Konoha: Prepare to defect, the system is coming.

Chapter 565: A Day in the Life of Sarutobi Hiruzen

"Hokage-sama."

Kakashi stood at the door in a daze as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's disappearing back.

He didn't understand why the Sandaime Hokage suddenly came to his house and said some inexplicable words. He didn't understand what happened to the Sandaime Hokage and he suddenly seemed like a different person.

“My decisiveness when I was young turned into indecision when I was old. As a ninja born in the late Warring States period, I still have the thoughts of the Warring States period, and I often choose situations that are beneficial to the majority and disadvantageous to the minority.

Although some things are beyond our control, in the end we can't do anything about them.

Sorry, Kakashi!! In the future, you will have a very young Kage who was born in the Ninja Village period. When faced with the same thing, he or she may give a completely different answer from me. "

"besides."

"Kakashi, forgive your father, understand your father, and surpass your father. Sakumo is a great and excellent ninja. He did nothing wrong."

The words of the Sandaime Hokage before he left emerged in Kakashi's mind. His eyes flickered slightly and then returned to normal.

These words sounded like an apology before parting, but they also seemed to be hiding something.

"Will there be a very young Hokage in the future?" He muttered this sentence, looking at the empty street, and said to himself, "Is the Third Hokage going to choose a new Hokage?"

“Father did nothing wrong.”

Kakashi then turned around and looked at the family portrait hanging on the wall.

The middle-aged silver-haired man in the family portrait has his hands on the shoulders of a little boy and is smiling very happily. Although the little boy has no smile on his face, his eyes, which are curved into crescent shapes, show that he is in a good mood as well.

"Father!!"

Looking at the colorful meatballs in his hand, Kakashi took a bite subconsciously, and then his expression suddenly changed.

Slightly bitter, spicy, stimulating.
All kinds of strange tastes bloomed in his mouth and finally rushed straight to his brain, making him look in the direction where the Sandaime left. His eyes were slightly red, but no tears shed in the end.

He looked at the empty street for a long time, and his gaze finally fell on the meatball, with a complex look in his eyes.

"Sir, there is too much mustard in these meatballs."

After leaving Kakashi's house, the Third Generation looked up to identify the direction, then walked towards the edge of the village.

A long time ago, perhaps shortly after White Fang's death, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not remember the exact time, but he remembered that he had told the young Kakashi the truth about White Fang's death.

It was also from that time that Kakashi became a ninja who only cared about his mission and ignored his companions.

"The moment he learned the truth, Kakashi hated the village? Hated the village leaders?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped, looked back, and a hint of bitterness appeared on his face.

Whether it was him or Kakashi, they were taught from the day they became ninjas that "in order to complete the mission, you must do whatever it takes, eliminate all enemies, and even kill all witnesses. This is the rule of the ninja world, and it is also the concept that ninjas must accept from the age of five."

Ninjas were also taught about "hatred" from a young age.

At the end of the Warring States period, after years of fighting between Senju and Uchiha, both sides suffered heavy casualties. Uchiha Izuna was clearly killed by Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara also made a big fuss about it.
But after the village was built, even though Uchiha Madara loved his younger brother so much, and Senju Tobirama was so calculating, the friction between the two was limited to the standpoints of family and village. Even though they were enemies, they never used "revenge for killing his brother" as the core conflict.

Even after the village was built, the five major ninja villages attacked each other, and there was a blood feud between the two sides, but when the brief peace came, these hatreds, no matter how great, could only be kept in the bottom of the heart.
Even though Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law died at the hands of White Fang, when she saw Kakashi in the negotiation team in the Sand Village, she did not choose to take action. Instead, she shut herself off and did not see anyone.

This is the daily routine of ninjas. If necessary, cooperation with each other is commonplace.

"A ninja is someone who can endure everything!!"

After saying this, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around and walked towards the edge of the village.

His purpose of coming to Kakashi today was very simple. He just wanted to say sorry and express his recognition of White Fang. He was not afraid that the child hated him. Even if he hated him, it was justified.

But because of the ninja's years of education, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the child would not hate him. He would only vent his inner pain on himself or even on Sakumo.

“Why didn’t you do this before?”

Thinking of this question, the bitterness on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face became even more intense.

The theory of mission priority has long been rooted in the hearts of all ninjas. This kind of brainwashing education makes it difficult for other ninjas to accept White Fang's approach. If he rashly stands up.
That would be a disaster, a huge disaster for Konoha
"Why would you do that now?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the doorplate of the Hyuga clan in front of him. His thin body became even more hunched at this moment, as if it could be blown down by a gust of wind. "As time passed, the ninjas in the ninja village gradually abandoned the old family concept, and they regarded each other as relatives.

In this context, people who break the "rules" are no longer so unacceptable, but everyone will still choose to put completing the task first because of the iron rule of "task priority".

It’s just that White Fang incidents are inevitable in the future.”

If a similar "White Fang incident" occurs in the future and the Fifth Hokage wants to break the [mission priority] rule, he/she will be under tremendous pressure.

Instead of this, it would be better to let his corrupt body become the Hokage who breaks the rules.

"If the fifth generation believes that his companions are more important than the mission, he/she can just move himself/herself out to share the pressure, so as to avoid putting him/her in the same dilemma as Sarutobi Hiruzen did."

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly straightened his back, exuding the unique aura of a "Ninjutsu Professor". He looked up at the Hyuga people who came to greet him, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"It is my original intention to apologize, but if you only apologize, it would be too much of an underestimation of me."

After learning that the Sandaime Hokage had arrived, Hinata Hiashi, who was handling family affairs, hurried over.

On the way here, he specifically asked his clan members about the purpose of the Third Hokage's visit to the family. After seeing the clan members shaking their heads, Hiashi couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The Third Hokage rarely comes to the Hyuga clan. The last time he came was during the Chinese New Year.
"Is something wrong?"

Thinking this in his mind, Hyuga Hiashi frowned and quickly came to the front hall, where he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting on a chair.

"Lord Hokage!"

After a simple greeting, he came and sat down opposite Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked directly, "Hokage, is there something wrong with the village? Is there a problem with the Chunin Exam?"

After thinking about it, Hiashi felt that the only major events that had happened recently seemed to be the Chunin Exam and Orochimaru's appearance in the exam venue.

"It's okay! Come over here and sit down!"

As he spoke, his eyes fell on the face of Hinata Hiashi.

The passage of time has left traces of the years on Hiruzen's cheeks, and the white hair mixed in his hair also proves that he is no longer young, but this majestic and unsmiling face reminds Sarutobi Hiruzen of another person.

Hyuga Hizashi!!
"If Hiashi hadn't died, he would have looked like this."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed slightly in his heart, then picked up the tea on the table and began to sip it.

Among the decisions he has made in his life, there are a few that he still remembers and feels guilty about.

One of them is about the incident of White Fang, and the other is about the incident of Hiashi.

The "White Fang Incident" can be seen as a landmark event in Konoha's decline, while the "Hiashi Incident" can be seen as a landmark event in the Hidden Cloud Village surpassing Konoha to become the most powerful ninja village in the ninja world.

Both of these incidents occurred under his leadership.
"."

Looking at the Sandaime Hokage who suddenly fell silent, Hyuga Hiashi was also confused. He always felt that the Sandaime didn't look like he was okay, and it didn't seem like he just came to sit around casually.

But no matter how hard Hiashi tried, he couldn't figure out what recent events had to do with Hinata.

"Hinata??"

Thinking of his daughter, Hyuga Hiashi's pupils shrank and he suddenly became nervous, "Hokage-sama, is there something wrong with Hinata? Did she fail the Chunin Exam and is she in the hospital?"

"what?"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, then he waved his hand at Hiashi and said with a smile, "Hinata is fine, she has finished the second exam, and she can go home after the exam results are announced." "Oh~"

Hiashi breathed a sigh of relief, his expression regained its composure, and he couldn't help but think, "Since Hinata is fine, then there shouldn't be anything for the Hyuuga to do that's worthy of the Third Hokage to come over. He probably just came over to take a look."

Before he could even take a sip of water, the old voice of the Sandaime Hokage came to his ears.

"The main reason I came here this time is because of the incident at that time."

The moment he heard the name, Hinata Hiashi's face turned cold.

Then, he reached his hands into his wide sleeves and slowly clenched his fists, letting his nails sink into his flesh without feeling any pain at all.

The man who once called him the clan leader in front of others and big brother behind their backs is no longer with us.

The person who once enjoyed eating his boiled eggs is no longer here.

The younger brother who used to always make him angry is no longer here.

Hinata Hiashi looked up at the Sandaime Hokage who was sitting opposite him, his pure white eyes showed no emotion at all, "Hokage-sama, why did you suddenly think of that branch family?
At first, he was a branch family who wanted to kill the main family, but failed. He died to protect the main family a few years ago, which can be regarded as redemption for his own mistakes. There is nothing good to say about this kind of person! !
I wonder why the Hokage-sama came to Hyuga?"

Looking at Hinata Hiashi's extremely calm expression, as if nothing could shake his heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.

Then, he put the teacup on the table, straightened his hunched back slightly, and said with a hint of apology in his old voice, "Because of the decision I made in the past, the day has changed..."

"This has nothing to do with Hokage-sama!"

Before he could finish, Hyuga Hiashi interrupted him and said, "To die for the main family is Hyuga Hizashi's fate. This is his destiny from the moment he was carved into a caged bird.

Everything in the branch family belongs to the main family, including life.

"Whether to die early, die late, or how to die is not decided by Hyuga Hizashi, but by me, the head of the Hyuga clan."

"Feel sorry!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said to himself, "It was under my leadership that Konoha declined. This is the fundamental reason for Hizashi's sacrifice. If Konoha was still the Konoha it once was, Hizashi would not have died."

"."

Hearing this, Hinata Hiashi lowered his head and took a sip of tea, covering his eyes with the lid to hide his inner surprise.

All the famous ninjas in Konoha knew how Hiashi died, but this matter was told by the Third Hokage, and he also admitted that he was wrong, which was something Hiashi did not expect.

He looked at the aged face of the Sandaime Hokage, and after being silent for a long time, he finally said nothing more.

"I was once the savior of Konoha, but now I have become a stumbling block. Under my leadership, Konoha has encountered more and more problems and troubles.

The gap between the ninja clan and the village is becoming more and more obvious."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head and looked at the four human heads on the Hokage Rock in the distance. His voice was mixed with some complexity, "At the beginning, my teacher gave me a strong Konoha, and later I raised the strength of Konoha to a new level.
But after all the things that happened, Konoha's strength is no longer as strong as before."

"Sandaime-sama!"

Hiashi suddenly called him and asked with a complicated expression, "Did something happen in the village?"

It's no wonder he thought so. He was just sitting at home and suddenly the Hokage came over to apologize and told him a lot of his faults.

to be honest.
If it weren't for the fact that the Third Hokage was as healthy as a young man, Hinata Hiashi would have thought that he had a terminal illness.

"it's okay no problem!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly shook his head and said, "I just feel sorry for you brothers, Hiashi, I'm sorry that I didn't fulfill the promise I made to my teacher.

I failed to protect every villager in Konoha."

"To be honest, if the village could have squeezed out 2000 ninjas, the Hidden Cloud Village would not have asked me to hand over anyone. If they dared to make such a request, I would have brought the Sandaime Raikage's concubine to Konoha."

"Rizu, I'm really sorry. You know the truth here."

"."

Looking at the apology on the face of the Sandaime Hokage, Hyuga Hiashi somehow always felt that he was less majestic but more emotional, and the grudge in his heart caused by the Hizashi incident also dissipated a little.

"Hokage-sama."

Half an hour later, a hearty laugh suddenly came from the gate of the Hyuga clan.

"Hahaha~"

"Rizu, you go back. I'll go somewhere else."

"Go back, go back. Sometimes I am too corrupt and too cautious. Don't worry, the future Hokage will definitely not be like me.

I am looking forward to it. If a future Hokage encounters such a thing, will he/she fight back on the spot? "

"."

Hearing this, Hinata Hiashi fell silent again.

When he raised his head again, Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer in front of him.

"Sandaime-sama"

Looking at the empty street in front of him, Hinata Hiashi took a deep breath and looked up at the azure sky. He didn't come back to his senses until a little girl walked over to him, grabbed his trouser leg and shouted, "Daddy, hold me."

After picking up the little girl, Rizu pinched her nose affectionately and spoke softly.

"Hanabi!"

"Father!"

Hinata Hanabi put her arms around her father's neck, then looked at the empty street ahead, then put her thumb in her mouth and sucked it while asking.

"Father, who is that old man? Why does Hanabi feel like she's seen him somewhere before?"

"him??"

Looking at the direction where the Sandaime left, Hinata Hiashi gently shook his body to make the little girl in his arms more comfortable.

Then, he pointed to the Hokage Rock in the distance, his finger landed on the third majestic head, and patiently explained to Hanabi, "He is the Kage of Konohagakure, one of the five great nations in the ninja world, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He took over Konoha from the Second Hokage and led Konoha to the peak, but also led Konoha to the bottom. He did many wrong things in his life, but also did many right things.

Everyone says that he is either stupid or bad, but the Sandaime-sama is actually not stupid at all, and his character is not bad at all, he is just a little biased.

Biased Danzo, Biased Menen, Koharu, Biased Orochimaru"

"Then father, is grandpa a good person or a bad person?"

“Who knows?
My father's brother died because of him, but it was also because of him that most of your people were able to escape the war and live their lives in peace."

"Ah? Father's brother? Uncle? What kind of person is he?"

"He."

Hinata Hiashi looked at the moon in the sky, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Your uncle is a very good person. He likes to eat eggs, is talkative and respectful to your father."

(End of this chapter)