Itachi's footsteps halted.
Kakashi's sudden shout left him momentarily stunned.
But in the next instant, his expression shifted.
"This formidable ocular power..."
Itachi didn't turn around. His fingers twitched slightly under his robe.
The next moment, the space around him began to distort...
...
The world before Kakashi's eyes grew increasingly bright. Despite his cries, the figures of Obito and Rin faded away.
Reality returned to his sight.
His left eye, bearing the three-tomoe Sharingan, seemed to resonate with the emotions of its owner—anger, frustration, and deep sorrow.
The tomoe spun rapidly.
Until, at last, they froze... and transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Kamui!"
Feeling the power gifted to him by Obito, Kakashi wasted no time. He launched a furious attack on Itachi.
After unleashing the ocular technique, a wave of weakness overcame him. He murmured the name of the jutsu under his breath...
...
Watching Itachi's figure, half of it twisted and torn away by the warped space, Kakashi froze momentarily. Regret washed over him.
Then, noticing Itachi's body transform into a piece of wood, Kakashi let out a small sigh of relief, followed by a deep sense of disappointment.
"Even with this kind of power... I still can't harm him, can I?"
Kakashi's body slumped to the ground as he completely lost consciousness.
Reappearing on a tree branch, Itachi paused briefly.
"Kamui... what an absurdly powerful ability..."
Reflecting on the sensation he had just experienced, Itachi felt a shiver. If he hadn't reacted in time, he might already have been decapitated.
If not for his knowledge of the original work, he might have underestimated the attack and taken a direct hit.
...
"What should I do about Kakashi?"
Looking at Kakashi lying unconscious on the ground, Itachi felt momentarily lost.
Then he recalled Kakashi's strong will and unyielding spirit.
A faint admiration arose in Itachi's heart, and an idea began to form in his mind.
Kakashi, in his current state, definitely had the potential to confront Obito, but he was still missing two key elements.
One was the bloodline of the Uchiha clan. The Mangekyō Sharingan imposed a tremendous burden on Kakashi's body. If Itachi could find a way to grant Kakashi the Uchiha bloodline, he would undoubtedly rival Obito. The other was the cells of Hashirama.
Obito possessed them, so Kakashi couldn't afford not to.
As this thought crossed his mind, a hint of amusement appeared on Itachi's face.
This would be the perfect gift.
If Obito received such a present, his reaction would undoubtedly be priceless...
...
Itachi summoned a shadow clone to carry Kakashi on its back and set out for Orochimaru's location.
He intended to share this amusing idea with Orochimaru and have him study Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan in the process.
Unbeknownst to Itachi, his plan was already deviating...
However, considering that he also needed a place to learn techniques like the Flying Thunder God, he figured it didn't matter.
...
Itachi's shadow clone wore a resigned expression as it carried the unconscious and surprisingly heavy Kakashi.
A few hours later, as night fell, Itachi decided to rest for the night.
He assigned his shadow clone to catch some small animals and prepare them for a hearty meal.
As the aroma of roasting meat wafted through the air, Kakashi, who had been left lying on the cold ground, let out a faint groan.
"Hmm?..."
Slowly opening his eyes, he stared blankly at the tree branches illuminated by the firelight.
...
"You're awake?"
Hearing Kakashi's voice, Itachi glanced over to see his dazed expression and calmly asked.
"Saved... Am I saved? Thank you... Itachi..."
As Itachi's voice registered, the confusion in Kakashi's eyes quickly cleared, replaced by clarity.
"Hold on, the barbecue will be ready soon. You'll have to admit it's good."
Itachi ignored Kakashi's clumsy attempt at gratitude, as if he hadn't heard it.
He softly murmured to himself.
...
Hearing that Itachi didn't acknowledge his apology, Kakashi froze for a moment. Then, as he tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.
"Hiss... it hurts..."
With one hand clutching his stomach, he used the other to roll to his side and sit up.
"If you know any healing techniques, you should use them yourself. I don't know how to do that."
Hearing Kakashi groan in pain, Itachi didn't even glance at him. His eyes remained fixed on the roasting meat in his hands, as though afraid it might burn.
"Uh..."
Hearing Itachi's words, Kakashi's mind raced.
In the end, he realized he only knew one basic bleeding-stoppage technique. But with internal injuries like these... what could he do?
...
"This is... where exactly?"
Still feeling somewhat annoyed, Kakashi looked at the focused Itachi and asked softly.
"I don't know either. But I'm taking you somewhere—to grant you an opportunity. If you can withstand it, you'll earn the right to face Obito."
Hearing Kakashi's question, Itachi didn't lift his head. He spoke softly about the plan, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"Thank you... I'll give it everything I've got."
Upon hearing Itachi's words, Kakashi's eyes lit up. He greatly admired Itachi's strength. If Itachi could help him grow stronger, giving him the power to confront Obito, how could he refuse?
...
Itachi's stern expression softened slightly upon hearing Kakashi's response.
If Kakashi hadn't proven himself in battle and shown traits that Itachi respected, Itachi wouldn't have bothered.
He still had a lot to accomplish and little time to spare for others.
"But the condition remains the same. If you satisfy me, perhaps one day I can even bring Rin back to life."
After a moment of silence, seeing Kakashi staring at him expectantly, Itachi thought for a moment and spoke softly.
"Condition? Rin? Are you serious?"
Kakashi hadn't yet figured out what Itachi's condition might be, but the mention of Rin's revival made his eyes shine with hope.
"Why would I lie to you? Everything I do now is for a purpose."
Itachi's voice remained calm, unaffected by Kakashi's reaction.
In Kakashi's eyes, Itachi seemed like an omnipotent being...
"If it's you, I believe you can do it..."
Recalling Itachi's extraordinary strength and his seemingly prophetic abilities, Kakashi was convinced.
...
"What's the condition? Do I have to become a rogue ninja?"
After the initial joy, Kakashi suddenly remembered that Itachi had mentioned a condition. Stunned, he asked.
If Itachi truly had the power to revive Rin, there was no way he wouldn't follow him.
If Rin could come back...
Then...
Three figures flashed through Kakashi's mind. His gaze grew resolute.
"You'll be spending some time in a specific place. Later, I'll arrange for you to meet Obito. Whether you succeed or not will depend on your own ability."
Noticing the light in Kakashi's eyes, Itachi nodded faintly.
Believing in miracles is itself a miracle...
Itachi had expected to need some effort to convince Kakashi, but the process turned out to be simpler than anticipated.
He felt there was something unique about Kakashi.
...
Kakashi pulled out his ninja forehead protector from his pouch...
He stared at it for a moment.
Then, grabbing a kunai, he slashed through it decisively.
Just as he had once done to Itachi's neck—clean and resolute.
With a clear goal in mind, it was as if his soul had found its purpose again. The light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
A light that seemed capable of illuminating even the darkest night.
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