Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood before Sakumo Hatake's tombstone, overwhelmed with regret.

If he had known things would turn out this way, he never should have scolded Sakumo back then.

When he learned that Sakumo actually had the chance to intercept the Rock Ninja and recover the scroll but gave it up to save lives, Sarutobi had been furious at the time.

Therefore, during Sakumo's trial, Sarutobi directly announced the removal of Sakumo from all his posts and ordered him to return home for self-reflection.

Now, Sarutobi only felt sorrow over losing such a powerful fighter—not because he truly grieved over losing Sakumo as a person.

Now that things have come to this point, Sarutobi needs to consider who should take charge in the Grass Country.

Once news of Sakumo's death reaches the Rock Ninja, those cunning bastards will surely start stirring up trouble.

After letting out a sigh, Sarutobi left the graveyard.

Back at home,

Chinya was helping Kushina Uzumaki prepare ingredients when Kushina nudged Chinya with her elbow. "Kakashi locked himself in his room after coming back. You better go check on him and comfort him a bit. I can handle things here."

Chinya shook his head. "No matter what anyone says, he won't listen right now. I think I'll wait till he calms down a bit before trying to talk to him."

Putting her hands on her waist, Kushina said, "Don't argue! Just go already! Even if you just sit with him, that's fine!"

Kushina was worried Kakashi might do something reckless again.

Reluctantly, Chinya put down the kitchen knife. "Fine, fine. I'll go."

After drying his hands, Chinya went to Kakashi's room.

Kakashi sat motionless on the bed like a wooden doll, staring blankly into space.

As Chinya entered, Kakashi didn't seem to notice at all, continuing to stare off.

Chinya sat beside Kakashi without speaking, simply keeping him company.

At this moment, Kakashi didn't need any comfort from others.

Forcing comfort upon him might produce the opposite effect.

Only when Kakashi had truly accepted the fact that Sakumo had died would comfort be effective.

The room remained silent except for faint sounds of Kushina cooking.

Soon, Kushina's voice drifted through the air:

"The food is ready. Come eat quickly."

Chinya said to Kakashi, "Alright, let's go eat."

Dully, Kakashi stood up and followed Chinya behind him to the living room.

Kushina shot Chinya a questioning look, asking without words how things had gone.

Chinya spread his hands slightly, indicating there hadn't been much change.

Kushina rolled her eyes at Chinya.

Chinya pouted. It wasn't as simple as Kushina imagined—expecting Kakashi to suddenly get better.

"Alright, quickly wash your hands and eat. Today I made sukiyaki [a traditional Japanese hot pot dish]."

After washing their hands together, Chinya and Kakashi sat down at the dining table.

Kushina kept putting food onto Kakashi's plate. "Kakashi, you're still young and growing, so eat more."

Kakashi sat there with a distant gaze, moving his chopsticks like an automaton. Regardless of what was in the bowl, he shoveled everything into his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed without pause.

Chinya managed to stop Kushina Uzumaki before she could intervene.

He was afraid Kakashi might actually choke to death.

After dinner, Kakashi went straight to his room and lay down.

Inside Kushina Uzumaki's room,

Since Kakashi was currently staying in Chinya's room, Chinya had no choice but to sleep on the floor inside Kushina's room.

Kushina let out a sigh, "I really hope Kakashi gets back on his feet soon."

Staring at the ceiling, Chinya said, "It might take a long time for him to recover. Right now, Kakashi is deeply confused. Getting through this won't be easy, but we can still help him regain some spirit."

Kushina asked curiously, "Then how do we help Kakashi regain his spirit?"

"Helping Kakashi regain his spirit naturally means shifting his focus and setting a new goal for him."

...

For several days straight, Kakashi remained silent, his entire demeanor dark and brooding.

During this time, neither Chinya nor Kushina took any missions, choosing instead to remain with Kakashi constantly.

As Chinya and Kushina were chatting casually at home about what to cook for dinner, a sudden knock came at the door.

Opening it, Chinya found an Anbu ninja from the Hokage.

"Chinya, the Hokage has summoned you to Hokage Tower!"

"I understand."

Chinya turned his head and called out to Kushina, "Kushina, I need to go out for a bit."

Chinya arrived alone at the Hokage's office and met with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had faint dark circles beneath his eyes, appearing visibly exhausted.

Ever since news of Sakumo Hatake's suicide spread, the Rock Ninja from the Land of Grass had begun moving faster than Hiruzen anticipated.

Although Nara Shinei was temporarily leading the command, without a firm strategic core, they were left with no option but to mount a passive defense.

But if things continued like this, the previously stable Land of Grass would descend into chaos, and the Cloud Ninjas from the Land of Hot Water would certainly respond to the Rock Ninja's movements.

If a chain reaction occurred, a full-scale war might erupt.

Hiruzen had already dispatched Jiraiya, who was stationed in the Land of Hot Water, to handle the situation.

For now, having Orochimaru overseeing the Land of Hot Water should suffice.

The main reason for summoning Chinya today, however, was to remind him that it was time to get back to work.

Chinya's current strength unquestionably placed him among the elite upper tier of Jonin-level warriors—in fact, he was among the top ranks. It wouldn't make sense to leave such a capable fighter idle at home.

But Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to say that openly, because he understood Chinya's role as Kakashi's mentor.

Considering what had happened to Kakashi recently, Chinya—being his mentor—was entirely justified in staying by Kakashi's side.

Hiruzen felt a slight sense of guilt toward both Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi.

After all, Sakumo had contributed so much to Konoha, only to meet such a tragic end.

Sakumo's suicide even deprived him of the honor of being enshrined on the Ninja Memorial.

That's why Hiruzen waited many days before finally summoning Chinya today.

And as expected, Chinya naturally figured out why Hiruzen had summoned him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe and asked with concern, "How is Kakashi doing?"

Chinya sighed, "Kakashi's not doing well — he's completely consumed by grief and doesn't seem able to pull himself out of it."

Hiruzen said helplessly, "I never imagined Sakumo would take his own life like this."

Chinya remained silent.

Hiruzen continued, "But people have to keep moving forward. I believe Kakashi will one day rise from this tragedy, honor Sakumo's legacy, and carry on the Will of Fire."

Chinya couldn't help but smirk inwardly — wasn't it *them* who crushed Sakumo Hatake's spirit and drove him to his death?

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