Chapter 88: Konoha Rumors

Hokage Building

"Hokage-sama, White Fang-sama's S-rank secret mission has been leaked for unknown reasons. The villagers are restless… and White Fang-sama's reputation is being questioned."

"I understand. You're dismissed."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively, his expression unreadable.

"Hokage-sama! Should we issue a public statement to clear White Fang-sama's name?"

The Anbu operative hesitated, clearly hoping for direction.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow furrowed, though he quickly composed himself again.

Even Anbu are stepping in for you, Sakumo… This isn't the fate you deserve.

The Third Hokage silently took a drag from his pipe, eyes narrowing as thoughts churned.

The mission was known only to Shimura Danzō, Hatake Sakumo, and a few handpicked elites who had carried it out.

If a shinobi cannot keep a secret, then they won't remain a shinobi for long.

But the ones involved had always been trustworthy. There had never been a breach in their missions.

It didn't take much for Hiruzen to piece things together.

"White Fang has sacrificed so much for Konoha. He doesn't deserve this disgrace."

He began to raise his hand to summon an Anbu.

But midway, it stopped.

Again, he tried to give the order.

Nothing.

Not a single word of defense left his mouth.

The Third Hokage chose silence.

---

Konoha Hospital

After returning from the mission, Hatake Sakumo had collapsed immediately upon arrival in the village. This was his second day in the hospital.

The massive explosion caused by the detonating tags had been suicidal in scale. Had Sakumo not activated a Lightning Release secret technique in time—and had he not been proficient in the Thunder Flash body flicker technique—he would have died on the spot.

Even so, the backlash and shrapnel had wounded him grievously. His retreat was desperate and barely successful.

Sakumo sighed to himself, frustrated that the final strike failed to eliminate the enemy commander. The bulk of the supply caches had been hidden on the commander via storage scrolls, and his Lightning Release Secret Technique, designed to pierce both people and barriers, had been unable to reach them.

The increasing reinforcements from Sunagakure had forced a retreat.

Just then, the hospital room door opened. A medic entered, face stern.

Sakumo blinked—he remembered this one from yesterday, full of admiration and awe.

Why the cold face today?

The medic approached with a first-aid kit.

"Time to change your dressings," he said flatly.

Sakumo didn't question it. He removed his shirt and turned his back to the medic. His upper body had been cleaned yesterday, but the scars and open wounds remained deep and savage—clear signs of a life-threatening mission.

As the medic applied ointment, his contempt showed. His face twisted in silent disgust.

He finished dressing the wounds hastily and left the room.

"…You didn't even finish the front—"

Before Sakumo could finish his sentence, the medic had already gone.

---

Village Streets

Hatake Kakashi, fresh from a mission, walked through the village—but any good mood he'd had evaporated quickly.

The streets were buzzing.

Villagers idled about, and their topic was always the same: White Fang.

Everywhere he turned, he heard contempt. Suspicion. Scorn.

Kakashi tried to ignore it… until he couldn't anymore.

"That's not true! My father isn't like that!"

The eight-year-old prodigy shouted angrily, his small hands clenched, his cheeks red beyond his mask.

"Ah, look—it's White Fang's son," someone sneered.

"Better hope he doesn't turn out like his old man. What a disgrace."

"Probably plotting Konoha's downfall too."

"Two traitors in one family. Shameful."

Even some vest-wearing shinobi joined the insults, mocking father and son alike without restraint.

"You… You all…"

Kakashi bit his tongue, unable to win the argument. He turned and ran—toward the hospital.

He needed to hear it from his father himself.

---

Back in the hospital, Hatake Sakumo—veteran of countless operations—was starting to realize something was wrong.

The shift in tone among the hospital staff. The cold stares. The whispers. The hesitance.

He expanded his chakra subtly, using it to eavesdrop on the floor.

"…He's the one who failed that mission, right?" "Yeah. I heard he abandoned the objective just to save his team." "They say he defied Hokage-sama. I used to look up to him… now? What a coward."

The rumors were relentless.

But Sakumo did not flinch. His mind was as sharp as his blade, and his heart had weathered war.

These are just rumors. Lord Third will clear things up soon…

That's when the door opened—and a teary-eyed Kakashi burst in.

"Father! Everyone's saying you're a coward! Go out there and tell them the truth!"

Kakashi was furious, trembling with indignation.

Sakumo looked at his son… and chuckled softly.

"Maybe your father is a coward," he said. "But rumors will collapse on their own when faced with the truth. A shinobi must learn to endure."

Kakashi stared in silence, slowly calming.

He still believed. Still respected and admired the man known as Konoha's White Fang.

---

Konoha Military Police Force — Headquarters

Inside the Security Department office sat nearly all the senior Uchiha:

● Uchiha Naraku, head of operations

● Uchiha Fugaku

● Uchiha Yakumi

● Criminal Investigation Section Chief, Uchiha Saburo

● Village Management Section Chief, Uchiha Go

● Plainclothes Section Chief, Uchiha Shunta

● Public Security Section Chief, Uchiha Suke

Almost the entire top echelon of the Konoha Police Force was present.

Naraku had been focusing on internal stability lately—and the recent rumors about White Fang had taught him a powerful lesson:

A well-placed rumor can do more damage than a jutsu.

What started as mere talk of a failed mission had escalated quickly.

Now the whispers accused White Fang of betrayal, of sabotaging his own comrades.

Worse—some claimed he resented the Third Hokage and had even plotted to assassinate him.

A few hysterical villagers had gone so far as to report Hatake Sakumo as a traitor to the Hokage's office.

It was absurd. Laughable. Dangerous.

Naraku's gaze swept across the room.

"What are your thoughts on the situation?" he asked.

"Lord Naraku," said one officer firmly, "the villagers are insulting Lord White Fang. We should arrest those spreading these lies!"

"I agree," another said. "The rumors are out of control. His name is being dragged through the dirt!"

Naraku was surprised—he hadn't realized how many officers were White Fang supporters. He glanced at them with faint curiosity.

Uchiha Fugaku, ever the level-headed one, added, "But Lord Third has yet to issue a statement. Without that, we cannot confirm what happened during the mission."

"Lord Hatake Sakumo is the White Fang of Konoha," said Uchiha Suke, head of Public Security. "There's no way these claims are true. We should clear his name."

Naraku observed Suke, realizing he was an ardent admirer of White Fang.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully and finally spoke:

"Let's wait and observe. I've heard Sakumo-san is currently recovering at Konoha Hospital."

He turned to Suke.

"Suke-kun, please visit him on behalf of the police force. Extend our regards."

Uchiha Suke bowed deeply.

"Yes, Lord Naraku!"

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