Chapter 30: You Have Nothing If You Die

After hearing Tsunade's explanation, Guts could finally understand why White Fang chose suicide.

In a way, it made sense. White Fang's decision had directly sparked the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

With so much at stake, the public backlash and the blame he shouldered were enough to crush anyone.

But something still felt off.

Guts didn't believe for a second that such damning information had simply spread on its own.

Someone had to be behind it—fanning the flames, stoking the rumors. A scapegoat like White Fang doesn't emerge by coincidence.

And Sarutobi Hiruzen… Guts didn't buy that the old man had been completely in the dark.

No one at the top of a shinobi village, especially not a Hokage, is that oblivious—not unless they want to be.

Sure, Hiruzen may not have personally condemned White Fang, but choosing silence in the face of mass slander? That's not much different.

Because even if you wear the Hokage's robe, your throne isn't unshakable.

Guts had seen enough in his life to know that power never came without enemies—especially within.

One wrong move, one public disaster, and even a man like Hiruzen could fall.

After all, it was his failures that would eventually lead to Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage.

Later, Tsunade herself would be displaced by Danzo in the wake of the Pain incident.

So no… not even Hokage is immune.

And White Fang? His so-called "mistake" had dragged the entire Fire Nation into war. That's the kind of failure that could topple a leader.

Hiruzen, being human, likely harbored his own resentment.

Even if he didn't publicly condemn White Fang, it was clear he stood aside, letting the tide wash over his once-loyal comrade.

And maybe—just maybe—he didn't expect White Fang to break so easily.

Guts let out a sigh. In his mind, White Fang must've still held some loyalty toward Hiruzen.

He probably hoped for protection… guidance. But in the end, that silence killed him.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in White Fang?"

Tsunade asked, watching Guts fall silent.

"Did you meet him?"

"I didn't,"

Guts said plainly.

"I just think it's a damn shame. A man like that, dying by suicide."

He didn't have any deep connection to White Fang. Honestly, Guts didn't care much for Konoha politics either.

But strength recognizes strength. And to see a man like that go down from whispers and rumors?

It left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Suicide?" Tsunade frowned.

"No way. He's not that weak."

"A peak Kage-level ninja," she muttered.

"How could he just… give up?"

"Don't underestimate the weight of public opinion,"

Guts said, voice low.

"Especially when someone's pushing it behind the scenes."

Tsunade's frown deepened. She still didn't want to believe it.

But when Guts mentioned someone manipulating things from the shadows, her stomach tightened.

"…Fine," she sighed.

"Let's go. If you're this hung up on it, we'll talk to him."

Guts blinked. "You know where he lives?"

Tsunade nodded, and then muttered,

"You're the one dragging me into this, don't act clueless."

She led the way. As they walked through Konoha, Guts could see the shift in Tsunade's demeanor.

Whispers about White Fang weren't just rumors—they were everywhere. Accusations. Blame. Betrayal.

And Tsunade, once firm in her belief, began to waver.

"This doesn't feel right," she murmured.

They parted ways at a crossroad. She'd go confront Hiruzen directly. Guts would visit White Fang.

White Fang's home wasn't extravagant—no golden gates or tall fences. Just a quiet house, slightly larger than most. Fitting for someone of his rank, but modest for a legend.

Inside, White Fang sat alone in his study, door shut, hands motionless.

Only yesterday, he had been relieved of duty—Hiruzen's final message clear: stay home and wait.

He hadn't moved much since.

Boom. Boom. Boom!

A loud knock startled the silence.

Kakashi, still young, still sharp, opened the door with a scowl.

"Who the hell—?"

His voice trailed off when he saw Guts.

"…You again?"

Kakashi's brows furrowed.

"What do you want?"

"Is your father home?"

Kakashi's expression darkened.

"Why? Want to rub it in that you beat me?"

Guts blinked.

"You think I care about that?"

He stepped forward, eyes calm, voice firm.

"Just tell him this: 'No matter what happens, you have nothing if you die.'"

And with that, Guts turned and walked away.

He didn't care to explain himself. He didn't come to heal anyone.

He wasn't some counselor sent to talk White Fang off a ledge. If his words worked, they worked. If not, so be it.

He'd done what he could.

Even if the world turned against him, even if Konoha burned, even if he was branded a traitor, Guts would never throw away his life.

Because in death… there's nothing.

"…Weird guy,"

Kakashi muttered, watching Guts disappear around the corner.

He lingered for a moment, then turned toward the study.

"…Dad?" he called out.

From behind the door, came a tired voice.

"…What is it, Kakashi?"

But Kakashi hadn't yet noticed the weariness hidden in his father's voice.

He pushed open the study door, peeking inside.

"Dad, someone from my class asked me to give you a message," he said casually.

"Oh?" White Fang looked up, his expression tinged with surprise.

Kakashi scratched his head.

"He said, 'No matter what happens, you have nothing if you die.' Strange guy, honestly."

White Fang's fingers paused mid-air. He lowered his gaze, quietly mouthing the words to himself:

"Nothing left... if you die…"

A long silence followed.

Then, as if something heavy had finally eased from his chest, White Fang exhaled and turned toward his son with a faint glint in his eyes.

"Kakashi… that classmate of yours—do you consider him a friend?"

"What? No way!"

Kakashi's face flushed.

"He's always looking down on me or seems to hate me. Why would I be friends with someone like that?"

White Fang let out a soft laugh.

It wasn't bitter or strained—just light, almost amused. For the first time in days, the burden in his heart loosened, if only slightly.

The storm inside him hadn't passed, but someone, unexpectedly, had cracked the door open to let the light back in.

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