chapter 19:Doubts and Determination

As soon as we arrived, we all sat down to eat. I settled next to Sakumo, taking the opportunity to talk to him.

—Hey, Sakumo… I don't know why you needed me. After all, you managed to hold off the Kumo ninjas well, didn't you? I noticed there weren't too many of them. Besides, you didn't really need me as a sensor.

Sakumo looked at me calmly before responding.

—Because I was curious about your level —he said naturally—. And about the Kumo ninjas… Didn't Fugaku tell you that Kumogakure is on the defensive? They're protecting the Third Raikage while he recovers.

His words made my eyes widen.

The Third Raikage is still alive? He's supposed to be dead by now… Did Onoki not send the ten thousand ninjas?

My mind started racing. I tried to hide my surprise and asked with feigned curiosity:

—Ah, yes… I heard he fought against ten thousand Iwa ninjas or something like that.

Sakumo burst out laughing.

—That's an exaggeration! —he said between laughs—. Although he did fight many… it was actually six thousand. And he managed to escape. But according to our spies, when he returned to Kumo, he fell into a coma for a month due to chakra exhaustion.

His explanation left me in chaos. Six thousand? Not ten thousand? What's going on here? Why did Onoki send fewer ninjas? This isn't a small change… it's huge.

I kept my cool and asked another question.

—Hmm, Sakumo… Is he still in a coma?

He looked at me curiously before answering.

—No, he already woke up. Didn't you hear it was a month? But he's still recovering. Why?

I scratched the back of my neck, pretending disinterest.

—No reason…

I kept eating, but now with nerves. It seems things aren't happening as they should. Could persuading Sakumo have caused a ripple effect in history? Hmm… I don't think so…

I shook my head and decided not to think about it anymore. At least, for now.

After finishing, it was already night, and I went to sleep.

On the other hand, Sakumo sighed deeply, lost in thought.

Arata has become strong. There's no doubt about that.

He crossed his arms, meditating in silence. Despite the time he had spent observing him, he had never heard him talk about his family.

—Who are his parents? He's never mentioned them. Maybe he's an orphan…

The idea didn't seem strange to him. Many children in the village grew up without parents, victims of the war. But what bothered him the most wasn't that, but the way Arata understood strategy.

—He only heard part of my plan… and yet, he executed almost the same strategy I had in mind. I don't get it.

His gaze softened a bit. It wasn't a bad thing, but it was unusual.

Sakumo let out a sigh and shook his head.

—Well, it doesn't matter.

It wasn't the time to get distracted by doubts.

Sakumo sighed as he went over the list of the fallen. His fingers gently brushed over the names, as if he could bring them back to life with a simple touch. It was a weight he had carried on his shoulders for years, but he never got used to it.

—The same thing again… —he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment.

The atmosphere in his tent was calm, but his mind was far away. He thought about Kakashi, about how much he had grown, about how much he wanted to hug him when this damn war was over.

—I hope to see him soon… —he said quietly, as if afraid fate might take him away for saying it out loud.

He set the list aside and rubbed his face with both hands. What he hated most about war wasn't the battles, but what came after: walking through the village with news no one wanted to hear. Looking into the eyes of mothers, wives, and children who still held hope and snatching it away with a few words.

He sighed again and stood up.

—It's a shame… —he muttered, adjusting his headband—. I wish this would just end.

He couldn't change the past, but he could move forward for those who were still alive. For Kakashi, for the village, and for bright futures like Arata's.

The next morning, while we were having breakfast, one of my companions approached and leaned slightly toward me.

—Hey, Arata Uchiha.

I looked up indifferently.

—What do you need?

The boy gave a slight smile.

—You have my respect.

I swallowed a bite before responding calmly.

—Hmm… thanks, I guess.

He looked at me curiously before asking a question.

—By the way, what ninja rank are you?

I shrugged and answered without giving it much importance.

—None. I'm not an official ninja.

He was a bit surprised.

—So… are you with the police?

I couldn't help but let out a short laugh before shaking my head.

—No, not that either. I'm just someone who trains. The leader, Fugaku, brought me because I'm an exceptional sensor.

The ninja nodded, as if remembering something.

—Ah, yes, I heard about that. You've become famous for your ability to detect even the amount of chakra others have.

I sighed with some annoyance and said in a playful tone:

—Well, that's been a double-edged sword. I've had to travel a lot.

I laughed, shrugging.

—But at least I've seen a lot of places.

The ninja smiled.

—Yeah, true. Though I'm impressed you have such a reputation among the higher-ups. You should become an official ninja, at least a chūnin.

I shook my head, downplaying it.

—It's not that big of a deal.

He walked away laughing.

—Yes, it is. Well, see you around.

He went to sit somewhere else while I kept eating, not giving the conversation much thought.

After breakfast, I stayed seated for a moment, feeling uncomfortable. I looked at my hands, noticing the dirt under my nails and the sticky feeling on my skin. I sighed.

—I need a good bath… —I muttered to myself.

Then, an idea crossed my mind. The hot springs. We were close, right? But before doing anything, I had to ask for permission.

I stood up and walked over to where Sakumo was. I found him looking at the landscape with his arms crossed, deep in thought.

—Hey, Sakumo.

He turned his head toward me with a slight smile.

—What's up?

—Can I go to the hot springs?

Sakumo let out a small laugh.

—Oh, sure, sure. After all, it's a peaceful place. No one attacks the Land of Hot Springs.

I frowned, curious.

—Why's that?

—Because it's a minor village —he replied calmly—. Besides, they have the best hot springs. Although… —he paused briefly— don't be fooled. Right now, they're probably expensive because of the war.

I clicked my tongue.

—Hmm… that's a problem. I didn't bring any money. I didn't see the need, but now I do… —I said with a tone of resignation, though the drama in my voice made it sound more comical than tragic.

Sakumo laughed heartily.

—Don't worry —he said, giving me a pat on the shoulder—. Come on, I'll give you something. Consider it a gift for your bravery.

I followed him without hesitation. When we got to his tent, he took out a small box and pulled out 5,000 ryō, handing it to me without hesitation.

—I think this should be enough —he said naturally.

I took the money but looked at it in disbelief.

—What the hell? Is the economy that bad?

My reaction made him laugh again.

—Go and rest, Arata —he said in a more serious tone, though his smile was still there—. It's the least you deserve.

There was a brief silence between us. Something in his gaze made me feel like he wanted to say more, and he did.

—You know… when you enlightened me about the Will of Fire, I think I saw hope.

His comment surprised me. Did he already know what Danzō and Hiruzen had done?

Sakumo looked at me intently, as if trying to read my thoughts.

—I hope you keep an unshakable mindset, Arata. And don't let yourself be deceived.

I swallowed but nodded with conviction.

—No one can break my determination.

He smiled, satisfied.

—Well said. Now go enjoy your bath.

I looked at him one last time before turning around and walking toward the hot springs. I couldn't help but think about his words… and what they really meant.