83. Target Country Of Grass
Sora takes the death of Hatake Sakumo next year very seriously.
From Sora's perspective, this is a significant event with many key moments that can be observed and analyzed.
According to Sora's assessment of the current battlefield, a major reason why Konoha maintains stability in the Land of Grass and keeps the Iwagakure shinobi from acting rashly is the presence of Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo holds just as much importance as Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who are stationed in the Land of Hot Water. Their presence alone keeps the Kumogakure shinobi from making reckless moves.
Sakumo, known as "Konoha's White Fang," is a genius ninja whose strength and reputation are recognized throughout the world. Even the Legendary Sannin hold respect for him.
However, despite his power and loyalty to Konoha, he ends up being blamed by the villagers for abandoning a mission to save his comrades. Even those he rescued turn against him. Unable to bear the widespread rejection, he ultimately chooses to take his own life.
The irony is striking.
For such a formidable shinobi, someone so devoted to Konoha, to be driven to suicide over such a reason seems absurd.
Sora is certain that Hatake Sakumo did not take his own life solely because of the villagers' and his comrades' condemnation.
If he had truly ended his life over something so trivial, then his mental fortitude would have been far weaker than expected.
Someone of Sakumo's calibre—renowned across the ninja world—must have possessed an unshakable resolve. Mere rumours and public criticism should not have been enough to break him, not even for Kakashi's sake.
If he lacked such mental strength, he would never have become the powerhouse that he was.
Therefore, Sora believes that Hatake Sakumo's suicide was most likely due to a loss of faith.
The last classified mission he undertook must have been crucial for Konoha.
Sakumo abandoned the mission to save his comrades, resulting in significant losses for the village.
However, considering his character, his decision was clearly in line with the Will of Fire.
It's unlikely that mere accusations from his fellow villagers could have shaken that belief.
Punishment for mission failure is reasonable, and Sakumo likely would have accepted his responsibility without resistance.
However, as a staunch believer in Konoha's Will of Fire, his decision to protect his comrades should not have been condemned to such an extent, even if the mission failed.
Yes, his actions led to mission failure, but the responsibility should not have fallen solely on him—his comrades also bore a share of it.
Moreover, as someone devoted to the Will of Fire, how could Sakumo simply stand by and watch his comrades die?
An even greater issue is the way the details of the mission became public knowledge.
Shouldn't a mission of such high confidentiality have remained a secret?
Even if it failed, ordinary villagers and lower-ranking shinobi should not have known about it.
Clearly, someone deliberately spread this information.
Under normal circumstances, any shinobi aware of a classified mission's failure would be investigated, let alone someone with knowledge of its details.
The fact that such sensitive information leaked suggests that even Konoha's higher-ups wanted to place the blame on Sakumo.
As a staunch supporter of the Hokage faction, it's even possible that Sarutobi Hiruzen himself held Sakumo responsible.
Such an outcome may have shattered Hatake Sakumo's faith, ultimately leading him to take his own life.
It can be said that Konoha, despite its bright facade, hides a great deal of darkness within its shinobi ranks.
Danzo's secret schemes, the Uchiha Clan's betrayals and assassinations—these are just a few examples.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands are not entirely clean.
From this, it becomes clear just how hypocritical and corrupt Konoha can be.
However, the real reason Sora considers Hatake Sakumo's suicide to be such an important event is not simply because of Sakumo's strength or personal significance.
Rather, it is due to his importance to the battlefield in the Land of Grass.
If something happens to Hatake Sakumo, the Iwagakure shinobi stationed there will no longer hesitate to take action.
Unlike the Kumogakure shinobi, who engage in high-intensity combat from the very beginning, the Iwagakure shinobi are far more calculating. They do not rush into battle recklessly, but the moment they detect a weakness in Konoha's defences, they will strike without mercy.
Although the situation in the past three years has gradually stabilized, everyone knows that only one spark is needed to ignite a full-scale war.
Sora speculates that Hatake Sakumo's suicide could be that spark.
Even if his death alone does not trigger the war, it will certainly accelerate its arrival.
Because once Iwagakure makes its move, Kumogakure will inevitably respond.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure has been eyeing Konoha like a starving predator. If both Iwagakure and Kumogakure take action, there is no way Sunagakure will remain idle.
Furthermore, Kirigakure has its own forces stationed in the Land of Waves, waiting for the perfect opportunity to act.
This is why Sora believes Hatake Sakumo's death is crucial—because it could directly influence the start of the Third Great Ninja War.
For this reason, Sora must go to the Land of Grass.
However, even without this incident, Sora had already planned to go there.
Because Uzumaki Kushina is the same age as Sora.
Sora is 16 years old this year, and so is Uzumaki Kushina.
Only two years remain until Kushina reaches adulthood.
The last time Sora saw Uzumaki Mito, she had already shown clear signs of ageing—it was evident she did not have many years left.
Time is running out for both Sora and Uzumaki Kushina.
Sora had previously discussed the orphans of the Uzumaki Clan in the Land of Grass with Orochimaru.
Sora's ultimate goal is to find Karin's future mother.
However, Sora is uncertain whether Karin's mother is currently in the Land of Grass.
After all, she eventually chose to join Kusagakure to ensure her daughter's safety.
Karin has not yet been born, meaning it will still be several years before her mother is forced to join Kusagakure.
But based on Sora's speculation, Karin's mother is most likely in hiding somewhere in the Land of Grass.
The characteristics of the Uzumaki Clan are too distinctive, making it dangerous for her to wander openly.
Therefore, it is highly likely that she has remained in one place.
Later on, she may have been discovered by ninjas for her unique physical traits, forcing her to join Kusagakure.
If Sora cannot locate Karin's mother, then he will need to implement a backup plan.
That backup plan involves Sora's Sharingan.
Over the past three years of high-intensity battles, Sora's Sharingan has evolved into the Three Tomoe Sharingan. However, it remains unclear how long it will take for him to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
If he were to acquire it through the system's exchange, it would cost only 10,000 witness points.
Because Sora possesses Uchiha blood, the required price is not unreasonable.
Currently, Sora has accumulated just over 3,000 witness points—still far from the amount needed to unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan.
For now, this remains the fastest way for Sora to directly strengthen himself.
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