Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 54: A Chance Encounter

After the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige reached its peak. His word was law in Konoha, and his sweeping reforms sent chills down the spines of the noble clans. Yet, with the example of the Senju Clan looming over them, none dared to openly oppose him.

Despite this, civilian-born ninjas still found themselves sidelined. Most were assigned to border patrol duties, while a handful of elites were placed in Anbu—serving more as errand runners than anything else.

This led to growing discontent among some civilian ninjas, who started blaming Sakumo Hatake. As their leader, they believed he was too submissive before the Third Hokage and had failed to secure the power they deserved.

Hayama had overheard such rumors multiple times in public settings and suspected that they might be deliberately spread by high-ranking officials. Otherwise, given Sakumo Hatake's achievements and power, why would such unfavorable rumors emerge out of nowhere?

However, Hayama wasn't too concerned. As things stood, Sakumo Hatake held a position of significant authority in Konoha. He was still the head of Anbu and a clear candidate for the next Hokage. A few scattered rumors weren't a cause for alarm—after all, the greater the person, the greater the envy they attracted. It was inevitable that someone as prominent as Sakumo would draw criticism.

Meanwhile, Hayama remained focused on strengthening himself. His chakra reserves had already surpassed those of an average jōnin, and his control over the timing and intensity of his jutsu had improved drastically. Against Uchiha Fugaku—so long as he didn't activate his Sharingan—Hayama was almost certain of victory.

That noon, after finishing his training, Hayama headed toward the commercial district. He had been meaning to try the ramen at Ichiraku, which Yamashiro Tatsun had praised endlessly. Afterward, he planned to continue his training.

As someone who had lived a previous life as a corporate worker, Hayama was no stranger to ramen. He had frequently visited Lanzhou noodle shops, not only because they were affordable but also because they filled him up—even if the beef slices were as thin as paper. As a corporate worker, he hadn't had the luxury of being picky. Having food on the table was good enough.

Ichiraku Ramen's location was interesting. If viewed on a map, it was positioned right in the center of Konoha—north of the Hokage Building and south of the ever-expanding Uchiha district. Given the heavy foot traffic in the area, it was no surprise that the shop had gained popularity.

Unfortunately, since it was lunchtime, the shop was packed. Given its small space, customers had to queue up for a long time just to get a bowl of ramen.

Looking at the long line, Hayama estimated that it would take at least two to three hours before he could get his meal. Feeling impatient, he turned around and left. Time was precious. Instead of wasting it waiting for a bowl of ramen, he'd rather spend it training. Strength was the only real priority—everything else was fleeting.

Just as he was scanning the nearby restaurants for another option, a familiar figure entered his line of sight.

Sakumo Hatake, with his signature white hair, was walking down the street, holding the hand of a young boy—another white-haired child. Hayama immediately recognized him as Sakumo's son, though he didn't actually know his name.

Quickly straightening out the wrinkles on his clothes, Hayama stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.

"It's been a long time, Lord Sakumo."

Regardless of the tension between them in the past, Hayama still acknowledged Sakumo's kindness in teaching him Lightning Release techniques. In a way, Hayama considered him a mentor, and since they had run into each other, a polite greeting was only appropriate.

However, Sakumo Hatake, who had been speaking quietly to his son, visibly tensed at Hayama's voice. He glanced at Hayama for less than a second before silently pulling his son aside and continuing on his way.

Shock, confusion, and a slew of other emotions crossed Hayama's face. The words he had wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

Amid the bustling crowd, Hayama stood there like an invisible man. The midday sun cast his shadow onto the ground, compact and lifeless, as if to remind him that he was still human—not some wandering ghost.

He stood frozen for a long time before finally coming back to his senses. Smiling bitterly to himself, he expressionlessly walked away.

For the first time, he truly felt like a lost soul in this foreign world. Once-close companions now distanced themselves from him. A deep sense of loneliness weighed on his heart.

Hayama didn't understand what had changed. He only wanted to live a stable life. Why was he being isolated like this?

But so be it. In the end, everyone was just a passerby in his life. His goal remained the same—to survive. Solitude was a small price to pay.

With this thought, his heart settled.

"To hell with the Will of Fire. To hell with the Hokage. I'll live by my own rules. What's so wrong with that? Did I eat their rice or something?"

People called him a dog of the Uchiha clan, but those ignorant fools didn't realize that, to the Hokage, they weren't even dogs. They were mere tools.

"Being a dog isn't so bad."

At least, as a dog of the Uchiha, he had food to eat and clothes to wear—better than spending half a year patrolling the borders.

---

A short distance away, young Kakashi stared up at his usually composed father, puzzled. He couldn't understand why his father had ignored a fellow Konoha ninja's greeting. In his mind, they were all part of the same village—one family. There shouldn't be any divisions.

"Father, who was that?"

Despite his youth, Kakashi was sharp. Instead of directly asking why Sakumo had ignored Hayama, he took a roundabout approach.

A complicated look flickered across Sakumo's face. He gently squeezed his son's small hand before replying in a low voice.

"Shirakumo Hayama."

Recognition flashed in Kakashi's eyes. He had heard of Hayama and the negative rumors surrounding him. Snorting disdainfully, he muttered, "Oh, the Uchiha's dog."

Sakumo's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to his son with a sharp glare.

"Who told you that?" he demanded.

"A lot of people say it…" Kakashi shrank back, intimidated by his father's severe expression.

Releasing his son's hand, Sakumo instinctively took a step forward, as if to chase after Hayama. But he hesitated, unable to find the right words. In the end, he remained where he was, deep in thought.

After a long pause, he once again took Kakashi's hand and spoke softly.

"Hayama is not the Uchiha's dog. He is a strong and determined ninja. No matter what others say, you must never repeat such words."

Kakashi didn't fully understand but nodded anyway. Tentatively, he patted his father's hand, as if trying to comfort him.

A faint warmth appeared on Sakumo's face as he ruffled Kakashi's hair and continued walking.

---

That afternoon, Hayama ran around the outskirts of Konoha like a madman—shirtless, pushing his body to its limit. One lap, two laps, three laps… until he collapsed from exhaustion.

Lying beside the Naka River, he stared blankly at the rushing water, lost in thought.

His legs trembled from overexertion. Slowly, fatigue overwhelmed him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.

By the time he awoke, the moon was high in the sky. Stretching, he felt his strength returning.

With a smirk, he unfastened his belt and relieved himself into the river.

Afterward, he stripped off his clothes and dove into the water, swimming freely beneath the moonlight.

"I will no longer let the heavens blind my eyes.

I will no longer let the earth bury my heart.

I will make the world understand my will.

I will make even the gods vanish into smoke."

Ripping off his forehead protector, Hayama stood in the water and let out a long, unrestrained howl—releasing all his pent-up emotions.

He would carve his name into this world.

If they looked down on him, so be it.

As long as he lived, that was all that mattered.

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