Naruto: My setting is above yours.

"Kakashi and I are not just disciples and sons, but also members of the village, companions, your juniors, and those you protect."

Kakashi immediately nodded, "I think so too."

Sakumo Hatake couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, his heart filled with comfort.

He looked at his disciples and son, thought about it, and felt that he really needed to tell them about this, no matter what decision he ultimately made.

"The mission is top secret, so I can't tell you."

Sakumo Hatake's smile faded as he explained, "This mission failed..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kakashi was shocked: "Dad's mission failed?"

Sakumo Hatake nodded.

Genma said, "Kakashi, don't make such a fuss. It's normal for missions to fail. No one can guarantee a 100% success rate."

Kakashi calmed down.

Sakumo Hatake said, "The consequences of mission failure are severe; both the village and the Land of Fire have suffered great losses."

Genma continued the conversation, asking, "Has the teacher encountered some formidable opponent?"

"In the ninja world, apart from the Kage of each village, there shouldn't be many ninjas who could make the teacher suffer a defeat, right?"

Sakumo Hatake shook his head: "We didn't encounter any particularly powerful enemies. Because our comrades were in danger, we chose to abandon the mission."

Kakashi, being a smart man, paused for a moment before realizing what was happening: "So the village is going to hold Dad responsible for this?"

Sakumo Hatake said, "No, the Hokage did not issue any order for punishment because of this mission."

"But... this mission is too important, even my companions don't support the teacher."

Kakashi immediately objected: "Isn't it wrong to save your comrades?"

Sakumo Hatake did not answer. Although he had made his choice, his next words would have an immeasurable impact on the two children in front of him, and he had to be careful.

He didn't say anything, but Xuanma shouted, "Of course it's right!"

"Kakashi, you didn't actually study the Will of Fire properly, did you?"

Kakashi frowned: "Of course not, but why is Dad being criticized by his teammates?"

Genma calmly said, "Because some people think that missions are above all else, and ninjas are just machines for completing missions."

"But in fact, ninjas also have their own feelings."

"How was Konoha established? It was founded by the First Hokage for peace, so that children wouldn't have to go to the battlefield."

"The Third Hokage inherited the Will of Fire from the First and Second Hokage. The core of a ninja is to protect his comrades, the village, and his juniors."

"Militaries are simply a way for ninjas to survive."

Hearing these words, Hatake Sakumo felt even more gratified; he had indeed made the right choice in taking this disciple.

Genma continued, "Kakashi, what do you think a village is?"

Kakashi is thinking.

Genma, however, calmly asked and answered himself, "Is Konoha Village located on this land?"

Are these the houses?

"Is it ninjutsu? Is it from those missions?"

"Neither, it's a person!"

"It is the individuals who make up this village. There are people, there is a village, and there is a mission."

Sakumo Hatake was startled.

Genma's gaze met that of Hatake Sakumo, radiating a powerful spiritual force: "Teacher, I don't think you're wrong."

"The mission failed and the village suffered losses, but these can be recovered later. Once people are dead, they are gone forever."

"If it weren't for your companions, I believe you would have completed this mission even if it cost you your life."

"Therefore, I think you don't need to blame yourself, don't need to be distressed, and don't need to care about other people's opinions."

Kakashi nodded repeatedly.

That's absolutely right.

Sakumo Hatake smiled and said, "Well said, Genma. I hope you will always remember what I said today and stay true to yourself."

Genma nodded: "Teacher, I will."

"If a ninja cannot be firm in his heart, he will inevitably lose himself in the pursuit of missions and power."

"The greatest power of a ninja lies not in powerful ninjutsu, but in their own mind; it is the power of the mind!"

"So, teacher, are you able to stay true to yourself?"

Hatake Sakumo nodded: "Of course, I am your teacher."

Genma wasn't convinced and continued, "So this is the teacher's way of ninja."

Hatake Sakumo nodded: "Indeed, I hope you can inherit this ninja way."

Genma shook his head: "Teacher, Kakashi and I are not enough to inherit such a ninja way. We are still very young, just two seeds."

"But you are already a towering tree, and only in you can such a ninja way shine brightly."

Which is more important, companions or the mission?

"I will choose my partner without hesitation, just like you, teacher!"

"If I had to choose between the mission and my own life, I would choose the mission."

“I think you, teacher, are also at a crossroads where you need to make a choice.”

Sakumo Hatake was deeply shaken.

He had already experienced the disciple's keen mind, but he never expected it to be this keen, that it could actually catch his intentions?

Looking at his disciple's earnest face, Hatake Sakumo decided to temporarily disregard his disciple status and asked in an equal manner, "Genma, if it were you, what would you choose?"

Xuanma said calmly, "Just as the teacher said, stay true to your own heart."

"Those accusations are nothing more than the trials and tribulations that the tree of patriotism needs to endure."

"The mission failed, and the village suffered huge losses. This is indeed a responsibility, and the teacher who is the team leader should bear this responsibility."

"If I were a teacher, I would make up for these losses, and I firmly believe that if I were a teacher, my own value would be enough to make up for these losses."

Xuanma did not avoid taking responsibility for mission failure.

Because he knew very well that, given the current situation, the biggest reason his teacher chose to commit suicide was to take responsibility for the failure of the mission.

It wasn't the blame from his companions, or the collapse of the Will of Fire.

On the contrary, he was very determined.

Therefore, Genma must let Sakumo Hatake know that the best way to take responsibility is not to commit suicide to atone for his sins, but to make up for the losses with his own strength.

Even saying "to atone for one's crimes through meritorious service" would be acceptable.

As I said before, there are tasks only when there are people; people are the core!

Hearing his disciple's words, Hatake Sakumo smiled and nodded: "Very good."

"Xuanma, if you ever encounter something like what your teacher did in the future, I hope you can remember what happened today."

"And thank you!"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Xuanma secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Kakashi asked, "Dad, what decision did the Third Hokage make regarding this matter?"

Sakumo Hatake shook his head: "The Third Hokage has not made any specific decisions."

Kakashi asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Does the Third Hokage not support Father's decision?"

Before Hatake Sakumo could answer, Genma interjected, "Of course not."

"The third generation clearly supports the teacher; otherwise, he could directly hold the teacher accountable and give the Daimyo Prefecture an explanation."

"The Third Generation’s decision not to make a direct statement is a way of keeping things quiet, hoping to protect the teacher and ensure that the teacher can continue to play an important role in the future."

"The teacher is more important to the village and to us than any task!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision to handle this matter quietly was because he wanted both.

He neither wanted to punish Sakumo Hatake, an elite Jonin, nor did he want to deny the Will of Fire to save and protect his comrades.

Of course, this is a deduction made by Genma himself, assuming the position of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't have this idea.

Now he also wants to make Hatake Sakumo believe that this is the idea.

In short, he cannot die!

Death is the worst choice!

Chapter 16 The Power of the One-Tailed Beast

Hatake Sakumo felt his disciple's sincerity and was deeply moved, yet also somewhat wistful.

This time, instead of thanking him, he stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll accompany you in your cultivation."

Genma's heart finally settled down.

He then glanced at the [Settings] and almost lost his composure.

hiss!

It's out!

During the subsequent training, Genma was clearly distracted. He only regained his focus and began to train seriously after being beaten up by Kakashi.

After lunch, Genma and Kakashi were sent to school by Sakumo Hatake.

However, attending classes is out of the question.