Chapter 383: Sakumo's Choice
The three of them gathered around the campfire, grilling fish. Being trained as ninjas, they were all familiar with wilderness cooking techniques.
Above the flames was a metal grill, where the fish—cleaned, gutted, and bled—were placed to roast.
Kakashi held a recipe book in one hand, carefully following the steps to perfectly grill the fish.
To be honest, he had been cooking fish for years. Back in his academy days, he used to fry fish, and Rin and Obito had even complimented his cooking.
But grilling fish? That was something Kakashi had rarely tried.
After all, fried river fish carried a special, cherished memory.
If not for Haneda insisting that outdoor grilling had a better atmosphere, the three of them would likely be cooking at home instead.
Kakashi brushed oil onto the fish and turned them over regularly, ensuring they were evenly cooked.
As he grilled, he chatted,
"It's been a long time since we've had a chance to gather like this. During the Third Ninja War, we were busy with the war, and afterward, missions kept us apart."
"Only in peaceful times do we have moments like this."
Sakumo, thinking Kakashi was expressing blame, apologized,
"I'm sorry, Kakashi. Back then, I had no choice. The aftermath of the Second and Third Ninja Wars and the complicated situations that followed demanded my attention."
Kakashi replied, "I don't blame you, Father. Sometimes ninjas really don't have a choice. Circumstances force us to make decisions, especially those in positions of power. Ordinary people have it easier in that sense."
Haneda added, "That's because ordinary people don't know the full truth. Ignorance is a kind of bliss."
The conversation grew heavier, and the three fell into a brief silence.
Men were strange like that—starting with simple family matters and somehow veering into discussions of life and national affairs.
Sakumo broke the quiet by opening three bottles of beer, handing one each to Haneda and Kakashi.
Haneda, as usual, was indifferent to alcohol. But when offered by an elder, he'd typically drink a little, as long as it didn't get him drunk.
Kakashi, on the other hand, was even more reluctant about alcohol. It dulled judgment, and most of the time, he refused to drink outright.
Still, in this setting, Kakashi was willing to share a few drinks with his father.
Sakumo, now fully revived as a mortal through Haneda's Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, was no longer the immortal Edo Tensei form.
He took the opportunity to ask about the past decade,
"Haneda, how has your time as Hokage been? Have Sarutobi, Shimura, or Hyuga clans tried to give you trouble?"
"You weren't originally part of the Hokage faction. Surely the Third Hokage made things difficult for you?"
Haneda had just taken a sip of his beer when he heard this and nearly laughed.
Glancing at Kakashi, he passed him a knowing look. Kakashi took the hint and explained,
"Um… Father, how do I put this? The Third Hokage voluntarily stepped down for Haneda. The Shimura clan abandoned Danzo and chose to follow him instead, and the Hyuga clan supported Haneda's rise from the start."
"As for the other clans… Father, they all knew Haneda's strength and simply accepted that the Third Hokage would step aside gracefully."
Kakashi left it at that and handed the conversation back to Haneda.
Haneda picked up from there, listing his accomplishments,
"Well, during my time as Hokage, I think I've done okay. I've defeated other ninja villages, forced peace treaties, dismantled the Daimyo system, and improved national governance. But… I might be a bit neglectful of my official duties…"
Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "Neglectful? It's normal for people to have hobbies, even Hokage."
"I've read about historical Daimyo who were obsessed with cricket fighting, philosophy, or carpentry. As long as it doesn't harm the people, it's fine."
Haneda awkwardly replied, "Uh… I mean I've delegated most of my work to others."
"…" Sakumo was momentarily speechless.
A Hokage who didn't work or wield authority—was that even a Hokage?
Haneda quickly added, "But I've entrusted everything to Shikaku from the Nara clan."
Sakumo nodded thoughtfully. "Shikaku is a steady individual without ambition. The Nara clan has always groomed him as their next leader. Trusting him with the workload makes sense."
After sharing his thoughts on Shikaku, Sakumo turned the topic to himself.
"I've been dead for a long time, but the name 'Konoha's White Fang' still carries weight inside and outside the village, doesn't it?"
"If I were to live openly in the village, it might cause unnecessary complications. Haneda, you must have thought about this and made arrangements, right?"
Haneda nodded. "I've prepared three options.
"The first is Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears. It's shrouded in poisonous mist and highly secluded, and everyone there is loyal to me.
"The second is the Land of Waves. It's by the sea, with no ninja village or rogue ninjas. No one there would recognize you, and the locals are under my protection.
"The third is the Moon. There's no one there, it's completely safe and secret, but it's a bit lonely."
Sakumo immediately said, "I'll go to the Moon. I've always wanted to live alone."
Though he said this, Sakumo's true intention was to avoid troubling Haneda and Kakashi.
He didn't know much about Hoshigakure or the Land of Waves, but the Moon seemed like the least likely to draw attention.
Besides, from Haneda's tone, it seemed like living there was possible.
"As long as it's not a death trap, I'm fine anywhere," Sakumo thought.
Haneda tried to persuade him, "Uncle Sakumo, there's no need to go to such lengths. Even if the Rinnegan's secrets are exposed, it won't matter at this point."
But Kakashi, knowing his father's stubbornness, said,
"I'll go to the Moon with him. Sorry, Haneda, but you'll have to delegate the Hokage duties to someone else."
With that, Kakashi flicked Haneda on the forehead.
Haneda glared at him. "Where'd you learn that?"
"You."
"…"
Kakashi's interruption settled the matter.
The campfire continued to crackle warmly, the aroma of grilled fish wafting through the air.
After adding seasoning, the fish were ready to eat.
The table they used had been grown on the spot with Haneda's Wood Release—a reminder of how convenient the technique was for camping.
If they wanted, Haneda could even make them a fully furnished three-bedroom house.
But after dinner, Sakumo insisted on heading to the Moon.
Haneda, worried they'd get bored, stopped by a bookstore and bought an entire bookshelf's worth of books.
He also picked up single-player and two-player video games with controllers.
After all, if they didn't feel like reading, they could always play some games.
Haneda had even worked as a part-time game designer over the years, porting classic games to their world.
There'd be plenty to keep the father and son entertained on the Moon.