Sakumo Hatake: The White Fang of Konoha

Sakumo Hatake was a legendary shinobi of Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village, and the father of Kakashi Hatake, one of the main characters of the anime Naruto Shippuden. He was known as the White Fang of Konoha, a nickname that reflected his prowess and reputation on the battlefield.

He was a hero and a role model to many, but also a tragic figure who suffered a downfall and a disgrace. In this article, we will explore his background, personality, abilities and role in the anime Naruto Shippuden.

All about Sakumo Hatake

• Birthdate: September 3
• Sex: Male
• Status: Deceased
• Height: Part II: 181 cm
• Weight: Part II: 65.7 kg
• Blood type: O
• Affiliation: Konohagakure
• Clan: Hatake Clan

Sakumo Hatake’s Background

Sakumo was born into the Hatake clan, a clan of skilled and loyal shinobi who served Konoha. He inherited his clan’s talent and dedication, and became a shinobi at a young age.

He rose through the ranks quickly, and earned the respect and admiration of his peers and superiors. He also met and married a woman from the Uzumaki clan, who gave birth to his son, Kakashi.

Sakumo was active during the Third Shinobi World War, a conflict that pitted Konoha against other hidden villages. He led many missions and battles, and achieved great feats and victories.

He was considered to be on par with the legendary Sannin: Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru, who were his contemporaries and comrades. He was also a mentor and a friend to Minato Namikaze, the future fourth Hokage, and the father of Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of the anime.

However, Sakumo’s life took a turn for the worse when he was faced with a dilemma during a crucial mission. He had to choose between completing the mission or saving his comrades, who were in danger.

He chose the latter, and abandoned the mission. This decision had dire consequences, as it resulted in the failure of the mission and the loss of many lives and resources for Konoha.

Sakumo was blamed and shunned by the village, and his reputation and honor were tarnished. He fell into depression and despair, and lost his will to live. He also lost the respect and love of his son, who was ashamed of his father’s actions.

Unable to cope with his guilt and shame, Sakumo committed suicide by stabbing himself with his own sword. His death was mourned by his friends and allies, who regretted their harsh treatment of him.

His son, Kakashi, was traumatized by his father’s death, and vowed to never break the rules or abandon his missions, even at the cost of his comrades. He also inherited his father’s sword, and carried it with him as a reminder of his father’s legacy.

Sakumo Hatake’s Personality

Sakumo was a kind, noble and courageous shinobi, who valued his comrades and his village above all else. He was a loyal and faithful servant of Konoha, and followed its ideals and principles.

He was also a loving and caring father, who cherished his son and wanted to make him proud. He had a strong sense of duty and honor, and was willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

However, Sakumo was also a conflicted and tormented shinobi, who struggled with his choices and their consequences. He was torn between his loyalty to his village and his compassion for his friends.

He was also haunted by his failures and mistakes, and felt unworthy of his fame and glory. He was also a lonely and isolated shinobi, who lacked the support and understanding of his village and his family. He was a man who lost his purpose and his hope, and who succumbed to his despair and sorrow.

Sakumo Hatake’s Abilities

Sakumo was one of the most powerful and skilled shinobi in history, and was regarded as a legend and a genius by many. He had a mastery of various techniques and skills, and was proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu and genjutsu.

He was also a master of kenjutsu, the art of swordsmanship, and wielded a unique and formidable sword, the White Light Chakra Sabre. This sword was a chakra blade, a sword that could channel and enhance the user’s chakra. It could also emit a bright white light, which gave Sakumo his nickname, the White Fang.

Sakumo’s sword was his signature weapon, and he used it with great skill and precision. He could cut through almost anything with his sword, and could also use it to deflect or redirect attacks.

He could also use his sword to perform various techniques, such as the White Fang Slash, a powerful slash that could create a shockwave of chakra, or the White Fang Dance, a series of swift and graceful slashes that could overwhelm and confuse the enemy.

Sakumo also had access to the Ninken, the Ninja Dogs, his personal summoning animals and partners. The Ninken were a group of intelligent and loyal dogs, who could communicate with Sakumo and assist him in battle.

They could also track and scout the enemy, and relay information to Sakumo. They had a strong bond with Sakumo, and respected and admired him as a leader and a friend.

Sakumo Hatake’s Legacy

His suicide drove Kakashi to live strictly according to the Shinobi Rules.

Despite being disgraced for his actions during his last mission, Sakumo’s name still has good standing throughout the shinobi world, as displayed when the Fire Daimyō seemed pleased when Kakashi was recommended to become the Sixth Hokage, having recognised him as Sakumo’s son.

The Third Tsuchikage also identified Kakashi as Sakumo’s son when the Kage were deciding on whom they wanted to represent Konoha in the Alliance.

Obito Uchiha, Kakashi’s team-mate, also greatly respected Sakumo for his beliefs that his comrades lives were to be placed before the outcome of a mission or the rules of the shinobi.

Although Kakashi initially tried to live his life in the exact opposite way that Sakumo did, his friendship with Obito changed his perspective, leading him to believe that while those who broke the rules were scum, those who abandoned their comrades were worse than scum.

Kakashi would later teach these ideals to his students, especially to Naruto Uzumaki, who would cherish and use them as the basis for most of his life, ideals and relationships.

Chiyo remained bitter of Sakumo for killing Sasori’s parents, despite knowing about his death, and even attempted to attack his son Kakashi twenty-one years later, mistaking Kakashi for his father due to their resemblance. She halted the attack once her brother Ebizō reminded her that Sakumo died, but was shocked to hear that Kakashi is the White Fang’s son.

Role in Naruto Shippuden

Sakumo played a minor but important role in the anime Naruto Shippuden, both in the past and in the present. He was shown in flashbacks, revealing his history and relationship with his son, his friends and his enemies.

He was also shown in the present, as a spirit who watched over his son and his village. He also appeared in the Fourth Shinobi World War, as one of the many shinobi who were reanimated by Kabuto Yakushi, an enemy of Konoha.

He fought against his former allies, and displayed his power and skill to the new generation of shinobi. He also had a final reunion with his son, and expressed his forgiveness and love to him. He also met his grandson, Obito Uchiha, and praised him for his courage and determination.

Sakumo Hatake was a great shinobi and a great father, who left a lasting legacy and impact on the ninja world. He was a hero and a role model to many, but also a tragic figure who suffered a downfall and a disgrace.

He was a man who loved his comrades and his village, and who made a choice that changed his fate and his destiny. He was a man who deserved respect and admiration, and who will always be remembered and honored. He was Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha.