NARUTO COLUMNS
09/03/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Sakumo's Birthday on 9/3! Looking Back on "the White Fang", a True Hero Who Passed His Shinobi Way and Will of Fire to Future Generations!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man whose exploits earned him the name "the White Fang of Konoha": Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man whose exploits earned him the name "the White Fang of Konoha": Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake!
■Sakumo Hatake
・Birthday: September 3rd (Virgo)
The White Blade that Lights Up the Battlefield
Sakumo became a household name after achieving numerous victories in wars with surrounding nations.
With his distinctive silver hair, and the way he dispatched enemy ninja with his shining white chakra blade, he came to be known as "the White Fang of Konoha"!
With his distinctive silver hair, and the way he dispatched enemy ninja with his shining white chakra blade, he came to be known as "the White Fang of Konoha"!
"SAKUMO, THE GENIUS NINJA FEARED AS THE WHITE FANG OF KONOHA.
IN HIS TIME, THE 'THREE GREAT SHINOBI' OF KONOHA LEGEND PALED BESIDE HIM."
"I'VE HEARD OF HIM.
HE'S SOME HERO WHO SAVED THE VILLAGE, AND DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY..."
That the tales of his exploits are too numerous to list speaks volumes about the extent of his fame.
To the ninja of other nations, he is an object of fear.
To the ninja of other nations, he is an object of fear.
One Iwagakure ninja is even briefly shocked when seeing the similar appearance of Sakumo's son Kakashi.
What's more, Chiyo of the Hidden Sand attacks Kakashi on sight in an instinctive attempt to avenge her son's death at Sakumo's hands even after more than twenty years have passed!
The deep-rooted fear and hatred of Sakumo seen among the ninja of other nations serves as a testament to his accomplishments.
However, Sakumo is not merely an excellent warrior.
The deep-rooted fear and hatred of Sakumo seen among the ninja of other nations serves as a testament to his accomplishments.
However, Sakumo is not merely an excellent warrior.
Keen Insight and Instruction
Sakumo, who at this point is already an accomplished Jonin with many successful missions under his belt, accompanies his son Kakashi to his academy entrance exam.
When Sakumo sees Guy strike a confident pose even after failing that exam and notices the bruises on Guy's limbs from intense training, he offers Kakashi this advice:
"AT THE RATE HE'S TRAINING, THAT BOY WILL BECOME STRONGER THAN YOU."
"YOU OUGHT TO ASK HIM HIS NAME AND REMEMBER IT...
HE'LL BE A GREAT RIVAL FOR YOU."
As Sakumo predicted, Guy's growth is explosive and he soon stands on the same footing as Kakashi.
Kakashi himself is no slouch, and shows incredible talent during his time at the academy.
He graduates at only five years of age, is promoted to Chunin just one year after that, and is promoted to Jonin a few years later, becoming one of the foremost ninja of Konoha at an exceptionally young age.
Kakashi himself is no slouch, and shows incredible talent during his time at the academy.
He graduates at only five years of age, is promoted to Chunin just one year after that, and is promoted to Jonin a few years later, becoming one of the foremost ninja of Konoha at an exceptionally young age.
This is likely at least in part thanks to Sakumo's skill as a teacher.
Will and Way Imparted
Well-liked among the village, and with his son's own star rising, Sakumo's halcyon days seem as though they will continue forever.
Alas, that is not to be. When he is forced to choose between completing a mission and saving his allies, he chooses his fellow ninja, causing the Land of Fire to suffer as a result.
Alas, that is not to be. When he is forced to choose between completing a mission and saving his allies, he chooses his fellow ninja, causing the Land of Fire to suffer as a result.
The slander he endures afterwards proves too much for him to bear, and he takes his own life to escape it.
Sakumo was perhaps too kind for the life of a ninja.
However, with both his life and death, his shinobi way and Will of Fire are passed to the next generation, and begin to create a change in shinobi society.
Sakumo was perhaps too kind for the life of a ninja.
However, with both his life and death, his shinobi way and Will of Fire are passed to the next generation, and begin to create a change in shinobi society.
"RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE CERTAINLY IMPORTANT.
BUT THEY'RE NOT EVERYTHING."
"IN A NINJA'S WORLD, THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE RULES AND FAIL TO FOLLOW ORDERS...ARE LOWER THAN GARBAGE.
HOWEVER...
THOSE WHO DO NOT CARE FOR AND SUPPORT THEIR FELLOWS...
...ARE EVEN LOWER THAN THAT!"
"IF SOMEONE CAN'T EVEN SAVE A FRIEND, THEN I DON'T THINK THEY DESERVE TO BE HOKAGE..."
From Minato to Obito and Kakashi, then from Kakashi to Naruto and his teammates.
Sakumo's legacy slowly brings about a change in the minds of Konoha shinobi, and eventually the convention of loyalty to the rules is superseded by one of loyalty to one's comrades.
Sakumo's legacy slowly brings about a change in the minds of Konoha shinobi, and eventually the convention of loyalty to the rules is superseded by one of loyalty to one's comrades.
Reunion, Regret, Relief
When Kakashi falls during the battle against Pain of the Akatsuki, he is reunited with his father.
After hearing about the hardships of his son's life Sakumo expresses his sympathies, and Kakashi in turn shares how he has come to feel about Sakumo.
"I CAN SEE THAT NOW AND UNDERSTAND YOU...
YOU, WHO VIOLATED ALL RULES IN ORDER TO SAVE EVERYONE...
I'M PROUD TO BE YOUR SON, NOW."
"THANK YOU..."
Sakumo's spirit would likely have lingered endlessly, bound by his regrets.
But his reunion with his son releases him from his earthly burdens, and he is finally able to reunite with his beloved wife.
But his reunion with his son releases him from his earthly burdens, and he is finally able to reunite with his beloved wife.
"I'M GLAD I GOT TO TALK TO YOU.
THANK YOU FOR FORGIVING ME...
...NOW I CAN MOVE ON IN PEACE.
AND FINALLY SEE YOUR MOTHER..."
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
That's all for Sakumo's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the power of his legacy!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the power of his legacy!
