Chapter 71: Inheritance Abundance, Playing Hard To Get
Just as Konoha's senior officials were still grappling with the news of Hatake Sakumo's death, Uchiha Tonan had returned home, eyes closed, fully immersed in comprehending the true depth of the power now flowing through his body.
His chakra and spiritual energy had indeed increased, but not overwhelmingly so. After all, the Hatake clan was never renowned for vast chakra reserves—they often ranked below average in that regard. The greatest gain lay not in sheer chakra, but in the terrifying secret techniques Sakumo had passed on.
Though there was no shortage of low- and high-level ninjutsu at his disposal, Tonan's pride was reserved for a handful of unique, deadly secret techniques. The difficulty to master each was nothing short of monstrous.
Wind Style – Wind Communication: Sakumo's exclusive sensory ninjutsu. This technique allowed the user to detect the slightest vibrations in the air within a certain radius. It could even use air as a medium to condense sound waves, enabling long-distance transmission of whispers and commands—perfect for covert communication.
Nin-Taijutsu – Lightning Spirit Wind Flash: This technique combined lightning-nature chakra to stimulate the body's cells with wind-nature chakra to manipulate the surrounding air, drastically reducing friction. The result was a phenomenal increase in speed and mobility, surpassing even the famed Body Flicker Technique in both velocity and duration.
Lightning Style Secret Technique – Spirit of the Thunder God: By channeling lightning-nature chakra into specific acupoints in the brain, this technique sharply boosted spiritual energy in mere moments. It could also resonate with the natural ions in the environment, creating a powerful synergy that rendered the user nearly immune to spiritual attacks. However, its drawback was severe: overusing it risked draining the user's spiritual energy to the point of unconsciousness.
Lightning Style Secret Technique – Heavenly Lightning Tribulation: Accessible only after activating the Spirit of the Thunder God, this technique summoned devastating natural thunder and lightning to strike foes. Comparable to Sasuke Uchiha's Kirin, it was slightly more convenient to use, requiring fewer complex preparations.
Lightning Style Secret Technique – Myriad Heavenly Lightning Prison: A colossal-scale destructive ninjutsu that, like Heavenly Lightning Tribulation, required activating Spirit of the Thunder God and extensive chakra to gather natural lightning. This technique could obliterate entire villages or cities with overwhelming electrical fury.
The final remarkable inheritance was the Hatake Style Sword Technique. This refined skill fused wind and lightning chakra into the chakra tanto. The weapon possessed the sharp cutting power of wind-nature chakra alongside the paralytic effect of lightning-nature chakra, rendering it devastatingly effective in close combat.
With this technique mastered, the Sanbo Style Sword Technique was rendered obsolete.
Just as Tonan finished absorbing these powers, the Anbu appeared.
"Uchiha Tonan, Hokage-sama requests your presence."
Tonan rose leisurely and said, "Let's go."
An Anbu operative stepped forward, preparing to escort him using the Body Flicker Technique as before, but Tonan raised his hand calmly, stopping him.
"No need for such trouble from now on."
The moment he finished speaking, Tonan vanished from sight.
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen fixed a solemn gaze on the indifferent Tonan before him.
"Why didn't you dissuade White Fang? He was Kakashi's father."
Tonan's voice was cold and unwavering.
"I respected White Fang-sama's choice. He is a true samurai. For a samurai, dying in honorable combat is the greatest pride."
Hiruzen studied Tonan deeply, bewildered by how distant the usually clingy boy had become today.
"Could it be that I focused too much on Shinnosuke and was too cold toward him? Or was he truly brainwashed by that samurai spirit during his time with Sanbo Motoyoshi?"
Konoha had lost its White Fang, and now Tonan had changed so drastically. A headache formed on Hiruzen's brow. He rose and walked over to Tonan, gently reaching out to stroke his head.
His expression was filled with concern.
"This must have affected you deeply. Though Kakashi and you once shared a close bond, you've done something like this in front of him. He may not accept it right away. I'll inform Minato and temporarily reassign you from Team Nine. Rest at home for a while. Don't overthink things. If you need anything, come to me anytime."
Tonan nodded quietly. In the next instant, he vanished using Body Flicker Technique.
Hiruzen remained rooted for a moment, then withdrew his hand and returned to his seat. After some thought, he lit his kiseru and muttered to himself.
"From what I know of Tonan, he shouldn't be unhappy with my recent treatment. Has he really been overtaken by the samurai spirit? Although that spirit is foolish, it values loyalty above all. The current Tonan is more like a tool than a boy. That might not be a bad thing. The real worry is whether he'll follow White Fang's path or forge his own."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke, then frowned deeply.
"And just how strong has he become? Already able to use jonin-level Body Flicker Technique? Such talent… Thankfully, he's on our side. I must speak to Shinnosuke again to make sure he gives Tonan the attention he deserves."
In truth, today's events had been so overwhelming that Hiruzen forgot to remind Tonan that Body Flicker Technique was forbidden inside the Hokage's office.
The reason Tonan had suddenly shifted from clingy to distant was that he was playing hard-to-get. With Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sarutobi Asuma involved, no matter how much he tried to curry favor with Hiruzen, it was pointless.
Now, Tonan had unlocked all five chakra natures, and Hiruzen—the wise Professor—was a gift he did not want to lose, lest he regret it later.
Meanwhile, at the Hatake household, Kakashi covered Sakumo's body with a simple white cloth and placed him in the ancestral shrine.
He sensed something deeply wrong about today's events. He wasn't foolish enough to believe his best friend had come to kill his father without reason. In his grief, Kakashi's rationality had momentarily fled, leaving him desperate for an outlet.
Kakashi entered Sakumo's bedroom and glanced at the will resting on the table. He picked it up and began reading his father's final words.
"Kakashi, by the time you read this, I will have already passed. The loss Konoha suffered this time is immense, and I accept full responsibility, even if it costs my life. I intended to end my own life with a blade to the stomach, but Tonan arrived unexpectedly.
Perhaps he, too, a bearer of the samurai spirit, saw through my intentions. I'm deeply grateful he chose to help me, allowing me to die in honorable combat. For a samurai, this is a far more dignified death than my plan."
"In this duel, the Hatake Style was surely defeated. Kakashi, live well and carry on the Hatake legacy. Remember, Tonan is your lifelong friend. Do not blame him. He did this for me."
By the time Kakashi finished reading, his sobs choked his voice.
"Father…"
Over the following days, the news of Konoha's White Fang's death spread like wildfire through the village.
Tonan remained secluded, refusing to leave his home.
He carved a wooden sculpture of Sakumo, placing it alongside those of his relatives, friends, and lover. The rest of his time was spent mastering his new powers or reflecting inwardly.
As the inheritor of the Will of Fire, he was forced to think thrice over—about what he failed to do, what words were inadequate, the consequences of his actions, and the flaws in his public image.
Where there were shortcomings, how could they be repaired? And, more importantly, how to prevent those mistakes in the future.
Being human was difficult.
Being a genuine, upright human was even harder.
But being a pure, righteous human—this was the hardest burden of all.