Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 177 The Eye of the Western Mirror, The Sharp Blade Drawn

Hatake Sakumo.

This name seems to possess a certain magic.

The young Inuzuka ninja was somewhat taken aback.

This is... Hatake-senpai?

But he just couldn't connect the man in front of him with the farm manager who raised pigs and grew vegetables.

That man who always wore a farmer's work uniform, smelled of mud, and had a kind smile on his face.

And this one in front of me...

He was like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath.

Is it really the same person?

Sakumo Hatake walked to the front of the group.

He didn't look at anyone, but calmly swept his gaze across the two formations on either side.

Inuzuka Tsubasa put away his carefree expression and became serious.

Aburame Shirin's gaze, hidden behind her sunglasses, flickered slightly.

"Shuomao".

Inuzuka Tsubasa spoke in a deep voice.

"Everyone is here."

Sakumo Hatake nodded.

He did not give the order immediately, but turned around and turned his gaze to the gates of Konoha behind him.

The last rays of the setting sun lingered on the lintel bearing the character "村" (village), bathing the bright red lettering in a warm golden hue.

Through the open gate, he could see the bustling street in the village and the scattered lights in the distance.

Sakumo Hatake's eyes softened instantly.

She remembered the tear stains on Kakashi's face before he left, and the worried look in Miko's eyes when she straightened his collar.

"Father, this is a reward for you!"

"You should also keep going, just like Big Black Flower!"

Big Black Flower is the most productive and meritorious sow on the farm.

Thinking of his son's peculiar analogy, Shuo Mao couldn't help but smile.

That gentle glow, like the afterglow of the setting sun, was fleeting.

When Sakumo Hatake turned around again, his eyes had returned to their usual cold, unchanging state.

He glanced at the two ninja squads.

One is like a raging fire, the other like a deep pool.

They were personally selected by the Hokage, and were capable of monitoring the entire western border.

"Set off."

There were no superfluous words, no impassioned mobilization.

It's just two very simple words.

The moment the words fell, Hatake Sakumo's figure was the first to turn into a white afterimage and disappear into the forest outside the gate.

Followed by.

"Walk!"

With a low growl, Inuzuka Tsubasa led his clansmen and their ninja dogs, following closely behind like arrows released from a bow.

The Aburame clan ninjas silently vanished, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

It only took a few seconds.

The place that was once full of people is now completely empty.

Only the lingering chill of death remained in the air.

Shadowy figures moved swiftly through the treetops, like phantoms hunting their prey in the night.

At the very front of the group were three figures.

Sakumo Hatake, Tsubame Inuzuka, and Shirin Aburame.

As Inuzuka Tsubasa ran, he glanced sideways at the silent, white-haired man beside him.

"I said, Shuo Mao."

"You're frowning...what are you thinking about?"

Sakumo Hatake's gaze remained fixed straight ahead as he responded calmly.

"I'm just thinking about some things."

"think?"

Inuzuka Tsubasa curiously came closer.

"What are you thinking about? Those guys from Sunagakure? Or the movements of Iwagakure?"

"No."

Sakumo Hatake shook his head.

He paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"Besides deterring Sunagakure, I have another purpose for going to the western front this time."

"Oh?"

Inuzuka Tsubasa's interest grew even stronger.

What Hatake Sakumo calls an objective is anything but simple.

"What's your purpose? Tell me. If you need help, the Inuzuka clan will not hesitate!"

The night breeze ruffled Sakumo Hatake's signature silver hair.

On his usually expressionless face, a rare, slightly mischievous smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I've heard that the sand scorpions of the Land of Wind have very firm flesh and a high protein content."

Inuzuka Tsubasa: "?"

Sakumo Hatake continued, speaking in a serious tone as if he were discussing an assassination plan.

"I want to catch a few."

"Let's see if we can increase the variety of animals we raise on our farm."