Chapter 155: If One Day, I Can Earn Your Recognition…
“Hakken Yoru.”
“The man known as Konoha’s Kenpachi.”
“You may have seen his name on that Wall of Honor, but the deeds inscribed there are far from complete.”
“Father once told me that without him, Konoha would likely still be shrouded in the gloom following the Third Shinobi World War.”
Naruto's Nii-san is Konoha’s Kenpachi?
The students stared in astonishment at the man in the distance, his face radiating gentleness. They'd heard Konoha’s Kenpachi had blood on his hands, yet he looked nothing like that now. Though they'd seen him once during the entrance exams, this close encounter made it feel somewhat unreal. That man, who seemed like a god high above, was actually living among them.
“At just six years old, he graduated early alongside Itachi Uchiha.”
“From that day onward, he became Itachi Uchiha's guiding light.”
“He infiltrated enemy territory, captured the Two-Tails Jinchūriki alive, and severely wounded the Eight-Tails.”
“That same year, he captured the invading Raikage, turning him into a bargaining chip at the negotiating table to expand Konoha's borders!”
“Upon joining ANBU, he transformed the once-shadowy division into a revered organization everyone aspired to join. He made the entire ninja world aware of Konoha ANBU's terror, even forcing the Kage of Sunagakure and Iwagakure to come to Konoha personally to apologize! The Night Owls he founded were hailed as the elite of the elite. Any ninja plucked from their ranks possessed terrifying strength.”
“That is also the place I have pursued my entire life.”
Having spoken in one breath, Neji stroked his forehead.
Konoha’s Kenpachi.
A hero who truly deserved the title.
Perhaps when one is still a child, they don't remember what happens, because at that age, they simply don't retain memories. But there was one thing Neji never forgot, from childhood to adulthood. That year, his father carried him to Konoha's central plaza. He witnessed the black light piercing the clouds as it shot skyward. The image of that man raising his sword to challenge the heavens was etched into his soul, just like the Caged Bird on his forehead. Everything he did was for the village.
The man Father held in the highest esteem! Father had also said:
He could change his own destiny!
But changing destiny required earning the other's recognition. No one would waste effort on a worthless fool.
The children around him fell silent as they listened to Neji's words. It was hard to imagine that a man barely five or six years older than them had achieved such monumental feats for Konoha. Yamanaka Ino, Hyūga Hinata, Haruno Sakura, Tenten, Konoha's little toughies, and the other children stared intently at that man. The shock in their hearts was beyond measure.
Perhaps only a man like this could be a true hero. The man who had already redefined the very concept of cool now added countless new halos to their impression of him. Especially the gentle grace that flowed so naturally from his every gesture. There was no doubt about it—the idol of Konoha's younger generation had been firmly established.
“What's most admirable is that I've never heard him brag about his so-called heroic deeds, nor have I seen him flaunt those accomplishments.”
“That kind of modesty is truly admirable.”
Iruka beside him sighed deeply.
Indeed. If an ordinary person, let alone a teenager, had achieved such feats, they'd likely be floating on air by now. Even if they were arrogant, it would be well-deserved. Yet this man continued living an ordinary life, quietly doing all sorts of things to strengthen Konoha. Take the current structure of Konoha, for instance—it was all his blueprint!
Such a man is truly worthy of the deepest respect.
Once, a phrase slipped out from the Hakken Yoru, uttered by none other than Hakken. Don't misunderstand—it wasn't some classified secret. Just an ordinary remark, one Iruka still holds as his personal motto to this day.
What truly changes the world is never a few words spoken, but action.
A phrase revered as a classic.
What good are endless words?
Only action reveals one's true thoughts.
Just like now, Iruka, to express his love and care for his students, would rather dip into his savings to treat everyone to a meal, all to understand each child's heart. This is what makes a qualified master.
Of course, this might not resonate much with Naruto. But even with Naruto, he only unleashed his verbal jabs after being thoroughly defeated by you—that's the crucial point.
For someone he couldn't beat, Naruto wouldn't just say, “I get you, you're my friend.” That's utterly unrealistic.
As Neji said, he is a living legend.
And his legend has only just begun. No one knows where this ultimate legend will end—just watch with your eyes and feel with your heart.
...
As if sensing the gazes upon him, Hakken turned his head in curiosity.
The new generation of Konoha.
Without a doubt, they would be the ones to inherit the will of the older generation in the future.
Witnessing their growth firsthand brought a sense of satisfaction to Hakken, who nodded at them.
At that moment, the young ninjas were overcome with excitement.
That legendary man had actually nodded at them!
This encouragement was precisely what they needed.
Suddenly, a figure pushed through the crowd from behind.
Neji...
Lee reached out, but ultimately held back from stopping him.
He had wanted to say that such a figure wasn't someone you could easily speak to—to them, the legend embodied Konoha's glory.
But then Lee suddenly recalled the words spoken by that Owl member, his own senior, Guy, during their training in the forest.
Though Lee hadn't graduated yet, Guy could only be considered his senior, but Lee already regarded him as his master.
"...'Hakken-sama? Perhaps you don't understand now, but when you grow up, you'll realize that if light exists within your heart, you won't be drawn to that person unconsciously."
This was Guy's assessment.
Drawn unconsciously?
Lee nodded to Neji.
Step by step, as if summoning every ounce of courage, he stood before Hakken.
Hyūga Neji.
Gazing at the youth before him, Hakken felt a flicker of confusion, yet his eyes also held a trace of regret.
No matter how he looked at it, Neji shouldn't have perished at the Ten-Tails' hands.
Because, you called me a genius.
These were the last words he left behind in the original story.
“Hakken-sama!”
Suddenly, Neji dropped to one knee, his face etched with intense determination as he summoned his courage once more.
"If one day... If one day, I could earn your approval..."
"..."
His words were cut off.
A hand rested on Neji's forehead.
Lifting his gaze, he saw Hakken's gentle smile reflected in Neji's white pupils.
"Between men, words are unnecessary."
"I understand."
"Until that day comes, I will wait for you."