Chapter 14: A Hero Should Not Meet Such an End

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Uchiha Tohan brewed tea with deliberate calmness. Since stepping onto the battlefield at nine years old and killing for the first time, Tohan had lingered on the edge of life and death for six long years. Coupled with the countless farewells to comrades and teammates, he had awakened the clan’s ultimate power—the Mangekyō Sharingan. Yet, Tohan could clearly feel his mind unraveling bit by bit under the relentless torment.

Well, it was only fitting. After all, with the Mangekyō Sharingan, losing one’s sanity now and then was almost a tribute to those eyes.

To stabilize his mental state, Tohan had taken up the art of tea ceremony after the war ended—not for any other reason, but simply to keep his spirit steady.

Inside Tohan’s modest dwelling, silence reigned, broken only by the occasional clink of tea utensils.

Kakashi, clearly not one for such refined calm, broke the quiet when Tohan remained unresponsive for too long. “What’s the meaning of that record you showed me today?”

Boiling water poured over the tea leaves, releasing a fragrant steam. Tohan glanced at Kakashi, then placed a steaming cup before him before speaking.

“Have you visited Grandma Miori?”

Kakashi’s exposed eye fixed on Tohan with quiet intensity before he nodded. “Yes.”

“Remember to visit often. It’s not easy for the elderly. Though the clan’s pension is generous, it’s lonely for her to be alone.”

“Can you at least tell me what that record says?”

“As for those clan members who harbor doubts about you, I’ll remind them. As clan leader, I have some authority.”

“Uchiha Tohan!” Kakashi’s impatience grew at Tohan’s evasive answers.

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“You’re always in such a hurry,” Tohan suddenly laughed, then glanced at the cup before Kakashi.

After saying this, Tohan picked up the kettle, placing it back on the stove. Taking advantage of the moment, Kakashi swiftly pulled down his mask, drank the hot tea in one gulp, and then replaced the mask.

“That…” Tohan shook his head, amused by Kakashi’s pained expression from the scalding tea.

“The contents of the report are just as you saw. We haven’t begun investigating the details yet,” Tohan said after finishing his own tea.

“When that incident happened, I wasn’t even born yet, but over the years, I’ve heard whispers within the clan,” he continued. “If the elders’ words are true, then White Fang was indeed a great shinobi. He didn’t deserve such an end.”

“Is that so?” Kakashi was skeptical. Over the years, though his father’s name was fading from Konoha’s history, some older generation members still mentioned him. Their opinions of White Fang were far from flattering.

“I don’t know what others think, but the Uchiha clan holds White Fang in deep respect,” Tohan said. “You know, no one values comrades more than the Uchiha.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi’s demeanor softened. Hearing such high praise for his father, he couldn’t help but feel grateful. Tohan’s words also reminded him of his once underappreciated teammate.

“But judging by what I’ve uncovered, White Fang’s death was far from simple,” Tohan sighed, setting down his cup. “At least Danzo was involved in some unsavory dealings.”

“There’s quite a debate within the clan about whether to pursue this further. You know how far-reaching that incident was. According to the elders, White Fang had strong support to become the Fourth Hokage.”

Kakashi frowned, not fully grasping Tohan’s meaning.

To Tohan, this was understandable—after all, these ninja were trained from youth to kill efficiently, and when politics came into play, it was beyond their scope.

Still, Tohan had no choice. Kakashi’s political connections were the clan’s most precious resource.

That was why, over the past six years, Hiruzen Sarutobi kept Kakashi in the Anbu. Perhaps Kakashi himself didn’t realize the true value of being the sole surviving disciple of the Fourth Hokage. Though Minato Namikaze died young before fully cultivating his team, many in the village still revered the “Yellow Flash.” His personal Anbu squad, though marginalized after his death, remained a formidable force in Konoha.

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It was precisely for these reasons that Tohan had meticulously set this plan in motion to approach Kakashi.

Thinking this, Tohan shook his head. “Enough. I will continue investigating this matter.”

“Thank you,” Kakashi said solemnly. Though he didn’t fully understand why, he sensed the weight behind Tohan’s decision.

“No need to thank me. I do this simply because heroes shouldn’t end like this,” Tohan replied. “If you truly want to thank me, visit Grandma Miori more often.”

“I understand,” Kakashi said earnestly.

With that, Kakashi moved toward the window, preparing to leave before dawn.

“Oh, wait,” Tohan called out suddenly.

Kakashi turned, his single eye filled with curiosity.

“In a couple of days, go to the Security Division and take that Wood Release user away. Their interrogation is nearly done. After all, besides the First Hokage, they’re the only Wood Release shinobi in the village. Keeping them in Security is a hassle.”

Kakashi nodded, leapt out the window, and vanished into the night in a few swift bounds.

After Kakashi left, Tohan approached the window, his eyes gleaming.

Once White Fang’s name was cleared, bolstered by the dual prestige of being the hero’s son and the Hokage’s disciple, Kakashi would inevitably become the village’s focal point. At that time, no matter what others thought, the Uchiha clan who helped clear his father’s name would be his staunchest ally. That moment would also mark the Uchiha’s formal return to the village’s center stage.