Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 11 The Promise Before the Memorial Monument

After dealing with Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

But the work of the Hokage is never-ending.

That afternoon, after finishing his official duties, he did not go straight home, but instead went alone to the memorial monument in Konoha Village.

The black stone tablet stood silently in the setting sun, covered with countless names.

Every name represents a vibrant life that sacrificed itself to protect this village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over those names, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His father, Sarutobi Sasuke, also has his name on it.

And there is his teacher, Tobirama Senju. Although his teacher's body has been buried, according to custom, his name will also be engraved here so that he may be revered by future generations.

"Teacher..." Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured in his heart, "Do you see? Konoha is still here. I will protect it."

He reached out and gently brushed a fallen leaf off the stone tablet.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure.

On the other side of the memorial stone, a boy who looked no more than ten years old was holding a damp cloth and carefully wiping a name on the stone.

The boy had striking short silver-white hair, wore a well-fitting ninja outfit, had little expression on his face, and moved with meticulous precision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze froze.

Hatake Sakumo.

The future "Konoha White Fang".

How did he end up here?

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's memories, there wasn't much information about Sakumo's father. All that was known was that he was also an excellent ninja who died in the war.

It seems that the name that Sakumo wiped off is his father's.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.

He remembered clearly what he saw in the simulator about Sakumo Hatake's tragic future.

This hero, whose fame once surpassed that of the Three Legendary Sannin, was ultimately driven to suicide by public opinion in the village because he "abandoned the mission and chose to save his comrades."

This tragedy profoundly distorted his son Kakashi's values, turning that genius boy into a cold-blooded machine who prioritized "missions above all else" for a long time.

"Companions" and "Tasks".

The ultimate question that runs through the Naruto world, the source of its tragedy, begins with this still somewhat immature boy in front of us.

Since we've encountered this today, we can't pretend we didn't see it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi composed himself and slowly walked towards the boy.

Hearing footsteps, Sakumo Hatake stopped what he was doing and turned around.

When he saw that the person who came was the Third Hokage, his small body immediately stood up straight and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Hokage."

His voice was clear and bright, with a unique quality characteristic of a young man, but his tone, like the expression on his face, was calm and composed, unlike that of a child.

"Did I disturb you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked gently.

"No, Hokage-sama." Sakumo shook his head.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on the name he had just wiped clean—Kenji Hatake.

"Is this your father?"

"Yes." Sakumo nodded, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "My father was a great ninja."

"Yes, I've heard of his deeds." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "During an S-rank mission, to ensure that the intelligence could be sent back to the village, he single-handedly held off three Jonin from Iwagakure and fought to the death. He was a true hero."

Upon hearing the Hokage acknowledge his father's achievements, Sakumo finally showed a hint of emotion.

"Lord Hokage, what do you think of my father as a ninja?" he suddenly asked, seemingly wanting a more accurate assessment from the village's highest leader.

Looking into his expectant eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the crucial moment had arrived.

He didn't answer immediately, but shook his head.

Shuo Mao was stunned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and pointed to the huge memorial stone covered with names.

"Sakumo, look at these names."

"Each of them is a hero who sacrificed himself for the village. Some did it to complete their mission, some to protect their comrades, and some to safeguard the civilians."

"The village's strength is not because of how many S-rank missions we've completed, nor because of how many enemies we've killed."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became deep and powerful.

"It's because when a companion is in danger, someone is willing to lend a helping hand without hesitation. It's because when the village is threatened, someone is willing to step forward and stand in the front."

"Completing the mission is important. But protecting our comrades is even more important."

Shuo Mao was somewhat bewildered.

The education he received from childhood, and the impression his father left on him, were all about "the mission being absolute".

For the sake of the mission, one can sacrifice everything, including oneself.

But now, the Hokage is telling him that his comrades are more important than the mission.

This clashed sharply with his long-held beliefs.

"Lord Hokage, I... don't quite understand," Sakumo said honestly.

"It's alright if you don't understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "It's hard to understand if you just talk the talk but don't walk the walk. How about this, Sakumo, I'll issue you a challenge."

"A challenge?" Sakumo's eyes lit up.

To be able to fight the Hokage is an immense honor.

"That's right." Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a leaf from the ground, turned his back to him, and gently placed the leaf on his back.

"The rules are simple."

"If you can take this leaf from behind me without hurting me, then you win."

"Whether you catch the leaf or it falls to the ground, you win."

Shuo Mao frowned.

Without harming the Hokage?

What kind of rule is this? Isn't the point of a ninja duel to defeat the opponent?

"What? Don't you have confidence?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came.

"No!" Sakumo's eyes sharpened instantly.

He drew the short sword from his back. It was a small katana, its blade gleaming coldly in the setting sun.

"Please enlighten me, Hokage!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sakumo's figure vanished from the spot.

So fast!

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself in admiration.

As expected of the future White Fang of Konoha, he has such amazing speed and explosive power at such a young age.

A cold glint appeared from his left, aimed directly at the leaves on the back of his heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly shifted his body to the side, avoiding the blade.

Shuo Mao missed his first attack, but without lingering, he lightly touched the ground with his feet, his body making an incredible turn in mid-air, and the blade stabbed again from another tricky angle.

His swordsmanship was sharp and precise; every strike was aimed directly at that small leaf, without a single unnecessary movement.

However, it was as if Hiruzen Sarutobi had eyes in the back of his head.

No matter how swift or unexpected Sakumo's attacks were, he could always dodge them with minimal movement.

His body seemed weightless, sometimes like willow catkins in a breeze, sometimes like fish swimming in water, causing all of Sakumo's attacks to miss their mark.

Shuo Mao grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

He felt as if he were facing not a person, but an insurmountable mountain and a bottomless sea.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't touch the other person at all.

"No... I'll run out of energy if this continues!"

A resolute glint flashed in Sakumo's eyes.

He took a deep breath and concentrated all his chakra at his feet.

"Let's give it our all!"

He pushed his speed to the limit, his figure transforming into a white lightning bolt, instantly appearing behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This time, he didn't use a knife; instead, he reached out and grabbed the leaf directly.

opportunity!

Hiruzen Sarutobi had been waiting for this moment.

He deliberately slowed down by half a beat, revealing a huge flaw.

A hint of joy flashed in Shuo Mao's eyes; his fingertips were almost touching the leaf.

However, at that moment, his pupils suddenly contracted.

He realized that if he landed his claw firmly, his hand would inevitably be pulled hard onto the Hokage's back due to inertia.

With my own strength, I would definitely be able to scratch the Hokage.

This violates the rules!

What should I do?

Should we seize the leaf and win? Or should we abide by the rules and forgo this golden opportunity?

In the blink of an eye, Shuo Mao's mind went blank.

His body's instincts led him to make the choice.

He abruptly withdrew his hand.

Because he forcibly stopped his movement, he lost his balance and fell to the ground in a sorry state.

The leaf remained unharmed, still firmly attached to Hiruzen Sarutobi's back.

"Huff...huff..." Sakumo lay on the ground, panting heavily.

He lost.

A gentle hand landed on his head and gently rubbed it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around with a smile and took the leaf.

"You lost, Sakumo."

Shuo Mao lowered his head, his face full of frustration.

"But," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out again, "you made the right choice."

Shuo Mao suddenly raised his head.

Hiruzen Sarutobi crouched down and handed him the leaf, his gaze incredibly earnest.

"Remember how you felt today, Sakumo."

"Sometimes you have to choose between your mission and your companions, sometimes you don't, and sometimes you can have both."

"This is the Will of Fire; it is not rigid."

These words struck Sakumo's mind like a thunderclap.

He looked at the leaf in his hand, then at the smile of the young Hokage before him.

He seemed to... understand something.

He clutched the leaf tightly in his palm and nodded heavily to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Looking at the seed that had been planted in the boy's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction.