"I don't believe that!"
Shiro Akira shook his head.
"In this entire shinobi world, there probably aren't many who can surpass you, Sensei."
In his view, Sakumo Hatake was already at Kage level, and not even a weak one among them.
How many people in the world could really exceed that?
As a transmigrator, Shiro Akira felt he understood the power ceiling of this world better than most.
"Exactly!"
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but jump in.
"My father is the strongest! Even the Hokage might not be stronger than him!"
Sakumo's expression instantly changed.
Knock!
He tapped Kakashi on the forehead and scolded:
"You must never say something like that carelessly."
"If the wrong people hear it, it will bring trouble—to you and to me. Understand?"
Then he glanced at Shiro Akira.
"You as well."
Shiro Akira nodded immediately.
"I understand. The taller the tree, the stronger the wind that seeks to break it. Your reputation in the village is already too high, Sensei."
"Hmm?"
Sakumo looked at him in surprise.
"You can even think of that? Seems I underestimated you. Your thinking is quite mature… unlike Kakashi."
Kakashi pouted, clearly unconvinced.
How was he not mature?
In his mind, everyone else in the academy was childish—
Even Shiro Akira.
Especially Shiro Akira.
Chatting and laughing with girls like Kurenai Yuhi all day…
Ridiculous.
Women only slow down my blade.
…
"So you've already realized it too, Sensei…"
Shiro Akira looked at Sakumo with slight surprise.
In truth—
He had deliberately brought this up.
Because he knew what was coming.
Sooner or later, Danzo Shimura would make his move.
Maybe he already had.
This was Shiro Akira's attempt to warn Sakumo in advance.
But unexpectedly—
Sakumo was not as politically naïve as Shiro Akira had assumed.
"Heh."
Sakumo chuckled.
"What? Do you think your teacher is a fool who can't see something this obvious?"
"…Well…"
Shiro Akira muttered internally.
That's exactly what I thought…
"Then it doesn't make sense…"
Shiro Akira grew even more puzzled.
If he understands all this… then why did he still end up taking his own life in the original timeline?
Pressure from public opinion?
Weak will?
Impossible.
From everything Shiro Akira had seen—
Sakumo's will was unshakable.
He was no coward.
Which meant—
There must have been something deeper.
Something Shiro Akira still didn't know.
"Nothing like that!"
Shiro Akira shook his head and cautiously probed:
"Since you're aware of this, Sensei… why not make changes?"
"You should know that the Hokage and Danzo won't sit still if they feel threatened."
"They will act against you."
"Recently, I've heard many voices in the village calling for you to become the Fourth Hokage. That's… not a good sign."
He only dared say this because—
He trusted Sakumo.
Otherwise, he would never risk speaking so openly.
Meanwhile, Kakashi stood there completely confused.
What are they even talking about?
Isn't it a good thing that people support his father?
His political awareness… simply wasn't there yet.
Sakumo's smile faded.
He stared at Shiro Akira, brows slightly furrowed.
"How do you even know about things like this?"
"And how do you know about Danzo?"
Danzo operated in the shadows.
He wasn't someone a child should even know existed.
At that moment—
Sakumo realized something.
Shiro Akira… was far too mature.
His thinking resembled that of an adult.
If not for absolute certainty—
Sakumo might have suspected transformation jutsu.
"It was Tsunade."
Shiro Akira answered without hesitation.
(And shamelessly shifted the blame.)
After all—
Sakumo would never go verify something like this with Tsunade.
Elsewhere…
At the hospital—
"Ah-choo! Ah-choo!"
Tsunade sneezed twice and frowned.
"…Who's talking about me? Don't tell me it's that idiot Jiraiya again…"
Back to Sakumo—
"Tsunade?"
He was slightly surprised.
"She might know about Danzo… but when did you even meet her?"
That didn't add up.
From what he knew—
Shiro Akira was just an orphan of an ordinary shinobi.
"Hehe…"
Shiro Akira smiled.
"Sensei, did I ever tell you I have a Senju swordsmanship manuscript at home?"
"…Senju?"
Sakumo's eyes sharpened instantly.
"You didn't. Why would your family have that? Unless…"
Shiro Akira nodded.
Yes, exactly—keep going…
"Unless your family once did a great favor for the Senju clan?"
Shiro Akira: "..."
That turn almost made him choke.
What kind of logic is that?!
But… surprisingly—
It did sound plausible.
"Unfortunately, that's not it."
Shiro Akira shook his head.
"Tsunade-sama told me my grandfather was actually from the Senju clan."
"Back when the Second Hokage was in power, the clan was dissolved and integrated into the village as an example."
"So there hasn't been any connection for generations."
"But recently, after my talent started showing… the Hokage likely contacted Tsunade-sama."
Sakumo fell silent for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
"I see…"
A Senju descendant…
A genius…
And now—
His disciple.
Sakumo's gaze toward Shiro Akira changed slightly.
Not suspicion—
But something deeper.
A hint of… caution.
And concern.
Then, he spoke seriously:
"Listen carefully, Shiro Akira."
"No matter what you know… or what you think you know—"
"Do not involve yourself in these matters."
"Power struggles… are not something a child like you should step into."
His tone was firm.
Even heavy.
Because he knew—
Some lines, once crossed—
Could never be stepped back from.
Shiro Akira smiled slightly.
"Understood, Sensei."
But in his heart—
He had already made his decision.
If I do nothing… you'll still die.
So even if I have to step into it—
I will change that future.