Sealing the fire hurts. Not physically—psychologically. It was a pressure pressing inwards.
By the time Kai wrapped the bandages around him, Feng Huo had already used the Substitution Jutsu. If he hadn't, his neck would've been snapped clean by the Front Lotus (Omote Renge).
"Ah! It's Sealing the Fire!" Kai's eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered someone.
"Don't worry, Kai," Might Dai said confidently, giving a thumbs-up. "As long as Sealing the Fire is around, everything will be fine!"
"Right! I knew it! Sealing the Fire never lets us down!" Kai declared, pumping his fists.
Hidden in the shadows, Feng Huo felt a chill run down his spine. These two were so fired up—if this went on, he was definitely going to die from their training.
The Front Lotus is one thing... but the Reverse Lotus, Morning Peacock, Daytime Tiger, Evening Elephant...
Feng Huo's scalp tingled at the thought. He needed to distance himself from them before he ended up as a training dummy.
Maybe pulling Kakashi into this mess wouldn't be a bad idea...
Still, the successful development of Omote Renge was a significant milestone for the three of them.
Kai had been taught Omote Renge by Might Dai, and both he and Feng Huo had been included in the trial lessons. Dai had failed many times before, but with clearer guidance this time, he managed to grasp 70 to 80 percent of it almost immediately. Within three days, he had the move down.
Feng Huo, on the other hand, kept messing up the "sealing" part. After several days, he still hadn't gotten it right.
"Feng Huo," Dai said seriously, "I believe you'll master it soon if you keep trying in live combat."
"Let's go, Feng Huo! A showdown under the setting sun—youth never dies!!" Kai shouted, eyes blazing with youthful fervor. He had completely mastered the Omote Renge, and now he was practically itching to break into pieces from overuse. Facing Feng Huo only made him more excited.
Feng Huo raised an eyebrow. "Kai, don't be selfish with your youth. Share it. It's time you paid Kakashi a visit."
Kai's face lit up like a 100-watt lamp. "Right! Kakashi! I'll go find him!"
With burning passion in his chest, Kai sprinted off to find his rival.
Beside him, Dai let out a helpless chuckle and turned to Feng Huo. "Feng Huo, if you go all out, Kai isn't your match, is he?"
Feng Huo nodded. "If I went all out, Kai wouldn't have the chance to pull off Omote Renge."
"Exactly. As strong as it is, the Omote Renge requires the user to kick the opponent into the air, bind them with bandages, and dive. Too many conditions. We need to develop Ura Renge next."
[Omote Renge (Front Lotus): a high-speed combo that requires launching the opponent airborne, binding them in midair, and slamming them downward.]
[Ura Renge (Reverse Lotus): a violent, high-speed combo that can strike in mid-air and requires opening multiple Inner Gates. The final blow could literally shatter someone's skull.]
Feng Huo shuddered at the thought. That's a bit too gory...
"Feng Huo, you were the one who first brought up the 'lotus' concept in this move. I believe you've got deeper insights. Let's develop Ura Renge together!" Dai invited enthusiastically.
Feng Huo's eye twitched. Seriously? They're addicted to this now?
"Uncle Dai, I can't," Feng Huo said righteously. "To use Omote Renge, one has to open at least the First Gate. For Ura Renge, you need the Third Gate or higher. I'm not ready. You'll have to continue this one without me."
Dai frowned in disappointment but nodded—Feng Huo's words weren't wrong.
"Uncle Dai, I'm off to train." Feng Huo used that excuse to run before they roped him into another round of youth-drenched madness.
Meanwhile, Kai had arrived at Kakashi's house—but what he found wasn't what he expected.
A crowd had gathered outside, murmuring with discontent.
"As a shinobi, the mission comes first. You can't just abandon it!"
"I heard that mission was critical to the village."
"Even Konoha's White Fang can't be allowed to do as he pleases."
"Your comrades matter, sure—but what about the village as a whole?"
"Everyone's a ninja. We're supposed to be ready to die when the mission calls for it!"
"Exactly. Even the White Fang doesn't seem to understand that."
"If you break the rules, you're trash."
The crowd was a mix of civilians and shinobi alike. Their voices carried judgment, and their faces showed no hesitation.
Kai pushed through, confused, his heart heavy with unease.
He knocked on Kakashi's door, but no one answered.
What's going on?
He sprinted back to the training field.
By the time he returned—over two hours later—Feng Huo was collapsed on the ground, having been pushed to the edge by Dai's training.
"Father! Something's wrong! There were a lot of people surrounding Kakashi's house, and they were saying terrible things!"
Feng Huo's eyes widened. He immediately understood.
So the moment has come...
On a secret mission, Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of Konoha—had chosen to save his comrade instead of completing the task. Because of that, the village suffered strategic losses. He was criticized mercilessly—even by the very comrade he saved. In the end, unable to bear the disgrace, he took his own life.
Dai's face turned serious. Though he was often mocked, he wasn't blind to what was happening.
"Kai," Dai said quietly. "You can't interfere in this. It's not your place. Stay out of it."
"But Kakashi—!"
"Kakashi might not be available for a while. Don't worry. This will pass..." Dai's voice softened. If only he knew what would happen next.
Feng Huo stood there silently, emotions churning.
Later, he found Yuhi Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku.
"I didn't expect it myself," Shinku admitted. "Even I heard Lord Hatake abandoned the mission for a comrade. Most people think it was the wrong call. After all, those who abandon the mission... are trash."
Shinku looked at Feng Huo. "What do you think?"
Feng Huo clenched his fists. "If those who break the rules are trash, then those who don't cherish their comrades... are worse than trash."
Shinku's eyes lit up. "That's it. That's exactly it!"
He patted Feng Huo on the shoulder with a rare smile. "You've got the right heart."
Then he disappeared in a Body Flicker, likely rushing to find the Third Hokage.
Feng Huo stood still.
Back when he first transmigrated into this world, he'd fantasized about saving Konoha's White Fang. But now that the moment had come, he realized just how powerless he still was.
He was eight years old. A mere genin. He had already offended Danzo and the Uchiha. His connections? Yuhi Shinku, Might Dai, and maybe Kurenai. He didn't even have the qualifications to talk to Sakumo Hatake face-to-face.
What change could he possibly make?
He could only hope his words would somehow reach Sakumo... and bring him back from the edge.
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