The Fifth village Hokage:Uchiha Douhuan

Chapter 14: Heroes Should Not Have Such An Ending

Uchiha Douhuan slowly prepared the tea.

Since the first time he went to the battlefield at the age of nine, and after killing his first person, Uchiha Douhuan had been on the edge of life and death for six years. After several farewells to teammates and friends, and with the ultimate power of his clan, the Mangekyō Sharingan, he could clearly feel that his mental state had started to become a bit unstable due to the continuous tortures.

It made sense. After all, with Mangekyō eyes, it would be strange if he didn't go a little mad.

In order to stabilize his mental condition, after the war, Uchiha Douhuan took up a bit of tea ceremony.

Not for anything else, just to maintain his mental state.

His small home was completely quiet, with only the occasional clink of teacups.

Kakashi, clearly not having the patience for this calming routine, couldn't wait any longer and asked directly, "What did the record you showed me today mean?"

As the hot water poured over the tea leaves, releasing the fragrant aroma, Uchiha Douhuan glanced at Kakashi and then handed him a cup of tea before speaking.

"Did you visit Granny Meiichi?"

Kakashi's visible eye stared intently at Douhuan for a moment before nodding, "Yes."

"Make sure you visit more often. The elderly lady is alone. Even though the clan provides for her, she still feels quite lonely."

"Can you tell me what that record said?"

Douhuan waved his hand casually. "I will remind those clan members who have reservations about you. As the clan leader, I can still maintain some face."

"Kakashi!" Kakashi became agitated at Douhuan's dismissive reply.

"Look at you, so anxious," Douhuan laughed and glanced at the cup of tea in front of Kakashi.

Douhuan turned his head, placed the kettle back on the stove. Kakashi quickly took off his mask and drank the tea in one gulp, quickly putting his mask back on.

"You..." When Douhuan turned around, he saw Kakashi's face twitching from the scalding tea and couldn't help but shake his head.

"The contents of the report are exactly as you saw. We haven't started investigating yet," Douhuan finally said after taking a sip from his own cup.

"I've heard bits and pieces about what happened all those years ago, even though I wasn't born yet," Douhuan continued. "If what the elders say is true, then the late White Fang was indeed a great ninja. He shouldn't have met such an end."

"Really?" Kakashi was incredulous. Over the years, although his father's name had almost vanished from Konoha's history, there were still some elders who mentioned him, but their opinions of White Fang were far from positive.

"I don't know what others think, but the Uchiha clan does hold the late White Fang in high regard," Douhuan said. "You know, no one cares more about their comrades than the Uchiha."

"Thank you," Kakashi said, his tone softening. Hearing such high praise for his father made him feel a sense of gratitude, and it made him think of his former teammate who was always lagging behind.

"However, from what I've gathered, White Fang's death doesn't seem to be that simple," Douhuan said, setting down his teacup with a sigh. "At the very least, Tobi had some dirty dealings in it."

"This matter is quite controversial within the clan. After all, you know how complicated things were back then. According to the elders, there was a strong call for White Fang to become the Fourth Hokage."

Kakashi furrowed his brows, seemingly not understanding Douhuan's meaning.

Douhuan, seeing his confusion, sighed. For ninjas trained to efficiently kill, anything political was a bit beyond their scope.

However, Douhuan had no other choice. Kakashi's political resources were something the Uchiha clan lacked.

Why had Sarutobi Hiruzen kept Kakashi in the Anbu for all these years? Kakashi probably didn't realize how valuable the position of being the sole surviving student of the Fourth Hokage was. Though Minato Namikaze had never had the chance to build up his own team before he died, over the years, there were still many in the village who missed the Golden Flash. Even though his direct personal guard had become marginalized after his death, it remained a force that couldn't be ignored in Konoha.

That was why Douhuan had been working hard to approach Kakashi.

With that thought, Douhuan simply shook his head, "Forget it. I'll keep investigating this matter."

"Thank you." Although Kakashi didn't fully understand why, he could tell Douhuan had made this decision with great determination.

"You don't have to thank me," Douhuan said. "I just think that heroes shouldn't meet such an end." He paused before adding, "If you truly want to thank me, visit Granny Meiichi more often."

"I understand," Kakashi said solemnly.

Kakashi then walked toward the window, intending to leave before dawn.

"By the way," Douhuan suddenly spoke up, stopping Kakashi.

Kakashi turned around, a look of curiosity in his visible eye.

"In a couple of days, come by the police department to pick up that guy who uses Wood Release. We've almost finished our interrogation. He's the only other Wood Release user besides the First Hokage, and having him stay at the police department is a hassle," Douhuan said.

Kakashi nodded and jumped out the window. Within a few quick leaps, he blended into the night.

After Kakashi left, Douhuan walked to the window and looked out, his gaze flickering.

Once White Fang's name was cleared, Kakashi would become the center of attention in the village. With the dual boost of being both the son of a hero and the Fourth Hokage's disciple, he would become Konoha's focal point. At that point, regardless of what others thought, the Uchiha clan, who helped him clear his father's name, would be his most steadfast ally. And that would be the moment the Uchiha clan finally stepped into the light.