Nothing more than Hiruzen Sarutobi's means of brainwashing."
"Konoha? The Senju who founded it are gone, the Uchiha have already chosen to leave, and you—reviled by all—what reason do you have to stay?"
Sakumo froze in place, unable to find a single word to refute him.
Yuzuru extended his hand again. "Come. Join me. Serve under me, and together we'll build a new order."
"Let these ungrateful fools drown in their regret."
This time, Sakumo took Yuzuru's hand.
Yes.
He had done nothing wrong. He had already given everything to Konoha.
Since the day he became a shinobi, he had risked his life countless times to protect the village, earned endless merit—and for what?
What right did these people he had protected have to condemn him?
What had those who cursed him ever done for him?
From the Hokage down to the villagers, everyone had abandoned him.
So why stay? Why not do as the Uchiha did—leave Konoha behind?
If one day he could see the look of regret in their eyes… that would be the sweetest revenge imaginable.