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Kakashi was being so sneaky. Putting all his hard-won shinobi skills to use; his little body ducked, crouched, and hid behind market stalls, signposts, and even a person or two.

He also did a spectacular job ignoring the increasingly pointed glares and the soft insults directed his way. Those weren't made very stealthily and to acknowledge them would break the illusion.

The target turned around in obvious annoyance and Kakashi moved out of the direct line of sight of those golden eyes. As a newly made genin, Kakashi didn't have a lot of shinobi skills in his repertoire, but this- stalking a target, hunting and capturing prey- he was more than good at. He had learned from the best his Tou-san and the canines had trained him to to step lightly and sniff quietly.

That's not what was happening now; his footsteps were heavy and his tracking eyes entirely conspicuous. But he was doing this intentionally, he wanted his target to know he was being followed with no malicious intent.

One way to get what you want was simply to ask for it, but Kakashi wasn't very good at that yet and to be quite honest the possibility of hearing a no, made him want to delay the asking part for as long as possible.

The target moved on no doubt in an attempt to ignore what was happening behind them, but Kakashi was just as stubborn and this was important.

Holding a box in front of his face Kakashi tried to 'blend in' with a fence, in his mind big Kakashi-other Kakashi sent exasperated emotions. Other Kakashi couldn't really speak to normal Kakashi, but he understood the feelings being projected onto him, amusement, confusion, anxiety. So if little Kakashi was being so bad at sneaking to make his other self, who was much too serious, have some good emotions that was his decision. And he was also helping himself as they both were anxious about the answer to the question they needed to ask, if not more preoccupied with the person they needed an answer from.

Orochimaru: the Snake Sannin, and fellow genius.

When the two Kakashi's had made this plan together, speaking through their picture-emotions, big Kakashi or the future time traveler Rokudaime, had been strongly alarmed by little Kakashi's suggestion of approaching the pale man for help. But little Kakashi had set out his reasons: the snake sannin was powerful, respected and thus less likely to be questioned, more likely to be curious and thus more likely to listen to a too young, genius genin.

After little Kakashi's- or Kakashi as he shall now to known-, picture-words explaination, big Kakashi- or as he shall known be known Rokudaime- sent back the feeling of dread, of dark spaces with little light, of the smell-taste of poison and damp.

So Kakashi was only slightly nervous about the danger of a future kidnapper, because Rokudaime did admit that he could not date exactly when Orochimaru had begun to smell permanently like stale blood. And well, Orochimaru did not smell like that now, so Kakashi had to take the chance of asking and hope the answer was yes.

The target, now known as Orochimaru, took a turn away from the market street hawkers desperately trying to sell the last of their quality wares, before the oncoming war slashed supplies. The noise of gathered people lowered as Kakashi made that similar turn on his tiptoes; before stumbling back, head tilted up to stare at the face shadowed by the sun.

It seems the snake sannin got tired of being followed.

Kakashi was studied by silted golden eyes, his hunched posture to draw the least amount of attention, scuffed shoes one size too small, and the black mask -that hid micro expressions from civilians could not hide the fright from a shinobi.

"The young Hatake?," the tone was factual and flat, and had alarm bells ringing in Kakashi head sent from Rokudaime. "Why are you tailing me, child? What do you want?"

Rokudaime was telling him to abandon mission; they would find another person, any person-the Hokage maybe.

The preternaturally still hands of the sannin, and unblinking eyes of a predator all pointed to bad things happening, even in this semi-public space. Kakashi was braver than the Rokudaime and he managed to blurt out, "I have a question to ask, a-a favor more like."

Orochimaru's head tilted and some life sparked in his eyes.

"You seem too young to be asking favors of shinobi above your pay-grade. How do you plan on paying me back?"

Kakashi truly didn't understand why Rokudaime was behaving as though the world was ending, especially because he came from a future where the world did end. And it's not as though Kakashi is doing this of his own volition, they both agreed that Orochimaru was the best choice and he had no other well-positioned choices to ask.

"We-I mean, I was hoping you would help me enter the restricted Konoha archives. The clerk won't let me in on my own and you have been in there many times."

Orochimaru shifted pulling himself out of the sun and calming the intimidating stature he had previously made.

"What worth could you find in some boring travel manuscripts."

"I want to find more Hatake. The ones who stayed behind when Konoha was formed." Kakashi bowed at the waist, lungs empty; and Rokudaime also held still in anticipation of their shared answer. "Please, would you help me reunite my clan?"

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The Kohona Archives were slightly hidden in a wide and dusty underground bunker. Kakashi had not expected the disorganization of the file cabinets and Rokudaime despaired about their lack of time. This task may take days when they only had hours.

Orochimaru did not seem as daunted by the task as Kakashi did, instead remarking lightly, "This room may not be separated by clan or purpose, but there should be designations by date. Do you know when exactly the Hatake's settled in Konoha?"

Kakashi shook his head 'no', before changing his motion when Rokudaime provided the answer, "It was the second year of the First Hokage's tenancy, we were attracted by his promise of no more child soldiers."

Orochimaru cocked an eyebrow, "And yet here you are." Dismissing whatever response Kakashi may have provided, the sannin turned back to the dust and dim. "We may as well start from the beginning, it will be easiest to keep track of our progress as we go through."

The pair were quiet in their movements, to keep from disturbing the hanging swirls of dust in the air. It was simpler shifting through the fragile and discolored papers than Kakashi anticipated, mainly because Rokudaime had already professed that in the future he and his genin team took an assignment to clean up the archives. That was the origin of this idea, twenty years from now in a different future Rokudaime had gone looking for the hints of long lost Hatake found in these cabinets. But by then the trail had gone cold and he had to relive the disappointment and grief of being the last Hatake a second time.

Kakashi dearly hopes he would not have to suffer the same fate as Rokudaime.

Rokudaime sends back thoughts of reassurance, after all he is almost 30 years in the past, there must be some silver-haired people still around. He, also, sends a quick plea to Raiju-sama.

Orochimaru is the first to find a possibility. The paper is old, of course, but the hope shining in Kakashi's mind is bright. The words are scrawled like a message from above: One Hatake woman- age 19 at the time, split of from the group early on to marry a wealthy civilian farmer.

Maybe they had children. Maybe there's a whole clan of Hatake's, who went back to their roots, tilling the land. Kakashi can only pray.

As the saying goes when it rains it pours, because shortly after Kakashi finds a Hakate couple 20 that had settled in a civilian town a dozen miles away from Konoha to start a trade and export business. Then a Hatake woman and child, who followed their non-Hakate father and husband to a city marked as being the land-based entrance to Uzushio. In quick succession, Orochimaru found a Hatake family whose father took an employment with a blacksmith and didn't return to Konoha, and one more Hatake woman who married outside of the clan and settled literally only 18 miles from Konoha. Why did she never visit?

Why did none of these Hatake's return or why were they forgotten by the greater clan? What went wrong?

After two more hours of finding no one else, the two researchers decided that the five splitting families was all there was to be found. Kakashi rewrote all the sparse information there was on the 'lost' Hatake and clutched that treasure to his chest, thinking of what was next.

The sun was low in the sky as the accomplished researchers left the underground room. In the fading light, Kakashi turned to Orochimaru and bowed straight down to the waist. "Thank you so much, Orochimaru-sama. I can never truly repay this favor. You have given us- me a purpose that had long been buried."

Orochimaru's expression was placid, decisions were being made behind those eyes. "What are your next steps, now that you have more than what you came for?"

Kakashi stuttered he hadn't thought too much about that. Before Kakashi could flounder any further, Rokudaime began projecting pictures and emotions of what would have to happen next into his mind. Kakashi decoded the message, speaking slowly as he did, "I suppose I will have to hire a team. Probably two chunin, because of the oncoming conflict and they will deliver written invitations to the other Hatake with blo-blood seals to ensure no tampering."

Orochimaru tutted in disappointment, "And what happens when these chunin return empty handed, because these Hatake didn't stay in the same place for 30 plus years?" Kakashi wasn't given a chance to answer, because the sannin was already continuing his words. "There's nothing for it, I will have to accompany you. We can track these lost members faster than some unknowns."

"Orochimaru-sama!" Kakashi panicked. "This is definitely below your pay-grade. I can barely pay you back for the favor of giving me access into the archives. I do not even want to know how many coins it takes to hire a sannin for such a mundane mission." Kakashi has been trying to behave as an adult and in the adult world debts were vast, procured in all manner of ways, and grueling to pay off. Why would a man like Orochimaru -who already had the most important currency in their world :money, influence, power- choose to chain himself for some weeks to a desperate child, searching for people who may no longer exist.

"I am not one to leave a stone unturned or a job half done. Let me worry about the cost of the assistance I am providing, as I log this excursion as a mission at the tower. You go home and pack a travel bag with enough supplies for three weeks. Though with your nose and my snakes, this job should be done in two."

The older man walked away with purpose, and in the glowing orange and last dew drops of the sun both Kakashi and Rokudaime could see the lonely tilt of his shoulders.

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Kakashi was reeling. He had been beyond Konoha's borders before and had even experienced the violence of the shinobi world from a safe distance behind the might of his father and pack. But this...

Orochimaru-sama had taken point on their mission (as he should) and decided that their search should begin at the furthest location; leaving the closest possibilities for last, making a shorter return trip home. Thus their first stop was a little seaside town once named Umi. All that was left, broken cavernous buildings and overgrown vegetation and the occasional wanderer- no doubt surviving by scrounging through the flattened lands.

Rokudaime was thankful that there were no bodies of the dead left for Kakashi to see... and simultaneously concerned on where they might have gone.

Kakashi and Orochimaru made their way through the rubble avoiding other signs of life and looking for nothing in particular.

"No one survived this, or at very least they are long gone." Kakashi kicked a pebble, just to hear the sound echo in the too empty streets.

Orochimaru hummed in agreement, "It's been just about eight years since Uzushio and, subsequently, Umi and the other port towns were razed to nothing."

Kakashi gained a far away look in his eyes as he interpreted Rokudaime's response to Orochimaru's revelation. "You knew they would be nothing here, certainly no Hatake's. Why didn't you say anything? We wasted time."

Orochimaru held firm against the accusations, "First of all, I can make no guarantees. My knowledge was true, but it needed to be tested. And I choose this place first because I wanted to prepare you for disappointment."

"You don't believe there will be any Hatake's to be found?" Disappointment was heavy in his voice.

"I have the vaguest hope for one or two. But, no. I expect some more grief to come your way. So I started with what I knew for sure wouldn't work and we will move up to what I believe will."

Kakashi's face was twisted in emotions, even he could not identify. But Rokudaime, who expected causal cruelty from Orochimaru, was able to process the most valuable question and send it forward. "Then where do you believe those one or two Hatake are?"

Orochimaru tilted his head in surprise, expecting the angered diatribe that came from most people when he made decisions for them, "One of the Hatake civilian farmers, likely in a village on the road to the Daimyo's territory. Which would have the most security, economic opportunity, and thus highest chance for civilian survival."

"Then let's hurry through the least likely locations and reach the most likely, before this current conflict begins to affect the civilian populations." There was a determined nod of his head.

"You are an odd child."

"I'm a genius."

The reply was a low-level sound that only Kakashi's sensitive ears picked up and Rokudaime's danger sense warned him away from becoming too much of an interest to the other genius.

The sun was losing its light and in order to prevent camping in any foreign stretch of woods between Umi and their next destination, the two travelers made preparations to set camp on the hidden outskirts of the fallen town.

A dinner of rice and shredded meat was pulled out of a sealing scroll, Orochimaru began to portion out the food leaving a bigger half for Kakashi, "Eat well, at no point in this journey do I wish to carry you, because you didn't understand your own bodies limitations."

"Yes, sir." Kakashi began shoveling food in between sharp movements of his mask (Orochimaru being the high-level shinobi he was most definitely caught full glimpse of the child's face, but he kindly kept that to himself). "Sir, why did you keep Umi's ruination from me? Had I had the foreknowledge, I would have handled myself better." Placing down his empty bowl, Kakashi took a swig of water. "I do not have the same emotional limitations of a child. Truly, I am the youngest genin Konoha has ever had, that comes with an acknowledgement of my maturity."

Staring beyond their wooded surroundings, Orochimaru took a moment to reply. "The hardest part about being a true genius, not the self-proclaimed ones- but a person whose mind goes above and beyond the rest, is the separation from the natural world. The people around you do not, and sometimes cannot, understand how your brain functions. Sometimes this frightens them. Those above the rest are equal parts revered and despised. You will look at the world with condescension at its slowness; The way you have to dumb yourself down many times just for one explanation to get through. It's boredom, more than anything else, in waiting for the world to catch up. You either chose to remain stagnant to avoid the loneliness or keep improving to prevent the numbness. There's not much in the in-between."

Unbidden, flashes of memories rose to the forefront of Kakashi's mind from Rokudaime. Showing the exact examples of all Orochimaru was describing, in a deeply understanding way. The genius' of the world either survived by being seen as more than human-unnatural or placed themselves in forced mediocrity.

A picture of an older Kakashi slumped forward with a bright orange book and a lazy look covering sharp edges, Rokudaime choose mediocrity.

Kakashi raised his shoulders, the exact opposite of the image he just saw. "Well then, I will just find a different way." Orochimaru examined him, "I am a genius or so they say, so I will find the middle ground between appreciation and revulsion. And when I do, I will share the answer with you."

The smile that graced Orochimaru's face wasn't quite kind.

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Kakashi used a bit of chakra to spark the firepit, a much bigger flame than necessary leapt at the dry wood. Kakashi couldn't help cackling. His great mood was affecting his control, but he could not stifle himself. He had found a Hatake!

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Kakashi is instantly enamored. He has fallen in love and he does not care who knows it. Bright dark eyes and a gummy smile, with the perfect tufts of silver hair. Kakashi couldn't resist, he had lowered his mask to rub their cheeks together and hear her tiny giggle close to his ear.

"That's simply adorable and you do look like family, so we can get the paperwork started right away." The matron moved off to the door, no doubt to grab said paperwork, before Kakashi broke the haze and remembered.

"Wait, you forgot to tell me her name!" He tried to keep down his panic, unwilling to negatively effect his new imouto's mood.

The matron's joy at an adoption slumped lightly, she answered, "The midwife decided on Komeko. Now hold on a moment, I will be right back with the paperwork."

"Komeko-chan, my name is Kakashi. We are both Hatake's and I am your new big brother." He went back to cuddling, he didn't think he would ever stop. In his head, Rokudaime was despondent, half in love with his new sister and chastising himself for never finding her in the first life. What happened to her then? Civilians were often used as collateral damage, orphans even more so, did she live a terrible life or a short one.

Kakashi sent a mental swat toward Rokudaime, it doesn't matter what happened before. It simply matters what's happening now, and now she would never be left lonely again. He pulled on her little toes and tickled her soft belly, she responded with high pitched squeals and baby smacks to poke at his nose. Kakashi couldn't imagine life without her.

The matron entered through the open door and smiled at the precious scene before her. Then moving to her desk, she beckoned to the sannin watching the children with a distracted look in his eyes.

"Orochimaru-sama, I will need you to sign these documents to acknowledge your adoption of little Komeko. And to take these steps, to ensure that your home and work life is prepared for the introduction of a child. I will expedite the paperwork -as I am sure the others above me will do as well- being the Hokage's student and all. After all that is said and done, you will be able to pick her up in a week's time."

Those statements woke Kakashi from his cute euphoria to protest, "Hold on for a moment, I am her family. I have to adopt her, and sign those papers, and take her home."

"You are a child, Kakashi-kun-."

"Genin," He interrupted her.

"A child, nonetheless. You cannot sign for her, your father can come sign the papers. But I will still have to do my due diligence, so it will be one week from whenever these papers are signed for you to be able to take Komeko home. Those are the rules."

Kakashi began to rumble in his throat and held on tightly to Komeko, as though the matron was about to snatch her from his hands at any moment.

Orochimaru's hand landed in his hair, and Kakashi raised his head to meet his eyes.

"It is no trouble for me to sign the papers to bring her back to Konoha, and from there your father and I can figure out the transfer of guardianship. No trouble at all."

"That will make you her father, but will I still be her brother?" Kakashi was ignoring Rokudaime, who was trying to warn about experiments and trusting a child to the snake. Komeko had to come home and this was the fastest, easiest way to do it.

"Of course. Komeko is a child of the Hatake clan, no matter what the paperwork says."

They all gathered around the table as sheet after sheet was signed with 'Orochimaru Yashagoro' and Kakashi reluctantly let go of a squirming Komeko, whose nap time had arrived.

Exiting the orphanage, Kakashi was forlorn- all those who passed by the shinobi could tell even with the mask.

"We have two more locations to visit, and one week to do so. Are you ready or not?" The words were harsh, but expression was one of understanding. Orochimaru would also hate to leave a vulnerable pack mate behind.

"I am ready, Oro-sensei. No stone unturned."

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Ritsu slithered through the grass. She had been given an important mission by her summoner and could not- will not fail it. For four nights, she has travelled through the underbelly and brush of green forests; And as nights grew colder, she has curled up in shaded grass and fallen leaves for warmth, and soon her journey will come to an end. Ritsu is so close to the finish line that she can smell it. Literally, the smell-taste of ozone and wolf combined within several humans.

After a few minutes more, she found them. The silver-haired lightning-wolf humans. This was a mission only she could complete.

As the sole summon (and probably, definitely worldly) snake born with the ability to see human colors, she had gotten a wonderful, hopefully not once-in-a-lifetime chance to slither through little Kakashi's hair and memorize his scent as he giggled from the tickles.

Well, now comes the hard part.

Humans always get so antsy when they see snakes, especially a venomous one such as herself. But she has a message to deliver and nothing, not even trampling feet, will stop her.

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Nori stood, with her palms facing the building fire, making plans. The group will have to move again, soon. They could stand the cold and the reduced supplies, but none of them were trained fighters the way their ancestors were. They would be easy prey for any shinobi worth their salt, or bored waiting for the war's battles.

Nori recalled the positions of her pack in her mental catalogue: Manae and Youta should be back from checking traps any minute, Itsuki from collecting water, Anzu and Kurumi from marking their exit routes and checking for strange happenings. Leaving Nori to start the fire and Suzuki with Kayoko to set up camp. After they regroup for dinner, together they will decide which direction to go next; north to cold and hunger or south to conflict and danger. It was hard for Nori to remember the necessary details that must be considered, when everyday was a paranoid struggle.

Before she could fall into melancholy, Itsuki, Youta, Manae returned from their tasks. Silently, the four began to prepare a simple dinner of rabbit stew. Six days ago, Suzuki had 'found' some flavorful herbs and a packet of spices from a passing caravan, that change in routine was enough to have everyone eager for their meal. Once the pack gathered around the fire, they began sharing one or two interesting anecdotes from their journey's away. Interrupting Itsuki's story of a fish which licked his toe- a soft hiss filled the air.

Oh. Great, just what they need, a snake bite. With no medicine's or accessible med-nin, its fangs could be fatal.

Nori as the oldest (just turned twenty), stood to investigate and with any luck scare off the rattler, while the others (with Kayoko being the youngest just turned eleven) looked about their campsite anxiously.

The hiss was beckoning her. There was no other way to describe it, when she would turn away from it, the sound would lower in volume and as she got closer increase in pitch.

By now the entire group had caught on that a game was being played, and the nerves changed. An intelligent snake was worse than a natural one. Such capacity for thought within an animal meant that a summoner sent it here; that a ninja was paying attention to them.

The hissing stopped and Nori looked up. Slightly hidden among the heavy branches of the tree was a brown rattlesnake, it wasn't moving, just staring at the group. Nori and the snake made eye-contact, and the animal's throat began to convulse. A scroll was spat up.

Cautiously, as to not startle their strange truce, Nori kept her gaze on the snake as she lifted the scroll from the ground and backed up several paces, returning to the group.

Safely out of striking distance, the message was opened, gasps of astonishment filled the air. Everyone took turns reading the words, leaning over shoulders or tugging at clothes.

Ferociously a whispered conversation sparked. Should they make the journey to Konoha, should they trust this message? Trust whatever family they had across the world. The youngsters were all for it, their memories were filled vague imagery of a loving pack and close family, they wanted that again. The elders begged for caution, Konoha was a ninja village about to be embroiled in war, it was a dangerous journey to make and even more of a dangerous chance to take.

Nori was their leader, the deciding vote, and her choice would change this group of orphans lives in one way or another. Between low branches a snake watched enraptured.

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As Kakashi had predicted, Harumi loved the classic tea set and the 'pretty kimono' they had found. It was in an outdated style, of course, but she had cried in gratitude nonetheless. Kakashi had tried to solve her tears by giving her more, until eventually he hugged her while she calmed.

Next Ikubyo and Eiji arrived dusty and tired. The father and son headed straight for a bath and a bed; It was evening time when they emerged refreshed and ready to socialize.

That night was the first of many Hatake (and Yashagoro) family dinners.

The troop of seven then made their way to the front gates to greet the townies; there was a joyful reunion witnessed by all. (Sakumo immediately gained an aunt because Tsubu would not accept any other answer.)

This reunion was the first time the larger civilian population truly noticed the on-goings of the Hatake, (the shinobi had been noticing for a while). The civilians of Konoha had long since decided to ostracize their two Hatake's. Any notice of Sakumo or Kakashi was to be made with derision and spite; The Hatake clan had started a war and they needed to be punished.

But after the arrival of the family of five, the general population stated to piece things together in a slightly twisted manner. They noted that Kakashi and Orochimaru had gone on a trip and returned with a silver-haired child bearing the name Yashagoro; which could only mean that the sannin had a secret Hatake lover and he went to collect the child after some fatal incident for the mother. It was also seen that while those two shinobi were gone, Sakumo had purchased many construction supplies and landscaping tools, and thus there was no doubt he had been getting the compound ready for the Hatake reunification.

Then, Eight! Eight Hatake approached the greeting party of twelve, they were not quiet with their introductions. And the clan marched unapologetically through the market streets, with their heads held high and a noble stature in their spines.

After the nomads arrived, Sakumo stood glaring while the rest of the group had scrubbed away all the evidence of the ugly defacements and property damage on their compound walls and iron gates. Now with so many family members to protect and be protected by, any insult sent Sakumo's way was swiftly addressed and the perpetuator sent-off with their tail between their legs.

Dissuaded off the desire for petty revenge the civilians (and shinobi) were watching in curiosity for what would happen next; To go from a dying clan of two to a stable clan of twenty had never been done before- the impossible made possible.

That very night, sounds of celebration and firecrackers were heard from the deep forests of the Hatake, and the rumor mill churned all the while. Now that the Hatake were all together what would be their next move. The entirety of Konoha was eager to find out.

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Raiju proceeded to stop paying attention to humanity for decades. He had done one deed good enough to last for centuries, especially when compared to the more destructive gods.
 
Then, a change came to humanity; they had gained a godlike ability to control the thin connections between nature's pathways. As the story goes, a thief ate from the Tree of Life and passed the manipulation of nature chakra onto her children, who then passed it to all people. 
 
This was widely regarded as a bad move.
 
Humans did not need more help in harming one another. Factions formed- clans and families, groupings of people with similar chakra abilities fought those who were different for all the usual things: land, power, and influence.
 
Finally, after all these decades, Raiju thought of the family he had blessed (for lack of a better term). He found them on the cusp of something different.
 
The vastly expanded group of silver-haired people toiled the land and used his gift to grow their crops and keep their bodies strong. But the gift of white chakra he gave them was different from the charka from the Tree of Life. The difference in their chakra origins was noticed by the other humans of the world and feared by the up-and-coming shinobi clans. Because of this misunderstanding of the purpose of Hatake's white chakra, they were forced to defend themselves from targeted attacks. With the only choice being to fight fire with fire, his growers and caretakers became killers. How unfortunate.
 
One Hatake woman, with a long braid down to her hips, was trying to persuade her family to leave their ancestral grounds and search for safety and greener pastures. "Please, listen to me. We are vulnerable here. Known for our reluctance to leave and our bounteous lands. We are Hatake; we can grow food anywhere. Let us leave plundering enemies behind."
 
They were reluctant, of course. This is where they were born and raised, the place they protected and killed for. To leave these lands was untenable to them. And very foolish to Raiju; He hardly stayed in the same place twice- land, sea, and air meant nothing more than his ability to affect it.
 
But still, the one with the braid prayed to him, "Raiju-sama, help me protect my family. Give me the strength to lead them on a journey beyond these lands or to stay and defend what we have."
 
Raiju always liked being presented with two options and making a third. 
 
So he watched mostly apathetic as a battle struck down one person after another. The Hatake's were caught on a backfoot, losing their strongest fighters and barely managing to push back and cull the enemy. The one with braided hair swung her hatchet, striking down one enemy after another. She also never stopped praying. She yelled at the heavens, at him, to save them, to fight with them, to protect the dead on their journey through the pure lands.
 
After the battle was over and the Hatake had won, Raiju appeared before the one with the braided hair. She pointed her sword at his nose before she recognized his form and fell prostrate with all the rest of her family. 
 
"If you wish to save yourselves from constant assault, then you must change once more." He laid a paw on the blood of a dead Hatake and forced the red liquid to roil and boil at his command. The cold body disappeared, and in its place a wolf half his size was born. All around, the dead of his people were replaced with canines of all types to defend, shelter, or nurture, shaking out their fur and standing at attention.
 
"Take your family and leave. Your name may be Hatake, but you are not tied to the ground but to the Heavens, and I go where I please." Raiju left the earthily plane, and in his place stood a giant scroll- the first animal summons on earth (and the first non-pure lands after-life for a specific group).
 
The one with braided hair rallied her family together, took the scroll and signed it, then set the Hatake of both two and four legs beyond their first farmlands.
 
The tale of the Second Hatake: When we became untethered.
 
(Raiju would spend the next year or two scouring the pure lands for his people, sending them to the new home he had created. A place of forest and mountain with an everchanging sky and unending rest.)

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Another century or so passed before Raiju let his mind wander back to the Hatake. The people he had created, harmed, protected, and provided a second life to. At this rate, he would be encroaching on Kami's job. But he was bored and curious, so he went searching for his humans. 

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It was well past midnight when Orochimaru entered his family home. 

Previously, the air within this house had felt thick and heavy. A deep loneliness permeated every floorboard and despair stuck to every wall without fail. 

But this time, even with the solid darkness of the night sky, the atmosphere was clear. 
 
Well, it was a little musty.
 
Orochimaru had only returned to his family home twice, since that world-changing mission with Kakashi. The first visit was to grab another pre-packed overnight mission bag. When Kakashi had demanded he stay and Sakumo seconded it, Orochimaru had not wanted to get too comfortable in the Hatake's guest room; So that pre-packed bag held the barebones essentials for comfort, but nothing personal and definitely nothing sentimental. He had imagined that once Kakashi or Sakumo fully realized his churlishness, 'snakeyness', and general inability to fit in with the average person he would be run out of the compound, driven away before he could further corrupt innocent, trusting Komeko. 
 
But that didn't happen, and it continued to not happen. 
 
The second visit was when the family of five arrived; Orochimaru had returned to pack a bigger duffle. That time the duffle held his favorite clothes, comfortable slippers, the tea he favored in the mornings, and the hairbrush he used at night. But even then, stowing his favorite things in what was marked as HIS room at the Hatake compound had felt foolish. 
 
Delusional.
 
Any moment now, any moment, that wonderful family would realize that as much as he tried to be society's definition of good he always fell short. He had seen the hope in his team's eyes disappear. Every time Orochimaru asked his sensei a genuine question, his words were misconstrued as damning evidence of his lack of humanity. All his overtures of friendship to Jiriaya were thrown back in his face as arrogance. And even Tsunade, who once knew him best, would still shake her head in disbelief whenever Orochimaru made some giant faux pas. And they would never explain WHY.
 
That's not how the Hatake behaved, not how they treated him. Knowing now that teammates could leave and senseis could ignore your existence, Orochimaru had been careful with his words and actions. His entire personality being molded into a person-shaped snake worthy of them. So that he wouldn't be left behind again. 
 
Instead, it was the Hatake's who proved themselves, including him in the decision-making, looking to him for opinions, protection, or concern. And the wolf clan didn't mind that he hissed sometimes, or that the violent solution was the first thing to come to his mind before the peaceful one.
 
Whenever he held his daughter (incredible), his mind could not comprehend his good fortune. And plain and simple, Orochimaru was happy. Incandescently so.

(He has to introduce them, specifically Komeko and Kakashi, to Manda soon. Orochimaru has howled for the first and probably not the last time; If Manda, a demon snake, believes he is losing the battle of influence with Raiju, an angel wolf, there will be trouble or a thrashing at the very least.) 

Orochimaru trailed his fingers over the fireplace mantle, no dust. Not yet, but there would be eventually; because this was his last night in his childhood home. 
 
He grabbed the family portrait that would be coming with him, Komeko must know what her grandparents looked like. And he would keep their memory alive by telling his chosen children all he could remember. Like, his mother's favorite teapot, which she occasionally poisoned for the taste of it. Or his father's favorite cushion, which he only used on days the floor got too cold for the sun to warm. Or even that windowsill facing the garden, where he first learned to access his chakra; and then promptly made short work of figuring out how to climb the walls. 
 
There were so many emotions here, and they used to choke him. But he was no longer trapped in this house that functioned more like a mausoleum than a home. Today is his last day living in silence and he will never miss that.
 
Mindfully, Orochimaru packs away his home, making notes on the stories to tell, and all the sentimental items to show. He makes tea in his mother's pot and sits on his father's cushion, and at the end of it all, he is calm as the sunlight starts to breach the dark clouds. He hasn't slept a wink, but he feels rejuvenated. 

He finally exits the house and seals it up tight. He's not worried about leaving any ghosts behind, this time they will be following him.

Chapter Text

The Hatake's aren't arguing. 

No, really. It was just a... heated debate.

The entirety of the Hatake clan, civilian and shinobi alike, had woken up with an increased shift of charka in their veins, coursing through their body like electricity. Ikubyo had accidentally struck a hole in his bedroom wall using chakra he did not know he was channeling, Anzu had given herself quite a shock in the bathhouse, and Sujimaki had spent the morning on the ceiling evading the hands of her parents and brother. And Riku and Eiji were gazing at their reflections in wonder, combing through their new silver-haired changes. (Orochimaru was deeply glad to have escaped whatever change happened to the non-blood Hatake; he would not look good with silver hair.)

These abilities and appearances gained overnight were mildly uncomfortable, especially the larger chakra stores that felt like the stretch of unfamiliar muscles.

So yes, a lot was weird. So the Hatake were gathered in the central hall of the compound not arguing.

"Is this possible, kekkei genkai's appearing overnight?" "The howling with the canine summons? That's the only weird thing we did." "No way, the howling was fun, I bet it was the storm last night. Lightning hit the house and we got powers." "There was no storm last night and you sound too excited." "Yeah, don't get too happy. There's a war coming; ninja powers decrease life expectancy." "But learning to defend ourselves would increase it."

"Ah ha, this is what you brought us here for, right? Some experiment to add to Konoha ranks, fight in your stupid war." Youta accused, stabbing a finger that glowed unbidden toward Sakumo; he then pointed at his pointing finger as proof of his words. 

Kurumi tugged him from his confrontational stance, "Stop that, you can see they are dealing with the same things. It is just as much a surprise to them as us."

Kakashi couldn't get a word in to explain the past half hour since the Hatake had woken at dawn to the new world, he and all the pre-teens had been sequestered from the argument. So, Kakashi kept half an eye on the loud adults, and the other half on the children throwing white chakra around like they had been doing it all their lives.

In addition to the chakra reserves, Raiju-sama had increased the potency of the white chakra, meaning that even the small hint of it grew the vegetation around in leaps and bounds. Manae was winning the competition of who could grow the longest blades of grass and wildflowers by about five feet.

"I didn't bring you here, Kakashi did. And he did so for more family, no other nefarious reasons. And further, I want none of you to join this war or the shinobi way of life. It is not kind to anyone the victims or perpetrators."

That brought the volume down, they had all seen and helped clean the derision from the civilians and occasional shinobi on the compound. They knew Sakumo had fallen out of favor despite all he had done and they also knew that he wasn't willing to do more.

"I planned to rebuild the Hatake farmlands and decrease our dependency on Konoha market goods. I have already been taken off the duty lists and looking for angles to decrease their influence on Kakashi,"- he nodded at Orochimaru by his side man had been fascinated and so desperately curious about the kekkei genkai that had bloomed overnight- "adding to their ranks is the opposite of my goals."

Well, now, Kakashi had to step in before his father ruined his plans. In the quieter din he got the attention he needed. "Will you all listen to me now? I can tell you what happened." 

Everyone's attention swung to him, even Sujimaki paused her trapeze on the roof. "Raiju-sama visited us last night, he blessed us- or cursed us depending on your point of view-, and that is where these new abilities originated from. No human experiment or latent kekkei genkai's, just a wily clan god wanting to make things more interesting."

Tsubu-obaa lifted a glowing hand narrowing her eyes in concentration to make the glow brighter and pulse. Daigi-oji caught his mother's hand to stop the action, "You are saying the shinobi wouldn't come for us, that we wouldn't be pressured to join the war."

"Well, there would still be pressure, I can't stop that, but it would be pressure on even the most chakra-less civilians once the war gets underway. As a clan, we have more protection and liberty to say no. They cannot force us, which will go against the treaties we signed. The Hatake are now in the unique position of being a civilian majority clan with an unremovable shinobi seat. This means," Kakashi turned to his father, "that you and I cannot separate ourselves from the war. You, especially, will need to succeed in it to have a solid reputation to bid for Yondaime Hokage."

"I will do what?"

"It is the best way to protect us and change the system. It will take too long for me to be in the position to change things. You will do it won't you?"

This brought a different set of eyes toward Sakumo, "Having one of our own in power would certainly guarantee the promises you have made." "He would look handsome in Hokage robes," "Your first order of business should be the effects of war on the outer villages." "Well, he won't be able to get the position until after the war; basic strategy is not changing leaders in the middle of a battle that breeds complications." "Are we just asking for things, then there should be a free sweets day." "If he's going to make food free it should be sustainable like eggplant."

Once again, Sakumo couldn't get his voice heard for completely different reasons. Orochimaru lay a consoling hand on his shoulder with barely hidden amusement, before stepping forward and joining the others in planning Hatake Sakumo's rise to power. 

Chapter Text

Sakumo managed to get his family (wasn't that wonderful to say) to put aside their plan to take over Konoha by distracting them with deciding what the Hatake Clan's niche should be.

While the younger members didn't understand the point and the adults began to debate, Kakashi got that far-away look in his eyes again. 

Sakumo began to explain for those who didn't quite understand: every clan in Konoha had business affairs outside of the shinobi they provided. The Uchiha were given control of the police force, the Akimichi had most of the food service sector and farmland, the Aburame took care of the environmental pest control and the forest of death, the Hyuga were highly aligned with luxury merchants, and on and on. Clans big and small picked something they did best with their talents and monetized it. Even the civilian clans, with their fewer options, managed in some ways to bully their shinobi counterparts out of lucrative merchant and supply contracts.

So what would the Hatake do?

There were two options: return to their ancestral roots on the farmland or use the smithy to sell chakra-enhanced weaponry. It wasn't surprising that Daigi and Tsubu supported smithing, and Ikubyo and Eiji were a voice for planting.  Sakumo and Orochimaru used some time to explain how their newly gained chakra stores could be useful for planting and smithing. 

Before things could come to a vote, Kakashi returned his attention and interrupted them. "I believe we can do both. Let's cater to the middle class with goods that might not be considered a luxury, but are hard to find during a war; especially if our chakra will help us grow foodstuff during wintertime. And then when we have that under control, we can add metal workings. Not for shinobi, but fancy kitchen knives and self-defense items for civilians. Establishing ourselves as a solid connection between shinobi and civilian affairs will boost our reputation and be a good entry consideration for Tou-san's Yondaime candidacy."

"What should we grow, valuable enough to put some mystic to our name? Medicinal plants would attract customers, but the Nara have most of that niche squared out." Sakumo made a rushed unsubtle attempt to change the subject.

Orochimaru smirked at the man, but took mercy upon his pleading eyes, "It doesn't have to be medicinal to be valuable. Just anything that would be hard to get in peace times, but almost impossible in war times. Staying away from food staples like rice and root vegetables would be best."

"Before the village fell into disarray, and the soil turned to muck, I used to find wild ginseng in our woods, those sold for a high price tag," Ikubyo interjected.

"We are thinking too hard. If we are also going to infuse chakra into the plant's growth, doesn't that make it valuable enough that people would buy 'common food'- just for the fad of it." Nori turned the convo on its head, and everyone stopped to think.

Riku-oba shook her head, "That's not enough, 'cause once they've had the chakra food, they wouldn't need to spend money on it twice. We can't be a trend; the product has to last even in economic upturns and slumps."

"What about spices: truffles, saffron, seaweed salt, peppercorns, bamboo mushrooms; such things will be valuable on ninja missions where salt is scarce. After the war, we will stay steady with a reputation for flavor," Suzuki yelled from the sidelines. She was still trying and succeeding in forcing the grass to grow. All the younger ones had made a game out of their new abilities; Komeko made her fun by pulling out fistfuls of grass to add to the chaos of who would take first place.

"That is an excellent idea. We would be known for increasing quality of life. Just because the war is terrible doesn't mean you have to fight with dead tastebuds." Sakumo proudly interjected, watching the children's game with a fond gaze.

Daigi-oji spoke up, "What can I do in the meantime? I don't mind helping farm, but how long before I can open a shop?"

"Riku-oba, Harumi, and Anzu should work with you to determine what goods would be most valuable to upper-class civilians, whether fancy blades or wind chimes. I am sure we can market that to civilians who want the illusion of defense and ninjas who would buy them to disguise weaponry when they go under the cover." Kakashi made the suggestion, nodding as he formulated the plan.

A shrugged set of shoulders, "I don't like the idea of adding to the violence, but I suppose a very determined duck could kill me, so why not."

"Don't worry, Daigi-oji, after Konoha, I plan to take over the world. When that happens, you can make whatever you want." Kakashi said the phrase plainly, without any humor.

The laugh of the adults covered up the very real questions of concern from Sakumo.

Chapter Text

The sun had begun spreading its pointed rays when the Hatake started their work. Pulling out hand tools and more equipment out of storage, they headed to the fields- the farmland. They set to work all nineteen Hatakes' and a snake sannin. Even Komeko helped in her way,  mashing seeds into the dirt and making mud pies, with Sujimaki assisting her to ensure the mess did not spread too far.

It was Tsubu, who started to sing, without hesitation and with strong vocals. Daigi immediately joined with the tenor harmony, deeply familiar with his childhood lullaby. It was an old work chant from an era they had almost lost; Sakumo didn't know the words, but he recognized the tune. Kakashi was quick on the uptake, and even Rokudaime followed along the best he could.

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontime and the dusky eve.
Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

The shinobi went first, tilling the rows of the earth with jutsu, Orochimaru taking point as the resident earth type. Behind them, Kusatori, Manae, Suzuki, and Kayoko tossed away the stones and weeds intermixed with the shifted soil. Then, in the controlled movements Ikubyo had shown them, Kurumi, Itsuki, and Youta lay down a seed path. Nori, Anzu, and Harumi followed the younger ones, using the gathered farm hoes and shovel to fold the earth back over the seeds.  

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves-
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves-
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Finally, they gathered together to instinctively infuse chakra into their feet and walk along the acres of their land. Wherever they stepped with bare glowing feet sprouts' instantly bloomed: the beans climbed their stalks, the squash grew the vines, the tomatoes flowered, and the eggplants budded- uncaring of the frost on the ground. This was the original use of chakra- to breed life into the world; to give humans with nothing but mud and dust, a semblance of control in the chaos. Raiju-sama had saved their lives many times over with the ability to grow crops at an accelerated rate. It was long past time they reminded the rest of the world how they had perverted heaven's gift. 

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

The perfection of their teamwork culminated in the jonins manipulating their chakra into a shower of water that poured over their vast and flourishing crop. The beautiful rainbow was just a side effect. By now, all had joined in the song by words or hum. Eiji and Riku, bringing chilled tea and simple sandwiches for the field workers' break, did not hesitate to learn the words and accompany the harmonies. The Hatake reunited in spirit, labor, and melody, raised their voices in chorus:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves-
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves-
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Chapter Text

Contrary to what the outside world would believe, Orochimaru was not anticipating the third shinobi war. Not to test his mettle or grab more prestige for himself, he was only eager for the start so he could make the end. His clan, which had already lost swaths of their number in shinobi wars before, would remain unaffected by this one. He would make sure of it.

Finally, it happened. On the day after Konoha's heaviest snow (4 inches to be exact), many gathered around the front courtyard of the Hokage tower to witness the official declaration of war sent by Iwa's envoys backed by their ally ships with Kumo and Kiri. The Sandaime was reciting empty prose about the will of fire, his words were slowly drowned by the noise of the anxious crowd. 

Konoha had barely managed to maintain itself after the second war, losing all but one Senju, and its position as the strongest village; They now had challengers. Konoha would be alone in this war. Uzushio had fallen-dishonored by Konoha, Ame would never forgive how trampled they were in the second war, and Suna had lost so much clout and resources that probably would not honor any previous alliances just to survive their barren wasteland.

And everyone understood, Konoha's backfooted reputation.

Already the line between the listening Hatake's and other civilians was getting more prominent. In these past couple of weeks, the hatred had tamed down for gossip and curiosity's sake. But once battles started, once loved ones returned dead, and the number of orphans grew, then Orochimaru foresaw an increase in the civilian and shinobi abuse. 

Sakumo was not and will never be at fault for the false mission intelligence he was provided. It was known that Iwa had been preparing for a new war the day the second ended, so they used Sakumo's infiltration to pin the blame on Konoha. And then Konoha followed; Idiots.

The Hatake clan kept their heads up amongst the whispers. The 'rousing' speech ended with a rallying cry that many participated in without enthusiasm. 

Civilians were told what to do in an emergency and shinobi were told to report to mission control for their assignments.

Sakumo, of course, had been taken off the roster, a punishment disguised as a resting period. Orochimaru also already knew that the papers had been signed for him to join the head research and development position for ROOT, an office for wartime efficiency. So, the real concern for the clan and his father was Kakashi. A genin he might be, but not everyone would balk at a five-year-old on the battlefield (Sakumo would defect). Orochimaru was hopeful that Kakashi would be assigned to him. To work in the research department, away from the war front, lifting his mental capacity while giving his body time to grow.

That was not to be, for two days later Minato Namikaze introduced himself at the front gates of their home.

"We mean no offense, Namikaze-san,"- 'Call me Minato, please'- "but we were pushing for Kakashi to stay in the village, preferably under Orochimaru's purview." Sakumo's words were kind, which belayed his anger.

"I understand, uhm, the Hokage thought he would do better outside the village... considering the circumstances." What a lovely way to put civilian retaliation. Minato continued reassuringly, "We will not see any battles. When the new students graduate from the academy at the end of the year, Kakashi will gain teammates. And our main assignments will be courier missions between outposts. All within Konoha's boundaries, as safe as he could be during the conflict."

Orochimaru knew that wasn't the Hokage's actual justification. More likely, he didn't want the young genius to take up his once-student habits of isolation and harsh morality. He didn't know or perhaps didn't care that Orochimaru became a family man, a teacher, and a father and had changed.

"It's not what we wanted. Still, it's nice to meet you, Minato-sensei. Please take care of me." Kakashi gave a polite bow, interrupting the tension between the adults.

Before Minato could return the formality, Orochimaru interjected, "Oh, he will; He must." The sannin was not above intimidation. However much of a genius the blonde man was, even he couldn't hide the flash of fear in his scent from a snake.

Chapter Text

The winter season was slowly warming; the first battle was anticipated to ignite in a week or two. Iwa had been strategic. Every shinobi nation had understood that the wintertime declaration was made to delay the start of the war for summer without pushing the timing of the declaration too far from Sakumo's failed mission- which had been at the beginning of the first cold breezes. Ugh, politics.

However, the war was not the focus of the family today; today was Hatake's first market day. They had already planned for rotations of three to work the five market days. But seeing as it was their grand opening, all the Hatake's had gathered to inspect the rented stall and its corners.

Weeks before, Sakumo had applied for the stall from the civilian-based merchant affairs board. (There was a marketplace hierarchy. The Akimichi's and their partners got special preference; rich merchants and representatives from noble clans were highly favored.) What had been approved was a shabby little thing at an undesirable junction. By the looks of the tattered curtains and peeling wood, the Hatake's were being snubbed. The most likely reason they weren't outright denied was that the market was already noticeably smaller since traveling merchants often stopped trading routes during the conflict.

The clan had come prepared, replacing the old cushions and broken tables, and tossing away the unsalvageable items. The rent wasn't low, and the repairs they had to do put them in debt before their first sale.

It took a moment to get traction. No one approached the sellers in the first four days of their presence. But the shelves full of produce and the revitalized appearance of their radius brought Kurumi, Manae, and Kusatori customers on the fifth shift. 

"What are you people doing here?" was the initial greeting, proclaimed with a snide smile to let them know their aggressor was itching for an altercation.

Kurumi took point as the oldest and most diplomatic, while Kusatori glared and Manae looked through the offender toward the other watchers. "We are selling spices and herbs, peppercorn for heat, truffles for flavor, cloves and rosemary for meat preservation against mold. Additionally, some root and cruciferous vegetables for meal pairings-" Kurumi would have continued, but the older woman choked with shock.

Her voice raised in surprise, "Is that saffron? Not even the Yamanaka have saffron. How does it look so fresh? How does everything look so fresh?"

Those startled words garnered darted looks from the eavesdropping crowd. Manae took advantage of the listeners, projecting her voice, "There are Hatake clan techniques which allow us to grow food out of its natural season, even while there is snow on the ground. Everything is guaranteed fresh because nothing takes us more than two months to grow. Thus, nothing needs to be hoarded away."

That revelation provided their first few sales and broke the market ostracization that failed to ferment; The Hatake's products were too tempting. Soon enough, they had repeat customers, loiterers, and a variety of gossipers wishing to know the intimate secrets of the Hatake. 

With the coming of spring and the first shinobi clashes, the Hatake market stall didn't suffer a single dip in profit. The financial future of the clan was secure. 

Chapter Text

"Just as I expected! You are a genius of your name, but I am a genius of hard work! You will not leave me behind; I swear on this day: that one day I shall best you. From now until the end of time, we shall be ETERNAL RIVALS!" The shouted promise was heard within a 60-meter radius and scared some birds from the trees.

Kakashi squinted skeptically at the image of an older, stronger Gai that Rokudaime projected to him. The strongest taijutsu wielder- this buffoon? Kakashi's distraction added to the yelling.

"Do you disbelieve my words? Then I will have to prove myself to you, rival. For I am Maito, Gai, and our names will be side by side on the history books!"

"Okay." was the bland reply, but the boy in green spandex didn't need more.

"Ahh, so cool. I have truly found the best of rivals to rise to. We shall meet again in another challenge. For now, I must run to the Hokage monument on my hands to improve myself in penance for this loss."

It was a simple race, Kakashi had only agreed to it for Rokudaime's sake. He didn't expect this reaction; he didn't want a rival. Before he could make his wishes known, the academy student was gone, and Kakashi could tell that Rokudaime was laughing silently.

Kakashi was miffed; he poked Rokudaime for answers, 'Why did he attach this random child to him?'

"Because you need him," was the answer. 

An answer Kakashi couldn't accept; he has his father, sister, Oro-sensei, an entire family of aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins, and a new Minato-sensei, he doesn't need some random yeller- a rival.

Rokudaime paused and Kakashi could tell the mood had shifted. 'You don't need him. Not like I did, things have changed. I forgot.'

Here came a truth that Rokudaime had kept hidden from his younger counterpart. In Rokudaime's world, Sakumo had committed seppuku right after the first causalities of the war. After enduring months of the villages' hate, he could take no more. In that world where a young Rokudaime had spent hours next to his father's cooling body, he had no one. No grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, little sister, or Oro-sensei, and back then Minato-sensei was so new he didn't know the man. 

In that world, Gai finding him and challenging the 'genius' he had heard about was the most meaningful interaction Rokudaime had had in months.

So, no, Kakashi didn't need Gai, but Rokudaime couldn't forget all the man, his best friend, had done for him. So he asks that Kakashi help him repay a debt; by being kinder to Gai than he ever was. The boy, a would-be man, had saved his life in many ways.

Kakashi was shell-shocked. He had known that Rokudaime was keeping a terrible secret, that finding the other Hatake was one way to prevent an apocalyptic future, but he had always thought it meant the loss of hope. Not the actions of a father, which would never come to pass.

The night Kakashi couldn't sleep. Rokudaime apologized again for taking away his peace of mind, but he waved away the images. It was better he know, so may watch for the signs and prevent tragedy once more.

Kakashi let his feet land on the ground in the quiet dark. Komeko and Oro-sensei were sleeping behind closed doors as he padded out of his room to check on his father, to see him alive and breathing for himself. 

Kakashi wasn't trying to be sneaky when he stopped at the side of Sakumo's bed. Thus, he was unsurprised to find himself captured, tucked into his father's arms, and snuggled into bed with him.

"Why are you awake, Kakashi?" the words were grumbled and huffed softly.

"I want to apologize, Tou-san." He made himself comfortable underneath the blanket. He will stay the night for his comfort.

"Apologize?" Sleep was rapidly leaving the older man's eyes.

"For not understanding when you first came back from your mission. You were right; the lives of your teammates were more important than the perceived success of the mission." The explanation was muttered into Sakumo's shoulder. Kakashi hugged tightly to his father, hoping the feeling would transfer to Rokudaime to heal the man he almost was.

"Kakashi, look at me," Sakumo waited, his eyes patient and unjudging. "I do not blame you for the reaction you had. Most of Konoha still doesn't understand. They may never understand; I don't care. I have you, Komeko, Orochimaru, Tsubu-oba, and all our family to remind me that I made the right choice. I don't regret anything, and I would do it all again. I never want you to doubt that I would put you above all of the world."

Sakumo pulled Kakashi back into his chest, cuddling his little body in totality. Kakashi cried for Rokudaime, cried for himself, but his father was there to hold him, and nothing would ever change that.

Chapter Text

Minato had been training the young Hatake for less than three weeks. 

And within that limited time, he can already tell that the young boy had been underestimated and his abilities as a teacher overestimated.

How does one teach a child who never needed a second explanation? Perhaps Minato should beg the Hokage to reassign Kakashi to Orochimaru; It was obvious in their every interaction that they were the true geniuses. Minato was just above average. 

During this training session, Minato thought to try something new (give himself a break from trying to stay ahead of Kakashi) and evaluate further secrets of what Kakashi could do. 

Which introduced him to the ninken. All eight puppies had chubby bodies with little fangs and scratchy nails. And yet, Kakashi trained with them like they could bite through armor and crush grown men. 

The training session ended with Minato in a puppy pile, Kakashi and his pack making a poor attempt at holding the jonin down. This moment was the most fun Minato had had in recent memory. 

Any free moments away without Kakashi, were spent running quick courier missions, espionage runs, or guarding clients who could afford their wartime prices. His own physical regimen had taken a bit of a backseat; Minato couldn't imagine how much busier he would get when the team got larger. 

The bulldog had just begun to gnaw on his ankle when he called for a timeout.

"We almost had you this time. That's why you are giving up." The statements were accompanied by eight yipping dogs and a fierce pout behind a mask.

Minato couldn't help but ruffle silver hair. "I'm afraid you are not there yet, but good try. How are your chakra levels? Does eight summons add to your strain?"

Kakashi got that strange far-away thinking look; Minato would have to train him out of that. If thinking required that much concentration, it would be a liability on the battlefield. "My coils are better than before; I could hold everyone here for a couple more hours."

Hours! Hold eight summons for more than four hours his chakra levels must match an adult. 

Minato kept calm, "Well, why don't you let them go back home, and we can work on the begins of something new."

The goodbye between the nine puppies was rambunctious; Kakashi had to promise several treats for the whimpering to stop. Once the smoke dissipated two- very puppyish- human eyes locked onto him. 

With a flourish, Minato pulled out the specialized chakra paper and opened his mouth to begin his explanation- he was interrupted.

"I know my main element must be lightning because it's what courses through all Hatake veins. But I wonder if I have a second affinity." The young boy made grabby motions.

Minato has to stop thinking he could surprise the genin. The Hatake knows all Minato's tricks. "Then let's see what you got."

The paper was handed over; Kakashi concentrated for a bare moment.

The air stilled.

The grass stood at attention, each green blade shying away from its neighbor to point straight toward the sky. Minato felt the air charge and the hair at the back of his neck shiver. 

With split-second senses he was unaware he activated, Minato tackled Kakashi to the ground. Leaving the chakra paper behind, just in time for the booming- cackling- shocking lightning strike that hit the earth and threw pebble projectiles, hitting Minato's back as his crouched form covered Kakashi.

"Woah," was the unbothered reply from the strongest elemental user Minato had ever seen. "Can I have another paper to try for my secondaries?"

He almost died!

Was the boy trying to give him a premature death? How embarrassing, Namikaze Minato: Konoha's Rising Star dead from literal shock. 

"I am not sure that's a good idea, Kakashi." He inspected the sizeable hole in the ground, the chakra paper obliterated.

"Please," Kakashi could put his dogs to shame with those eyes.

This time, Minato stood directly behind Kakashi prepared to react. No other element had that same explosivity as lightning, but they were all present- with water creating an instant puddle spilling on their shoes and wind buffeting their clothes back and twirling loose hair. 

Minato was joking earlier, but he truly might die from the heart palpitations Kakashi gives him.

"I should have expected that." Another bland reply.

So calm, unlike his teacher. "You should have?!"

Kakashi nodded like all was right in the world, "The Hatake are blessed by Raiju-sama, the incarnation of a storm: lightning, water, and wind; earth and fire are my secondaries then."

"Do you understand that most people don't get one secondary, let alone three main affinities?" Minato fought with his vocal cords in order not to yell.

In response to the question, Kakashi said his go-to line whenever he couldn't explain the advantages of having a time-traveling future Rokudaime in your head, "Minato-sensei, I am a genius."

Chapter Text

The man's speech was quite bland. But with every word, the alarm bells from Rokudaime grew louder, and at the word 'ROOT' there were shrieking visions in his head. Kakashi had to put a stop to this before he suffered permanent damage.

Kakashi stood protective in front of Itsumi, Kayoko, and Suzuki. They were mere meters from home when this man blocked their way and sent Rokudaime into frantic energy.

Kakashi interrupted the bland-faced man, who didn't seem miffed by a child disrespecting him, "Who are you? Why are you here? You just started talking with no stated purpose."; Much like a businessman who used confusion to scam his customers.

The man began again, "I am a tokubetsu jonin. I work within the ROOT organization. I am here seeking recruits for the department in particular and the war effort in general."

"You will find no potential ninja here, so buzz off." Kayoko's defiance was a little on the nose, but the unequivocal refusal helped Rokudaime calm down.

The man didn't accept that refusal. Kakashi's eyes narrowed at the continued speech, "The Hatake clan has grown in numbers. Young ones are full of potential. And you have not yet espoused the benefits of shinobi life. ROOT will make you into more than you are. Your potential should not be hindered by a civilian's limitations-"

"Since when is ROOT in the business of recruiting children?" The arrival of Orochimaru had Kakashi and Rokudaime breathing easy. Someone this ninja, who had still not stated his name, would have to obey.

"Orochimaru-sama, hello." Delivered as if this was all pure coincidence and he hadn't accosted four Hatake children on their way home. 

Orochimaru came forward with open arms and ushered the children safely around the man and into the compound.

"You did not answer my question: why is ROOT recruiting civilians? Even Kakashi is a genin, and departments only accept chunin and above." Now beyond the line of the clan gates, Orochimaru's placid expression was dangerous in contrast to the strange man's apathy.

"Danzo-sama simply wishes to endear young citizens to the benefits of shinobi life. Positive outreach and early training will ensure better outcomes for Konoha's fighters." Without any added inflection, the insincerity of his speech was all the more obvious. "It matters not the circumstances, clan child or orphan. We will unite under a common goal."

"The Hatake are a civilian clan and will remain so. Let Danzo-sama know that your recruitment speech borders on impropriety. Attempting to persuade a child without a guardian present goes against the rules set down in clan charters."

"I spoke to them within their clan compound."

"We are outside of the gates."

"Clans have an added twenty feet of property from their fenced borders."

"Semantics." Orochimaru was visibly annoyed and through with this conversation, "I will be informing the Hokage about this. Leave."

The nin disappeared in a swirl of leaves. The four children watching from a safe distance looked to Orochimaru for answers. His response wasn't comforting, "That was extremely strange. We have to talk to your father."

Kakashi nodded. Considering Rokudaime's forward reaction, this situation wasn't just strange but alarming.

Chapter Text

The dojo full of Hatake's was unusually quiet. 

They were all digesting the information Orochimaru had just provided them on ROOT. 

Was it technically treason for him to have revealed sensitive information to civilians and unauthorized shinobi? Yes. But he didn't care, not when the shadiest of shinobi departments had taken an interest in his family, his clan.

"It seems like you are revealing that ninjas lie. We already knew that. How does this ROOT change things?" Youta asked with exasperation.

"Konoha shinobi are not supposed to lie to one another. It is paramount in the clan charters that the village would never recruit children under ten. ROOT is supposed to be an experimental research department focused on prisoners of war. They should have no interest in expansion," Sakumo explained all this in a calculated way, unspoken thoughts behind his eyes.

Nori made a confused face, "Then how do you explain Kakashi?"

The subject of the question answered, "Well, I asked to join the academy. The common starting age is eight, and standard graduation is usually in four years, but an exception was made for both my early entry and early graduation."

"Both of which regrets on my part," Sakumo spoke to Nori before turning to Kakashi to explain. "You are so smart, Kakashi, but you are also a child who must now fight in this asinine war. I should have known better, done better."

Kakashi shrugged the words off, "I would have been pulling my hair out if I had to slow myself down. I never want to stop learning. I don't care much about the fighting. Back on topic, Oro-sensei, at the moment, is ROOT dangerous enough to keep forcing the issue?"

Sakumo prevented himself from interrupting to explain that Kakashi could learn without the added violence of the shinobi lifestyle. 

The conversation kept flowing. Debates on whether the Hokage knew about and approved of Danzo's recruitment tactics If this was something the other clans had experienced or just the Hatake. And what exactly to do about it.

They hadn't formed solid plans before spotting the messenger hawk circling the Hatake compound in the fading twilight. Going out to retrieve the red band, Sakumo returned with a deep frown in the crags of his face. Holding one message scroll for himself, he held the other out for Orochimaru, "A reassignment to the front lines. I move out next week. It is marked with the elder council stamp."

"How much do you want to bet it was all Danzo; trying to delay the revelation of his presumptuous actions?" Orochimaru read his message- completely identical to Sakumo's.

Biting his nails, Kusatori questioned, "Are we in danger? Is this Danzo person so desperate for soldiers that he will force us?"

"No," Kakashi stood on his chair, "This conflict can only last three years or so. Iwa started this war because they wanted more influence with the Earth Daimyo. They may have a numbers advantage, but Konoha has always had a skill advantage. After leading Konoha through a second war, the Sandaime will step down for the younger generation. We just have to protect ourselves for a few years, while Tou-san molds himself into the best candidate for Yondaime. And afterward, he will clean up all the rotten roots of Konoha.

Yes?"

The question was directed toward Sakumo, who after a moment of thought nodded his assent. He may not understand the source of the danger, but his family would be the safest when he has the most power and influence. So, he would make sure to get it.  

Chapter Text

Today marked the official opening of the Hatake Smithing Shop. Instead of doubling up, the clan had collectively decided to rent out the stall next to the spice display, thus officially marking down the Hatake as a market constant. After the run-in with the odd ROOT shinobi and the impending leave of Sakumo and himself, they had shuffled around their days present in the market, making sure that every member would always remain accounted for.

The clang of clashing kitchen knives' brought Orochimaru out of his thoughts. The two shinobi, legendary in their own right, challenged themselves to spar using only the Hatake-made tools. They had already cycled through hammers, pocket knives, and fan blades, all made with white chakra techniques. So far, each one has withstood the excess damage of two shinobi.

The vim with which the spar had escalated matched the frustration of the men. This is their way of life. The lack of control over their personhood- places total trust and autonomy on their superiors. Not questioning whether they can be right or wrong; because what can be done if they are wrong?

Sakumo put down the knives in favor of the decorative chopsticks. Orochimaru matched his movements before they met in the middle once more. It only took two swinging hits for both sets of utensils to break upon each other; the cracking sound signaled the end of the match. 

Sakumo examined the broken bits of warped metal. "Do you think I should let Daigi-san know these should be reinforced? Should they be able to withstand the damage of two A-ranked shinobi."

Orochimaru smirked in response, "Best to leave Daigi-san to his work. The Hatake is a civilian clan; they need not cater to us."

"The businesses have settled, the money flow is consistent, and yet I feel that the moment we step out of those gates, things will change."

They had both returned to their packs, cleaning up evidence of their spar as they went, destroying a training ground carried with a heavy fine. 

"I can't say I am wholly comfortable either. The Hokage transferred me into ROOT because he knows I am at a third of my strength. I was supposed to stay behind unless there was a dire need. For me to be reassigned after that incident does not feel like a coincidence."

"You are not at a third of your strength." The firm denial was appreciated, but wrong. Sakumo didn't have a proper frame of reference for what he used to be to what he is now. "Besides, we will have each other's back in whatever battles we may face against an attacking enemy or dismissive ally."

"Without a doubt." Orochimaru returned the simple pledge, questioning the confusion in Sakumo's expression.

"On an unrelated topic, I wanted to ask," he paused. Orochimaru promoted him forward. "Why aren't you the one being primped for Yondaime? You are also well known, the Sandaime's student, and in a politically better position, not to mention without a reputation as a war starter. Wouldn't you have a more streamlined path to the power?"

Sakumo was too kind, to ignore the way the villages repulsed from him. "Kakashi and I have spoken about it a little. And no, having my sensei as Hokage does me more harm than good." The Sandaime has seen him at his worst. If not for the Hatake, for Kakashi and Komeko in particular, he would have few ethical or moral restraints. (It would have made his research so much easier to use young blood.) 

Orochimaru shook himself of those thoughts and continued, "I am best known in a group, of which Tsunade is the most popular, while I make do with her weeds. Even Jiraiya has a charismatic energy to him. And on my side of things, I would hate the position. Much like Kakashi, I never want to stop learning and growing, mentally and physically. Being Hokage requires a certain amount of relatability and patience that I do not possess nor wish to cultivate. Basically, it will be easier for you to rebuild your reputation from the ground up than for me to restructure mine."

All their items gathered, they began a meandering path back home, "I did once hold the dream of surpassing the Nidaime and actually achieving the goal of no children on the battlefield," Sakumo's tone was self-deprecating, "You know how well that worked out."

"You raised a wonderful son." Honestly, what Kakashi has accomplished in such little time boggles the mind.

"I don't think I did much, but Komeko and Kakashi adore you, so thank you. I will take the compliment."

With the reminder of their waiting children, the two departing shinobi readied themselves for one more day of laughter before their battles began. 

Chapter Text

The first night Kakashi and Komeko were without their Tou-sans' was also the first occurrence of the Hatake children's sleepover. All twelve of them crowded together in the open living space of the main house with blankets and pillows. 

Tsubu-obaa had insisted that Kakashi and Komeko spend time rotating through the other compound houses and never sleep alone. Especially since, as a shinobi, Kakashi leaving in the middle of the night and thus leaving Komeko on her own was entirely possible.

So their first of many sleepovers was spent playing games, laughing, and ignoring that war had come to their doorstep.

------

Kakashi is almost six years old, and he has already had more teachers than most will have in their lifetime:

Tou-san to teach him all the basics from life skills to defensive ninjutsu

Oro-sensei for survival tricks and 'how to be comfortable not fitting into societal conventions'.

Harumi to develop the art of a tea ceremony and a good visual self-presentation.

Tsubu-obaa, Riku-oba, and Komeko for learning to share, housekeep, and all the proper ways to be a big brother.

Daigi-oji for the beginning tips and tricks of blacksmithing (he is the worst at this lesson).

Ikubyo and Eiji-jiji for tending the land and finding beauty in all the small things.

Every single cousin, to teach him all the games and childhood fun, that he didn't know he was missing out on.

Minato-sensei teaches him much of his offensive ninjutsu and the intricacies of jutsu creation.

From Gai, he learns how to be a good friend and the joy that can be gained from physical fitness.

Rokudaime painstakingly imparts fuinjutsu knowledge, just in the off-chance that everything goes wrong again and time travel is his only option.

------

War is deadly, cruel, and profitable. 

That final reason is why so many Daimyos allow for conflict to breed because it breaks small businesses and enables them to retain a monopoly on their goods. It is why hidden villages amass armies, for after war the victor takes the spoils, and the losers take missions for revenge. 

So, the world may never be rid of this terrible, cruel thing because a few will always benefit. 

In a not dissimilar vein, the Hatake produce stall and smithing shop were booming in sales. Manae had introduced little bags of a combination of spices tossable in any pot of food; a week later, they had standing orders for six different outposts. Harumi suggested they cater to civilian self-defense with pocket knives that can be shielded, and fan blades with sharp edges fit for an afternoon tea.

Everyone brought points of improvement and ideas, and soon the Hatake Clan had a surplus of materials, resources, and financial wealth. 

What to do with it all?

Chapter Text

Gai challenges Kakashi to a rematch race; Kakashi wins. Gai runs around the village in punishment.

Gai challenges Kakashi on who can break a wooden post; Kakashi wins by using chakra. Gai proceeds to punch his post until he is bleeding in punishment.

Kakashi challenges Gai to an arm wrestling match. Gai wins and then runs around the busy streets on his hands in celebration.

Gai challenges Kakashi to a tag competition; Kakashi wins. Gai does 500 squats in punishment.

Gai challenges Kakashi to a tree climbing competition. Kakashi wins with the use of chakra. He proceeds to demand a rematch and loses without the use of chakra. Kakashi then shows Gai how to direct chakra to the bottom of his feet.

Gai challenges Kakashi to a swimming competition. Gai wins, but before he can exercise in celebration- Kakashi challenges Gai to an underwater breath-holding competition. Kakashi wins before both boys devolve into a splashing competition.

And on it goes.

------

At the height of summer's heat, the newest Hatake was born.

Daigi and Riku welcomed their whole family into the bright hospital room. It was a crowded resting place, but no one cared as they jostled to see the little bundle. Komeko was fascinated by the little being. She may not always understand the happenings around her or the words said, but she understood that she was the smallest silver-haired person. 

But now that has changed.

With the birth of the tiny Hatake Chuko and her messy tufts of shining silver hair, Komeko wonders if her reign as family baby was over. Or if she and her newest cousin could join forces to scheme cuddles and candies from their elders. 

Congratulations were sounded above her head while Komeko pondered.

------

A year into the war, circumstances were harsh, with no rest for the weary- no opportunities to unwind. Paranoia is what keeps the heart pumping and the breath circulating.

Paranoia is what wakes Sakumo and Orochimaru before the emergency bells ring. 

They had been lucky; they had been marched to the same outposts and frontlines always together. It helped that they were amongst the strongest of their group, so naturally, they were seen as battle-turners.

And though battles often fell in Konoha's favor, the war was stubbornly evenly matched between all powers. Iwa had the numbers, Kumo had the terrain, Kiri had its weaponry, Konoha had the skills, and Suna was trying to stay out of things, but even they were getting pulled in. It's better to fall fighting than get trampled like Ame and all the other smaller villages stuck between the bigger powers. 

It wasn't surprising that this patched-together Konohan camp was attacked in the pitch-dark hours. The skirmish saw some shinobi slaughtered before they could scream.

Sakumo and Orochimaru, for the first time, were seamless in form. When one went high, the other fell low, with defense and offense traded without pause. Attackers identified and dispatched by the rising dawn light, Konoha stood firm in victory because of those two men. 

Once, the light allowed him to see Orochimaru covered in mud, blood, and viscera, his expression fierce and golden eyes sparkling. 

Sakumo called things as he saw them: "Lovely."

Chapter Text

These days, Minato is either running espionage or sabotage missions for the frontlines or training with Kakashi. He takes his sensei position very seriously and does not want to be caught slacking by snakes or wolves.

In wartime, genin missions are less about the optics of helping civilians or building trust and teamwork; instead, delivery missions from outpost to outpost are prioritized to keep the flow of accurate information. 

A team like Kakashi and Minato would prefer that simple transport work, but mission assigners seem to ignore Kakashi's genin status. And the courier missions are elongated from gates to front lines to outpost and back again. 

On one of these runs, the team is ambushed by opportunistic enemies. Of course, Minato maintains himself and dispatches the rogues speedily. But their enemies came prepared, and one member went for Kakashi's jugular. In defense and retaliation, that unfortunate attacker is struck with a lightning bolt from the clear sky. 

Upon their return home, Kakashi is six years old and handed a chunin vest. Their mission difficulty explodes, the very opposite of what Minato wanted.

------

Rokudaime couldn't be more thankful to be surrounded by family during turbulent times. He knows now that some parts of his old life will never reoccur in this new one. Sakumo may still die of other causes, but it will not be by his hand. And the clan is thriving in a way that will remain unbroken.

The civilians had long stopped their abusive ways, opting for watching in curiosity versus reacting in misplaced anger. As the spice stall and the smithing shop grew in popularity, so did their reputations. 

The first unobvious sign of changing shinobi attitudes happened on the frontlines, but the fighters looked to Sakumo for direction without hesitation. His reputation for never leaving a man behind became framed as a direct demonstration of 'The Will of Fire'. 

The second sign were the posters; Propaganda, really. They were stylized images of Sakumo and Orochimaru side-by-side in multiple fierce positions with various swappable messages of strength and willpower.

That Sakumo could go from the 'face of the war bad' to 'the face of the war good' still puzzled the clan and the man himself, but there were no complaints.

In fact, Kakashi had taken one such poster to pin to their fridge and would often get caught telling Komeko to look at how beautiful their Tou-sans' were.

------

As previously stated, Minato wasn't often on the field in the early days of the war this changed with Kakashi's promotion. The boy was left to his devices as Minato dipped in and out of forward campaigns. 

That led the sensei to this moment here by the campfire, more tense than he had ever been in recent memory. Minato almost wishes for an enemy incursion to get him out of this situation where Sakumo had hardpressed lips and Orochimaru was glaring daggers. 

Apparently, they did not know Kakashi had been made chunin or the circumstances surrounding the event. He couldn't lie to them, but he feared his the death as the messenger. 

None of these thoughts showed in his body language. But it seemed that everyone knew exactly what kind of conversation was occurring, and they enjoyed their moment of humor at his expense. 

For the other nin in the conversation, Orochimaru was saddened to have missed such a milestone, and Sakumo wondered at what age the Sandaime would be willing to send his son into battle. 

Chapter Text

Gai never cries. 

Not when he is soundly defeated, not when he is bleeding or aching, not when he is insulted or lonely. 

But now he cries in grief. 

Kakashi panics a little before tentatively wrapping his arms around the sobbing boy. Gai had just received notice of Dai's death; Kakashi had only met the man a few times. Dai and Gai were much alike- the same side of a coin. 

Dai had allowed his team to run and survive while he held back and defeated four B-rank shinobi at the cost of his life.

So, Gai was crying and couldn't stop. Crying, while Kakashi led him through the Hatake gates, sobbing uncontrollably during dinner, and keening when Komeko asked for a hug. The tears were unending. 

Gai went to bed with watering eyes and woke up with a dry face. Kakashi wanted to question the mood switch, but Gai had challenged him to a futon-rolling competition before he could. 

Rokudaime explains that Gai cries for the loss of life, but he would much rather celebrate its presence and impact. The springtime of youth would never meet the winter of discontent, not while Gai lives.

Kakashi, who has won two-thirds of every challenge, thinks that Gai may actually be the stronger of the two.

------

The war is puttering out. Kiri has fallen into a civil war with no time for outside enemies. Suna had already pulled back as far as they could their lack basic of resources, a hindrance to any victory. Kumo lost their Kage, and the mid-war leadership change put them on the back foot. Only Iwa and Konoha were still in fighting form, and between Iwa's numbers and Konoha's skill- the war was at a stalemate. 

Jiraiya, as a most loyal shinobi, will report this to the his Hokage, of course. Intelligence-gathering is a niche he carved out for himself- a field with less blood and strife. He was tired of battle, but visiting 'tea' houses in the name of spying was something he could do in a world of endless conflict.

When he saw the 'Wolf&Snake' poster, he wondered where Tsunade was. He proceeded to make up the explanation that she would keep herself busy as a medic, not a fighter. And he thought about it no more. 

Tsunade spent the war traveling with Shizune from one rich civilian town to another. Being amongst wealthy nobles in daimyos' direct territory meant that war barely touched the edges of these civilians.

So, Tsunade spent her grief gambling, drinking, and forgetting the world ever existed in her haze. When she saw the 'Konoha's Heros' poster, she snorted. She wished Orochimaru luck, hoped he wouldn't die serving an undeserving village, and promptly blacked out from over-consumption.

------

Six months into Kakashi's stint as a chunin, he gets approached by Shimura Danzo himself. 

Rokudaime is panicking naturally, but Kakashi holds his own: 

No, he doesn't want to outpace his peers. No, he wouldn't like all the knowledge of the world. No, the villager's approval is of no consequence. Yes, he will keep his village and his family safe. No, he doesn't need ROOT to do so. 

The conversation is relatively short, and yet Rokudaime thinks it is enough to make Kakashi a target. With how attitudes are progressing on the front lines, Sakumo is the strongest contender for Yondaime, and Danzo might do drastic things to prevent that. 

Kakashi will heed Rokudaimes warning. Unlike Orochimaru, who had not yet fallen into darkness when he asked for his help, Danzo had been in dirty dealing since before Kakashi was born. 

There is no reasoning with that man, Rokudaime won't even let him try.

Chapter Text

The sound of lips parting and coming together, the taste of a supple tongue. Eyes half-lidded and blinded by silver, all scents of the woods covered by sweat, blood, and musk.

The warm press of a kiss and the pressure of a hardline body.  Orochimaru was losing his mind, becoming undone, in the bracketed arms of the broader man.  

Was this a bad idea? To be wholly vulnerable at the edge of enemy territory or even to suffer the consequences of being found by allies. 

With his back against rough bark and chest molded to another's, never in his wildest fantasies did he imagine this moment. For years, he had ignored his emotions, shoving his little crush into a deep dark closet. But dreams do come true. This moment was real and he wasn't dreaming. 

Wait... then this is disastrous. 

Abruptly, Orochimaru pushed the other man back. The slick of lips separating was indecent. Sakumo held onto lithe hips, breathing heavily, but letting the shaky hand press against his torso.

Past heaving gasps, Orochimaru asked, "Is this- is this meaningless? You know- a wartime exception?" With his armor already peeled off and his kimono tugged down; he could feel the scratchy tree against the exposed skin of his back and sought comfort in their ground sensation.

Sakumo looked at him lustfully confused before his expression cleared with understanding. "Nothing could ever be meaningless between us, Lovely." 

As though that statement settled things, Sakumo returned to his ministrations. Ducking his head beneath that pale neck to nibble at the collarbone, drawing little raptured noises from the sannin. 

The wolfnin grabbed the back of his knee, raising it high. Orochimaru let his leg instinctively wrap around Sakumo's thighs. The changed position rocked their bodies closer, pelvises lining up, dragging groans out of them.

Orochimaru enjoyed the sensations he had never truly explored, before his eyes widened haunted by a new question.  Pushing them apart once more, "Then is this about Kakashi and Komeko? Co-parenting doesn't need a romantic element-"

Sakumo interrupted him with a chuckle and a sweet kiss despite their debauched entanglement. "Why can't this be about you and me? I have been too subtle if you doubt my intentions, Lovely."

"You were...flirting?" Now Orochimaru has to think back on every use of the word 'lovely', not a sarcastic remark but an endearment. 

Every meal shared with heated air and all those whispered secrets were not for a mere ally but a chosen companion.  How long had he been blind? Orochimaru's mind fixated on the hovering man, who was apparently in love with him or something similar. 

Sakumo raised an eyebrow patiently waiting through the epiphany. "So, can I continue what I was doing?" The tone was eager amusement. 

With his questions answered, Orochimaru had no time to waste; grinding his hips forward, they continued on.

Chapter Text

Rokudaime was frozen, startled prey caught under a predator's gaze. Kakashi could feel the unnatural silence of his mind, but he ignored it in favor of the 'predators' before him.

Minato-sensei had barely finished introductions and Kakashi could already tell he would not enjoy his time on this team. 

Nohara Rin was the medic, which would be admirable if her skills in every other category didn't fall short. Having her on the team would be a liability, a waste of time and shinobi skill. Also, he can feel her examining his age and beginning to underestimate him which is annoying. 

Uchiha Obito's lack of skill was worse than Rin's acceptance of mediocrity. The genin boasts about achievements he does not yet have, without the discipline to follow through. He is all talk no substance, and seems to have decided that Kakashi's accomplishments were unearned and that his pride in his abilites was arrogance. 

How exhausting.

This subpar team is causing Rokudaime distress; Too many things cause Rokudaime distress. Kakashi can't have people he would have to be around every day as a source of stress.

Kakashi powers through their first team training. Minato-sensei presents bells and a barely disguised goal of teamwork. Kakashi immediately understands to 'never leave a man behind', and from Minato-sensei's glance his way this test is more for Rin and Obito than the team itself. 

But still, Kakashi convinces a blushing Rin to work together, even as she insists that Kakashi be the distraction since this is 'too risky for his age'. He's a chunin; he stands a better chance than she does! 

Things only get worse once they find Obito. Obito, who tried and failed to get the bells himself, ended up hogtied for his troubles. Convincing him to work with them is like pulling teeth. Rin tries to get involved in the argument, but a jealous Obito is impossible to reason with. 'Bakashi' indeed. 

Kakashi's head is pounding from a headache, Rokudaime is finally unthawing, and the three make one unsuccessful attempt at the bells. (Obito does not stick to the plan). The newly official team's training ends with the sharing of food. 

Everything was unnecessarily tiring.

Sitting crisscrossed on his bed, Kakashi finally has the chance to question Rokudaime's behavior. The story comes out: Rin's kidnapping, then Obito's rescue, crushing, eye-giving, and death; Then Rin's second kidnapping, bijuu seal, race, and terrible solution. Which all circled back to Obito rising from the dead to commit atrocities to build a 'perfect' world in Rin's name. 

Throughout the story, Rokudaime's tone, emotions, regret, and self-deprecation, have Kakashi absolutely twisted. 

When Rokudaime ends his story, Kakashi responds and lets his counterpart know, that neither what happened to Rin nor Obito is his fault. Rin doesn't take her role as a kunoichi seriously enough- getting kidnapped twice is bonkers. And even setting that aside, she stopped being the victim the moment when she decided to use her friend and teammate as a blunt instrument. Condemning a traumatized boy to the epitaph of 'friend-killer' Kakashi. 

Sure, Obito was right leaving a man behind was a stupid decision. And it's not Obito's fault that he got manipulated by a centuries-old madman, but that did not reflect on Rokudaime and his abilities as a friend or person. 

All the people involved were stuck in impossible situations, so why was Rokudaime taking on all the blame? 

Rokudaime proceeds to defend them and himself, but all Kakashi absorbs is that a deeply scarred version of himself went through so much hardship and came out the other side coping the only way he could. 

Well, that will not be Kakashi. He will ensure Rin becomes so strong that she will never become another person's victim, and that Obito keeps his eyes and his mental state to himself.

Chapter Text

The end of the war is on the horizon. The shinobi are getting lethargic, the Daimyos have made their money, and most nations have already unofficially pulled out. 

Sakumo and Orochimaru's infantry has shrunk. Death and injuries have left a little over twenty of the frontliner's in fighting shape. 

Whatever Iwa's true goals for this war Konohas has always been to end it swiftly with as little environmental and civilian damage as possible. 

But the orders have changed. 

Burning farmlands and destroying infrastructure in a manner that would take decades of recovery; this is the cruelest they've ever been. But this is also their best chance of finally disrupting whatever stronghold Iwa. Break their formations and put an end to their costly clashes.

The problem is that with such few fighters the Konohan force will become pigeonholed in enemy territory. As predicted, the Iwa shinobi rallied together swiftly, and eventually, the Konohan infiltrators were down to fifteen members surrounded and forced into a final stand. The end seems near, death closer than ever. 

To Sakumo, death in a foreign land is unacceptable. There is still much He and Orochimaru have to do, clan to take care of. 

Sakumo reaches into a well of power unfamiliar to him and the skies turn. His soldiers watch as their commander pulls away from their formation to let the storm consume him. 

At the edges of his consciousness, Sakumo could almost feel Raiju-sama's delight in his chaos. Sakumo's few flashes of clarity are timed with the lightning, his thoughts entirely focused on ignoring the wind and rain and directing each trembling strike to the head of an enemy. 

The unlucky Iwa's notice the unnatural storm seconds before turning into electrified corpses for their fellow combatants to scream and panic around. 

Before long their enemies have fled behind gigantic fortitude, but Konoha's point has been made. The new group of eighteen, five injured, and two bodybags are on a victorious retreat home. Among them, Hatake Sakumo weighed heavily on Orochimaru's back, unknowing and uncaring of the legend he has made of himself.

------

Team 7 hears of the siege, nicknamed 'The Storming of Iwa' almost immediately. Sakumo's name and prowess are now spoken hand in hand, and Kakashi couldn't be prouder. (Sakumo is rumored to have struck a thousand nin (that isn't accurate at all, but the exaggeration adds to the mystic)). 

With Iwa's numbers so decimated, the war is on its knees and Konoha has planned one final decisive move. 

Thus a newly jonin Kakashi, nine years old, with two chunin teammates is given orders to fell the Kannabi Bridge, an essential route for Iwa to supply their troops. Minato-sensei was given a separate task within the same general area, Kakashi will be in charge for the entire middle of the mission. He is not happy.

Rin is still more focused on being a medic, not the frontline kunoichi she is; Obito still refuses to ask for help even when he needs it; And Minato-sensei is too busy dealing with his side missions to dedicate much time to team camaraderie. 

Those factors make Kakashi less excited and push Rokudaime into downright convulsing. It hasn't fully sunk for Rokudaime yet that he and Kakashi are now fully separate people in different environments. So, the man in his head is on a rotating wheel of memories and trigger-inducing flashbacks. 

With Rokudaime's nerves and Kakashi's lack of trust in his team, anxiety is the prevailing emotion once the trio reaches Iwa's borders.

---

Well... That was anti-climactic. The mission went incredibly smoothly, and when the boulder fell none of Team 7 were remotely close to it. All that worry for nothing. Or is it as Rokudaime thinks and the worst is yet to come?

Chapter Text

Everyone -civilian and shinobi, clan and orphan- had gathered at the uncommon sight of the widely opened gates. All are eager to reunite with returning loved ones or to celebrate the arrival of Konoha's furthest outposts. 

The conflict wasn't quite over, but with the culling of a vast number of Iwa nin by Sakumo and multiple teams working to cut off their supply systems, it was only a matter of time before the last holdout conceded. From there, the war would transform from violent exchanges to paperwork with tense negotiations and bittered concessions. Who will take the blame for the losses and provide reparations? Peace treaties have not been signed, but a future with some version of peace was close at hand.

Kakashi and Komeko were also among the crowd waiting to welcome their father. All the other Hatake were preparing for a homecoming party within the compound. And tonight, they shall howl at the moon in joy once more.

The returning shinobi took their time cresting over the final hill. The nin could use chakra to hasten their arrival, but they approached sedately. In part to soak in their village from this beautiful angle and for some to bask in the rising cheers and praise. Sakumo and Orochimaru did so in an attempt to spot their little ones among taller heads.

Kakashi held onto Komeko as she kicked her feet back and forth in imitation of swinging while perched on the tree branch. Now that her feet were steady beneath her, Kakashi had made teaching Komeko how to climb a tree safely his unofficial mission. 

The sharp undulation of the crowd had Komeko teetering on a fall. She was much too joyous at the first sight of the returners to care about her balance, trusting Kakashi to carefully tip her back upright.

It took some minutes more before the soldiers were within the gates, and the shock of Sakumo's silver hair was spotted next to Orochimaru's sleek black.

"Tou-san's!" Komeko's call and lurch forward had Kakashi grabbing her in a panic to shunshin them to the ground. With her feet on the earth, Komeko shot forward in an unerring path, only stopped by her slamming into her father's knees.

"Oro-tou, Tou-san, you have been gone so long." It was a whiny plea as she rubbed her forehead on his pant leg to delay her brewing tears. Even with her golden-eyed father lifting her into his arms for a cuddle, she couldn't resist pouting.

Kakashi, a professional jonin, greeted his father with a serious handshake and a wavering voice, "We missed you both very much-"

With no patience for the distance but being kind to Kakashi's sensibilities, Sakumo knelt to pull his boy into a hug. "We missed both of you too. Not a moment went by without thoughts of our children and our family."

Komeko had calmed down, still holding tightly onto Orochimaru's robes- daring him to force her to let go. She hiccupped her announcement: "Tsubu-obaa made kukkis for the party. She wouldn't let me have any until you came home."

"Well then, " Sakumo tickled her side, eliciting a laugh, "We better get going."

The little family began their trek home before the crowd remembered their presence. 

One unfamiliar kunoichi shouted, "Commander Hatake, welcome home!" That singular voice broke the dam. Suddenly, the multitude, with tipped heads and whistles, began proclaiming their well-wishes, shaking Sakumo and Orochimaru's hands in gratitude.

Sakumo took it all in stride. With a grin, he returned their joy, and with a proud expression, he waved to the crowd. But Kakashi and Orochimaru could tell that he was not enjoying the experience of being in Konoha's good graces. After all, the crowd that cheered at his execution was now praising his accession.

Chapter Text

War is change, but not for the soldiers. Battles are bloody chaos, meals are shoveled down, orders followed, and enemies culled without question, but the flow of time stagnates. 

That cannot be said for Konoha; so much had changed during the wartime.

The Hatake children had entered freely into the civilian school system. It wasn't the best education, just a place to learn the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic before finding an apprenticeship or being poached by the shinobi academy. The Hatake children already knew that the latter option was null and void, and the former needed more thought and opportunity that had to wait until the economy recovered.

The older children, too experienced for basic schooling, sat together and debated how to position their future. Anzu, Nori, and Kurumi created a side hustle using white chakra in a way the Hatake hadn't before. White chakra infused into thread then embroidered various works, from clothing to banners and everything in between. The result was a beautiful and smooth finish that glowed in the darkness; useless for shinobi sensibilities but highly coveted by civilian clientele. They charge outrageous prices just because they can.

Komeko and Chuko, now five and four, joined forces to be underfoot as much as possible. Returning from their explorations of the Hatake grounds, after wrestling raccoons and rodents, not even the scolding from their elders dimmed their victory.

The adults had also fully settled:

Harumi and Ikubyo, to no one's surprise, married in the third year of the war. At any moment now, the Hatake were all eagerly expecting the baby Harumi carried to make a glorious entrance into the world.

Eiji-jiji spent most of his days basking in the sunlight, gazing wondrously at the fertile and bountiful Hatake fields.

Tsubu-obaa decided that she would become the clan archivist. Whenever she wasn't helping the others with various homemaking and storekeeping tasks; she could be found organizing and collecting the individual bits of Hatake history that Sakumo had found into a more cohesive library.

Daigi and Riku were debating expanding both sides of the Hatake market share. With their guidance, the Hatake had invested wisely in several sectors of Konoha, and the rewards were about ready to come through. 

Kakashi, now a ten-year-old jonin, was taking his first c and b rank mission with strict instructions from his father and sensei to always triple-check the mission details.

In contrast to the joyful sharing of the other Hatake, Sakumo and Orochimaru dodged any questions about their experiences in the war. Only one thing had changed between them during the stagnation. And it was only a matter of time before their secret was revealed to all and sundry.

Chapter Text

Sakumo stared blankly at the pen and paper he had placed on his desk. He was determined to begin this planning process alone. To prove to himself that he could hold his own, but couldn't fathom where to start. 

Sakumo sighed, rubbing at his bleary eyelids; he would simply have to ask for help in the daylight hours.

Unannounced but expected, Orochimaru softly padded into his office and shut the door carefully without a thought, a shinobi's instinct for quiet.

"Why are you up so late?" was the whispered concern through parted lips.

Sakumo stood from his chair to approach his tired love, grasping pale hands and leading Orochimaru to recline on the cushioned bench by the window. Sakumo sat at his feet and lay his head on welcoming thighs, comfortable.

"Lovely, I apologize. I didn't mean to wake you. I just - I was just trying to write down ideas for improving Konoha. But there's so much going on in my head, I don't know where to start."

Orochimaru began to card his fingers through silver hair and scratch lovingly at the bowed neck, "Finally accepted your fate?"

Sakumo scoffed, "You have seen the villagers change in attitude towards the Hatake and myself. With no other well-set candidates, I am the most likely option for Yondaime. So whatever my end goals are for a better system, a better world, I don't know where to begin."

"Let me help." A kiss to furrowed brows, "The goal is no more children on the battlefield, yes? Then we would have to make war unprofitable."

"An impossible feat," Sakumo retaliated.

"Not impossible. Those in power must change the definition of honor and loyalty so that the masses will follow. Spread the Hakate's example to the broader populace, show the shinobi world that chakra is for more than death and destruction." Orochimaru's words were stated so factually and without doubt.

Sakumo snorted disbelieving, "I should turn our ANBU into a bunch of farmers; the bounty on my head would quadruple."

Orochimaru tutted, "Not if you start smaller, and there were no ANBU assassins in the first place. Genin farmers to start, chunin doctors, and jonin builders; A water jutsu can destroy a wall as easily as it can fill a river."

"That-," Sakumo stuttered, "that is brilliant." Abruptly, he pulled himself from Orochimaru's adoring petting and stood them both on their feet. "Thank you for being you,"

Orochimaru rolled his eyes at Sakumo's compliment. "I will come to bed soon, I promise." 

With a final kiss, the Hokage candidate returned to his lonesome pen and paper and began to cover it in scribbled ink.

Chapter Text

"Have you two spoken to sensei since his whole... mission issue."

"No, I have not. Why? Because I had yet to find the opportunity. Why? Because of our separation during the war."

"I haven't either. There are always so many whelps to take care of, platoons to bolster, and you know what's-his-face has been acting up since Hana's birth. He fled to outpost twenty-three; I had to follow him-"

Before Tsume could start her tirade against the man she married, Hiashi put up placating hands, "I am only wondering why we were invited to a formal dinner. Especially within the Hatake compound, we never stepped inside when we were his students."

"Sensei may be feeling unloved. Why? Because we all seem to have forgotten to check on his well-being after the... mission." Shibi adjusted his glasses, a nervous motion.

"Yeah, well," Tsume also allowed her nerves to show by petting Kuromaru between his ears, "Sensei knows we care. And the village is so much better now he's got his clan back."

The three of them avoided each other's gaze. 

They knew what it was like to fall in and out of favor, and Tsume's words were an understatement of the new reverence for the Hatake Clan held.

Hiashi fixed his expression into the usual Hyuga clan placid mein, "There's no use questioning each other when we can just ask the man himself."

"You're the one who started it!" Tsume accused even as they all walked forward, welcomed by the wards and the bright grass.

-

After dinner, the three teammates and old friends stood at the threshold of the compound, unmoving and in mild shock.

"Did that just happen?" Tsume had returned to stroking her slightly confused partner.

Hiashi's body wavered between sprinting away and walking back to ask more questions, "I think I have to tell my father about this. Political campaigns are forbidden-"

Tsume frantically interrupted, "That is not what Sensei is doing! He doesn't want to boot the Sandaime off the seat; he wants to be his successor. There's nothing treasonous about wanting to be Hokage."

"I say we help sensei. Why? Because his plan will benefit Konoha as a whole and improve the standard of living for all in my clan." Shibi made his pronouncement before turning to Hiashi and losing his voice effect, "Don't pretend the curse seal isn't a plague on the Hyuga and Konoha. Let Sensei help you. You owe no loyalty to those causing you hurt."

Hiashi's eyes got wild, ready to activate, "Do not pretend that you understand-"

"Stop! I do not want to be the voice of reason, but Sensei will do as he wishes anyway. None of us has to do anything but wait."

"No, there is a choice to help him or to stand in his way. I have made my decision; what will yours be?" The dark glasses over Shibi's eyes never prevented his teammates from seeing what went on behind them.

Chapter Text

Rokudaime was adjusting plans in his head (Kakashi's head). The formal dinner did not go terribly, but this was their first move on the Hatake-Sakumo-as-Yondaime campaign. Approaching Tou-san's old team, who also happened to be newly made heads of their clans, was supposed to be the easiest win. And it felt more like one of three.

'What now?' was projected from Kakashi.

'We keep going. Change isn't fast or easy. We still have time.' Rokudaime may be exaggerating just a bit. They had roughly three months until the Sandaime stepped down in his timeline. And while Minato did not have that same reputation at this time, he was still a solid charismatic contender without the uphill climb Sakumo was about to trudge through. (No other candidates came close. Kushina tried, but she would never be considered because of the whole jinchuriki thing). 

Simply put, Tou-san had the strongest lead among all the most popular shinobi: S-ranked after the war, a reputation for never leaving teammates behind, an old name with a rejuvenated clan that had provided unique help in wartime, and also the defeat of 1000 Iwa nin's at the final climax of the war. Minato-sensei was great, but he didn't have that.

And yet the Sandaime's clear bias for teacher-student tradition could still see the man snubbing Sakumo for Minato. If they failed to get the support of multiple clans, shinobi, and general citizens Rokudaime's plans would need a double restructuring.

Rokudaime needed something foolproof if the other clans didn't come through the way the civilians and unaffiliated shinobi had.

Kakashi was absent-mindedly clearing the dinner table (Komeko was helping by sweeping the floor (more dust was ending up on the floor somehow)) as he listened to Rokudaime's reassurances and need for contingencies.

'Why can't we just get Minato-sensei involved? If he agrees with Tou-san's agenda he would probably concede the race.'

'I don't want him to have to concede. Being Hokage is his dream, if he denies it now, it will make it harder for him to be our Godaime. No, Sakumo has to naturally defeat sensei with the peoples' acknowledgment that Minato's loss does not make him lesser.'

Kakashi rolled his eyes- stupid politics. He gathered the dishes together for washing, marched to the kitchen, and paused at the threshold.

There was a cessation of an odd sound, and a lot of weirdness. The pots had been emptied of their contents, but were still sitting on the stove. The sink's water was tricking, but the sponge was still dry. Their clothes were dry as well except for a particularly prominent wet handprint around Oro-sensei's waist- an odd place to wipe his hand when he had an apron.

As Kakashi tried to put puzzle pieces together, Sakumo and Orochimaru were suspiciously eye-contact avoidant, as though they had been caught in a troublesome situation. 
Kakashi tilted his head consideringly.

A blinding flash of panic ran through Rokudaime. Immediately, he began to mute his emotions and the thoughts he did not want to accidentally project (mostly surprise and an acceptance of the inevitability he saw coming). 

But even as Rokudaime retreated, it was through the elder that Kakashi noticed the ruffled clothes, flushed cheeks, and the red welt on Sakumo's neck.  

Kakashi was too smart- a genius with no words- and all he could do was huff and roll his eyes. "Tou-san, Oro-tou, can you not do such things in a place where I may have stumbled upon them?"

Orochimaru's "Of course" was drowned out by Sakumo's "You noticed?"

'The people can never see this bumbling side of Tou-san', (Rokudaime was strangely thankful to see a side of his father he had never got to experience but... still). 

They left the stuttering wolf and chortling snake to themselves.

Kakashi placed down his delivery with a chastising look and left the men behind, joining Komeko in her cleanup. He grabbed the broom even though she protested, "I'm not going back into the kitchen. Tou-san and Oro-tou are kissing."

"Eww." Komeko made the appropriate sound of childish disgust, and the other two people in the room 'nodded' in agreement.

Chapter Text

Minato crossed out another line. Before he decided to start over, tossing the ruined sheet away, letting the paper flutter down among the flowers. The noise of Kakashi and Gai's challenge was distracting him. 

Could Minato be sitting in his home doing this instead of a busy farm, with a Maito trying and failing to plant crops faster than a Hatake? 

Yes, yes, he could, but home without Kushina was too quiet. 

The anxiety from the lack of sound drove Minato out of their shared home. Once, Rin and Obito made chunin, Team Seven had been dissolved. Without a genin team to take some of his expended energy, Minato was left floundering. 

That left him wandering in the marketplace until Kakashi taking his turn at the Hatake stall invited him over to the compound a few times.

And now he was always welcome. He most definitely preferred the roughhousing boys to empty rooms, but still, he couldn't concentrate on his work. 

Minato placed down his seal notes and reached for a bright red flower to twirl between his fingers. Pulling at the petals with his teeth, he watched as Gai and Kakashi got berated by Ikubyo-san for doing 'ninja things' too close to the precious crop. Both boys looked contrite but Minato was sure that they were two seconds away from falling back into a tussle.

"Do you realize that's poisonous?"

Minato raised his head to meet the snake sannin's eyes before the words registered. The jonin hastily spat out the petals in his mouth and began a disinfectant rub down. 

Orochimaru watched with judgment.

Minato gathered his papers away from what he thought were a patch of curated weeds. "Why would you have a poison garden so out in the open? There are children around." 

"Why would I do that? My children know better, and the others are aware to be wary." the tone contained the implication that Minato knew less than a child. 

Minato had never quite figured out where he stood in the sannin's eyes. The stories from Jiraiya-sensei would have him believe that Orochimaru would sooner let him suffer the consequences of his distraction by losing a tongue rather than take any action of kindness. But that couldn't be true, as almost everything Minato had witnessed Orochimaru do was for the well-being and protection of his home and children. So why did it seem as though the man hated him?

Gah, Minato got distracted again, now one of his fallen seal scraps was held in Orochimaru's hands and the man was studying it intently.

"Are you trying to stabilize your Hiraishin to allow chakra use during the transport?"

"Yes..."

"You are doing it wrong. The Tora symbol should be adjusted not the Saru, that's why the outcome just wouldn't produce the proper effect." Now, that was a man who had never floundered in his life.

Minato took a second look at his scrapped paper, and a light of understanding bloomed behind his eyes, "You are right."

"I know I am." Orochimaru's words came across as an ineffable fact. 

"I didn't know you had an aptitude for Fūinjutsu." Honestly, he doesn't know much about the man himself.

"Minato-san, I am a genius." The phrase was said without a lick of humor or irony. Like father like son, Minato wanted to weep.

Chapter Text

"Since Konoha's founding, we have failed all of our ultimate goals: no children on the battlefield, more cooperation, less wars, and sustainable peace. Simply put, I want to achieve the goal our forebears gave up on. To change the very nature of what it means to be a shinobi." 

Should Rokudaime be surprised at how easily Sakumo had latched onto the idea of Yondaime? Maybe. Having seen the products of his brainstorming, both Rokudaime and Kakashi were glad to know that more than just a figurehead, Sakumo would be a proper leader and bring his passion to the table. 

Sakumo continued, sipping lightly at his tea, "One of the first effects is that, no, Itachi will not become a genin any time soon."

Mikoto gazed demurely below eye level, but the hitch in her breath meant she was very invested. And Itachi, only five years old and an accomplished up-and-coming shinobi, stared unabashedly at Sakumo with hope in his eyes.

Fugaku set down his after-dinner cup hard. "You would close the door of opportunity now that your son has gotten through? That's one clever way to ensure his records remain unbroken." The words were rude, with the desire to sting present.

Kakashi held back a snort, and Orochimaru narrowed his eyes but left the verbal pushback to Sakumo.

"I have many regrets when it comes to Kakashi's shinobi career. Becoming a jonin before his teenage years is unprecedented and not an example I want others to follow. He has too much blood on his hands and too many dark memories. I say no more child soldiers, not because it cannot be done; Kakashi and Itachi are proof that it can. Rather, it should not be done. You know the poor life expectancy rates and the poignant decreases in quality of life; Why should we rob more years from our children?"

"For strength and honor-"

"What honor is there in the death of a son or daughter?" Orochimaru chimed in no longer able to keep silent, "Do you believe anyone would have found Itachi's death honorable that day you took him to the frontline?"

Fugaku ground his teeth in an attempt to keep calm, holding his disrespectful words back. 

Orochimaru interrupting the two-man debate allowed Mikoto to feel comfortable speaking, "The Uchiha clan is under a lot of pressure."- Fugaku made a disapproving sound at her candor- "We need to remake our image in the eyes of the village. Itachi prospering brings positive attention, which we are sorely lacking."

Rokudaime wanted to scream. Has the Uchiha always been so isolated? If the relationship between the village and the clan had already reached this point without the added layer of the Kyuubi, then of course, rebellion fermented so easily.

"Speaking with the experience of a man who just remade his image. A brilliant son will not change hearts and minds and simply further the isolation because of jealousy and spite." Sakumo was undisturbed. He had planned for this disagreement, though there was a make-or-break solution. "The simplest way to reaffirm the villages' trust in the Uchiha Clan is to open up the police force to outside candidates."

Fugaku hit his thigh with his fist, an action that did not jolt the table, but it startled Itachi into lowering his eyes and his hope and for Mitoko to straighten her spine almost as if to make up for her husband's inelegance.

"You want to take away the biggest bargaining chip the Uchiha have? The boon was given to us in recompense by Nindaime himself."

"A gift, truly?" Sakumo's tone was genuinely confused.

"Yes! Kohona was built in a partnership between the Senju and Uchiha. But much as the Senju have died out to one last member, they have won the war of influence. Ultimately, the Senju will hold more power in history than they hold in numbers. The police force was created to balance the scales between us. Created so, that the Uchiha may also have something that would give us equal influence on the happenings of Konoha."

Orochimaru shook his head in a motion close to pity, "Is that how the Uchiha see the police force? A boon?"

Fugaku's face was red with the energy he was using to defend against the men's disbelief, "Could it be anything else?"

Sakumo snorted, "A noose, a slow-acting poison, a death rattle seem to be more appropriate descriptions to me. Surely, you have noticed the dissatisfaction, the increased complaints, and the whispered words of prejudice and malcontent. The police force is a ticking bomb for the Uchiha. When anger has only one place to go, what else could this gift be if not the last revenge of Senju Tobirama?"

With that question, Fugaku Uchiha widened his eyes in shock, and the rest of the listening party paused in thought. 

Kakashi spent the whole dinner silent and yet had never been more entertained.

Chapter Text

The chair wasn't dusty. Sakumo doesn't know why he expected dust. 

The last person to sit in the Hatake clan chair was his grand-uncle at the start of the second war. When the clan's numbers fell to just him and Kakashi, Sakumo hadn't bothered with the responsibilities of a clan head. After all, what clan?

Now that there was a clan again, Sakumo felt justified sitting in the not dusty chair for the first time.

The room was loud and energetic for such high-profile shinobi, but who could blame them when this would be the first clan council meeting since the end of the war? For many heirs who had taken over their predecessor's position, this would also be their first time sitting in their council chair.

Sakumo nodded to Fugaku while making his way to his students to make placid conversation. There was no need to rock the boat yet. 

In this meeting, Sakumo would merely take stock of what the process was like. It was not in his plans to bring any attention to himself, especially from the Hokage or Danzo.

Speaking of, the Hokage and his advisors 'old teammates' entered, and conversations paused as all took their seats. Sakumo relaxed as much as he could into that wooden chair.

"Greetings and glad tidings to all. I am happy to see you whole and hail after the long road it took for us all to gather here." The Sandaime began the meeting. "For the next several weeks, the goal of this council will be to draft peace treaties and renew or discard our wartime trade deals. Hopefully, it will not take too long to sign the final bells of the war into effect."

"We must make sure not to concede any ground and push all concessions onto Iwa. The war must be their doing." Danzo interrupted the Sandaime, who gave no guff at the disrespect, and that his words implied Konoha (Sakumo) could be at fault.

And just like that, they were off to the races. Koharu and Homura dominated the discussions, with Danzo interjecting as a 'compromising middleman', when clan heads disagreed with his teammates.

The Sandaime only motioned in approval or disapproval, no words. Honestly, it was embarrassing for Sakumo to witness the 'The Professor' being so easily trampled, though no one else seemed surprised.

By the end of the meeting, Sakumo had spoken a total of two words. Two nay votes against maintaining wartime in village blockages on funding for civilian welfare. Nothing passed through. There were so many standstills, made more inefficient by the argument back and forth between the elder counsel and clan heads. 

The Hokage just watched. 

By the end of it all, Sakumo stood to mingle with the idling crowd. He had a few invitations to issue before he could go home. He paused in his goals when the Hokage beckoned him forward.

"Hatake-san, how good to see you. In such a new context as well, you have set your mark on a second war." Genuine, maybe?

"Thank you for your compliments, Sandaime-sama. They are unnecessary." Flat, almost disrespectful to the weak leader.

"Nonsense, very few people could turn public opinion as easily as you have. It is commendable." Odd attempt to rebuild rapport.

So the Hokage knew about the scapegoating and did nothing? Sakumo remained silent, patient.

"A whole clan reunited and a war behind us. Perhaps, you could take on a new genin team and pass more onto the next generation." Distraction from the awkward revelation.

"I have different work in mind. I am not sure there will be time to cultivate a successful team." Not truly a lie.

"Oh really, what work are you planning? More Hatake-made goods-"

"Yondaime." Sakumo got tired of dancing around the truth. An ignorant opponent was never as appealing to a predator; Chasing prey heightens the blood.

"Excuse me." Complete shock.

No one made the pretense of not eavesdropping; the lingering council members turned to the White Fang and the Sandaime. The Hokage failed to hold in his surprise at the declaration.

"You asked for my new plans. It is to be Yondaime." Stated factually. Projecting to the Hokage that Sakumo fully believed his goals would be attained.

"Is that so?" The Sandaime recovered, "Well, with the war over, I do want to pass my title to the next generation. I will be sure to consider your candidacy."

"All due respect, Sandaime-sama, yours is not the only consideration I need." With a bow, Sakumo dismissed himself. 

Pausing at the InoShikaCho teammates who pretended they were not listening to the exchange. Everyone witnessed Sakumo invite the influential team to a formal dinner. 

Many faces grinned at the snub and chaos, while even more were pensive at the smell of change in the air.

Chapter Text

Gai contemplates as he settles in for a quiet game of shogi with Kakashi; After another delicious farm-to-table dinner in the Hatake compound. Kakashi sets up the pieces, Komeko uses chakra to stick paper drawings onto the ever-patient snake Ritsu, and Gai knows he is lucky. 

There have been hardships in his years, but the springtime of youth has never failed him. That sunny day, he decided to prod his Eternal Rival into a challenge, and the subsequent days meant gaining a second family after his father passed to the pure lands.

"Gai, pay attention, or I will beat you in five more moves." The warning is stated without much inflection, but Gai can tell that his rival is inwardly amused as Gai panics his way out of the initial check.

When Orochimaru and Sakumo enter the communal space with serious expressions, Gai knows his opportunity has arrived. The only times he ever truly wins a game of shogi against Kakashi is when the genius is sufficiently distracted.

Gai allows a grin of determination to take over his face and raise his shoulders. He wipes the smirk away when the silver-haired boy lifts his head.

"How was the meeting with the InoShikaCho? Did they agree with our plans?"

Gai's ears perked up at the mention of his sensei, but calmly moved a piece forward as Sakumo answered.

"They didn't like our plans to break down the various departments and the restructuring of the shinobi system. But they seem smart enough to recognize the coming change and that our current way of life is unsustainable."

"The real question is whether or not they will go against Minato, their age mate, to support Sakumo instead. They may believe that they're having spent more time with Minato makes them more liable to have the Hokage's favor in a way they will not get with Sakumo." The golden-eyed man posed his rhetorical question after delivering a kiss to Komeko's forehead and receiving a 'sticker' of a mochi ball in return. 

Gai made another bold move Kakashi didn't notice.

Kakashi twiddled with a game piece. "Hmm, Minato-sensei is proving to be quite the barrier to entry. Reliably, your students will side with you, at the very least Tsume and Shibi will. Hiashi may do as his clan elders dictate. We managed to convince Fugaku after so much debate, but if we 'lose' the InoShikaCho trio, we may be on the back foot for the smaller clans, connected to the Akimichi farmers as vassals."

Sakumo began ruminating aloud, "We could make a stronger push for the civilian population. Not just play up the war victory and booming mercantile, but we can start putting money into it to sweeten the deal; Kam-Raiju-sama knows we have enough of it."

Kakashi moved one piece in without thought, speaking all the while; Gai saw his opening.

"The orphanages and civilian schools, along with the smaller clans and civilian affairs, usually depend on government aid to reach surplus. There is only so much funding, especially after such conflict. They will welcome the aid, and your ideas for a stronger baseline of the civilian population will automatically make you the better option over sensei."

Orochimaru picked up a cup of tea and hummed, "You know, Ikubyo and Harumi already has some informal farm apprentices from the NorthWest Orphanage. We can make it formal and maybe get other willing Hatakes to become mentors. That way, we will kill three birds with one stone."

His tone grew enthusiastic as the plan came together. "First, by establishing the Hatake Clan as open for apprentices and vassals. Making ourselves an intrinsic middleman between the civilian and shinobi population. Finally, we increase our market value with the smaller shinobi clans and veterans who may find themselves over-shadowed in village politics." 

"Also, we get to help the orphaned and downtrodden." Sakumo raised his eyebrows to soften the words of Orochimaru's selfish planning.

Orochimaru looked genuinely confused at the correction before agreeing with a dismissive hand, "Yes, of course."

Kakashi twisted his lips in annoyance, "It will make things so much slower trying to court the people without any political power just for a boost in number." 

"But all the more satisfying." Sakumo gave his son the same prodding look he gave his partner. 

Kakashi made an expression so much like the sannin that Gai snickered under his breath. The sound had the unfortunate effect of bringing his Rivals' attention back to the game.

Kakashi's strangled noise of surprise would feed Gai's ego for months, for the bowl-cut boy was two moves away from checkmate.

Chapter Text

"An invitation from the Daimyo. I always dreamed of performing the tea ceremony for him." Harumi held tightly to little newborn, Hatake Mariko, in her baby blanket, but her eyes were trained unwavering on the elaborate scroll in Sakumo's hands.

"Well, I never cared much about those pampered nobles. This is a good thing, right? Recognition from your boss' boss' is useful." Ikubyo stood by his wife. He was ready to catch her, should her magnetic lean tip her forward.

For Rokudaime, the scroll hand-delivered by the samurai who would also be escorting Sakumo to the Daimyo's Court was a gift from heaven. (He would credit Raiju-sama, but that would be wholly inaccurate.)

"Aren't you going to open it?" Tsubu-obaa's curiosity was written plainly on her face, trying to urge a frozen Sakumo into action.

"I'm going to be Yondaime." The words were whispered, star-struck. Sakumo's gaze was a little far away.

"Is that what the scroll is? Does the Daimyo hold that sort of power? I thought Konoha was more independent than that." Anzu questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"The Daimyo doesn't have the direct authority, but he does have the influence. This invitation is just the thing we needed to get Tou-san over the edge, so the Sandaime and clan heads don't keep dawdling." Kakashi, like Rokudaime, was celebrating. They had planned several contingencies; Getting the Daimyo's approval never even crossed their mind. It was a game-deciding vote firmly in their favor.

"Sakumo has proven himself the best; Why wouldn't the Sandaime just give him the hat? What's all the planning for?" Itsumi remarked in his usual annoyed tone at these monthly moonlight gatherings.

"Let me guess, stupid complicated tradition," Manae rolled her eyes.

"Basically. Every hidden village has a different method of choosing its kage. Suna has a ruling clan of elemental users, Kumo has a strongman competition for their elite, and so on. For Konoha, there is an unwritten tradition that leadership passes from teacher to student." Kakashi began his explanation.

Orochimaru injected, "Truly, the Hokage should give the position to Tsunade, Jiraiya, or me. But, my former teammates are glorified missing-nin and he hates me so..."

"Honestly, he doesn't know you enough to hate you, but that's semantics. Point being, the Sandaime is more likely to skip a generation and pass the hat to Minato-sensei than break tradition," Kakashi continued. "That's why the Daimyo's invitation is important. With this everyone will be eager for the Sandaime to break tradition, instead of the reluctant cajoling we are currently going through with the other clan heads."

Komeko was confused by the conversation, but felt there were more pressing matters. She went up to her frozen father and started slapping his knee to reawaken the man. By the fifth repetition of her actions Sakumo woke up enough to transfer his daughter onto his lap and open the scroll.

The clan head skimmed the words and announced. "Marked by his dragon seal, the Fire Daimyo asks to hear the Hatake's story from my mouth."

"At this rate, the Hatake may become a noble clan without having to do all the work of bribing and currying favor." Eiji- jiji's creaky voice was filled with humor as he rocked warmly, and blanketed in his chair.

"What perks do those come with? Trade deals or more? We have some rich clients here, but expanding to the Daimyo's court won't hurt." Riku-oba, ever the businesswoman, begins externally ruminating on financial mobility.

The conversation derailed, as the present Hatake members try to decide the best way to take advantage of the situation. What sort of gift should the Hatake Clan present to the Daimyo? Foodstuffs are too simple, weaponry, maybe, especially the decorative ones; a combination of both or something else entirely.

Kakashi, who had zoned out to speak to Rokudaime, returned to himself and interrupted the back and forth. "Tou-san, you are going to have to lie to the Daimyo."

The resolute statement halted the conversation.

"It seems like a bad idea to lie to the most powerful man in our country," Oro-tou's voice was flat without judgment.

"Risky, but necessary. I'm sure you'll agree." Kakashi tilted his head at his Tou-san.

Sakumo maintained eye contact with his son; eventually, he nodded.

Chapter Text

Minato was sweaty and drained. He had just returned from a simple, but tedious espionage mission. A majority of his mission was spent crouched in muddy, dusty places holding in his sneezes.

So, no, he does not appreciate the side eyes he is receiving from the watchers, but he is a patient man. He let the stares continue as he moved forward through the drop-off line. He ignores the whispers as he hands over the mission report and picks up his payment for the B-rank.

Minato decides that some water to quench his thirst, before his last mile home, would be payment enough for how weird everyone was acting.

Unknown to him, this was a crucial mistake.

Because once he crossed the threshold from the mission drop-off room into the jonin lounge, the shinobi within didn't even attempt to hide the fact that he was the subject of their conversation.

The Yellow Flash had just begun drinking a second cup for his trouble when one of the gossipers approached him.

"Ne, Minato-san, how are you?" Small talk to disguise his intentions. Should Minato be happy that the nin wasn't making a good attempt at fooling him, or concerned about lower standards?

"I'm doing well, but a bit busy. Did you have something to say?" Might as well nip this in the bud, and find out why people are behaving strangely.

"Well, we-I-. I was just wondering what your plans to improve Konoha are?" The words came out, sheepishly, and the room held its breath.

Minato felt quite put on the spot. He stumbled, "I don't," and cleared his throat. "What do you mean?"

"It's only that Hatake-sama has been talking about improvements to Konoha, for those of us who believe there is something to be improved upon, and I was just curious about your position."

This man was discussing shinobi having opinions on their leadership in pure daylight. (It was just beginning to turn to light outside, but the point still stands.)

"I think that I would like to be more well-rested before having such a conversation. Excuse me, Nara-san. I will speak to you at a different point in the future."

Minato walked sedately away, while internally he was running. Did the Hokage know that his shinobi were questioning his authority?

Has Minato considered all things the Sandaime has done or not done that he would change? Yes, he has, but he would not say it out loud .

The tiredness disappeared from Minato's mind. Unlike Nara-san, Minato had a subtle bone in his body and a desire to preserve his reputation.

This called for some in-village subterfuge.

Most everywhere, there was discussion of who should be the next Hokage, and often it was in the same breath as a support for Sakumo or Minato. The common thread was that the two candidates would be different from, perhaps better than, the Sandaime.

Treason was being discussed in the streets.

By the time the sun began to set, Minato had spent the whole day subsisting on ration bars and political debate. And now, Minato was wont to agree; It was time for a Yondaime.

Chapter Text

It has been years since he has been in this space without an explicit, mission-related purpose. And unlike those past ten or so years, Orochimaru is directed to sit, handed a cup of tea, and is supposed to make small talk with the man, who washed himself of all responsibility for Orochimaru when it was convenient.

The Sandaime packs his pipe, his movements slow and controlled, and takes a couple of puffs for which he blinks slower than necessary. It is most definitely not because he trusts Orochimaru, but he is purposely showing weakness; Why?

"It has been too long since we have had the opportunity to sit together, certainly before the war. Tell me what has changed in these violent years?" The statements read with a concern that Orochimaru doesn't believe.

"What do you want to know?" Like any good shinobi, the sannin will not willingly volunteer information.

The older man huffs, probably annoyed by Orochimaru's reluctance to divulge his secrets. "For starters, I would have liked to have this conversation in a more informal place, but when I went to your family home, the seals were activated. When did you move?"

"Four years ago, Hokage-sama." A cautionary nibble on a tart.

"Ah, I suppose the war distracted me from that big milestone. Where are you now?" A spoonful of sugar stirred into tea; There was an answer he was expecting.

Finally, Orochimaru was getting an understanding of the direction this conversation would take. "I, now, reside in the Hatake Clan compound."

"That is interesting, since when have you had such a close relationship with Hatake Sakumo?" They made eye contact as they each sipped at their cups.

"Four years ago, Hokage-sama."

"Rumor has it you helped reunite the Hatake clan."

"That is correct."

"And then you were invited to stay?"

"Yes."

Maybe his former sensei was getting tired of Orochimaru's less-than-stellar conversational skills.

The Sandaime put his pipe down on its holder and linked his fingers together. "And how long would you say Sakumo has had aspirations for Yondaime?"

Orochimaru pretended not to notice the tone shift and added some honey onto a biscuit. "It will be about four years, now." Truly, it has been two years since Sakumo began to take the idea seriously.

"It all originates from four years ago, hmm? The war starting mission?" The leader pondered aloud.

"Sakumo did not start that war." The strongest stance Orochimaru has taken in this entire encounter.

"No, no, he did not. But in many ways, you can say he ended it." The words were said more quietly than his usual tone, before a loud change of subject. "Have you spoken to Tsunade or Jiraiya recently?"

"I haven't heard a word from them since they abandoned Konoha." Flippant words that hid deep hurt.

"They did not abandon us; Jiraiya is doing some undercover work for Konoha, and Tsunade simply needed a break." Only a fool believes his own lies.

"Undercover work that you only signed into effect, once he did not return with us from Ame. And it is only the Senju name that keeps Tsunade from being declared a missing-nin. I'm sure you didn't bring me here to talk about wayward shinobi, and I have to get home in time to feed the children. So what do you want?"

"Children? What, children?" Unattractive confusion on the face of (supposedly) the world's best information gatherer.

"What do you want?" Phrase re-emphasized.

"Sakumo got an invitation from the Daimyo. He is having dinner with clan heads and publicly declaring his machinations to become Yondaime. That is not how things work in Konoha. Political campaigning is frowned upon at best and treasonous at worst. You are friends with him; I hoped you would provide me with some insight into his actions."

"We are not friends."

"Oh, have I misunderstood?"

Orochimaru could explain more about his life to the man he once considered a father figure. But having felt the love of a true family, he knows that his genin team was only temporary. Warriors working together for their abilities, not to care for one another, at least not past their selfish desires.

"It is not against the law to wish to be Hokage. I do not understand why Sakumo's actions need insight."

Sandaime took the reordering of the subject with grace, and the lack of pushback showed how uninterested he was in Orochimaru's story. "I would like to stick to tradition, teacher to student-"

"Two instances are not a tradition; To follow tradition, I should be your choice for Yondaime. But, I am overlooked for Namikaze, the last survivor of our combined students. Don't hide behind tradition. You, simply, dislike the lack of control." Orochimaru set down his cup, getting ready to dismiss himself.

"Change is coming, I suggest you brace yourself." The sun was setting. Kakashi and Komeko would be concerned, and a late dinner would result in tummy aches. "And sensei, I have children, a partner, a family- in case you were actually interested." He let the door swing shut behind him.

Chapter Text

Sakumo is dressed more finely than he has ever been before. Not even his wedding day outfit compares to the ensemble that Harumi, Daigi, and Tsubu-oba had put together using a combination of old robes in Hatake's storage and a newly bought outer layer.

However, the attire put together by the Hatake Clan was nothing compared to the nobles in the court of the Fire Daimyo, whose luxurious robes were thread lined in gold.

Yet still, when Sakumo presented the Daimyo and his Hime the spectacular gift of a white chakra robe, carefully crafted by all the seamsters of the Hatake, led by Anzu's vision. The audience gave the appropriate awed reaction to the kimono sleeves of glowing threads and simple, but finely-made designs of wolves prancing in a forest.

The pre-dinner show had been quite captivating, fire swallowers and sword jugglers of the civilian variety. And dinner was a decadent, fatty, sweet meal that honestly made Sakumo a little nauseous, though he hid it well.

After all that festivity, Sakumo was finally invited to approach the crescent table of the Daimyo and his favored family members and to sit in the open space before them. The pompous and puffy faced leader, announcing a few short words of welcome, bid Sakumo to tell his story.

"With permission, I shall start from the very beginning," Sakumo enunciated grandly; the Daimyo gave an impatient nod.

"The story of the Hatake predates the name Hatake. As the legend goes: Raiju-sama, the God of Stormy Skies, simultaneously blessed and cursed a farmer pleading with the heavens and earth to save his family from plague death. In Raiju-sama's ensuing answer to his call, that farmer became the First Hatake, and we, the silver-haired people, were reformed. That is the origin of our white chakra, not the God-Tree as with the rest of the world."

Sakumo slowed down his words like a storyteller with a captivated audience. He added details that may not have been historically true, but added to the drama and suspense, playing with the emotions of his noble audience as they shielded their lips to gasp and exclaim.

"It was decades after the Hatake emerged from lightning, water, and wind, that the Second Hatake, as she is called, saved us from enemy assailants. She lit the spark of our nomadic lifestyle, setting us on our feet to wander about the Earth, planting as we go. It was around the same time that Raiju-sama provided us with our canine summons so that wherever we roamed his personification followed behind."

Sakumo paused to take a sip of warm sake, gleeful that the slight pause annoyed his listeners.

He continued, "I suppose that brings us to more modern history, it was my grandmother Hatake Hara, who led the clan to Konohagakure and Fire Country. The Shodaime's promise of peace was all too tempting, but it came at a cost. Obaa-san died standing by Uzumaki Mito's side as they sealed the Kyuubi away, and yet history does not remember her name."

"It will now," The Daimyo gestured to the scribe behind Sakumo, who had been wildly scribbling the tale. Sakumo had politely ignored the man until this acknowledgment, "Hara, meaning field." The scribe rewrote her name properly, Sakumo nodded at the correction before he continued. 

"Then my granduncle Ono -meaning axe- took over the Clan Head position and led the clan through the First Shinobi World War. That was the first tolling bell for the Hatake Clan, so many of us were lost in the jinchuriki clashes. Oji-san lost his life at the beginning of the Second Shinobi World War along with the last dozen or so fighting Hatake's. By the end of all the conflict, only my son and I survived."

There were nobles dabbing handkerchiefs at the corners of their watering eyes. Sakumo felt the sadness of those memories, but more than that, he felt gratification at the spoiled nobles hanging on his every word.

"Things were uneventful for some time. Peacefully enough to raise a strong and intelligent son, but that was before my mission." Sakumo made eye contact with all he could, trying to express his sincere regrets. "I promise you all, war was never my intention. The mission details were wrong, the enemy knew of our arrival, and I chose to save teammates that I knew wouldn't stand beside me to the end."  

The Daimyo nodded magnanimously, "Of course, that wasn't your fault. The war was coming; we never blamed the Hatake people."

His official absolvance was now written for the history books, and Sakumo held back a sound of vindication.

The once-silent Hime interrupted, "Your teammates never spoke with you again? Even though you saved their lives?" Her decision to speak without permission earned her a slight glare and grunt from the Daimyo, but he, too, wanted the answer and turned back to Sakumo without additional remark.

"No, Hime-sama, they have never attempted to meet with me after our arrival home. Once the mission's results circulated, all the blame was pinned on me as their commander. I do not hold them in contempt. I made the decision to save their lives and throw the mission; I cannot escape my responsibility." Even still with his name in a better position those four mission mates have not looked his way- out of embarrassment Sakumo supposes.

"And what happened next, how did you get before us, Hatake-san?" The second interruption from the Hime had the Daimyo clearing his throat in disapproval. She ignored him quite demurely.

"I admit I was depressed for some time, lost without the love of my village, and scared of how my son would live within his father's reputation." They did not need to know anything of his deeper struggles.

"At this point, I decided," Here is where the lies begin, "that my son and I would not be last. And with help from Orochimaru, the sannin," At least he could give that credit, "We began to look for the Hatake that stayed behind on our migration all those decades ago." Keeping the details fanciful, but vague, Sakumo concluded his tale at the Hatake Clan's first reunion and howl at the moon.

"Truly a beautiful story." The Daimyo had a sly look enter his eyes. "What do you think comes next?"

Sakumo was unprovoked by his prodding; these civilians do not need the intimate details of the slight power struggle occurring in Konoha. "I do not know, Daimyo-sama, but I am certain you will be included in my next re-telling."

Daimyo hummed, noticing the dodged implication. "Perhaps retold along with your victories in the war. Surely, Konoha has forgiven what was not your error."

"It seems so, but I never blamed them for their misunderstanding," A slight falsehood, "but it will take more than our mutual camaraderie to change the future between the Hatake Clan and Konoha's relationship." Maybe a little unsubtle blink in the leader's direction.

"Yes. Something drastic, I'm sure." The Daimyo was extremely humored by their underhanded conversation.

Sakumo lowered his head in mock humility, "I know I have proven myself to many, but still it takes more than battlefield skills to be considered a leader in anything." Compliments never failed to flatter.

The Daimyo projected his voice for the enraptured audience, "That may be true, but you have more than the battlefield to your repertoire. A silver-phoenix of epic proportions to rise out of the ashes as you have."

"Do you think you will be the Third Hatake?" The Hime lowered her fan and leaned forward, fully uncaring of the Daimyo's possible reprimand.

"Pardon me, Hime?" Sakumo returned her question.

"Like in your story, will future generations of Hatake solidify your life with such an epitaph, the Third Hatake?" Her curiosity was almost childlike in a way.

"That would be an verdict best left up to my descendants." Sakumo gave the most gracious answer, but if he had any say, that title would be given to the rightful person.

Chapter Text

For the vast majority of Konoha's population, it was impossible to remember-  inconceivable to think about- a time when Hatake Sakumo was not the best among them.

With the intervillage treaties signed and the war officially over, the Hatake Clan decided to invest in those society saw as the lowest. Crossing the class boundary was an unprecedented move, contrasting the more insular clans of Konoha.

Ikubyo made his farm club volunteers official apprentices, thereby expanding his community garden in the Northwest Orphanage to include young genin with homes but without caregivers.

Harumi had refused to imitate the ladies of the Daimyo court who, after birth, sat in luxury and boredom. She joined her husband at the orphanage, teaching childcare, tea ceremonies, and housewifery skills. All subjects that can lead to employment in a wealthy patron's home, or more cunningly, a rise in social status by marriage.

Daigi, after some prodding, left his son to his own devices and officially took Youta as his heir (the young man was quite adept at molding fine wire and had started selling delicate jewelry that glowed in the dark for their civilian patrons). Daigi also reached out to the civilian school for apprentices willing to sign confidentiality contracts regarding the Hatake's secret techniques. (After a fierce internal competition that gained some village-wide attention, Daigi signed on three extra helpers for the ever-in-demand Hatake smithy.)

Riku, in turn, became an in-home financial management consultant for Konoha's wealthy nin. The state of the world being in constant tumultuous conflict meant that very few shinobi planned for the future, and fewer still set aside resources of today to enjoy at a later time. Her free financial literacy classes at the courthouse taught those from poorer circumstances that by spending frivolously, they were limiting the possibilities of their future. (Many citizens began eagerly planning marriages and families and babies, forward thinking that would be impossible without hope for sustained peace.)

Tsubu took on the bulk of the responsibility of watching the youngest Hatakes, usually dropping off and picking up Sujimaki from civilian school and leisuring in the common playground with Komeko and Chuko (with a snake and wolf following to make sure the troublemakers never wandered too far) as she held Maiko. Additionally, Tsubu became a prolific author, using the stories she read while organizing the Hatake library to publish dramatized short story biographies on Hatake Hara and Ono's worldly travels. Setting a foundation of easy camaraderie between curious civilians and 'information gathering' shinobi. (The series was especially popular in the Fire Capital within the Daimyo's court.) 

Nori had decided to seek out a leadership role in the village in addition to helping with the family businesses. It wasn't easy to obtain such a position, as she didn't have the necessary academic credentials. But through reputation and an unwillingness to take no for an answer, Nori found herself employed in the civilian judiciary system and spent most of her hours transcribing punishments and service requirements for lawbreaking individuals.

Anzu and Kurumi spent the majority of their time designing glowing patterns for their embroidery business. Targeting their imaginative and romantic civilian audience with wolves and canine imagery, and the now in-demand silver phoenix. Kurumi had also started dabbling with fur crafting, making connections with traveling merchant traders as winter approached. And Anzu did have a fellow market worker and wood craftsman who was often distracted from work and seen hanging on her every word. Interesting.

Kayoko began a cultivated fish pond featuring market staples like tuna, salmon, and bass (with the help of the nin's to reshape the land, of course). The goal was to one day create a fully self-sufficient seafood supply for the clan. 

Itsuki partnered with Kayoko as part of his study to become a med-nin, donating the cleaned fish skins to the hospital for burn victims. Civilian healers were usually disregarded in favor of their counterparts, but who decided that only those who kill can use chakra to heal? Itsuki found a willing mentor in Nohara Rin and hopes to pass the chunin med exams without ever holding a headband.

Manae and Kusatori had become the faces of the Hatake market stalls. Manae often gave demonstrations of Hatake products paired with free samples that blocked market traffic for hours. And Kusatori is days away from launching his premade bentos, advertised to those who want bold flavors for a minimal price. 

Suzuki had gone all in with her childhood obsession with spices and herbs, and once she learned that Orochimaru's mother used to drink poisonous substances for the taste, there was no going back. She gave the sannin no choice but to teach her ways of growing the 'interesting medicines'. Suzuki's not quite sure what to do with the information yet, but she is enjoying the research and building her expertise. 

Kakashi didn't change much; he went on missions, filled out reports, and was an exemplary jonin. Unlike in Rokudaime's other life, Kakashi put great effort into learning about his fellow shinobi and even planning events for shinobi that didn't require alcohol, gambling, or violence. The Hatake-sponsored first annual interdepartmental relay race was a confusing time for Konohan shinobi. However, even the most curmudgeonly nin could admit that watching Gai ragdoll Kakashi for the three-legged race was worth a few more of these.

Orochimaru's contribution was to help others contribute. Just as with the Hatakes, his reputation had improved by leaps and bounds, but his opinions regarding the fickle civilian population were best kept behind the compound walls. 

Sakumo was busy and tired, but also determined and energized. At every opportunity, he would stop to patronize civilian events or listen to some low-tier department supervisor complain about poor management, and even hosted a few more clan head dinners. Sakumo 's head burst with so many ideas on improving their social systems that eventually the hat might not fit. 

Excluding Eiji-jiji (often found sitting in a rocking chair, gazing in awe at the lush Hatake fields, basking in the sun), every clan member was doing their part, and every Konohan had noticed.

Chapter Text

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Third Hokage of Konohagakure, is a man who has a hard time admitting his wrongs.  (He has made mistakes; he is human after all, but that doesn't mean he has to acknowledge them.)

One of those mistakes (that he would not admit to) was underestimating Hatake Sakumo.

No, that is a lie. He has never underestimated Sakumo. 

The man is a genius in his own right, regardless of his upstaging son. Even as his clan died around him, Sakumo made a name for himself in the Second War, earning the admiration of his peers through charisma and intelligence. After the man’s Third War triggering mission (not really, but you get his point), the jonin had faded into the background, and Hiruzen thought he had overestimated him. 

But the wolf rose again, pulling his family close, pulling a caustic man like Orochimaru even closer. (One of the mistakes he won't admit to was not instructing his often amoral student to curb those tendencies. But Sakumo tamed the snake somehow.) 

As the Hatake clan rose in prominence, Sakumo's actions on the battlefield and beyond prompted new epithets, newer admiration, White Fang to Silver Phoenix. The Hokage isn't blind to the fact that even without the official designation of General, Commander Hatake was widely regarded as such, and respect from killers does not come easily.

However, the moves the Hatake Clan was making, the political campaign disguised as just a simple desire to help the citizens of Konoha... Hiruzen has never underestimated Sakumo, but this feels like something he never foresaw.

The Sandaime has made mistakes (that he would never admit to), but how dare the Hatake Clan be so bold as to prod the populace into seeing those errors? By the very virtue of helping his neighbor, Sakumo has demonstrated that Hiruzen always could, but never did. 

It is angering to lead one of the largest shinobi villages, mostly unscarred through two world wars, be the longest serving Hokage, with a near untouchable legacy, and come out the other side, confronted with all the things you didn't do. How dare he, they! 

Hiruzen sips his tea lightly, only paying half of his attention to his bickering teammates. Danzo had organized this meeting to strategize a way to halt Sakumo's progress and dismantle his support system. Imprisoning the S-ranked nin for defying the government would only turn him into a martyr and drum up more support from the dissatisfied. And it is impossible to make up a reason why Sakumo isn't worthy of leadership, when the Daimyo himself has endorsed him.

Thus, his teammates were talking in circles, unable to think of a good plan of action. There was only one path to take, and Hiruzen had already stepped on the road. He let the three exhaust themselves and leave unsatisfied as he repacked his pipe and filled his cup, contemplating his next guest.

Before his thoughts could spiral too far, the prompt knock he had been waiting for sounded in his office, and after his entreaty, Namikaze Minato entered. 

The yellow-haired shinobi was his choice for Yondaime. Minato may not have the monetary capital that Sakumo used to buy the civilians' favor, but he would continue the good work and traditions of his forebears. 

Of course, Hiruzen had always hoped that Tsunade would take the hat after him, even Jiraiya, if he could get the man to sit still, but moving to the generation below would have to do.

He converses for some minutes with Minato, and the man was truly the genius that Sakumo wasn't. Minato wants to improve Konoha, yes- but not by throwing away what Hiruzen had built. 

The Nidaime Senju Tobirama left Konoha in Sarutobi Hiruzen's capable hands, and he would let no one question that decision. (Even Danzo, with all his subtle ways of undermining Hiruzen, would not argue his ascendance).

As Minato speaks shallow ideas of wanting to raise a family in a peaceful world, Hiruzen already knows that the Yellow-Flash can do what the Shodaime and Nidaime died before they could achieve: a world united without war, where children were bloodless and safe under the banner of Konoha.

No matter what plans Homura or Koharu make about carefully undermining Sakumo or Danzo's blatant urge for some brutal crackdown of political dissent, those methods are tedious and unnecessary because the power is in his hands.

Why should he, the Sandaime Hokage, care that a thousand upon thousand people support the Hatakes? He has made his decision, his choices are infallible, and he has never made a mistake.

Chapter Text

Minato wasn't naive; he knew what the Sandaime wanted. He understood the agreements the Hokage had been trying to bind him to and he had tried his best to skirt around or deflect any possible promises. 

In truth, the Sandaime's timing was weeks too late. If the Hokage-ship had been presented to him at the end of the war, he would have said yes, but now...

It had taken Minato less than twenty hours to decide that Sakumo should be Yondaime.

Minato's decision to defer leadership had been proven correct by Sakumo's moves. The Hatake had built upon plans, ideas, and programs that Minato had never even thought of. Sakumo had a forward-thinking mind that Minato could not yet match. But one day he would.

Additionally, the work of a Hokage was filled with long hours of paperwork and conflict resolution, two things Minato enjoyed. But he had family, friends, and a future where his children knew his name to think of. The heads of the Sarutobi family weren't inelegant, but everyone knew the Hokage's sons did not place their father in high regard. The gossip surrounding the family was honestly pitiful. Is it treasonous to think that?

Minato did not yet have children, but he and Kushina were ready and hopeful for the future. They both wanted to be able to slow down after the fast-paced life war had forced them into. Sakumo's rhetoric has won everyone over; improving one's situation should not come at the cost of enjoying life, something the Sandaime clearly didn't believe in.

In the end, Minato's opinion didn't matter. The Hokage had gotten a stubborn look in his eye, and the jonin knew he had to act fast lest he be stuck with a fancy hat much too soon.

Minato exited the tower with a sedate smile and met the questioning eyes of the shinobi and citizens around him. The rumor mill always worked too fast, and in this case, maybe the Hokage even helped this along.

Minato will not be manipulated into a terrible decision for his future, not even by his leader, one who seemed to be making decisions out of pride and not logic. 

But if the rumor's effect was supposed to be joy or celebration; it wasn't. Minato was inundated with confusion and disappointed reactions, and he agreed. 

The Yellow-Flash made no move to hide from the stares of Konoha's civilians and shinobi citizens. He walked the market streets slowly, greeting everyone who met his eyes, and pausing to browse without pausing for questions. 

The Hatake stalls were closed on the fifth day, and Minato knew that. But he made a big show of being disappointed by the closed sign and starting a journey to the Hatake compound. 

The whispers began; he did not bother to listen in, but still, he hoped the right message was circulating.

Let everyone see Minato's priorities. Let them notice how he supports Sakumo's candidacy, his student's father, and a man he greatly admires. Let them spread word of how the Sandaime must have offered Minato the ultimate authority of the village, and the first thing he did was seek advice from his 'opponent'. Let them know that Minato is on their side, wishing for Sakumo's vision of the future, and not the Sandaime's preservation of the past.

Minato will not be Yondaime Hokage, not if he has anything to say about it.

The population of Konoha's citizens present to witness Minato's rambling walk understood that this was a forthcoming finale. After long months of wondering who their next leader would be, the decisions were finally being made. They all watched inconspicuously (not truly) as the wandering nin made his way through the Hatake compound gates. Whatever resolution occurred there and whichever man conceded, the gossip wheel will have something to say.

Chapter Text

"Raiju-fucking-damn-it! Why is he so ridiculously stubborn?!" Sakumo let loose the expletives that Rokudaime was keeping buried in himself.

Everyone else present for the meeting was a little taken aback by the cursing, but they all agreed to the sentiment.

Kakashi projected Sakumo's question to Rokudaime, seeking answers as to why the purported 'smartest shinobi' was behaving almost childlike.

Sakumo would literally be the best leader Konoha may ever have. (More than Tsunade and Rokudaime, Sakumo actually wants the job. Hiruzen is a stagnant plague, and Hashirama's and Tobirama's methodology led Konoha into cyclical wars. Naruto may beat him out on sheer charismatic force, but Sakumo was building a world without shinobi; a world of lasting peace.)

Rokudaime sends back to Kakashi the best answer he has: Danzo. The Sandaime has always been weak to his friend in such a toxically unhealthy way (Rokudaime ignores Kakashi's jab about Obito).

Either Danzo is pushing for the Sandaime to name Minato as Yondaime since he is the younger, 'weaker' candidate, or the Sandaime has already built Danzo's closet full of skeletons and knows that Sakumo would expose that bloody truth to the world (unlike Minato, who would much prefer reasoning with his enemies with temperance (like son, like father).

Riku-oba spoke to Sakumo, who was letting his anger and despair show around the safety of his family. "Are we truly left with no other options? Honestly, how much more can we do? Sure, we have benefited most of all, but I still expected the big prize at the end." 

Rokudaime let the conversation flow over his (Kakashi's) head. As the others thought of ways to have Minato concede without losing face, he was building a different idea.

"These ideas are fine, but they won't work." Hissed words.

Rokudaime let his presence come to the forefront with Orochimaru's interjection.

"If Minato concedes, that would put him in a bad light as a leader and shinobi. Additionally, Sakumo's win will seem illegitimate if it was achieved by the acquiescence of his opponent. No, we have to force the Sandaime's hand; a confrontation."

"Isn't that dangerous, Lovely? I mean, I do believe I can defeat Sarutobi, but that may come off as a coup if I am tried for coercion or intimidation." Sakumo seriously considered the option violence.

Off to the side, Komeko and Chuko were shifting the dirt of the ground around in swirls of chakra. (Her birthday was coming up soon, and she had been loudly hinting at signing a summon scroll as a gift. She wasn't picky about which one (The snakes would riot if they lost the 'competition' for Komeko's attention)). They were not growing anything, but the playtime gave Rokudaime a spark of an idea.

Kakashi interrupted the adults’ talk of light treason (The Hatake would not go the way of the Uchiha in the future-past), "We should have a party, celebrating Mariko-chan's one hundred days on earth, with fireworks and civilian vendors and entertainers. It's coming in eight days, so that's enough time to plan, yes?"

Harumi was mildly confused by the change of subject. "I mean, our plan was just to have our usual gathering in the moonlight, not necessarily a party, maybe invite some of the better-behaved orphans." 

"That sounds nice, but let's also invite Tou-sans' former students, Minato and Kushina, and some of our civilian business partners, and Mikoto-sama's family -she loves babies, Itachi will bring a gift-, and we can't forget Gai and his team, which means his sensei will probably want to come along and bring his friends.

“Also, we can't leave out Nori's judge friends from the courthouse or Tsubu-obaa merchant friends, and Oro-tou has some connections with the department commanders, so we probably wouldn't have to pay to use part of the road outside the compound if we invite them too.

“Really go all in for a festival day. And while we are at it, let's invite the Hokage as well; he definitely wouldn't want to miss the party of the decade." Kakashi let himself ramble breathlessly, guided by the vaguest of flashes from Rokudaime. "I just think no one can resist the celebration of life. Truly, for Mariko to have so many politically influential people present for her One Hundred Days would be such a blessing."

Kakashi panted, in the shocked silence of his taken aback family.

Ikubyo was not amused. "Don't go using your fancy not-so-subtle double speak on your family. You want to gather our political and social support to pressure the Sandaime face-to-face with Sakumo's power, and you want to use Mariko as the excuse, right?" 

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head bashfully, "It's the best idea I've got. Minato-sensei will be displaying support for Tou-san in front of everybody. For the Sandaime to choose him after such a showcase would be seen as gauche."

"It's a good idea, better than threats for sure. If the new parents will agree?" Sakumo turned pleadingly toward Harumi and Ikubyo; in fact, everyone present did, Kakashi was not above using his puppy eyes.

Harumi twisted her lips, not too pleased with the forming plan. Gazing down at her calm and sleepy baby, she asked, "Will Mariko have to be present for the festivities?"

Sakumo excitement built at the possibilities of a final stand, "No, just an introduction at the front gates to the higher ranking guests, so they may give their well wishes for a beautiful life and hold up our excuse. And then behind in a fortified room for some sleep... maybe a guard dog or two ensuring no disturbances." He could have made that pitch in his sleep.

"I will even enforce the room with some fuinjutsu so the outside noise won't bleed in. So, please." Is there such a thing as snakey eyes, because that is what Orochimaru was doing?

Harumi and Ikubyo made silent conversational eye contact before the father slumped back with a 'Fine'.

"Oh, perfect, thank you. Okay, Tsubu-obaa, if you use your connection with the stall merchants to have some outside service for our party and decrease the amount of work we have to do." "We really should put up some boundaries on where we don't want strangers." "Nori, can you get permission from the civilian counsel for fireworks?" "Got it." "We should hire a team for the decoration paper lantern and banners in Hatake silver and blue." "No, not Hatake colors, red and white the Hokage's colors," "Won't that seem too eager and desperate?" "We should hold it in the dojo, and far away from the farmland." "But the field is a much prettier setting, especially if there will be fireworks." "Does anyone know what the weather may be like?" "You think we should plan for rain in Fire County? Come on, It will be sweltering." "Well, you've got to expect the unexpected, know-it-all."

Rokudaime took a backseat from the rapidly made plans, watching what could have been in his world, and more importantly, what was going to be in this one.

Chapter Text

Danzo is a patient man.

Some might call it calculating or manipulative, but he truly sees himself as a man who, when given the ability to care, had the greatest capacity for patience and long-term planning.

Having said that, Danzo may have gotten a little impatient with the state of Konoha's political landscape. So much so that he has inadvertently created a wild horse charging out of his control.

Danzo is the first to admit that he is a liar. He is a shinobi; lies, death, and bloody decisions are the least of his sins, but at the current moment, his greatest failure was underestimating Hatake Sakumo.

He had spent so much time 'dissuading' any and all potential Hokage candidates. From Kato Dan's mission sabotage and the effect it had on Tsunade-chan, to whispering poisonous truths about Orochimaru into Hiruzen's ear. He didn't have to do anything to Jiraiya; the man took himself out of the equation, and Sakumo's 'honorable' actions were a perfect catalytic situation for another war and more opportunities for resource-grabbing.

Danzo had imagined that with enough social pressure and ostracization that Sakumo would crumble and take the 'easy' way out. After that, the only viable candidate- according to traditionalists- would have been Jiraiya's student Namikaze Minato, who, while brilliant, was too trusting, and Danzo could have run circles around that young boy.

After a week of observation on the depressed Hatake, he thought his plans were successful and had instructed his ROOT to stop surveillance on the clan head and simply inform him when the deed was done.

It was pure hubris, and he is willing to admit that mistakes were made on his part.

The next time he turned his gaze toward the Hatake, it was already too late. The strong clan of twenty or so had ingratiated itself into Konoha's trade economy and the social networks that determine popularity and approval. (Danzo stayed away from such civilian factors of success, which is why the civilian clan escaped his notice.( Growing food was a disgusting waste of white chakra's abilities.))

Trying to recruit the Hatake orphans for ROOT had also brought some unwanted attention from the clan of wolves and Orochimaru (how did the serpent get involved?). So he sent the wolf and snake pair to the worst frontlines with the worst teams, and they survived, becoming war heroes and the best contenders for Yondaime.

Things kept getting worse. Not getting Kakashi, the genius, or even one of the lesser Hatake children with strong, unique chakra had been terrible but no real loss. Until the clan had the brilliant move of 'adopting' the NorthWest Orphanage, which cut off ROOT's access there and brought more scrutiny to the running of all the children's spaces. Danzo had to slow his recruitment to a crawl; Even worse, he had to end ROOT’s graduation test, because replacing the dead became too difficult.

Then the Daimyo, the Daimyo of all people, ruined Danzo's plans to stage Sakumo's death; now there were too many eyes, and there would have been too many questions.

And finally, this Hundred Day celebration for the newest Hatake, a weak excuse for a political push. Danzo doesn't believe Hiruzen is strong enough to stand against the wave of discontent should the Hatake candidate not gain the Yondaime title.

There is a fleeting idea to partner with Sakumo, perhaps form a relationship with the wolf, much like he had with Hiruzen. Where the man looks away from the innocent blood on his hands in exchange for blissful ignorance.

No, that 'principled' shinobi would never look away. Rather, the Hatake would expose it all to the light, and the shadows of Konoha would burn in the heat.

Maybe he can disrupt things. Delay the inevitable by 'misplacing' the girl of the hour from her family, turn the celebration into a tragedy. Danzo doesn't even finish the thought before throwing it out. The wolves will sniff his agents out before they can enter the compound, and the game will be over too quickly if all of Konoha was rallied against him.

Danzo is stuck without a means of escape; it is only a matter of time before Hatake figures out the inconsistencies in the Sandaime's rule and looks for answers in the darkness. After all his hard work, Hatake Sakumo was still alive and was this close to becoming Hokage.

Well, it doesn't truly matter, Sakumo can win the battle, but Danzo will win the war. He just needs to be a little more patient.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

No one could have foreseen this moment, especially not Hiruzen with his limited imagination on how descendants may surpass their ancestors. Somehow, the Hatake Clan had done what the Sandaime and his predecessors had been unable to. The Hatake gathered the clans and people of Konoha together, uniting them in more than just a desire for survival.

It was the Shodaime's ultimate dream that the separations of the Clan Wars Era might never come to pass once more. Hashirama's solution was to dissolve the majority of the Senju Clan, hoping that the others would follow. They did not. The clans remained as separated allies who could work together and die for one another, but without any further trust or love between the peoples.

The Nidaime disagreed with the 'One Clan Konoha' goal. Tobirama-sensei believed that such a world was unrealistic, and while he maintained his clan's dissolution after his brother's death, it was for other reasons.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was called upon to continue their great and overshadowing legacy, he believed that the goals of a united Konoha were not achieved because they were impossible. If the great men before him couldn't do it, then how could he?

But something has changed. Hiruzen walks through the throngs of the Hatake Compound, placing his simple gift of a bracelet among the compiled, unsubtle gifts of support for the Hatake with the colors of the Hokage. He wove through the grounds with its tents, stands, and meeting places, and witnessed the intermingling firsthand.

Over there, a Nara and an Inuzuka arm wrestle without chakra as the crowd cheers both opponents, looking surprisingly determined. And over there, a cozy-looking pair of a Hyuga and Akimichi are trading red bean recipes, laughing beside a grill. In the crowd, a civilian entertainer is leading a bumbling Uchiha through the steps of an elegant dance, and the shinobi laughs through the embarrassment. This is supposed to be impossible.

How did the Hatake achieve this in months, when less has been achieved in Hiruzen's lifetime?

Koharu and Homura had already split off, attracted by the many sweet treats on offer; thus, only two were left to wander the crowds. Though Danzo doesn't speak, Hiruzen can hear his words: 'Don't be taken in by the sights. This is only temporary. It cannot last. Only through my methods will Konoha remain strong and untouchable.'

But what Hiruzen sees before him is strength. A different sort of Will-of-Fire than he had ever encountered; This will break his legacy.

A silent conversation passed between the teammates. Danzo made one last attempt to dissuade Hiruzen with the movements of his eyebrows, but time had run out for both of them.

The Sandaime walked an uncompromising line toward the laughing back of Hatake Sakumo.

As the Hokage made his way, and people noticed his destination; their natural conversations began to die, and whispers rose to take their place.

The two civilians speaking with the Hatake Clan Head tried very conspicuously to signal his approach to Sakumo, but the wolf would be a poor shinobi if he hadn't already sensed the wrapped chakra signature.

"Sakumo-san." A simple attention-grabber.

The man turned with a grin that could have swallowed the moon. Hiruzen had to shove down his irritation at the sight; Everyone was watching.

Loud and joyful, the man acknowledged him, "Greetings, Hokage-sama. I apologize for not meeting you at the gate. There has just been so much to prepare; Nonetheless, how can I help you?"

The crowd held its collective breath. Hiruzen could not do this in front of an audience, not when his emotions may leak out without his consent. "There is something I would like to discuss with you, perhaps in your office?"

Sakumo raised an eyebrow at the implication of privacy. He politely excused himself from the two civilian businessmen and sent a wink toward his wide-eyed son, before indicating for the Hokage to follow him.

They made their way through the crowd, with Sakumo calling out, 'Eat, Enjoy, this will just be a moment.' No one moved their gaze; this was history in the making, and they refused to miss a second.

A quick walk through dark hallways and Hiruzen was let into an office space with few furnishings but many scattered sheets of outlines and planning. Sakumo closed the door behind them and quickly adjusted the windows to ensure no one could see within. He also lit the extra lamp on his desk.

Hiruzen watched his motions without interruption, taking in the chaotic organization on display.

"What would you like to discuss, Hokage-sama?" Sakumo turned to face his leader, with his shoulders straight and tone firm. The grin from before was gone.

Unintentionally, a weary sigh escaped the Hokage's lips. "I never imagined I would be so outmaneuvered."

Sakumo raised his eyebrows with surefire disbelief. "Is that how you see my actions, as some dastardly plan to thwart you?"

"Was it not?" Hiruzen retorted.

Projected disbelief, "I want to do what is right by Konoha, and I know I can, if given the chance. Why shouldn't I push toward my goals? I am sorry that you felt like standing in the way."

Hiruzen nodded at the slight jab, taking the unoffered seat in front of the desk. How long has it been since he was in the 'weaker' position of any room? Sakumo replicated his action by taking his usual chair at the head of the room.

Leaning forward, Sakumo sighed, "Hokage-sama, do you really believe anyone else, that Minato, can do a better job than I can, than I have proven to do?"

"Better is probably the wrong word." A paltry diversion.

"Provide a better one." An annoyed demand.

A strangled laugh, "You want to change the status quo, that is a dangerous course of action. How long would it be before the people start questioning their leaders and start having opinions on mission assignments? Hmm, when shall our chain of command fall apart? We are killers; without firm structure, anarchy is sure to follow."

Sakumo leaned back comfortably, and the fierceness of his expression did not change. "I have asked no question of you that you would not want to be asked in turn. We are killers, yes. But we also die at the command of those above us; And we, who would die for you, deserve to know that your reasons are valid and the cause is true."

"What is truer cause than the defense of Konoha, our home?"

"The pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness; anything out of the never-ending cycle of violence and war."

The Sandaime rolled his eyes, "Pipe dreams."

Sakumo snorted at the irony, "For a man who smokes a pipe, I think you are muddying your reality. A world where children are not sent to battle, where adults can see their twenty-fifth years, and where veterans are more than a dime a dozen is possible. I will make it so."

"I am afraid you will crumble Konoha into nothing but memory, while chasing your utopia." A fearful prediction.

"Konoha would deserve to crumble if our survival is contingent on the sacrifice of the next generation." An unshakable conviction.

And there. Pain lances through his old heart.

That is what Hiruzen fears from Sakumo the most, his absolute determination that Konoha can be better than he has ever tried to make it. If those words are true, then Hiruzen is a man soaked in blood, stained red by countless mistakes.

Chapter Text

"Is this really happening? Finally happening?" Kakashi whispered the words under his breath after his father escorted the Hokage to his office.

The feeling in his body was floaty, like the headiness of working so hard toward a goal and then arriving at the make-or-break. The adrenaline coursing through his veins had nowhere to go. If he were any less of a shinobi, his hands would be shaking. Rokudaime was no help in helping him remain calm.

The spike of anxiety had his dogs prodding him with concerned whimpers. Pakkun clamored onto his summoner's shoulders to rub at his ear. Gai, who would not have noticed the change in mood if not for the change in the pack, nudged Kakashi almost subtly with befuddled eyes.

Those two motions broke Kakashi out of the oncoming spiral.

The prodigy walked away from his companions, carrying Pakkun in his arms now, with seven dogs trailing behind. He still wasn't sure what to feel in his body at that moment, but he knew he had to find Orochimaru first. If their dreams were coming true or falling apart, the man needed to be here.

Kakashi was single-minded in his goal and thus didn't notice the procession he began. His following dogs and Gai were joined by Genma and Suzuki, with whom they had been conversing, and most of the guests that had been present to observe the Hokage's exchange with Sakumo.

By the time the Snake Sannin had been found, a quarter of their party guests were standing behind Kakashi, not wanting to miss a word.

"Oro-tou," Kakashi interrupted the fierce debate Orochimaru had been engaging in with Shikaku, "The Sandaime has pulled Tou-san aside. They are in his office right now."

Those simple words communicated everything. All at once, the elder moved into a controlled flurry, directing Kakashi, his summons, and friends to gather all the Hatake's around the back entrance of the main compound house.

It will be one last show of force, with so many chakra signatures in shining proximity, the Hokage (and Sakumo) would be able to feel the pulse of the people.

The guests moved in tandem. The adjusting crowd was in no way subtle. Individual conversations and group activities had halted; those were no longer as interesting as the current happenings.

Everyone had fallen silent, waiting and watching that back entrance for any change. The dancers had stopped dancing, the singers stopped singing, the chefs lowered their heat, and all focus was dialed up to the nth in frozen anticipation.

The gathered people hummed with that frothing energy, the civilians who did not readily understand whispered their questions: "What's happening?" "It's happening." "Truly?" "It's finally happening."

Kakashi was holding onto Komeko's hand on his left; she was biting her lips, catching onto his anxiety, and he was hurting Gai's hand on his right, though his rival squeezed back just as strongly. His family and friends surrounded him, Oro-tou directly at his back, his summons at his feet in learned sitting positions, every Hatake from Kayoko who had been lightly dozing before to Tsubu-obaa and family standing with Anzu and Nori and Eiji-jiji, who had found a rocking chair from somewhere to settle into.

The entirety of the Hatake Clan (barring Mariko and Sakumo) was then followed by a loose hierarchy of Clan Heads and their families, high-rank to low-ranking shinobi in front of the unaffiliated guests, civilian merchants, and workers on the outskirts. Every single person present was united in their patience; no matter how long it would take, they would not move.

(Danzo found Koharu and Homura, and together they haunted the edges of the crowd, uncharacteristically restless. Danzo held out some hope, praying to Tobirama-sensei that Hiruzen maintained his will-power.)

The time ticked forward, and midnight came and went.

The gathered watchers and waiters remained steady and ever more hushed, in an almost trance-like state.

Quiet.

Silent.

Soundless.

Then it happened.

Out of the darkness of the open hallway, a figure approached. A man appeared dressed in white and gray, his kimono robes hung loosely around his frame, his body bowed by time, and his head tipped down in dismay.

The length of the old man's shoulders hung heavy with the weight of the world. He perceived the crowd without surprise, and they made no acknowledgement of his exit. The crowd was looking through him- behind him, and he wordlessly stepped to the side, out of the path of the dark entrance.

In the space of so many seconds, stretched to minutes and hours, a man clothed in red and white strode forward. His spine straight and knees strong, he stood tall; a head of shaggy silver hair topped with a crown of cloth and drapes. He approached the threshold and stepped into the light. Nothing could hide his grin or gleaming the triumph in his eyes.

And in the vacuum of those precious few seconds, the audience's energy began to rumble, and that rumble grew to a shout, and that shout exploded into a roar.

As the cheering sound returned the ability to breathe to Kakashi's spirit, some intelligent civilians set off the fireworks, and the night sky lit up as though it were dawn. It seems that was a signal for those outside of the Hatake gates, for jubilant shouts were heard from beyond the walls as Yondaime Hatake Sakumo's clan embraced him.

"Congratulations, Tou-san!" Kakashi had to yell to be heard.

Their new leader had yet to stop his grinning, and Komeko, who ended up in her father's arms, was enjoying the release of tension and the freedom of screaming her head off.

Sakumo received so many claps on the back, so many handshakes, a thousand hugs, and a deeply amorous kiss from Orochimaru that had the audience whistling, and a former Hokage and three teammates slipping away unnoticed and unadorned.

For those staying behind, the party had just begun: "Three cheers for the Yondaime Hokage. Long live Hatake Sakumo!" Again and again and again.

Chapter Text

Raiju was nervous. Can you imagine, Raiju, the god of the stormy skies, nervous? But there was no sense in denying his anxiety, a mortal emotion.

Floating in the cover of gray clouds at sunset, looking down at the sprawling Konohan buildings, the blazing silver and red wolf shuffled his paws back and forth. All his restless energy struggled to be contained.

He wanted to be less anxious about joining his family. He could see them congregating before the raised platform, all the Hatake humans and canines excitedly waiting for the show to begin. And as always, their unity called to him. But unlike the last time when he stayed in the shadows, this time he wanted to sit with them and know their names, their voices, and their stories- especially the chaos bringer.

But... Raiju whined, peeking down again. There were so many other humans around; the not-his group far outnumbered his group, and he did not like that at all. Random mortals perceiving him - absolutely not. A non-Hatake has never laid eyes upon him, and he doesn't want to break the streak, but... Raiju shook his fur, letting the strands floof up with static, then relax. What was he, Raiju, the god of cowards? No!

Raiju forced his incorporeal form to leap from the skies. He landed amongst the not-his people, and slowly tiptoed his way to the Hatake grouping.

At the edge of the silver-haired crowd, he dashed his invisibility cloak. The not-his humans will see a silver wolf of massive size, but his Hatake will feel the additional power emanating from his fur.

One more moment of indecision, before Raiju is trotting forward with a false confidence, head held high, snout pointed up.

One of the younger ones notices him first; they get the attention of an elder who looks at him with narrowed eyes before recognition sparks, and she bows deeply, urging the younger one to do the same.

Raiju keeps a steady pace, walking forward with purpose to meet the clan head and heir uninterrupted, his pack of two and four-legged Hatake latch onto his presence and bow. The not-his humans do not quite understand, but they do not interfere, watching from a distance they whisper their intrigue.

Eventually, Raiju stands at the head of the crowd, and before the child who changed the cosmos. The young boy tipped forward at the waist, before raising himself to look Raiju in the eye.

Raiju doesn't know what shows in his expression or body language, whether the nerves or the loneliness break through. Regardless, the Hatake heir, choreographing his move, gently lays a hand upon his head. Breaths are held.

The heir carefully pets the ridges of his eyes and up to scratch at his ears, "Good evening, Raiju-sama. Have you come to watch the play with us?" 

Raiju can't help but lean in to the touch with a wagging tail and insistent nose. "Yes," was the simplest answer, and with it his people relaxed (well, his people and one curious snake, what is Manda's own doing here?)

The entirety of the Hatake Clan made for one boisterous group of barking dogs and shuffling humans, as they settled in their front row seats with most of Konoha's population behind them.

A banner fell from the stage rigging to reveal the sign. "The Fire Capital Performers Present: The Silver Phoenix: The Story of the Hatake as told by Yondaime Hatake Sakumo."

The crowd gave raucous applause as the lights dimmed, and Raiju struggled to remain calm. The sound of thunder and lightning was soothing, but the cheers of not-his humans had his heart racing. The heir seemed to pick up on the change as the actors climbed onto the stage and casually wrapped an arm around his back (Raiju would never admit to needing the offered comfort).

The play had only a loose plotline to reality, and the actors varied greatly in skill. Still, it was nice to be reminded of his first friend and the descendants who have long since passed, but were also on four paws surrounding him.

The stage play closed on the actor-Sakumo, in his shaggy white wig, wearing an imitation of the Hokage robes with the 'ghosts' of his ancestors behind him. The audience was enthusiastic in their applause, and Sakumo, in his own real Hokage robes sans hat, rose to give praise to the actors, adding to the cheers.

Raiju stayed by the side of the heir with gravity-defying hair.

The Clan head, turning back to his family and their god, asked, "Is that how you remember those events, Raiju-sama?" Behind him, an older Hatake woman had somehow obtained a notebook and pen in hand, already recording this interaction and ready to mark down his words.

Raiju turned his head at a forty-five-degree angle to take a better look at the man, before answering his question with another, "What is your name?"

The man hid his surprise and downturned his head to answer, "My name is Hatake Sakumo, Raiju-sama."

By now, the audience had shifted their attention from the stage to the preoccupied Hatake, however Raiju no longer feared their gaze in the company of his pack.

"And yours?" This time, he asked the woman with the pen.

Her writing hand stilled, "I am Hatake Tsubu. You honor us, Raiju-sama."

And down the line he went seeking for each and every name until he knew all his Hatake's (Including the snake, Orochimaru, because it felt like something he could tease Manda about. (The man himself was pleasantly stunned at being included.)

The wolf, Yura, took it upon herself to introduce her four-legged brethren with their new names. Raiju admired her initiative, though he may always remember her as the woman with the braided hair. The introductions ended with the bright-eyed baby, "And this is our newest member, Hatake Mariko, Raiju-sama."

Raiju nodded, committing every face and name to memory, with all eyes on him, he looked back to Sakumo, "I would be glad to tell you my side of the story one day. Though at this moment I must go." Raiju had blown past his tolerance limit for social interaction.

"Kakashi." He turned all four paws toward the double-souled time traveler.

"Yes, Raiju-sama," The answer was cautious. Perhaps he feared the wolf would give away his secrets.

Raiju intended no such thing; instead, the wolf-god moved forward to touch his nose to forehead and puffed out a chakra-laced breath. The air charged lightly, and harmless sparks of static raced over Kakashi's body and into his hair, spiking up the lifted strands to their maximum limit. The laughter among the greater crowd of Hatake's and watchers was instantaneous, and Kakashi pretended annoyance as he struggled to lay the hair down again.

With that parting action and joyful note, Raiju returned to his incorporeal form before leaping into the heavens, feeling mighty accomplished.

(The Hatake's on the ground were left to fend off questions that they refused to answer from the nosey audience. Accurate assumptions were made, and many would spread the tale of the Hatake and their god beyond Konoha.)

Chapter Text

Eiji wishes Mai were here to see this: a vision so serene it made a tear fall from his eye for the joy of it.

Decades before, when Eiji had been a young man without a terrible chill in his bones, he had grand visions. Big dreams of a farming empire, multiple acres, and serfs all under the name Imanishi.

It was around that time he met his first and only love, Hatake Mai. She admired his passion for the future and even more his desire for prosperity. His charisma and his love for her drew her away from her family, and in some ways, he believes the ultimate cause for her death.

The new couple had settled in an up-and-coming valley known for fertile soil and an economy on the cusp of booming. Eiji had a few helpers, and Mai had a little horticulture garden, and they were happy. Happier even still when little Ikubyo came along. His son was a spitting image of his mother, who loved the dirt and the grass more than anything else. Eiji had thought surely he could give them all he promised and more, and they were joyful for a time.

But then the plague came, workmen got frightened away, and traders started ignoring the little valley. And worse yet, his Mai fell sick and never recovered. At the end of her time, little Ikubyo cried in his father's arms, demanding to hug a mother he could not touch. She smiled softly and fell into a forever sleep, her last words were, "Take care of my son."

And he tried.

Eiji did his best, but he could not replace the love of a mother or the bond the two shared. So instead he tried to give Ikubyo his dream- prosperity. And he kept failing. The second war drove even more people away, the soil refused to cooperate, and eventually their farm became nothing, but dust and strife.

And on the edge of defeat, of knowing that for all his ambitions, Eiji would give his life to have his son not lose a little bit more hope each day, littler Kakashi appeared with his Sannin.

The young boy, who called him grandfather and saved their lives, is the one who actually achieved all the promises Eiji made to Mai.

Eiji bundled up tightly, watched the extraordinary vision, his Ikubyo with his Mariko wrapped tightly to his front, made his way through the lush Hatake field. With glowing feet, Ikubyo gave life to the dark soil, and with his lips, he sang the work song to his daughter, Eiji's grandchild, whom he once believed he would never live to see.

But here, amongst the green and clear, he can rest. With a future safe and sure, he can let go.

-

Ikubyo finished his daily walk, patting Mariko's little back to keep her calm. He made his way back to his father and froze for a moment when he realized the man wasn't just asleep. Carefully, he made his way to the body's side to close those tear-filled open eyes, and tuck the blanket more firmly around the smiling chin.

-

In a vast mountainous forest, a shivering chihuahua appeared. It shook its little paws and found a warm rock to lie on. Before long, it was joined by a soft little pumi. Later on, after his nap, he will introduce himself as JiJi, but for now, just rest.