The sun barely pierced through the thick canopy of Konoha's trees, their branches interwoven into a natural fortress. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and moist earth. Hidden deep within Konoha's outer borders, a secret training ground had been prepared for a unique test.
Kakashi stood silently beside Tobirama Senju and the Orochimaru clone, watching with calm interest. Before them, within a sealed clearing, stood UM01, the Wood Sentinel.
The clone's crimson Sharingan eyes glinted faintly beneath the thick black hair, and his stance was relaxed yet formidable, radiating the raw power of Wood Style at a level that immediately made the air thrum with latent energy.
"Yamato, are you ready?" Kakashi said.
The man before them nodded, though there was a flicker of hesitation in his normally calm gaze.
"No more Tenzo," Yamato said quietly. "I've taken a new name. My old identity is no longer important."
"Good. This is about the future, not the past." Kakashi nodded approvingly.
Yamato shifted his stance, fingers weaving into the first signs of a Wood Release hand sign. "Let's begin."
As Yamato's hands moved, small sprouts erupted from the forest floor, twisting rapidly into thick, sharp vines and roots aimed at ensnaring UM01. But the Wood Sentinel's response was far from human.
With a swift movement, the clone countered with a massive wooden shield forming effortlessly in front of him, absorbing the vines with a muted crack.
Then, with precise and fluid motion, UM01 sent out a sweeping wave of wood spikes, piercing the ground and launching toward Yamato with brutal speed.
"This is different… far more refined than anything I've seen before." Yamato barely dodged, leaping back with a grunt.
Tobirama's red eyes narrowed. "His Wood Style is far purer, more complete. My elder brother's power is deeply embedded here."
Kakashi observed silently, his Sharingans analyzing every move.
Yamato unleashed a sprawling tree trunk that twisted and grew toward UM01, attempting to pin him against the forest's edge. The clone's eyes flashed, and a thick wall of wood erupted from the ground to intercept, the two massive forces clashed with a sound like thunder.
Despite his training and natural talent, Yamato struggled. Every attack he launched was met with a more precise, powerful defense. The clone countered with intricate tendrils that immobilized limbs, and then rapidly constricted with unyielding force.
Yamato's breath came heavier, his control tested to the limits.
"Yamato's Wood Style is an experimental variant, he never fully possessed the First's chakra or bloodline. It's just a derivative, a fragment of the true wood release." Kakashi's eyes were sharp as he spoke.
"Back when that Orochimaru experimented on him," Tobirama added quietly, "they were probing for compatibility with the Wood Style but only succeeded in a rough, limited transplant."
Kakashi nodded. "That's why UM01 is superior. Full genetic replication, pure Wood Style, untainted."
"I take great pleasure in watching the once 'great experiment' falter before a perfected product." The Orochimaru clone chuckled gleefully.
Kakashi didn't bother to reply, instead focusing on UM01's relentless assault. The clone's movements were methodical, almost cruel in their efficiency. He struck with the precision of a blade but with the unstoppable force of nature.
Yamato, desperate, formed a massive wooden dragon to swallow the clone whole. The creature surged forward, but UM01 simply dissipated into a cloud of spores and reformed behind Yamato, knocking him off balance with a crushing blow.
Yamato collapsed to the ground, panting, a mixture of frustration and awe in his eyes.
"Enough," Kakashi called, stepping forward.
UM01 withdrew, his form solidifying once more.
Yamato lay on the forest floor, looking up with exhaustion and begrudging respect.
"That… was unlike anything I've fought," he muttered. "Your clone's Wood Style is truly the First's essence. Mine is a pale imitation, a shadow. I've never felt this powerless."
Kakashi crouched beside him, offering a hand to help him up.
"You fought well," Kakashi said. "No shame in recognizing where you stand. Your Wood Style served Konoha well, even in its incomplete form."
"Thank you, Kakashi-senpai. This… gives me hope." Yamato smiled faintly.
Later that day, Kakashi gathered a select group of trusted jonin and ANBU operatives in a concealed training arena.
"This next test is for UM02 and UM03," Kakashi announced, motioning to the clones restrained in chakra containment fields.
UM02, the Ice Veil, was the first released. His pale-blue hair caught the sunlight as he took a steady stance, the temperature around him dropping noticeably. With a graceful flick, he sent a storm of razor-sharp ice needles hurtling toward a set of target dummies.
The jonin team watched with a mix of fascination and cautious admiration.
"This Ice Release is stable and powerful," Tobirama remarked, eyes sharp. "Range and precision on par with elite jonin."
UM02 then shifted tactics, creating a vast ice dome that refracted the sun's light and shimmered with lethal beauty.
Next came UM03, the Storm Blade.
Electricity crackled around his form as he moved, faster and more aggressive than the ice clone. Lightning danced along his limbs as he demonstrated devastating bursts of lightning-infused water jutsu, shredding multiple training dummies with ease.
"Storm Release is impressive," Kakashi said quietly, "the fastest among the three, with reactive abilities that rival jonin-level lightning users."
"He's definitely the wild card." The Orochimaru clone grinned.
"Balanced but with a focus on assault. Good complement to the other two." Tobirama nodded approvingly.
After hours of rigorous testing, the trio reconvened. Tobirama, Kakashi, and the Orochimaru clone shared a look of mutual satisfaction.
"These clones," Tobirama said thoughtfully, "are powerful assets. They lack consciousness but obey flawlessly. They're tools, and excellent ones."
Kakashi nodded. "And with the chakra relay, control is seamless. No risk of rebellion."
"I can't wait to see how they perform in real combat scenarios." The Orochimaru clone smirked.
They gathered the clones and returned to the lab.
Back underground, the Orochimaru clone sat before a vast array of monitors, absorbing and compiling battle data from the day's trials.
Kakashi and Tobirama leaned over his shoulders, watching the streams of numerical chakra flow readings, combat efficacy scores, and clone response latency graphs.
"This is excellent," Tobirama said. "The data will help us refine the next batch."
Kakashi smiled faintly. "It's exactly what we need to prepare for what's coming."
"This is only the beginning." The Orochimaru clone's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he finished compiling the report.
…
Later, Kakashi ascended the stairs back to his mansion's upper levels, shedding the weight of the lab for the warmth of home.
Entering the living room, he was greeted by a lively scene.
Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, sat comfortably near the fireplace, chatting animatedly with Nawaki, Tsunade's brother, and Naruto Uzumaki.
Nearby, Sasuke leaned against a pillar, a faint smile tugging at his lips as Hashirama playfully teased him.
"You really are the spitting image of Izuna," Hashirama laughed, ruffling Sasuke's hair. "But don't get cocky."
Naruto's blue eyes sparkled as he listened, occasionally interjecting with questions.
Kakashi allowed himself a smile. The scene was peaceful, at least for now.