After Kakashi heard Sora say that what had forced his father to commit suicide was the entire Konoha Village—people who had clearly abandoned the Will of Fire yet used it to deceive others—he staggered and fell to the ground.
Clutching his head in pain, Kakashi murmured, "I don't understand… Was my father's conviction all this time truly wrong?"
Sora responded, "I don't think Lord Sakumo was wrong. It's just that these people weren't worthy of him."
With a sigh, Sora continued, "During this time, you must have seen the true faces of those in Konoha, haven't you? They act as if they understand everything, but in reality, they know nothing. Can you even imagine what Lord Sakumo felt when he abandoned the mission to save his comrades?
Not only did they insult Lord Sakumo, but they also insulted you—someone who had no part in it.
Everyone is aware of how much Lord Sakumo contributed during the Second Great Ninja War, yet now, they act as if they have forgotten it.
They claim there are no divisions between clans in the village and that people trust each other—but all of that is a lie.
Konoha's people are indifferent and selfish. The moment their own interests are at stake, they won't care about the truth. Instead, they'll blindly shift the blame onto someone else."
Kakashi clenched his fists tightly, his expression twisted with emotion.
Sora continued, "You're still young, so you probably don't know about my past. When I was your age, everyone in Konoha treated me with contempt."
Kakashi looked at Sora in confusion.
Sora then revealed, "My parents were rogue ninja from Konoha."
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. He had never known about Sora's past, let alone that his parents had been classified as defectors.
A cold smile appeared on Sora's face. "I doubt you can even guess why my parents became a rogue ninja."
"It was simply because they loved each other."
"My mother was a member of the Uchiha clan, and my father was from the Senju clan. Two clans that had been at odds for generations."
"Their love was considered an unforgivable taboo in the eyes of the Uchiha."
"To be together, my parents had no choice but to flee Konoha. The Uchiha clan pressured the higher-ups, and my parents were branded as defectors. Konoha shinobi were ordered to hunt them down."
"Later, while living in hiding, my parents' identities were accidentally exposed. Other shinobi coveted their bloodline, and in the battle that followed, my father died protecting me. My mother… she died at Konoha's gates."
"I watched my mother die with my own eyes. Konoha had the chance to save her, but they turned a blind eye and let her perish."
Later, I was not accepted by the Uchiha clan, and the people of Konoha redirected their resentment toward the Uchiha onto me. I was scorned by everyone, and they even gave me an insulting nickname—'Bastard.'
My parents had never done anything to betray Konoha, and I had done nothing wrong either. Yet, both they and I were cast aside.
The Will of Fire claims there should be no barriers between clans within the village. But has the barrier between the Uchiha and the Senju truly disappeared? My parents fell in love—what was their crime?
Kakashi, do you really believe this is the Will of Fire?"
Kakashi hadn't expected Sora to have such a painful past.
Sora fixed his intense gaze on Kakashi and continued, "Kakashi, to be honest, I feel no sense of belonging to Konoha. In fact, I hate it. Because of Konoha, my parents—who only wished to love each other—were forced to flee their home. And Konoha didn't stop there; they sent shinobi to hunt them down and kill them.
"Even taking me in wasn't an act of kindness. It wasn't out of concern or care—it was simply because I carry both Uchiha and Senju blood. They didn't want these two bloodlines to exist outside their control. That's all."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen called me to his office earlier. He doesn't care about you or Lord Sakumo. The only thing he cares about is Konoha, because if Konoha is destroyed in the war, then his title of Hokage will become meaningless."
"Kakashi, this village is filled with cold indifference and darkness. It has taken away the ones we love. Is such a Konoha really worth our loyalty?"
Kakashi's fists trembled, his eyes darkening with hatred. He whispered, "It's not worth it… not worth it at all!"
Sora opened his palm and held it out toward Kakashi. "Kakashi, you and I are alike. You have suffered betrayal. You have watched the people you love die before your eyes. I am your master, and I will be your family. You can always trust me—I will never betray you.
"So, Kakashi, will you join me? Will we walk this path together, as master and student?"
Kakashi stared at Sora's outstretched hand, his mind made up. Slowly, he placed his hand in Sora's.
"Teacher Sora, I will!"
A faint smile appeared on Sora's lips as he pulled Kakashi to his feet.
Sora glanced toward the streets of Konoha in the distance, still bustling with life even at night, as if there was no war looming on the horizon.
Meanwhile, he and Kakashi stood alone in the silent woods—two people in a different world altogether.
Sora spoke, "Kakashi, we are not yet strong enough. We must endure and remain in Konoha, waiting for the right moment to leave this prison that binds us."
"Now, let me tell you something. Haven't you always wanted to know why I am going to the Land of Grass? I am searching for people from Kushina's clan."
Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean… Lady Kushina's people? The Uzumaki clan?"
Sora nodded and proceeded to tell Kakashi everything about Uzumaki Kushina.
A cold glint flashed in Kakashi's eyes.
With a hint of sarcasm, Kakashi muttered, "They refused to help the Uzumaki clan when it was being wiped out, yet they had the audacity to find the master's wife, who was living peacefully abroad, and force her to become their Jinchūriki—just to use her as a weapon! Konoha… ha."
Though Kakashi hadn't spent much time with Uzumaki Kushina, in the brief period he had, he could feel her kindness toward him.
Now, knowing that Konoha wanted to use her as nothing more than a tool, his anger burned.
Sora spoke coldly, "That's why I want to find someone from Kushina's clan—to take her place as Jinchūriki. But even if I find a replacement, convincing Konoha to agree will not be easy. And after searching for so long, I have yet to find any of her kin."
"So, in all likelihood, I will eventually have to leave Konoha… and take Kushina with me."
Without hesitation, Kakashi said, "Wherever Teacher Sora and Lady Kushina go, I will go too."
Sora shook his head. "No, it's best if you remain in Konoha for now. There is still time. Sarutobi Hiruzen is already pressuring me to head to the Land of Grass, so in the next couple of days, I plan to depart. I will make one last attempt to find any surviving members of Kushina's clan before it's too late."
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