Facing the sharp, battle-filled gaze in Uchiha Yuan's eyes, Kakashi fell silent for a moment before a smile curved beneath his mask.
"Very well. Let me experience your Hatake blade style."
"Rest assured, Kakashi-senpai. I won't disappoint you."
A meaningful smile appeared on Yuan's face.
He formed hand seals slowly. In the next instant, a Shadow Clone appeared beside him.
Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly, a trace of displeasure surfacing in his eyes.
"Senpai, summoning this clone is not meant as disrespect. It's so you can use everything at your disposal—for a true fight."
Yuan extended his hand. The ninja blade in Hatake Seikū's grasp flew into it, and he passed the blade to the clone.
Kakashi shifted his gaze to the clone. Something about its eyes felt strange—familiar. It stirred an odd discomfort within him.
The look… reminded him of his father.
His instinct was not wrong. Yuan's Shadow Clone was currently inhabited by the soul of Hatake Sakumo.
And this had been Sakumo's request.
A father who had watched his son sink into cold detachment for years wished to personally guide him once more.
Sakumo's figure flashed into the clearing and turned to face Kakashi.
Swish.
Kakashi vanished and reappeared opposite him.
Their gazes met briefly. In the next moment, both figures disappeared again.
Almost instantly, they reappeared mid-exchange. Sakumo caught Kakashi's right wrist—the one thrusting a kunai forward—while his other hand swung the blade in a lightning-fast slash.
Bang!
The struck Kakashi exploded into a log. Substitution Technique.
Sakumo showed no surprise. He pivoted and slashed toward the ground behind him.
The earth burst open as Kakashi sprang upward. Yet before he could steady himself, a fierce gust hit his face—Sakumo had already closed the distance. The blade tip stopped at his chest.
"So fast…" Kakashi murmured inwardly. He had intended to drag Sakumo underground with the Headhunter Technique, but the counter had been instantaneous.
Sakumo withdrew his blade and looked at him. "Your reaction is decent. But that wasn't your full strength. If I were an enemy, you'd be dead. I'm not satisfied with that exchange.
"Boy, get serious."
Near the clearing, Senju Gen muttered to Yuan, "Your clone has quite the temper."
Yuan replied quietly, "I hope Kakashi-senpai takes this seriously soon. Otherwise… he'll be beaten badly."
Kakashi's eyes sharpened. A blade-like killing intent emanated from Sakumo.
It felt exactly like their sparring sessions long ago.
The next second, both moved again.
The sound of metal clashing rang out in rapid succession. Their figures flickered across the clearing, positions shifting constantly as kunai and blade collided fiercely.
Suddenly, a flash of white streaked through the air. Kakashi was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground.
A slash mark lay across his body—struck with the flat of the blade.
Sakumo walked forward, his gaze deep. "Is this the genius Kakashi? You disappoint me."
Kakashi frowned, rising slowly. He glanced at the mark on his chest.
Then he pulled down his mask covering his left eye. The Sharingan was revealed.
"Let's continue."
Near the clearing—
"Whoa! Yuan, is that the Sharingan?" Senju Gen exclaimed.
Seikū stared in shock. "Kakashi-niisan has a Sharingan? Yuan, do you know why?"
"Kakashi-senpai once had a teammate from our Uchiha clan. That eye was given to him before his comrade died."
"I see…" Seikū's expression brightened. "Kakashi-niisan is finally getting serious."
This time, Kakashi moved first.
Moments later, amid the shrill cry of a thousand birds, the two figures halted face to face.
Kakashi was breathing heavily. Lightning crackled violently in his hand, which had pierced through Sakumo's shoulder.
At the same time, Sakumo's blade—flat pressed against Kakashi's neck—held steady. More than a dozen blunt slash marks were visible across Kakashi's body.
"This is the Kakashi I wanted to see." Sakumo smiled faintly, then sighed. "Your mastery of ninjutsu is excellent. Your offensive decisions are clever. But that isn't what I wished to see.
"I wanted to see you wield the Hatake blade style. It seems… you've set it aside."
With those words, Sakumo released his possession. The Shadow Clone burst into smoke and vanished.
Kakashi stared at where the figure had disappeared.
Uchiha Yuan… was that a lecture? Why did it feel… exactly like Father?
A flicker of resolve crossed his face.
Not far away, Seikū looked at Kakashi with admiration. "Kakashi-niisan's Lightning Release is incredible."
Moments earlier, as the shrill cry erupted, Kakashi had moved so fast he seemed to transform into a bolt of lightning.
"That technique is Chidori," Yuan said calmly. "An A-rank ninjutsu Kakashi-senpai created several years ago."
Kakashi walked over, expression neutral. He looked at Yuan. "Thank you for the guidance."
Yuan waved his hand lightly. "Senpai, don't mind it. That clone's behavior had nothing to do with me."
Kakashi gave him a dead-fish stare. A Shadow Clone shared the original's thoughts—how could its actions be unrelated?
Looking at Yuan's smiling face, Kakashi's expression grew complicated.
"Uchiha Yuan, you're dangerous. But don't worry—I won't report our previous conversation."
As Kakashi turned to leave, Yuan called out.
"Senpai, wait."
He tossed a small bottle toward Kakashi.
Kakashi caught it and looked back in confusion.
"It contains a Qinglong Pill. It can enhance strength. If you trust me… take it."
Kakashi studied him deeply, then put the bottle away. Without another word, he vanished in a Body Flicker.
Some people die…
But they don't die completely.
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