Chapter 262: The Awakening of Hatake Kakashi!
"Isobu, these are the 'partner candidates' I mentioned," Keisuke said, making the introductions. He then gestured to the Three-Tails. "Now, for a little test. Release your chakra towards them... and be gentle."
Isobu looked down at the five little dots with their grave expressions, a hint of disdain in its single eye. Compared to Keisuke, these Konoha ninja were a world apart. "Just a warning," it rumbled. "My chakra is not so easily accepted."
With that, it released a small amount. The immense pressure of the Tailed Beast chakra washed over them, forming a gale that whipped their clothes about. The two medics, Rin and Shizune, felt their vision blur, as if a living Three-Tails had appeared right in front of them, its malevolent gaze piercing their very souls.
The illusionary sensation shocked all five of them. This... is the true power of a Tailed Beast?
"Even the most primitive Tailed Beast chakra is not so easy to approach," Keisuke's voice cut in, pulling them from their stupor. "If you're already feeling a significant discomfort—I'm talking about actual pain—you can step aside. If you can't even handle this, it means your personal constitution is not suitable to be Isobu's partner."
Minato and Retsu immediately stepped out of the chakra's range. Minato did so willingly; with his girlfriend already a Jinchuriki, he had no desire to become one himself. A "Jinchuriki couple" just sounded terrifying. Retsu, on the other hand, had felt a distinct burning sensation where the chakra touched her skin. She had no desire to force a connection with a power that was so far beyond her.
Keisuke nodded to them and signaled for Isobu to increase the output. Soon, Shisui also stepped back. The only ones left standing were Kakashi, Rin, and Shizune.
"Alright, that's enough for now," Keisuke said after a moment.
Isobu retracted its chakra, and the three of them let out a sigh of relief.
"From the looks of it, you three have a certain degree of resistance to the Three-Tails' chakra," Keisuke said. "The second stage of the test will be to see how your bodies adapt to it when it is guided into you... Does anyone want to back out now?"
Shizune hesitated. She had no strong feelings about becoming a Jinchuriki one way or the other; she was just "participating." She had expected to be eliminated with the others, but now she was one of the last three standing. Seeing the unwavering determination on Kakashi's and Rin's faces, she swallowed the words of withdrawal.
'Shizune is wavering,' Keisuke thought with an internal shake of his head. 'It seems the new Jinchuriki will most likely come from Team Minato.' He focused his attention on Kakashi and Rin. He knew Rin, in the original timeline, had been turned into a vessel for the Three-Tails. But Kakashi... why was his gaze so firm?
He recalled the major turning points in Kakashi's life—his father's death, Obito's death, Rin's death, his teacher's death... all the most important people in his life, gone one after another. 'Did Obito's "death" trigger his determination to become stronger? That would be a good thing...'
Seeing that none of them were backing down, Keisuke turned to Minato. "Minato-san, can I entrust you with guiding the chakra and creating the temporary seals?"
Minato, a master of Uzumaki sealing arts, readily agreed.
While Minato was busy, Keisuke took out the Gunbai. "Shisui, you can have this back for now," he said, handing it over.
"Oh, thank you, Captain," the ever-honest Shisui replied, accepting the fan. "I don't have that other fan with me, but I'll return it to you when we get back to camp."
"No need. You can keep it," Keisuke waved a hand. He had no interest in Ebizō's fan. "Besides, I'll probably need to borrow your Gunbai again in the future."
Shisui blinked, unsure what to say. Isn't this... my clan's heirloom?
"By the way, I also collected the Seven Ninja Swords," Keisuke said, his hand on his sealing scroll. "Shisui, Retsu, do you want any of them?"
"I don't need one," Retsu said. "I have the Gentle Fist."
"The Seven Ninja Swords..." Shisui thought for a moment, then asked, "Captain, could I see the Executioner's Blade?"
It had no fancy functions, but it could repair itself, which was a quality he admired.
"One moment." Keisuke took out the massive blade. The moment he touched it, his panel flashed. [A-Rank Ninja Tool: Executioner's Blade]. 'So there really is a difference in quality... but A-rank for this?' He placed a Contract Seal on it and handed it to Shisui. "Here, try it out."
Shisui, thinking it would be light, was surprised by its immense weight. He struggled to swing it. This... is not for me.
"Sorry, Captain," he said, handing it back.
"Nothing to be sorry about," Keisuke said, sealing it away. He glanced at Shizune, then back at his teammates. "Shisui, Retsu, do you think the Longsword Nuibari would be a good fit for Shizune?"
"Captain," Retsu said with a deadpan expression. "It's too big."
"Just a thought," he replied, waving them off. "You two go find something to do. I'm going to go... 'train' this dog—ah, no, I mean, 'Samehada'."
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