Immediately, Kaze summoned a shadow clone using the Kage Clone Jutsu and sent it to the Anbu to find out what was going on with his dad.
"What the hell is going on!" He was quite puzzled.
It's true that Sakumo abandoned the mission to rescue his comrades, causing some losses to Konoha.
But this matter had been classified as top - secret, and those who knew about it were strictly forbidden to spread the news.
Kaze couldn't figure out how the news had leaked out.
"Kaze~"
Just when Kaze was scratching his head in confusion, Yukiko appeared in front of him, smiling and greeting him.
"You're here, Yukiko."
Kaze had to put his thoughts aside for the moment and focus on Yukiko.
Then, his eyes lit up.
Yukiko was wearing a form - fitting dark red dress. Her stunning curves drew a lot of looks full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Her calves under the fringed hem of the skirt were as white as snow. She was wearing a pair of transparent sandals, and her perfect feet were a sight for sore eyes.
"Hey, what are you looking at?"
Seeing that Kaze was staring at her all the time, Yukiko's pretty face blushed, and she said coquettishly.
"Cough, cough. Nothing, nothing."
Kaze coughed twice and shifted his gaze from Yukiko's body, feeling a bit guilty.
"Since you're here, shall we go in?"
"Sure~"
In Tanzō's office in the Anbu.
Kaze knocked on the door and strode into the room. He got straight to the point and asked,
"Dad, regarding what happened to Sakumo - sensei, didn't you and Hiruzen Sarutobi order to seal the news?"
"Why has it become common knowledge now?"
Tanzō closed his eyes slightly, smiled faintly, and waved his hand, signaling Kaze to sit down first.
"You're wondering if it was me who leaked this news, right?"
"Because Sakumo has been very famous in recent years and is qualified to compete for the position of Hokage, so I wanted to take this opportunity to ruin this competitor?"
Kaze refused to admit it. "I didn't think that way. You're the one who brought it up, Dad."
"I, an old man, would never stoop to such a despicable act."
Tanzō was already used to this rebellious son's insincerity. He shook his head indifferently and said,
"If I were to do it, I'd first seal this matter and help Sakumo ascend to the Hokage position, and then expose it to pull him down and take his place, which would serve my interests best."
After hearing this, Kaze couldn't help but give a thumbs - up.
"Dad, when it comes to being sneaky and underhanded, I can't hold a candle to you!"
Tanzō might not just be talking.
He might actually have done this, using Sakumo as a spare piece on the chessboard.
In this case, this matter really has nothing to do with Tanzō.
"Rebellious son!"
Tanzō gave Kaze a sidelong glance, snorted, and then said again,
"This wasn't done by Hiruzen either."
"If we wanted to damage Sakumo Hatake's reputation or bring him under our control, we have plenty of ways. There's no need to do it like this."
"」
「Indeed,」 Kaze nodded silently as he listened.
Currently, Konoha is entirely under the control of the Monkey - Pot Duo.
If they want to deal with Sakumo, they have countless ways. There's no need to bullshit.
However...
He didn't seem to mention Hiruzen Sarutobi just now. Why is Dad in such a hurry to defend him?
Damn it. There's no time to think about such nonsense. Get back to the point quickly!
「Then who could it be?」
Kaze fell into deep thought, and Tanzō didn't intend to give him any hints. He just let his son figure out the answer on his own.
After a while, Kaze suddenly looked up and asked, 「You mean... them?」
Tanzō nodded slightly, looking satisfied, and calmly commented, 「It seems you've figured it out. Yes, it's them.」
Kaze scratched his head and said worriedly, 「Dad, Sakumo-sensei once gave me some guidance in my training. Can you help him out?」
Tanzō shook his head without hesitation and calmly said, 「Sakumo's debt isn't worth me stepping in for him.」
「To manage Konoha well, we can't do without their support. Whether it's me or Hiruzen, we have to give them face.」
「So, no.」
「Ah... this...」 Kaze frowned tightly, not knowing what to do.
Seeing his son like this, Tanzō asked angrily, 「It's just some false reputation. Sakumo Hatake won't lose a piece of flesh because of it. Why are you so concerned?」
He's shouldered so much blame for Hiruzen. The infamy he's carried is far more than Sakumo's. Yet he's still going strong!
Sakumo Hatake has just encountered a trivial matter, and you're so concerned.
When your old man was taking the blame, you didn't even say a single word of concern. Instead, you were laughing your ass off!
Is Sakumo your dad, or am I your dad?
「Dad, you don't understand,」 Kaze said with a wrinkled face.
「Sakumo-sensei is a rational and emotional person. Now that he's being ostracized by his former companions and the villagers, he might just commit seppuku at any moment!」
Hearing his son's words, Tanzō's eyes widened in disbelief.
「Just because of such a small thing... commit seppuku?!」
「Yeah,」 Kaze nodded firmly.
He's watched Naruto. Sakumo is a ninja who lost his life in the conflict between rules and loyalty.
「So, Dad, can't you step in and help?」
Tanzō pondered for a moment and still shook his head, saying, 「If what you said is true, then Sakumo Hatake must die. Do you understand?」
After saying that, he gave his son a meaningful look.
「I understand, Dad,」 Kaze nodded thoughtfully.
...
At the barbecue restaurant on West Street.
Kaze and Yukiko walked out side by side.
He glanced at Yukiko beside him and said, still a bit reluctant to leave,"
"Hey, it's not safe for a girl to walk alone at night. How about I walk you part of the way?"
Pfft.
"Are you worried that a squad leader of the Anbu will encounter danger walking at night?"
Yukiko burst out laughing, her swaying chest making Kaze's mouth go dry.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Kaze put his hands on his hips and retorted defiantly.
"No, of course not."
Yukiko tried hard to hold back her laughter and said, "It's an honor for this little girl to have Kaze as her bodyguard."
"Then let's go. After you, Miss Yukiko."
Kaze bent slightly and made a gesture of invitation, which made Yukiko laugh again.
Witty, handsome, wealthy, with high status and strong strength.
Such an outstanding young man, just like the readers, can easily make girls develop a crush on him.
The two walked on the quiet street, lighting up one street lamp after another and chatting more and more congenially.
Kaze slowly reached out his hand and naturally moved towards Yukiko's delicate hand.
"Hey, Kaze, what are you doing?"
Yukiko was like a frightened little rabbit and quickly took a step back to avoid Kaze's hand.
"I want to hold your hand."
Kaze scratched his head and said a little puzzledly.
"Isn't it normal for good friends to hold hands? Why are you reacting so strongly?"
Yukiko's pretty face blushed all the way to her snow - white neck.
"You're lying. Holding hands is for couples..."
Half - way through the sentence, Yukiko gave a coquettish snort and retorted.
"Where do friends hold hands?"
"Didn't you say that Minato Namikaze is your good friend? Would you go and hold his hand?"
"Of course." Kaze nodded and said matter - of - factly.
"We often hold hands. Sometimes when Minato gets tired, I even carry him around. What's the big deal?"
Yukiko: "???"
"Is... Is that so?"
Yukiko was a bit dazed by Kaze and started to lose confidence.
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