Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

Kushina Uzumaki and Chinya had been exchanging letters, with Kushina detailing all the recent changes in public opinion within Konoha.

Currently, Sakumo Hatake had been stripped of all his duties and was staying at home idly.

Kushina Uzumaki also investigated the origins of the rumors surrounding Sakumo Hatake.

Surprisingly, the source of these rumors about Sakumo Hatake turned out to be three of his four teammates.

This time, when Sakumo abandoned the mission, besides himself, his other four teammates were also punished.

One of Sakumo's teammates felt that being punished was extremely unfair.

He believed this matter had nothing to do with him. The decision was made by Sakumo Hatake, and as a subordinate, he merely followed orders — just doing his job.

Angry about this, he talked about it while under the influence of alcohol.

Actually, two other teammates also felt resentful inside but had kept their feelings bottled up for long.

When they saw one teammate already speaking out, they decided to follow suit.

They claimed the decision entirely belonged to Sakumo Hatake; they hadn't wanted to abandon the mission either, but since Sakumo was their team leader, as subordinates they couldn't defy his command.

Meanwhile, Chinya had previously instructed Kushina Uzumaki to keep an eye on Sugui, but there had been little activity around him.

Sugui had lost one arm and both legs, making it impossible for him to continue as a ninja.

After treatment at the Ninja Hospital, he was taken home by his family to recover and hasn't been seen in public since.

However, from Kushina Uzumaki's observations, the other three teammates now frequently visited Sugui's house.

After finishing reading the letter, Chinya closed his eyes, deep in thought.

Chinya never expected that the leak came from those three teammates of Sakumo Hatake.

What a tragedy — betrayed by his own comrades.

Clearly, they were trying to pin the whole blame on Sakumo Hatake.

And judging from the situation, the Konoha leadership hadn't stopped those three teammates — essentially approving their actions.

Considering they now often visited Sugui's house, they must be trying to convince Sugui to join them in accusing Sakumo Hatake.

With that, Sakumo's suicide probably would occur soon.

"Phew, it's time I return to Konoha."

After burning the letter in his hand, Chinya immediately set off toward Konoha.

...

Six days later.

Chinya arrived back in Konoha after a tiring journey.

When he returned home, he found that Kushina Uzumaki happened to be off-mission at that moment.

After a brief moment of affectionate catching up, they got down to serious business.

Kushina asked curiously, "Chinya, are those rumors going around the village about Lord Sakumo true?"

Chinya nodded slightly, "Yes, they're true."

Then Chinya recounted the entire story to Kushina Uzumaki.

Kushina gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "How could it come to this? Was it really wrong for Lord Sakumo to save his comrades?"

Chinya replied solemnly, "Kind of... and kind of not."

Kushina couldn't grasp the meaning behind Chinya's response.

Chinya explained, "The Will of Fire that Konoha advocates — Sakumo's choice to save his comrade wasn't wrong. However, Konoha's rules strictly forbid abandoning a mission. By choosing his comrade over the mission, Sakumo committed a mistake."

Kushina Uzumaki frowned, asking, "Why would there be such a rule? Are we supposed to just watch our comrades die? Nobody could live with that, right?"

Chinya elaborated to Kushina, "It's not just Konoha; all Ninja Villages are the same. They need a kind of spirit to foster belonging and loyalty among the villagers. Yet Konoha also needs ninja — tools who will stop at nothing to complete their missions — which contradicts the Will of Fire. So they implemented harsh rules directly opposing it.

"If a mission isn't important, saving your comrade isn't wrong. But when a mission is extremely important, choosing to rescue a comrade instead of completing it becomes a grave error."

Kushina felt like there was a lump in her throat. "Why would there be such contradictory regulations?"

Shaking his head, Chinya replied, "Actually, it's quite normal, Kushina. Some missions are so critical that no amount of lives lost matters. That's why sometimes you must abandon comrades. In a way, this is also an embodiment of the Will of Fire.

"Sakumo's mistake wasn't beyond forgiveness. Plus, we desperately need his abilities during the current war."

Kushina now felt dizzy. "If Sakumo is so important, then why let these rumors run wild?"

Chinya speculated, "Perhaps because the pressure has gotten too strong to control. With tensions rising, everyone's nerves are frayed and they need an outlet. On top of that, many already disapprove of Sakumo's decision, so they've simply let things slide, hoping to remind other ninja of the severity of abandoning a mission."

This was Chinya's best guess for why Konoha allowed public opinion to spread unchecked.

He guessed the elders of Konoha probably only wanted to sideline Hatake Sakumo temporarily until the uproar calmed, after which they'd bring him back into service.

But what they hadn't anticipated was Sakumo taking his own life — dying in devotion to his personal interpretation of the Will of Fire.

Sakumo's death dealt a heavy blow to Konoha.

At a time when elite fighters were already stretched thin, Konoha essentially stabbed itself in the back.

Sighing, Kushina said, "That's really complicated. By the way, why don't you go check on your student? Sakumo's situation has affected him. Every time he goes out, people gossip about him."

Chinya nodded. "I know. I'll go find Kakashi now."

After bidding farewell to Kushina, Chinya set off in search of Kakashi.

At the Hatake residence,

Chinya found Kakashi training alone.

Kakashi appeared to be venting his frustration, striking the wooden post chaotically, with no technique at all.

"I definitely didn't teach you that style of training," Chinya remarked.

Kakashi abruptly lifted his head, and upon seeing Chinya, a flash of joy flickered through his eyes — quickly replaced by gloom.

"Chinya Sensei..."

Chinya approached Kakashi and asked, "How's Sakumo been lately?"

Kakashi glanced toward a room, his voice tinged with sadness. "Father's been locked in that room lately. He won't come out—not even for meals. I have to bring food to him. Every time I walk in, he's just lying there, staring at the ceiling. No matter how I call out to him, he completely ignores me."

Chinya looked at Kakashi and asked, "What about you then? How are you holding up?"

Kakashi forced a faint smile. "I'm fine."

Chinya pressed further, "Then tell me—do you think Sakumo was right to abandon the mission to save his comrade?"

Kakashi's breath caught. He lowered his head and fell silent...

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