Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 66 White Fang's Day Off? No, it's Daddy Service Day!

Shangqiu.

The morning sunlight, like a thin golden veil, lazily streamed into the Hatake family's house through the windows.

"Um... Father..."

A tender, babyish voice roused Hatake Sakumo from his slumber.

He slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was a fluffy, silvery-white little head.

Kakashi Hatake had woken up sometime earlier.

The little guy, dressed in blue pajamas, was trying to climb onto his father, using both his hands and feet.

His short, silver hair, just like his, was messy from sleeping all night, making him look like a spirited little hedgehog.

"Kakashi, stop fooling around, let Father sleep a little longer."

Shuo Mao's voice was hoarse from just waking up. He reached out, trying to pull the energetic little guy off him.

"Hmph! No way! The sun's already high in the sky!"

Kakashi persisted, grabbing his father's pajamas with his little hands. With a burst of strength, he successfully climbed onto his father's chest, then plopped down on his bottom, looking down at his father with bright, sparkling eyes.

Shuo Mao sighed helplessly, completely wide awake.

He reached out and held his son in his arms. Those hands, which had once held the White Fang Short Sword and drunk countless blood on the battlefield, were now unusually gentle, as if afraid of hurting the small body in his arms.

"Okay, okay, I'm up."

"whee."

Kakashi let out a victorious laugh and rubbed his little head against his father's broad chest.

The sliding door was gently pulled open, and Sakumo's wife, Hatake Yoshiko, walked in carrying a wooden tray.

Seeing her husband and son looking like "the little bear overpowering the big bear," a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"You two, father and son, are so energetic so early in the morning."

She placed the tray on the low table, on which were two bowls of steaming miso soup, several pieces of golden-brown grilled fish, and a small dish of pickles.

"Kakashi is just too energetic."

Shuo Mao sat up, tidying his son's messy hair as he chuckled and complained.

"Father, lazy pig." Kakashi imitated him, poking Sakumo's face with his little finger.

"You little rascal."

Shuo Mao was both amused and exasperated, and could only reach out and pinch his son's chubby little face.

Yoshiko Hatake laid out breakfast, then noticed the faint dark circles under her husband's eyes and said with some concern, "You've been working way too hard at the farm lately. You leave before dawn and don't come back until dark every day. Even with an S-rank mission, you should have time to rest."

"There was no other way; the farm was just starting out recently, and there was a lot to do."

Sakumo picked up the miso soup and took a sip, the warmth spreading from his stomach throughout his body. "The first batch of rice will be harvested soon, and the piglets at the Akimichi family's place are also ready to fatten up."

He spoke of these farm chores with such naturalness that it was as if he were born a farmer, not the Konoha White Fang who struck fear into the hearts of the Sand Village.

"Then you should take a rest."

Miko's tone left no room for negotiation, "Look at you, you've gotten so thin. If you keep going like this, your health will collapse."

She paused, then had an idea: "How about we all go to the farm today? I'm really curious about that eco-farm you always talk about. Let Kakashi see how amazing his father's workplace is."

"To the farm?"

Sakumo was stunned for a moment.

"Go! Go! Go see the big pig!"

Kakashi's eyes lit up the moment he heard the word "pig," and he put down his spoon, shouting, "I want to see... a talking pig!"

"Pfft."

Miko was amused by her son. "Who told you pigs can talk?"

"Said by...a brother I don't know!"

Kakashi answered earnestly, "He said that the pigs my father raised were all raised using genjutsu, and they can sing the Konoha village song!"

Shuo Mao's face instantly darkened.

Looking into his wife's and son's expectant eyes, Sakumo couldn't bring himself to refuse.

He remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"……All right."

"Very good!"

A happy smile appeared on Miko's face.

Kakashi jumped for joy, shouting, "Whoosh—"

After breakfast, Sakumo began his most difficult task of the day—dressing Kakashi Hatake.

"Come on, Kakashi, put your hand in... no, this hand."

"Lift your legs up, put on your pants... Hey, don't move!"

"........."

Sakumo Hatake, a top-tier Jonin capable of taking the head of an enemy general amidst a vast army, was now sweating profusely over a small piece of children's clothing.

Kakashi, like a boneless little eel, wiggled and giggled in his father's arms, seemingly finding it a very fun game.

Yoshiko Hatake leaned against the door, watching the clumsy father and son, and laughed until tears almost came to her eyes.

She stepped forward, took the tattered clothes from her husband, and quickly dressed Kakashi.

Finally, she skillfully helped him put on a small black mask, leaving only his big, dark eyes visible.

"Okay... I don't know why you like wearing a black mask..."

Miko patted Kakashi's little head.

"He's so handsome!"

"Because I want to become a powerful ninja like my father! Ninjas are supposed to be cool and stylish!"

Looking at his transformed son, and then at his own clumsy hands, Shuo Mao's face showed a rare hint of embarrassment.

He suddenly realized that raising a child might be even more difficult than assassinating the Wind Shadow.

"Hmph—Father, you're stupid."

Kakashi smiled smugly through his mask and gave a vague assessment.

Sakumo's lips twitched.

He walked to the entrance hall, took down the white dagger that had been with him for many years from the wall, and habitually tucked it behind his back.

Sakumo looked at his reflection in the mirror: short, silver-white hair, calm, unwavering eyes, and casual loungewear.

He felt somewhat unfamiliar with his appearance.

Since being transferred by the Hokage to take charge of this farm, he hasn't smelled blood for a long time.

Every day, they deal with the crops in the fields, the livestock in the pens, the Akimichi clan members who are honest but also working hard for the village, and the Inuzuka clan members who are loud but incredibly reliable.

Life became peaceful and fulfilling.

Hopefully, this peace will last a little longer...

Just then, a small hand grabbed the hem of his clothes.

"Father is gone."

Kakashi tilted his head back, his black eyes staring at him intently.

Shuo Mao lowered his head and met his son's pure, unadulterated eyes.

He suddenly understood the deeper meaning behind the Hokage's words.

There are many ways to protect.

To slay enemies on the battlefield is to protect.

And now, allowing his son, and countless other children in the village, to grow up carefree in a peaceful environment, looking forward to seeing the "talking pig," isn't that an even more important form of protection?

"Okay, let's go."

A gentle smile appeared on Sakumo's face, a smile he himself was unaware of.

He bent down and picked Kakashi up in his arms, while holding his wife's hand tightly with his other hand.

The family of three, having finished getting ready, walked out of their home hand in hand, basking in the warm autumn sunshine.

Kakashi was filled with anticipation for the "talking pig" he was about to meet, and kept muttering to himself.

As Shuo Mao listened to his son's innocent words and looked at his wife's gentle smile beside him, he felt his heart filled with peace and happiness.