Naruto: The Witness System

Kushina had been corresponding with Yasu, detailing all the changes in public opinion in Konoha during that time.

Currently, Sakumo had been stripped of all his duties and was now at home with nothing to do.

She also investigated the source of the public opinion regarding Sakumo.

Her investigation revealed that the public opinion about him actually originated from three of Sakumo's four teammates.

After Sakumo abandoned the mission, and in addition to Sakumo Hatake, the other four teammates were also punished.

One of Sakumo's teammates felt that he was being punished too unjustly.

He felt that this matter had nothing to do with him; the decision was made by Sakumo. He was just a subordinate and only chose to obey Sakumo's orders; he was merely carrying out orders.

Indignant, he revealed this matter after having a few drinks.

The other two teammates were also very dissatisfied in their hearts, but they had been holding it in.

Seeing that their teammate had already spoken out, they simply said everything as well.

They said that it was all Sakumo's decision, and they didn't want to abandon the mission either, but because Sakumo was their captain, they were just subordinates and couldn't disobey his orders, they chose to abandon the mission.

On the contrary, Tsuga, whom Yasu had asked Kushina to pay close attention to, had made no move.

Tsuga had lost an arm and two legs and could no longer be a ninja.

After receiving treatment at the ninja hospital, his family took him home to recuperate, and he hadn't appeared since then.

However, according to Kushina's observations, the other three teammates were now frequently visiting Tsuga's home.

Yasu finished reading the entire letter and closed his eyes in thought.

He never expected that the ones who leaked this matter were actually Sakumo's three teammates.

It was truly chilling to be backstabbed by one's own teammates.

It was all to push the responsibility onto Sakumo, their captain.

Moreover, it seemed that the Konoha high-ups didn't stop these three teammates, which could be considered as tacitly approving of their behavior.

Since those three teammates were frequently visiting Tsuga's home, they probably wanted to persuade him to also accuse Sakumo together.

If that's the case, Sakumo's suicide should be within this period.

"Hoo, it's time to return to Konoha."

After Yasu burned the letter in his hand, he directly set off for Konoha.

...

Six days later.

He returned to Konoha, travel-worn.

Back home, Kushina happened not to be out on a mission.

After the two were affectionate for a while, they started talking about serious matters.

Kushina asked: "Yasu, is the matter about Lord Sakumo that's being spread in the village true?"

"That's right, it's true." He nodded

Yasu then told her the course of events.

Kushina covered her mouth, unable to believe it: "How could this be? Was Lord Sakumo wrong to choose to save his comrades?"

"He was right, but also wrong." Yasu said in a deep voice

Kushina didn't understand his answer.

So, he explained: "The Will of Fire that Konoha advocates, Lord Sakumo was not wrong to choose to save his comrades, but Konoha's rules strictly prohibit abandoning missions. So, he was wrong to choose to save his comrades."

Kushina then frowned: "Why are there such rules? Are they supposed to just watch their comrades die? No one can do that, right?"

Yasu explained to her: "Not only Konoha, but all the ninja villages are the same. They need a spirit to make the people in the village feel a sense of belonging to their perspective village and be loyal to it."

"And Konoha also needs ninjas, pawns who will do anything to complete the mission, and this is contrary to the Will of Fire, so they introduced strict rules that are the opposite of the Will of Fire. If the mission is not important, then there is nothing wrong with choosing to save comrades, but once the mission is very important, choosing to abandon the mission and choosing to save comrades is a big mistake."

Kushina felt as if she had a thorn stuck in her throat: "Why are there such contradictory rules?"

Yasu shook his head: "Actually, this is very normal, Kushina. Some extremely important missions require many lives and the sacrifice of many ninjas, so when it's time to abandon comrades, you still have to abandon them. In fact, this can also be considered a manifestation of the Will of Fire.

But the mistake that Lord Sakumo made is not an unforgivable mistake, and the current war needs his ability."

Kushina's head was now getting dizzy with confusion as she asked: "Since Lord Sakumo is so important, then why did they allow these public opinions to develop?"

Yasu guessed: "Maybe it's because this public opinion can no longer be suppressed. Because of the tension of the situation, everyone is tense and needs a vent, and they themselves are dissatisfied with Lord Sakumo's actions this time, so they simply don't care and also want to take this opportunity to warn other ninjas about the seriousness of abandoning missions."

This was the most likely reason he could think of for Konoha's choice to let public opinion ferment.

He guessed that the Konoha high-ups might just be planning to let Sakumo cool off for a while, and then reappoint him after the public opinion subsided a bit.

But the Konoha high-ups didn't expect that Sakumo would choose to commit suicide, to be martyred for the Will of Fire in his heart.

Sakumo's death can be said to be a rather heavy blow to Konoha.

Konoha's high-end combat power was already stretched thin, and one of them was backstabbed by their own people.

Kushina sighed: "It's really complicated. By the way, go see your disciple. Lord Sakumo's matter has already affected him. Every time he goes out, people point and whisper at him."

Yasu nodded: "I know, I'm going to find him now."

He bid farewell to Kushina and went to find his disciple.

Hatake Clan Residence.

Yasu soon found Kakashi, who was practicing alone.

He seemed to be venting, hitting the wooden stake with his fists without any method.

"I don't believe I taught you this kind of training method."

Kakashi suddenly looked up and saw his teacher. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by gloom.

"Teacher Yasu..."

Yasu walked up to him and asked, "How is your father?"

Kakashi looked towards a room, somewhat lost: "Father has been locking himself in his room during this time and hasn't come out. I even bring him his meals. Every time I go into the room, he is always lying on the bed. No matter how I call out to him, he ignores me."

Yasu looked at Kakashi and asked: "Then what about you? How are you?"

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

Yasu asked again: "Then what do you think? Was Lord Sakumo right or wrong to choose to abandon the mission and save his comrades?"

Kakashi's breathing hitched, and he lowered his head in silence.