The pre-dawn air was crisp as Hanekawa stood motionless outside the house, eyes closed. His body tensed, then erupted with crackling electricity that danced across his skin like living serpents. Lightning chakra surged through every nerve, pushing his limits until his muscles screamed in protest. Only then did he release the jutsu, letting the energy dissipate into the morning air.

  He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders.

  Seventy percent on Lightning Chakra Activation. Not bad. Superhuman Strength is still dragging at twenty percent though. Of course the A-Rank ability is the slowest. Because why would the system make this easy?

  Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind him. Hanekawa turned to find Kakashi approaching—alone, which was unusual. More unusual was the worry etched across his normally cool features.

  Okay, that's not the expression of someone having a good morning.

  "What's wrong?" Hanekawa asked.

  Kakashi hesitated, clearly wrestling with something. "Have you heard the rumors about my father?"

  Hanekawa's stomach tightened. Oh no. Here we go.

  "I've been interning at the hospital, so I've missed the gossip," he admitted. "What rumors?"

  "People are saying he violated village protocol. That he prioritized saving his teammates over completing the mission." Kakashi's jaw clenched. "They're calling him reckless. Saying he's a liability."

  And there it is. The beginning of the end. Hanekawa's mind raced through the timeline. In the original story, this cascade of rumors would destroy Hatake Sakumo's reputation, leading to his suicide. But someone had to be orchestrating this—spreading an S-rank mission's details throughout the village, ensuring the narrative took hold before the leadership could contain it.

  Someone with power. Someone with motive.

  "Do you think he was wrong?" Kakashi asked quietly. "Should the mission have come first?"

  Hanekawa met his eyes. "No. I think your father was right."

  "Really?" Kakashi's eyes widened slightly, hope flickering across his face.

  "Absolutely." Hanekawa thought of Naruto and his generation, of how they'd changed the village's entire philosophy around bonds and teamwork. "My teacher—Tsunade—she taught me that a medical ninja never abandons their comrades. That principle applies to all of us. What good is completing a mission if you lose the people who matter?"

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Kakashi took a shaky breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Thank you."

  "There's something else," Hanekawa continued. "A saying that fits your father's situation perfectly: 'My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is just.' He made the right choice. That matters."

  Kakashi nodded slowly, processing this. "I... I don't quite understand the full meaning yet."

  "Come on. I'll explain on the way to the academy." Hanekawa called for Kurenai, and the three of them headed out into the morning light.

  Now I just need to figure out who's behind this and convince the Hokage to actually do something about it.

  ---

  Across the village, in the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Shisui received a gift of specially crafted kunai from his older cousin Tetsuka.

  "Congratulations on your admission," Tetsuka said warmly. "You need to take back first place for the Uchiha."

  Shisui tilted his head. "First place?"

  "In the academy. The top rank." Tetsuka's expression turned serious. "It belongs to someone named Hanekawa. He's been dominating the rankings."

  "Hanekawa?" Shisui's curiosity sparked. He'd heard the name whispered around the compound—a prodigy, Tsunade's student, already making waves at the hospital. "I've heard he's quite talented."

  "Talented?" Tetsuka scoffed. "I challenged him myself. Couldn't even beat his younger peer Kakashi. The humiliation was..." He trailed off bitterly.

  Shisui considered this. "Perhaps Kakashi is the stronger one?"

  "Impossible." Tetsuka's voice was firm. "A proud genius like Kakashi would only take orders from someone vastly superior. Hanekawa must be exceptional."

  "I see your point," Shisui admitted.

  Tetsuka leaned forward intently. "Shisui, I respect you more than anyone in our generation. You're younger than me but stronger. You can definitely defeat Hanekawa. You can restore the Uchiha's honor!"

  Shisui felt the weight of expectation settle on his shoulders. "I... I'll try."

  "Then let's challenge him today!" Tetsuka's eyes gleamed with determination. "First place belongs to the Uchiha!"

  "Not yet," Shisui said calmly. "In a ninja fight, intelligence is everything. I need to understand Hanekawa's abilities first."

  Tetsuka's expression fell. "You're too cautious. That's not very Uchiha-like."

  Shisui smiled apologetically. "Perhaps not."

  "I have an idea," Tetsuka said, his determination returning. "I'll challenge him again and force him to reveal his full strength. Then you'll know exactly what you're facing."

  "Brother Tetsuka—"

  "No arguments!" Tetsuka cut him off. "For the Uchiha!"

  Shisui wanted to protest, but he understood the clan mentality too well. The Uchiha came first, always. Still, something about this felt off. Tetsuka was walking into a trap he didn't even recognize.

  "There's one problem," Tetsuka continued. "Last time, Kakashi blocked my challenge. How do we make sure Hanekawa actually accepts?"

  Shisui thought for a moment. "A formal challenge. If it's official, Kakashi won't be able to interfere. Hanekawa will have to face you directly."

  Tetsuka's face lit up. "Perfect! We'll do it today!"

  This is going to end badly, Shisui thought, but he kept the worry to himself.