The news that the Uchiha clan had been moving as one to defend White Fang had already spread throughout Konoha.
Everyone was astonished—those usually arrogant Uchiha apparently had a rather endearing side to them.
At first, people thought the Uchiha were meddling too much. Even the Hatake clan themselves hadn't made such a scene, so why were they running all over the place? Anyone with eyes could see this was something decided by the higher-ups—an official move against White Fang. And yet, instead of protecting themselves, the Uchiha were jumping right into the line of fire.
But gradually, that impression began to change.
People began to think: this clan may be a bit foolishly straightforward… but there's something adorable about that honesty.
And that—was exactly what Uchiha Kairen had planned all along.
He wanted to gradually change Konoha's perception of the Uchiha, to soften the hokage faction's narrative. He wanted the villagers themselves to realize that the Uchiha weren't just arrogant.
After all, once someone is labeled as "honest," people tend to think—he's just a little blunt, maybe a bit rigid, but not a bad person.
And for a clan? It changes from arrogant bastards to proud, but truly powerful people.
"Didn't you see them at the Ninja Sword Tournament?" they'd say.
This—this shift in public sentiment—was precisely the outcome Uchiha Kairen sought.
To weaken the hostility directed at them across Konoha, to turn the tide little by little. Because if people's perceptions didn't change, then no matter what the Uchiha did, they would always be wrong.
Every deed would be judged through a tinted lens: the good seen as bad, the bad seen as worse, and every misfortune blamed on the Uchiha.
So this time, the Uchiha would really play the fool to the end.
They would show everyone what principles truly meant—
A person must have a backbone; a clan must have its creed.
And the Uchiha creed was simple:
If you are my friend, I'll fight for you even if it costs me my life.
If something is right, it must be upheld.
If something is wrong, it must be condemned.
Right and wrong cannot be twisted by men's tongues.
Fine, call me stubborn—so what? I'll die on this hill!
While the Uchiha patriarch led the clan stubbornly clinging to their cause like a herd of mule-headed warriors, Uchiha Kairen himself was far from idle.
"Have the guests arrived?" Kairen asked calmly.
"They're all here," Uchiha Retsu replied with a sly grin. "And I made sure they think the invitation came from the Hatake clan."
"Ha! You're still in the mood to tease our allies?" Uchiha Honō chuckled.
Kairen smiled faintly. "Then let's move. Unless the situation changes, we won't intervene directly. Just keep anyone from interfering from the outside."
He turned to another man beside him.
"Uncle, if Root operatives show up when things start, I'll leave that to you."
Uchiha Kirito smirked. "You sure you don't want me to personally handle it? Don't worry—I've been wanting to kill that four-eyed bastard for a long time." His teeth clenched with a cold gleam.
"Uncle, we agreed—no acting rashly, remember? You can kill to your heart's content later, when we deal with Danzō," Kairen said, sweat beading on his temple.
Honestly, if his uncle weren't such a powerhouse—and if he didn't need a high-level combatant to anchor the operation—he'd rather not involve him at all.
Kirito waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, I know what I'm doing.
And hey, even if you don't say it, I know—you avenged Lili, didn't you?"
He grinned knowingly.
Kairen forced a chuckle. So much for secrets, he thought bitterly.
If his uncle could guess, others probably could too.
He checked the time.
Almost ready. Don't disappoint me, Celestial Squad…
BOOM. BOOM! BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A series of explosions shattered the silence of the night.
Konoha's shinobi, startled from their sleep, immediately leapt into action—rushing toward the source from all directions.
Uchiha Kairen's team was stationed at the designated retreat point for Celestial Squad.
From afar, several figures came sprinting toward them.
One of them, disguised as a Hatake clan ninja—Uchiha Retsu—reported loudly,
"Mission accomplished! An Iwagakure Explosion-Release user has assassinated a Konoha elder!"
He tossed over a scroll, saying nothing else, and sprinted off toward the blast site with the others, blending perfectly into the chaos.
The recipient briefly opened the scroll, then glanced toward Kairen's ambush site.
Seeing no movement from that direction, he turned and disappeared into the night.
Moments later, Kairen and his men joined up with Retsu and charged toward the explosion's location.
By morning, a shocking piece of news shook all of Konoha—
Konoha's elder and Hokage advisor, Mitokado Homura, had been assassinated by an Iwagakure Explosion-Release ninja.
He was killed instantly.
The assailant vanished without a trace, and all the ANBU and Root agents guarding him were blown to pieces.
Uchiha Nobunaga was utterly impressed by his nephew's handiwork.
A perfect setup—what a massive pot for Iwagakure to carry!
Meanwhile, Kairen walked leisurely toward the Hatake residence, humming to himself.
This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen, you'll have plenty to choke on, he thought gleefully.
"White Fang-senpai… I'm here to see you off."
The once lively Hatake household now stood eerily quiet.
Where crowds had once gathered, now only silence lingered.
The people's ridicule, his comrades' blame, the cold neglect from the higher-ups, the betrayal of friends—
For a proud, sword-like shinobi such as him, how could his spirit survive such wounds?
For Konoha… for his way of the shinobi… there was no path but death.
He knocked softly. The door opened—
It was Kakashi.
Seeing who it was, Kakashi froze for a second, then silently opened the door wider. "Please, come in."
Kakashi had never cared much for the Uchiha before. But after this incident, he couldn't help but feel admiration.
This clan truly stood up for his father.
Even his feelings toward Obito had softened somewhat; they were closer now than in the original timeline.
He certainly recognized the visitor—
There wasn't a soul in Konoha who didn't know him:
Uchiha Kairen, the current generation's prodigy of the Uchiha.
He had trained with Kakashi's father and even gifted him a few jutsu—jutsus that came so naturally to Kakashi it felt as if they had been meant for him all along.
Kakashi knew his father's condition was dire. He hoped this senior could talk to him… maybe even save him.
In the past few days, only two guests had visited the Hatake home—
the Uchiha clan head, and the man now standing before him.
"I've come to see White Fang-senpai," Kairen said gently. "Can you take me to him?"
Kakashi nodded and led him to the sitting room.
Kairen looked at the man before him—White Fang, once radiant as a blade of light—and felt his chest tighten.
He reminded himself again and again: It was the higher-ups who drove him to this… I only gave fate a small push.
Still, the guilt weighed heavily.
After all, this man had once taught him… and was truly worthy of respect.
"White Fang-senpai, I came to visit you."
He had prepared a thousand words, but now—none would come out.
"You've come," Hatake Sakumo said softly, smiling.
"You've grown taller… I can sense a faint sword aura from you. You're close to a breakthrough.
You've grown stronger—that's good.
Please, look after Kakashi for me."
"Senpai, actually… my uncle said that we could still—"
Before Kairen could finish, Sakumo interrupted.
"No need. Your uncle already told me. I'm tired… I just want to rest."
He turned away—clearly, it was time for Kairen to leave.
There was nothing more to say.
Kairen bowed deeply and departed.
At the doorway, he said quietly to Kakashi,
"Stay close to your father. Something about him feels… off."
He reached into his robe, handed the boy a scroll.
"This is the evolved version of Chidori—a series of related jutsus.
They might be a bit much for you now, but keep them… for later."
Then he turned and walked out.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the Hokage Rock.
He bought a jar of sake, sat quietly, and drank.
After a few cups, he stood and poured the rest toward the sky.
"White Fang-senpai," he whispered,
"I've sent Elder Homura ahead… to keep you company."