27 Eiji conviction

"So you both will kill these two rabbits that you both were taking care of, here and now."

Kakashi furrowed his brow and made a grimace, even someone who didn't show much emotion couldn't resist the impulse to reject the idea. Although Eiji thought he simply didn't want to kill something as cute as a rabbit.

"..."

Just a few seconds of hesitation, Kakashi leaned to pick up the kunai and ruthlessly stabbed the rabbit.

Not even his hand faltered in the movement. Blood splattered on the ground, and the rabbit let out its last breath miserably.

"..."

Kakashi's hands trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. Giving a slight impression that he was gripping the kunais with overwhelming force.

Blood splattered on his hand, leaving some traces. Kakashi looked at Sakumo. "Why?" Such a simple word, but with great meaning.

Sakumo was quieter than usual; he even seemed like a different person in front of his children. He didn't bother to answer Kakashi.

"Your turn."

Seconds passed, and Eiji didn't move an inch. He felt that he shouldn't do what he was told. Not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't.

"I refuse," Eiji decided. He refused to harm the helpless rabbit. It might be hypocrisy, but living years in his past world had shaped his mind differently from this world.

He couldn't even kick a dog when he was angry, how the hell could he be expected to cold-bloodedly kill a rabbit?

"You are not qualified to be a ninja, my son."

Eiji knew that a ninja who didn't kill was as good as condemning their teammates.

"You will kill your comrades on a mission."

Eiji agreed.

"You will be a dead weight."

He knew.

"Many will reject and exclude you."

But, he was determined.

"Then why?" Sakumo was curious. Everyone might think that Kakashi was the colder and more ruthless one, but he really wasn't. It had always been Eiji. Kakashi was also surprised, more than his father. He knew his brother's true thoughts, being together all the time made it hard not to notice.

Kakashi, even though he didn't care or disdain others, still cared from a distance, even if he was a bit tough sometimes. But Eiji was different; he pretended to care, didn't want anything to do with anyone, even when he meddled in others' lives. He liked to be in control or know everything.

He wouldn't give his life for Konoha or a fellow ninja, wouldn't even think of saving someone if his life was at risk, so why?

"Why am I so different from you?" Kakashi thought.

Eiji returned his father's gaze. "Today, I won't kill, even if it may be hypocrisy. I know it could backfire, and I might be discriminated against by other ninjas when they find out, but I won't kill."

"But one day I will, not today, maybe tomorrow, but certainly not today. One day I will have to kill someone. Out of anger, desperation, necessity, to save someone, to save myself."

"But not today, not the rabbit."

"Even though all the techniques you created are meant to kill and maim? How will you help your teammates? Just run and watch?"

"With Fuuinjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu." Since Eiji learned Kage-Bunshin, he had been using it to learn everything about Medical Ninjutsu from the books left by Tsunade Senju in the Village.

"Medical Ninjutsu? Since when?" Kakashi was surprised, even though he spent hours trying to learn Fuuinjutsu that his brother taught him, besides fighting, creating jutsu, and teaching him some things. Where did he find the time to learn Medical Ninjutsu?

And even though Sakumo didn't show it, he, too, was surprised. His children were a pair of monsters.

Eiji felt satisfied with himself; there was no point in trying to please others when something didn't sit well with you, and it kept gnawing at you inside. "That's my answer."

Sakumo's expression didn't change from beginning to end; no one knew what was going through his mind.

"You're soft, Eiji. It could cost the life of someone close to you in the future. Are you still willing to take that risk?"

"Yes."

Fwoosh.

Eiji responded in the same second that Sakumo finished speaking; Sakumo's hand moved at a dizzying speed, beheading the rabbit.

Kakashi and Eiji widened their eyes and jumped back at the sudden movement.

"If this were a mission, someone you love just died in front of you. If you had killed the target before that, it wouldn't have happened. I hope you understand."

Sakumo's words were clear: if you're going to fight, fight to kill, or someone close to you will die.

"I understand." Even though his words were only directed at Eiji, Kakashi also nodded.

"Now change your clothes; you're bleeding. Guy and Dai will be right here." Even though Sakumo said that, the young minds were still processing what had just happened.