"Shuomao, I know everything. You should go back and rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, ignoring the others present, took a deep drag from his pipe with a grave expression.
"Lord Hokage, I failed to complete my mission and caused severe losses to the village. I am willing to accept punishment!" Hatake Sakumo knelt on one knee, his face etched with pain.
"Hmph!"
Danzō, standing nearby, let out a cold snort of displeasure. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, flanking Danzō, offered no comment, but their expressions were equally grim.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Sakumo, we need to discuss this matter before reaching a conclusion. For now, put aside your mission and go back to recuperate."
"Lord Hokage, I... Yes." Hatake Sakumo rose, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and left with a sense of dejection.
"Sakumo... I..." Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Sakumo's weary figure, his words catching in his throat, never to be spoken.
After Hatake Sakumo departed, Danzō stepped forward and said sternly, "Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo ignored ninja regulations, unilaterally abandoned his mission, and caused grave losses to the village. He deserves severe punishment! I propose stripping him of his ninja status, rendering him unable to become a ninja ever again!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Sakumo's abandonment of the mission did indeed cause losses to the village; that cannot be denied. However, his original intention was to rescue his teammates. Is stripping him of his ninja status not going too far?"
"Hmph! A ninja must prioritize mission completion above all else. Indiscriminate compassion will lead to more casualties. If Hatake Sakumo had chosen to complete the mission, how many Leaf ninja would we have saved? How much damage would we have prevented?"
Danzō looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a sense of disappointment, as if he couldn't understand his wavering resolve. "I believe even those two teammates he saved would have chosen to sacrifice themselves to complete the mission! That is a ninja's duty!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. He felt that Danzō had a point, but his heart felt heavy, and he couldn't refute it. He could only take another deep puff of his pipe, his mood exceedingly complex.
At this moment, Mitokado Homura offered his opinion, "I agree with Danzō. A ninja must prioritize the mission. If we set a precedent with Hatake Sakumo, the village will descend into chaos!"
Since Mitokado Homura had spoken, Utatane Koharu felt obliged to add her two cents. She tried to mediate, saying, "I also agree with Danzō. A ninja must consider mission completion as the primary objective. Hatake Sakumo's abandonment of his mission has brought immeasurable losses to the village. If everyone could act like this, Konoha would be in grave danger."
Utatane Koharu continued, "However, Hatake Sakumo has made many contributions to Konoha. Stripping him of his ninja status is still too severe. I suggest he start over as a genin and properly review the ninja's code of survival."
Mitokado Homura nodded. "I think that's a reasonable course of action. The war has already begun. If we lose Hatake Sakumo's Kage-level combat strength, Konoha will be at a significant disadvantage."
Danzō, however, was unwilling to let the matter rest. Sakumo's achievements were growing, posing a serious threat to him. If all went as expected, Hatake Sakumo would undoubtedly be among the candidates for the next Hokage. He had finally found an opportunity for Sakumo to make a mistake, and a very serious one at that. How could Danzō not seize this chance? If he didn't deal with Hatake Sakumo now, would he wait for him to make a comeback?
Danzō let out a cold snort and departed. He had his own methods of handling things. After today, Hatake Sakumo would no longer be an obstacle on his path to becoming Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's frown deepened as he watched Danzō's retreating back. He could only hope Danzō wouldn't go too far.
"Notify all department heads to come to the Hokage's office for a meeting!" Hiruzen Sarutobi put away his pipe, his expression grave. This meeting wasn't just about Hatake Sakumo's issue; it seemed the front lines were also becoming untenable.
...
The next morning, Hatake Sakumo woke up early as usual for his training. However, his spirits were low, and he walked with a heavy heart. He had a nightmare last night, filled with very disturbing events.
Hatake Sakumo straightened his attire and forced himself to cheer up. He was going to visit his two teammates, the ones he had risked his life to save by abandoning his mission. They should understand his actions, right? Absolutely!
Konoha Hospital.
Due to the onset of war, the Konoha Hospital was teeming with several times more casualties than usual. Furthermore, with a large number of medical personnel dispatched to the battlefield, the hospital was understaffed and struggling to cope.
*Beep, beep, beep!*
"Please come in."
*Click!* The door to the ward opened. The already pale-faced Jonin, Ikenaka, looked even more distressed upon seeing Hatake Sakumo enter.
Ikenaka Takeshi's gaze flickered, and he said with a lack of confidence, "S-Sakumo, what brings you here?"
Hatake Sakumo set down a basket of fruit and forced a smile. "I came to see how you two are. How are your injuries recovering?"
"We're fine. The injuries aren't too serious. We'll be back on the battlefield in a few days."
Ikenaka Takeshi seemed reluctant to spend more time with Hatake Sakumo. He added, "Sakumo, haven't you reported the mission status to the Hokage? What did Lord Hokage say? Is the punishment severe?"
Hatake Sakumo gave a wry smile. "Lord Hokage hasn't decided on the punishment yet. It might take some more time."
Hatake Sakumo felt a pang of sadness, but he didn't regret his decision. Although the mission was important, he couldn't abandon his comrades. He couldn't do it!
Ikenaka Takeshi breathed a sigh of relief, contemplating how to dismiss Hatake Sakumo. Just then, the ward door was pushed open again. Two ninja in ANBU attire, wearing cat masks, appeared at the doorway. They spoke in cold voices, "Hatake Sakumo, and Ikenaka Takeshi, the Hokage requests your presence."
Ikenaka Takeshi's expression froze. He turned his head and secretly glanced at his companion. Both nodded, as if reaching a tacit understanding.
Soon, the three followed the ANBU to the Hokage's office conference hall. Almost all of Konoha's high-ranking officials, except those already on the battlefield, were present.
Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, the Hyuga clan leader, Nara Shikahito... and the heads of various departments.
Hatake Sakumo's gaze faltered slightly upon entering, but he quickly regained his usual composure. Yet, he sighed inwardly. It seemed he had truly crossed a line this time, but he was not one to regret his actions.
Compared to Hatake Sakumo, Ikenaka and his companion were trembling with fear. Seeing so many Konoha elders present, their resolve solidified even further! They absolutely could not be implicated by Hatake Sakumo!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing that the involved parties had arrived, tightened his grip on his pipe and said slowly, "Since everyone is here, I will be direct. After unanimous decision by all our senior officials, Hatake Sakumo violated regulations by unilaterally abandoning his mission, causing severe losses to the village. The front lines were also affected, and the impact has been extremely detrimental."
Upon hearing this, Ikenaka Takeshi and his companion became agitated. They could no longer hold back and blurted out, "Lord Hokage! This was all Hatake Sakumo's decision. It has nothing to do with us!"
Hatake Sakumo's body stiffened, his pupils gradually widening...