It's Going to Be a Cold One
A month had passed since news of Hatake Sakumo's failed mission spread throughout the village.
The mission, classified as top-secret, had seen Captain Sakumo infiltrate deep into enemy territory. During the operation, he was faced with a devastating dilemma—complete the mission at the cost of his comrades' lives, or abandon it to save them.
According to Konohagakure's shinobi code, abandoning a mission is strictly forbidden. However, Sakumo chose to save his teammates.
The aftermath was cruel. The Fire Daimyō and many within the village condemned him for the failure. Even the very comrades he saved turned their backs on him, hurling blame rather than gratitude.
But behind the curtain, the hand of Konoha's leadership—particularly the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen—was at work.
Hatake Sakumo was no ordinary shinobi. His strength and fame rivaled even that of the Legendary Sannin. Many in the village saw him as the most promising candidate to become the Fourth Hokage. That popularity threatened the power and influence of the old guard—Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura. They needed Sakumo removed from contention, not killed, but disgraced.
Their aim wasn't to destroy him outright, just to break his spirit and eliminate his political viability. Hiruzen sought to retain control over the village, directly or indirectly. And Hatake Sakumo was too independent, too admired, to be manipulated.
In the original timeline, the pressure crushed Sakumo. Wracked by guilt, isolated by public scorn, he eventually took his own life. His suicide left a deep scar on his son, Hatake Kakashi.
But this time, something was different.
Kakashi's mindset had shifted, largely due to his interactions with Hyūga Bin. Though still a stoic boy, Kakashi had internalized Bin's words—words that emphasized connection, loyalty, and compassion. Despite the scorn heaped upon the Hatake name, Kakashi stood firm. His focus was not on public opinion, but on his father.
He took a leave from the shinobi corps, dedicating his days to being with Sakumo—supporting him, encouraging him. When he saw his father's resolve begin to slip, Kakashi said something that surprised even himself:
"Father… if you're gone, I'll be alone. I won't have a reason to keep going…"
Those quiet, honest words—planted by Hyūga Bin—took root in Sakumo's heart. And this time, Sakumo did not choose death.
Instead, he resigned from his position as Anbu commander, citing the need for personal reflection. Hiruzen, perhaps relieved that Sakumo would no longer be a political threat, approved a year-long leave. Sakumo would remain at home to rest, heal, and train his son.
This was Hyūga Bin's first deliberate change to the timeline since arriving in this world.
Of course, Sakumo's survival was not entirely unwelcome to Hiruzen. The leadership didn't want to lose a shinobi of Sakumo's caliber on the battlefield—they just wanted him out of the Hokage race. With his resignation and loss of public favor, their goal was achieved.
Sakumo's former momentum was gone. The people no longer saw him as a viable Hokage. Hiruzen remained unchallenged, Danzo saw a chance to rise again, and Koharu and Homura could sleep easy knowing their influence was secure.
A "happy ending"—for them.
---
Kakashi, still a prodigy, continued to shine under his father's personal guidance. At six years old, he passed the Chūnin Exams, setting a new record for youngest promotion. He had already graduated from the Ninja Academy at age five, another record.
On the night of his Chūnin promotion, Kakashi once again challenged Hyūga Bin.
And once again, he lost.
After the duel, Bin told him he had used 85% of his strength. Kakashi believed him—and resolved to train even harder. The two made a promise: they would fight again next year.
---
The 40th Year of Konoha
After returning from a mission, Kakashi once again faced Hyūga Bin in their familiar training grove.
And once again, he lost.
But this time, he noticed Bin's breathing—heavy, uneven. The gap had closed.
"How much did you use this time?" he asked.
"Ninety percent," Bin replied calmly.
Kakashi said nothing. But his heart stirred with hope.
---
The 41st Year of Konoha
Kakashi challenged Bin again.
He lost—but only by a single move.
"I almost had him," he thought. "Next time… next time, for sure."
---
The 42nd Year of Konoha
Before Kakashi could issue his next challenge, Hyūga Bin graduated.
At the graduation ceremony, students waited to be assigned to their teams. According to tradition, the village organized teams of three Genin led by one Jōnin, typically following the "one strong, two average" structure.
Bin sat in his seat, waiting.
After a long half-hour, Hyūga Masayuki—a close friend of Bin's father—entered and called out the names of his new team:
"Hyūga Bin, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin."
This caught Bin off guard.
In the original timeline, these three only came together after multiple team reshuffles. Kakashi, Rin, and Obito were eventually placed under Namikaze Minato. But here, Minato was absent from the Jōnin assignments. And Kakashi wasn't part of this team.
Had the butterfly effect already begun? Was this a timeline deviation caused by his actions? Or had he misremembered the exact formation of Team Minato?
If it was the latter, then the implication was grim: teams are only reshuffled when members die.
Bin suddenly had a chilling thought.
"Is this… a sign that Hyūga Masayuki and I are fated to die early?"