Chapter 263 - 263 (1/2)

Orochimaru's ”defection” set off an uproar in Konoha. All the civilians wondered how one of the legendary Sannin could actually do such a thing!

Unlike the civilians, the clans were now focusing on harvesting the fruit of his work on Hashirama's cells.

Lain had been living with Yamanaka clan for quite some time now, being Ryo's sister.

After witnessing would the latter could do, especially on that night when he faced the Kyubi himself, all clans knew that they could not afford to offend him on their own. Therefore, Lain's clan was determined by default.

In the Hokage's conference room, all clans were almost waging war over who would adopt Yamato. All of a sudden, an Anbu entered and approached Sakumo, whispering something in his ears.

As the latter heard whatever the Anbu said, his face became pale and he immediately ended the meeting and rushed out!

In Konoha's hospital, Ryo was looking helplessly at Kakashi who was wrapped in bandages.

'Orochi san is too cruel! I told him to be merciful, and look how Kakashi turned out!' Ryo thought…

Kakashi was thinking at this time as well, wondering why Orochimaru did not kill him. Shouldn't he, a defecting Ninja, kill the Anbu following him? But Orochimaru was acting more like a rough instructor than an enemy…

Just as both were thinking about that, Sakumo arrived.

Seeing Kakashi in bed, he frowned with anger in his eyes: ”Ryo, how's Kakashi?”

”He just has some flesh wounds, a whole lot of flesh wounds… He's a bit weak now, and he's not in a state suitable for a lot of Medical Ninjutsu intervention. He'll be better off taking a few days of rest.

Hearing that his son was fine, Sakumo breathed a sigh of relief.

”Sakumo san, I'll leave now, and let have a good chat with Kakashi.” Saint turned around and left.

Both father and son were not that talkative. After a long silence, Sakumo said: ”Kakashi, how did you feel facing Orochimaru?”

Kakashi bowed his head. Facing the Sannin, he did not even have the courage to fight; Orochimaru smothered him with just momentum alone.

Seeing his son's face, Sakumo could guess how he felt and how things went down in the woods.

As a father, Sakumo felt he had the duty of comforting Kakashi. However, as a Ninja, he felt that this experience should greatly help Kakashi's growth; that is if Kakashi could manage to conquer his fear on his own.

After some hesitation, Sakumo decided not to say anything, hoping that his son would grow out of this experience.

Once again, silence prevailed in the ward, until this time, it was broken by Kakashi: ”Dad, why did you try to commit suicide back when I was younger?”

Sakumo was stunned by the question and he asked: ”Why ask about this so suddenly?”

”Because Orochimaru said that… only when I understand you could I be stronger. This… this is the thing I don't understand the most about you.”

Sakumo did not answer immediately, asking instead: ”Kakashi, why do you think I did that to myself?”

Kakashi replied after some thought: ”The pressure of the village? Your self-esteem?”

Sakumo shook his head: ”Kakashi, do you truly think that I am one to fall to the pressure? Do you think I'm one to values self-esteem over life?”

Kakashi became more and more confused: ”Why did you do it then?”