The Hatake clan was not well known among the families of Konoha. Their numbers were small, and they could hardly be called a true clan.
That was until one man changed everything.
Hatake Sakumo, known throughout the world as the White Fang of Konoha. His swordsmanship was so refined that even the Legendary Sannin were said to be slightly inferior in comparison. His brilliance on the battlefield earned him fame and jealousy.
But the light of a hero often casts a long shadow.
Targeted by the Root organization, Sakumo's mission was sabotaged. Rumors spread like wildfire. Some said even the Third Hokage had turned a blind eye. Eventually, unable to bear the whispers and disgrace, Sakumo took his own life.
His son, Hatake Kakashi, would later rise from that tragedy. Graduating at five, becoming a chunin at six, and a jonin by twelve. His genius was nothing short of terrifying.
Father and son, both legends.
And both, ultimately, victims of fate.
Thinking of this, Kaede couldn't help but look at Hatake Isshin with a trace of sympathy.
"When people get old, they tend to talk too much. Don't mind me," Isshin said with a soft chuckle.
Kaede smiled. "Why would I? I like listening."
"Uncle, can you forge ninja swords here?" Kaede asked curiously.
Isshin blinked, slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Of course. Do you need one for someone in your family?"
"No," Kaede said with a small grin. "I want one."
"You?" Isshin frowned, his tone half scolding. "A ninja sword isn't a toy. It's not something for a child to play with."
Kaede quickly explained before the man could refuse.
"I've already extracted chakra, and my family approved."
That last part was a lie, but one he told with a straight face.
Isshin raised an eyebrow. "You? At your age?" He studied Kaede for a moment, and then his expression subtly shifted. He could feel it, the dense chakra flowing through the boy's body.
For someone so young, it was frighteningly strong.
He let out a low whistle. "Fine. Come back in a few days. I'll even give you a twenty percent discount."
Kaede's eyes lit up. He pulled out a pouch of money and handed it over. "I don't know if this is enough. If not, I'll bring the rest next time."
Isshin smiled, took only part of it, and pushed the rest back into Kaede's hand. "That's enough. The rest is a meeting gift."
Kaede frowned. "But that's less than the price."
Isshin just laughed. "Consider it my treat. You've got good manners, kid."
Before Kaede could protest, Isshin turned away, pretending to be busy.
Kaede sighed, defeated. "Then… thank you, Uncle Isshin!" he shouted from the doorway before running off.
Inside, Isshin's wife walked in, curious. "What's wrong? Did those troublemakers come again?"
Isshin smiled faintly. "No. Just met an interesting kid."
She tilted her head. "A kid?"
"Yeah. A strange one. You'll meet him someday," Isshin said thoughtfully. "Feels like our fates are connected somehow."
His wife nodded, trusting his instincts, and said no more.
---
Kaede walked down the street humming softly, clearly in high spirits. Not only had he befriended the father of the future White Fang, but he had also managed to commission a custom ninja sword.
Swords and legends, just like in the stories.
He smiled at the thought, completely lost in imagination, until...
**BANG**
He collided head first into someone. The impact knocked him flat on his backside.
"Ouch! That hurt..."
"Watch where you're going, brat," a deep voice replied.
Kaede looked up, rubbing his head. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
The man stared down at him, eyes sharp as blades. "Are you Hashirama's apprentice?"
Kaede froze. That tone carried both disdain and authority.
He stood up slowly, on guard. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer right away. His chakra was heavy, dense enough to make Kaede's stomach tighten. Even without sensing properly, he could tell this man's strength eclipsed his father's.
"You're cautious," the man said. "But it's too late. If I were your enemy, you'd already be dead."
His words were cold and direct, cutting through the air like a kunai.
"Konoha isn't peaceful right now. There are spies everywhere. A child like you wouldn't last a second."
The man's chakra flared suddenly, and a suffocating pressure filled the air. Kaede's knees trembled as his body turned ice cold.
He couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he refused to look away.
Seeing that stubborn light in the boy's eyes, a brief glimmer of approval flashed in the man's gaze before vanishing.
In an instant, the killing intent disappeared. The suffocating weight lifted.
Kaede gasped for air, falling to one knee, his clothes soaked in sweat.
"You're too weak," the man said flatly. "Right now, you'd only shame your teacher."
Kaede clenched his fists and forced himself upright, his voice trembling but firm.
"No one's strong from the start. Everyone has to grow. Someday, I'll surpass my teacher, I swear it!"
His words were bold, maybe even foolish, but filled with burning conviction.
The man's lips curled slightly. He turned to leave, his cloak fluttering behind him.
"I admire your confidence," he said without looking back, "but I also hate it."
"I hope that day comes."
As the man disappeared down the street, Kaede gathered the last of his strength and shouted, "Wait! What's your name?! I'll prove it to you!"
The reply came, proud and thunderous.
"My name is **Uchiha Madara!**"
The words echoed through the street, leaving Kaede standing frozen, his heart pounding in disbelief.
He had just met that man, the name whispered across history as the God of War.