Chapter 16 – The Whisper of Betrayal and a New Path

As Sal walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, the usual chatter of villagers filled the air. But one particular rumor caught his attention, freezing him in place.

— "Did you hear? Konoha's White Fang failed a mission. Because of him, the village suffered heavy losses."

A knowing smile crept across Sal's lips.

"So, it's already happening..."

He had expected these whispers much later. In the original timeline, this incident occurred when Kakashi was six years old. But now? Kakashi was barely two or three. Sal frowned, puzzled.

"What accelerated the process? Is it because of me? Because Nawaki and Kaito are still alive? Because Tsunade never suffered her trauma?"

Indeed, the butterfly effect was in full swing. Both Nawaki and Kaito Dan were alive and well. Tsunade, free from the heartbreak that would have driven her away from the village, was now traveling the ninja world alongside Kaito. Nawaki remained under Orochimaru's tutelage, and the Sannin himself had yet to descend into darkness.

Sal had already accepted the truth: the original plot had gone off the rails.

Yet, some events still unfolded. This one, for instance, was happening three years early.

Determination flared in his chest as Sal abandoned his plans to head home and made a beeline for Sakamoto Hatake's house—the home of the man once known as Konoha's White Fang.

Arriving at the Hatake residence, Sal paused, his brows lifting in surprise.

There, in the courtyard, was Kakashi.

The boy was training. Not playing, not fumbling with wooden kunai like an ordinary toddler, but training—with the focus and precision of a seasoned genin.

"Damn… how are shinobi kids this precocious? At two years old, he should be eating dirt, not perfecting his stance." Sal mused, shaking his head in disbelief.

He stood silently by the gate, watching until the boy's small but practiced movements slowed. Only then did Sakamoto Hatake—the man himself—step forward, correcting Kakashi's form with a few calm words before dismissing him.

Kakashi, noticing Sal for the first time, gave a curious glance but said nothing, trotting off toward the house with the seriousness of someone far older than his tiny frame suggested.

"He already has that deadpan look…" Sal thought, chuckling softly.

Sakamoto, noticing Sal's presence, approached with calm yet guarded eyes. The weight of the rumors was already etched into his face, deepening the faint lines of worry on his usually stoic expression.

— "Sal," Sakamoto greeted, his voice steady despite the storm surely brewing within. "Here to enjoy the gossip firsthand?"

Sal shook his head, expression serious.

— "I came because I can smell Danzo's schemes from a mile away."

The former war hero's eyes narrowed. He didn't speak, but Sal could see the tension in his jaw. He was already suspecting the same thing.

— "You know it too," Sal continued, stepping closer. "That mission wasn't supposed to fail. It was sabotaged. Danzo's fingerprints are all over this."

Sakamoto sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. His once-pristine reputation was now tainted by whispers of failure—whispers that could break even the strongest of men.

— "Rumors are more dangerous than kunai in this village," Sakamoto muttered. "Even if I survive the truth, my name won't."

Sal met his gaze, determination burning in his eyes.

— "Then I'll do whatever it takes to clear your name."

Sakamoto blinked, caught off guard by the conviction in Sal's voice.

— "You're a rising jōnin, Sal. Why risk everything for me?"

Sal smiled faintly.

— "Because I know what happens if I don't."

And deep down, Sal knew this was more than just another mission. This was an opportunity—an early crack in the timeline, a chance to change fate and earn points while protecting someone who didn't deserve to fall into despair.

— "Whatever it takes," Sal promised, extending his hand. "Count on me."

For a moment, Sakamoto hesitated. Then, slowly, he clasped Sal's hand in a firm grip.

— "Thank you, Sal. I won't forget this."

As Sal left the Hatake residence, his mind was already spinning with plans. He didn't know why the timeline had shifted so drastically—why Kakashi's tragedy had arrived three years ahead of schedule.

But he did know one thing:

If fate was going off-script, he'd be the one writing the new story.