58. A Talk and Alliance with Sakumo Hatake

58. A Talk and Alliance with Sakumo Hatake

After navigating the streets of Konoha for a while, Hikari, flanked by his entourage of bodyguards, reached his destination.

The journey through the village, under the curious and sometimes astonished gazes of the citizens, culminated in front of the Hatake clan's residence.

This compound, less populous than in its heydays and now housing Sakumo along with just a few dozen other clansmen, presented a quiet but dignified front.

The Hatake clan's residence was marked by its understated elegance. The main house, constructed in a traditional style, featured gracefully sloping roofs and wooden beams, exemplifying classic shinobi architecture.

Surrounding the structure was a modestly sized garden, meticulously kept, with various plants that added tranquility to the compound.

A sturdy gate stood at the entrance, signifying both welcome and warning. It led to a stone path that meandered through the garden, guiding visitors towards the main building.

Here and there, practice dummies and weapon racks hinted at the martial prowess of the clan's members, even in reduced numbers.

Hikari approached the main building, after signaling his entourage to remain standing back, his presence commanding yet respectful.

An old man, who appeared to be a caretaker or perhaps a retired clan member, was sitting serenely in front of it.

Pausing before the elder, Hikari addressed him with a formal tone, "I'm here to see Sakumo-sama, is he available?",

His voice carried a blend of respect and purpose, signaling the importance of his visit.

Recognizing Hikari from his previous visits, the old man stood up with a similarly respectful nod, "Wait here, I will go and check with the clan head himself...", He informed Hikari, adding a note of concern,

"He has not been feeling quite well recently, so please understand...," With that, the man departed, leaving the understanding Hikari alone as he made his way to consult with the clan head.

After a short while, the old man returned, his expression neutral but carrying an implicit invitation.

"You may go ahead...", He told Hikari, indicating that Sakumo was willing to receive him despite his recent withdrawal from the world and mental state in general due to the recent rumours surrounding him.

The old man's demeanor suggested a mix of reverence for Sakumo's status within the clan and concern for his well-being.

Hikari made his way through the quiet hallway of the Hatake residence, each step bringing him closer to the darkened room where Sakumo resided.

As he reached the sliding door that separated him from the clan head, he noticed it was slightly ajar, opening onto a courtyard that allowed a stream of sunlight to spill into the otherwise dim space.

Sakumo, seated in a position that allowed him to gaze out into the courtyard, turned his attention towards the door as Hikari appeared.

He managed a smile, a warm greeting that contrasted with the solemn atmosphere surrounding him, "Hikari-kun...", He acknowledged with a nod, his voice not appearing that much strange.

Hikari thought to himself, 'He's masking it quite well... No wonder no one in the original story, neither Kakashi nor the other clansmen, managed to figure out what was going through his head right now and what he wanted to do to himself...'

"Sakumo-san...", Hikari started, "I've kept hearing about some troubling rumors lately more and more, and it made me want to come and talk to you directly, to hear your side of things and see how you're really doing.',

"I hope I'm not bothering you by coming here like this...", He said, making sure his words were sincere and respectful.

"Rumors...", Sakumo smiled slightly, "I've learned to accept that they come with the territory of being who I am in this village. But I assure you, I'm managing as well as one can in situations like these."

His demeanor, the calmness in his voice, and the poise with which he carried himself all contributed to an impression of wellness.

Meanwhile, Hikari quickly processed the information, connecting the dots in his mind,Discover new chapters at novelhall.com

'Having really no friends to begin with, due to jealousy and suppression from the Hokage's faction, and being introverted by nature, on top of masking his real mind this well, it's truly expected for no one to understand him...', Hikari reflected.

Soon after, Hikari and Sakumo found themselves sitting outside in the courtyard, enjoying some tea together.

Then after a bit more of casual conversation, the atmosphere shifted as Hikari's expression grew more serious. Setting down his teacup, he looked directly at Sakumo with a gravity that matched his words.

"Sakumo-san, I hope you don't mind me being forthright with you. It's clear to me, and likely to you as well, that the rumors circulating about you haven't just sprung up on their own.",

Additionally, Hikari felt that he could help change Sakumo's mind about his original decision successfully because he knew that Sakumo's choice to end his life was also filled with doubts from the start.

He knew that his decision was made amidst huge uncertainty and was likely a choice that teetered on the edge of indecision.

That was because, from the original story, Hikari knew that Sakumo's soul ended up in Purgatory after his suicide, and that realm was reserved for souls burdened with extreme regrets and unresolved attachments to the living world.

This knowledge gave Hikari a crucial insight: Sakumo's choice was not made with a sense of sharp resolution but rather as a last resort by someone who still harbored deep connections and unfulfilled aspirations.

It suggested that Sakumo's spirit was not at peace, plagued by thoughts of what could have been and the impact of his actions on those he left behind, particularly his son, Kakashi.

Understanding this, Hikari believed that if he could provide Sakumo with a semblance of hope and a sense of purpose, and a different perspective in general, it might be enough to tip the scales.

By reaching out at this pivotal moment, Hikari aimed to inject a level of clarity and support into Sakumo's troubled thoughts, offering him a lifeline out of the despair that threatened to consume him.

Just like in the original story, if someone had truly seen the depth of Sakumo's inner pain, they might have been able to pull him back from the brink. Unfortunately, back then, no one did. However, Hikari noticed it now.

Capturing Sakumo's attention, Hikari pressed on, "The village belongs to you just as much as it does to anyone in the Hokage's circle. And you didn't harm the village's interests in any real sense. Think about it—had someone close to the Hokage done the same, would there be such an uproar?",

"You're being targeted because you're seen as a formidable variable, a potential Hokage who operates beyond their direct influence. Their actions are driven by a desire for power, not the village's well-being."

"Why succumb to their narrative? Challenge them, not as representatives of the village, but as individuals driven by their own selfish motives, and indirectly improve the entire village in this way as well.",

"So, I'm putting forward a formal proposal: consider running for the position of Jonin Commander of the village, and our Hyuga clan will support you. It's time to stop being on the defensive, constantly repelled by their maneuvers. Use that role not just to counter their influence, but to foster positive change within Konoha too.", Hikari concluded with conviction.

Sakumo, visibly taken by Hikari's passionate speech, showed a spark of interest that hadn't been there before. It was clear that the young man's words had struck a chord, offering a new perspective on Sakumo's dire situation.

Yet, despite the sense of agreement that seemed to resonate within him, Sakumo expressed his reservations with a thoughtful expression.

"You've got some really good points, Hikari-kun, and you're truly wise beyond your years...", Sakumo said, showing a mix of surprise and agreement for Hikari's philosophy fundamentally.

"I haven't thought about it all like that fully before, and you make a lot of sense. But, to be honest, the idea of running for Jonin Commander seems pretty far-fetched to me. With all these rumors floating around and how people see me now, it feels like I don't stand much of a chance, even if your clan supports me. I'm sorry, but I think the odds are against me..."

"Well, it's not just my clan that will back you. If you're on board, and if the second part of my plan unfolds as I've envisioned, we're aiming to position you as the informal leader of a new faction within the village.",

"Think of it as a 'small clans' faction,' which would include clans like your own Hatake clan. I'm sure you're well aware of the pressures small clans in Konoha are facing, given the challenges your clan has encountered...", Hikari explained, laying out a broader strategy.

After hearing this, Sakumo's surprise at Hikari's further explanation grew once again, and as he mulled over his words some more, his admiration for Hikari's strategic mind grew even more. Then the more Sakumo considered the logic and potential impact of assembling an informal "small clans' faction," the more he recognized the true brilliance of Hikari's vision.

Being the leader of the Hatake clan himself, Sakumo was intimately familiar with the challenges and pressures small clans faced under the governance of Konoha's leaders.

His clan, once numerous and influential, had dwindled significantly in size and strength since its inception into the village many times over.

Sakumo had witnessed firsthand how the policies and practices of the Hokage's faction had led to the dilution of his clan's power.

The systematic poaching of members, the indoctrination of young shinobi in the Academy, and the encouragement of marriages outside the clan to civilians were some of the strategies that were implanted by all Hokages.

This realization had only crystallized for Sakumo in light of his own recent experiences, leading him to reassess his once positive perception of the village's leadership completely.

As Sakumo reflected on Hikari's plan, he began to see the potential for genuine change. This wasn't just about restoring his own reputation or securing a position of influence; it was about helping the small clans to foster a more equitable and inclusive village governance.

Hikari's satisfaction grew as he observed Sakumo's 'amazed' reaction, his strategy slowly unfolding as planned. He had carefully considered Sakumo's probabilistic commitment to his clan and his inherently selfless character in crafting his approach as well.

By appealing to Sakumo's desire to protect his clan and improve the village's political landscape for everyone else, Hikari aimed to motivate him not only from a place of personal gain but for the 'greater good' as well.

He was even preparing to bring up Kakashi and his future as well but now realized that there would be no reason for that, as Sakumo already practically agreed, just doubting the feasibility of their plan.

Hikari understood that in the original timeline, the Hatake clan effectively vanished, leaving Kakashi, who never questioned anything and blindly served the Hokage's faction his entire life despite their actions, as its sole representative.

From Hikari's perspective, the upcoming Third Shinobi World War might have been the period during which the Hatake clan was systematically dismantled. This would have been done quietly, removing a clan capable of producing shinobi with Sakumo's level of power, thereby eliminating what the Hokage's faction perceived as a significant future risk to their control.