Chapter 76: Guidance

Seeing Kakashi show no reaction to his bowl of poison chicken soup just now, Dong Shilang couldn't help but feel a headache.

He wasn't very good at comforting people in his previous life.

Moreover, this guy Kakashi looks young, but his own intentions are proper and his IQ is extremely high.

Whatever the matter, he has his own ideas and judgments; you can't treat him like an ordinary five- or six-year-old kid to fool around with.

"There's one more thing, Kakashi..."

While speaking, Dong Shilang turned his head to look at Kakashi Hatake, his face serious, as if wanting to show the other party that his words came from the heart.

He didn't know whether what he was about to say was right or wrong.

Because what he said was completely opposite to what Kakashi is doing now, and also contrary to what the village advocates.

What the village now advocates is exactly what Kakashi is doing now, but seeing him argue with his companions and that cold expression, he always feels somewhat reluctant.

If he rashly has such a conversation with Kakashi and it gets out, it's not good for him or the Uchiha clan.

"..."

Seeing the other party still with that indifferent stare, continuing to glare at him with those dead-fish eyes, Dong Shilang also couldn't help but doubt whether his persuasion was somewhat inappropriate.

However, upon careful observation, he also noticed that the other party's demeanor differed slightly from just now's aloofness; although not especially close, it wasn't so rejecting of his advances.

"Although there are many rumors in the village, I have always believed that your father, 'Leaf Village White Fang,' is a hero!"

"I may not be able to follow your father's example of taking saving comrades as my 'ninja way' and practicing my own path!"

"But I don't think your father was wrong! Comrades should be more important than missions!"

After saying these few words, Dong Shilang looked at the dazed Kakashi Hatake, said nothing more, patted his shoulder, waved his hand, and left gracefully.

After saying that, he brushed past Kakashi; such words that go against village policy are better not discussed in public.

Otherwise, a charge of political incorrectness would fall on him, which he couldn't afford; as an Uchiha, his identity is already sensitive, and adding this would make him a thorn in the eyes of some people.

At this moment, Kakashi seemed startled by Dong Shilang's words, stood there dazed for a while, then suddenly came to his senses and had some reaction.

"A hero?"

Looking at the receding figure gradually disappearing around the street corner, Kakashi muttered to himself.

He fell into a state of confusion for a moment, not knowing whether the ninja principles he upheld and the path his father practiced were right or wrong.

His father, Hatake Sakumo, abandoned the mission to save comrades, and was blamed by the village, ninjas, and comrades—almost everyone.

During that darkest period, almost every day a large number of ninjas and civilians gathered outside his family's courtyard.

They kept cursing and blaming his father, saying he shouldn't have abandoned the mission, causing huge losses to the village; even the comrade his father saved eventually joined them.

His father ultimately couldn't bear the tremendous public pressure and inner guilt, chose self-destruction, leaving him alone in this world.

But now someone suddenly tells him that his father is a "hero."

His father's choice was correct.

For a moment, he was at a loss.

"Father, what should I do?"

Reflecting on the time since graduation, getting along with comrades to better complete missions, and the various conflicts that occurred with his squad mates.

Kakashi fell into a state of confusion for a moment, involuntarily muttering softly, while placing his hand on the 'White Fang' dagger at his back, as if seeking an answer.

"No, missions are more important than comrades; otherwise his father wouldn't have died!" When his hand touched his father's 'White Fang' dagger, Kakashi suddenly recalled his father's cause of death.

If his father was right, if he truly was a hero, why would those people still curse and scold him outside the house every day?

If his father was right, then he wouldn't have silently left him that night.

"Father, I won't choose like you; I will complete my mission, that's what makes a qualified ninja!" Gripping the hilt of the 'White Fang,' Kakashi steadied his heart, then put his hands in his pockets and walked toward home.

However, his steps at this moment were much lighter than before, as if someone had acknowledged his father, which for him was also a great encouragement.

Dong Shilang couldn't have known that, after he left, Kakashi Hatake's heart had undergone such a complex struggle.

And because of his father's cause of death, he ultimately still chose to prioritize missions, taking ninja principles as his code of conduct.

If Dong Shilang knew the final result, he would surely sigh, realizing he is certainly not Uchiha Obito, and his bond with Kakashi is not deep.

He also lacks the talent for "mouth escape"; he cannot change him with just a few words and a bowl of poison chicken soup—this kid Kakashi will ultimately still need the future big boss to influence him.

He merely saw in the original work that the character he likes, in the mission-and-comrades context, made the wrong choice of prioritizing missions, which is completely opposite to his future choice and also contrary to Hatake Sakumo's 'ninja way,' and he felt a bit regretful.

At this moment, he was strolling leisurely down the bustling streets of Leaf Village, killing time.

Suddenly he saw a familiar shop ahead and a long line forming at its entrance.

It's "three-color dumplings"; he hasn't seen Mei Xiang sister in a long time. If he doesn't go now, next time she comes to his house, she might lose her temper.

He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but Dong Shilang felt that Mei Xiang sister's temper had risen since her marriage; she had become more nagging, often pulling him into long-winded talks.

【Women still need to be coaxed! Otherwise, when they get angry, it's still oneself who suffers!】

Having made up his mind, Dong Shilang joined the end of the line, becoming one of them.

Extremely fortunate, just before the last 'three-color dumplings' sold out, it was his turn.

After happily paying, Dong Shilang held the paper bag containing the dumplings and headed toward his family's station.

【Tonight's dinner will be settled at Mei Xiang sister's house!】