Chapter 101: 97: Kakashi and the Will of Fire (3)
As December drew closer, winter descended upon Konoha. Snowflakes danced in the sky, and the river's surface lay frozen.
Ruri had decided to stay home after completing her last mission of the year. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this would likely continue until mid-January of the next year before she'd consider taking on new tasks.
Outside, a thick layer of snow blanketed the courtyard. Inside, Ruri sat across from Shiraishi, a table separating them.
Shadow Dancer placed tea and pastries on the table, then silently withdrew, occasionally casting curious glances at the pair. To her, less than half a year old, human relationships often seemed overly complicated.
Observing her own family, Shadow Dancer noted that most people had one father and one mother. Her father indeed fit this norm, but she had two mothers.
Then there was her elder brother, General Tu, whose unusual constitution puzzled her. She often used her shadow blade to examine it, hoping to unravel the mystery of how he remained so lively.
Yet, despite thorough scrutiny, she found no internal mechanisms. Its body was no different from the outside, both composed of soft soil with no apparent special properties.
Not only did its physical form differ from normal humans, but its speech was unintelligible babbling, rendering communication impossible. For a child of less than six months, these matters proved challenging to understand.
"I've heard rumors about Kakashi in the village lately. It seems he's been having conflicts with several teams" Ruri remarked, raising her teacup for a sip of the hot tea.
"Isn't that to be expected? Neglecting your comrades' safety and obsessing solely over completing the mission will undoubtedly breed dissatisfaction and exclusion within the team" Shiraishi replied, shrugging.
"Sometimes, I struggle to understand the reasoning of those higher-ups. Kakashi has ended up like this, and they are partially responsible themselves" Ruri snorted coldly.
In her view, Kakashi's mindset was indeed somewhat extreme. However, when she thought about what had driven him to this point, it was hard to deny that the higher-ranking officials were complicit in his transformation.
"To maintain balance among the village's various factions, our Hokage cannot readily take these responsibilities. Thus, the Root's existence becomes meaningful" Shiraishi said, gazing at the snowflakes falling in the courtyard.
,The Hokage must maintain a lofty, virtuous image in the eyes of all Konoha's ninjas and villagers. However, within the grand canopy of leaves, there's no escape from darkness. Where there's light, there's darkness.
Hence, for the sake of preserving the village's interests and order, the Root organization was created—a repository of all Konoha's darkness and sins. Its leader, Shimura Danzo, earned the moniker 'Darkness Ninja' for his merciless pursuit of any means to achieve his goals. A dangerous man indeed, amassing ninjas beneath him.
They've handled countless dangerous missions in secret over the years. In all honesty, he admired the political vision of Third Hokage in this regard. Strategically, this arrangement appears sound.
But the issue arises during the Third Hokage's time. There was excessive leniency toward Root's growth, insufficient regulation when necessary, and a lack of strong leadership to control this substantial darkness. This, my friend, is where the problem lies. The higher-ups couldn't swiftly impose practical consequences for their significant blunder.
They also failed to appease the subordinates whose interests were harmed, leading to a severe blurring of personal and village affairs, eroding trust. Consequently, balance can only be maintained through indulgence of the Root.
This strategy not only fails to benefit Konoha but often drains the village's internal vitality, potentially placing Konoha in a dangerous situation if a ninja war should erupt. Whether Konoha will produce a hero capable of turning the tide in such a scenario, he couldn't predict.
The future is highly unpredictable
He didn't seem particularly invested in the matter. By then, he had already left Konoha. Whether the village prospered or faced ruin, he watched from afar.
"By the way, you can have these. I spent quite some time on them" Shiraishi recalled suddenly, producing two black metal rings from his pocket and placing them in front of Ruri.
"What are these?" Ruri inquired.
"They're similar to the chakra limiters i provided to your teams training. However, these are specially reinforced chakra limiters, suitable only for Jounin" Shiraishi emphasized.
Wearing a Chunin level chakra limiter wouldn't endanger one's life, but it would render performing ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu impossible.
These three combat styles relied on chakra circulation within the body for execution. In particular, faster chakra flow enhanced the power of Taijutsu, so a sluggish chakra flow made it challenging for Taijutsu to reach its full potential.
Ruri slipped one of the black metal rings onto her left hand. Outwardly, nothing appeared to change, but Ruri knew that the speed of chakra flow within her body had significantly slowed, resembling a tortoise's crawl. Training to restore normal chakra flow from this severely restricted state would be no easy feat.
Following this, Ruri contemplated the second metal ring, wondering what would occur if she were to wear it.
The first one had already drastically slowed the flow of chakra within her body. By wearing the second, she feared her chakra might practically come to a 'standstill'.
Shiraishi, seemingly reading Ruri's thoughts, took a sip of tea and spoke slowly. "It's better to proceed step by step. Even though you're wearing a chakra limiter now, it's the first step. After you've become accustomed to it, there'll be ample time for the second limiter. Besides, you should take a break in the village. With your skills, overcoming the initial chakra limiter within a month shouldn't be overly challenging."
"A month? Does it really take that long?" Ruri questioned the time frame.
She had anticipated completing the training in about two weeks.
"This is a cautious estimate. The more powerful one's chakra, the more challenging it is to control under the influence of the limiter"
"Then I'll give it a try right now. Interested in joining me?" Ruri stood, inviting Shiraishi to join her to the training grounds to test her strength under the limiter's constraint.
"I'll pass, still have work to attend to," Shiraishi declined.
"You're becoming rather lazy. At this rate, your abilities may deteriorate. Last time, your combat skills were really rusty" Ruri commented, showing some dissatisfaction with Shiraishi's current lackadaisical approach to training.
"It doesn't matter. Don't worry. Shadow dancer can protect me" Shiraishi said with a smile.
Although he was well-versed in chakra nature transformations, it was purely for his personal research. He was dedicated to mastering all forms jutsus, and such endeavors demanded his full attention.
This diversion of energy did not detract from his strength; instead, he saw it as a unique approach to bolstering his capabilities. By creating "clones" that could adapt to any environment and engage his enemies, he believed he could increase his strength effectively.
Seeing that Shiraishi remained unmoved, Ruri snorted and proceeded to the training grounds alone.
Seeing her leave, Shiraishi continued to sip his hot tea, admiring the snowfall outside.
"Alright, back to work" Shiraishi said upon finishing his tea.
As he rose to his feet, Shadow dancer transformed into a black shadow, darting across the floor like lightning. She merged seamlessly with Shiraishi's shadow, vanishing entirely.
As Shiraishi's sole personal protector at present, Shadow dancer accompanied him closely, safeguarding her creator's life.
....
Konoha, Year 42, February.
The Academy had a few days off, giving its students a brief break from their studies.
At the close of the previous month, shortly after the New Year Festival, Ruri had resumed her duties as a Jounin, heading to the Hokage Building to receive her missions.
Among the individuals around her, Shiraishi appeared to be the only one with little to occupy his time.
Occasionally, the adorable young girl, Nohara Rin, sought him out to gain knowledge of medical ninjutsu. Of course, invariably trailing behind her was Uchiha Obito, the god of dog licking.
Obito claimed to aspire to surpass Kakashi, who was rumored to be in the same class as him. However, Shiraishi found such ambitions rather unrealistic.
Kakashi had graduated from the Academy at the tender age of five and attained Chunin status by six. The term "genius" barely scratched the surface of his exceptional talent.
As for Obito, his determination to train often waned. He'd frequently encounter an elderly women in need while on the road, derailing his training plans.
Shiraishi couldn't fathom the peculiar affinity this young brat seemed to have for elderly women. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say they were drawn to him? It was as if he possessed some innate magnetism, particularly for senior citizens.
"Hey, Obito, it's getting late. Aren't you planning to head back?" Shiraishi raised his head and shouted to Obito who was doing physical exercise while standing upside down on a tree branch covered with fine snow.
Shiraishi, who had little to occupy him recently, sometimes joined Obito for training. An occasional break was good for both mental and physical health. He wasn't keen on losing his hair at such a young age.
"Don't nag. I've barely been training for one hour," Obito replied, glancing at the sky. Although it was some time before sunset, he had no intention of halting his exercise.
"It's not because of those inexplicable events with the three elderly grandma this afternoon, is it?"
"Mind your own business! You can head back by yourself; you're just living the good life, so don't act all high and mighty!"
Obito panted while standing upside down and performing pull-ups.
Even in the cold weather, he was working up a considerable sweat, a testament to his dedication.
"One hundred ninety-one... one hundred ninety-two... one hundred—ah!" Obito shouted in alarm as his chakra, which had been adhering to the soles of his feet, experienced a mishap. He detached from the branch, causing him to plunge headfirst into the snow. His head buried itself in the snowdrift, and his body twitched faintly.
Shiraishi casually blew a breath, producing a puff of white vapor. He then rubbed his hands together but remained a passive observer, refraining from offering assistance.
This young brat with a penchant for trouble had always shown remarkable vitality and resilience.
"Ahem!"
Obito managed to remove himself from the snow, sputtering out a mouthful of snow, and coughing violently. His face turned a bright red.
"Damn! I was only eight short of two hundred!" Obito shouted with frustration.
"Give it up, Kakashi outperformed both of you two years ago. The gap between you has likely widened even further," Shiraishi said.
"But I'll be a Chunin soon. I'm definitely graduating from the Academy next year!" Obito declared boldly.
While Shiraishi didn't believe Obito possessed such talent, he admired Obito's determination and refusal to admit defeat.
"Then work hard. If you awaken the Sharingan in the future, maybe you can achieve it" Shiraishi encouraged him, not wanting to undermine Obito's confidence.
This brat's positivity and optimism were commendable, but he often lacked a solid plan for achieving his goals.
Kakashi had honed his skills more diligently than Obito. Genius wasn't just about innate talent; it was also about working harder than anyone else. Thus, Shiraishi doubted that Obito could catch up with Kakashi through the conventional path.
Obito was about to show a smile for what Shiraishi said but before he could, Shiraishi suddenly said: "But I think with your talent, you probably won't be able to awaken Sharingan in your life. After all, you're the tail of the crane in the academy. Sharingan is a bloodline only the elite Uchiha can awaken."
"You bastard! How dare you look down on me! Taste the wrathful iron fist of the Uchiha clan!"
He jumped up from the snow and aimed a fierce punch at Shiraishi.
Dealing with this impulsive brat could be quite troublesome. Nevertheless, he served as an enjoyable plaything during boring moments.
Without much thought, Shiraishi sidestepped, allowing Obito's punch to land ineffectually in the snow, leaving him in an embarrassing position.
"I've said it before, if you can't control your body, don't make such useless movements. In combat, this could be a fatal mistake, providing enemies an opportunity to exploit your weaknesses" Shiraishi advised.
"It's because you said I can't unlock Sharingan!" Obito retorted, now sitting on the snow like a regular person, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He averted his gaze, seemingly uninterested in Shiraishi.
Upon reflection, it seemed reasonable. For an Uchiha, failing to awaken the Sharingan meant they were at the tail end of the pack. Obito had always strived to prove his worth, and Sharingan represented the Uchiha clan's strength.
After being told this, it made sense that he would be upset.
"I meant that not awakening Sharingan might be a blessing for you" Shiraishi approached, pulled Obito up from the snow, and shared these words.
"Huh? Why?" Obito asked, he was confused.
"Because you're a bit of a blockhead. Imagine if an idiot like you awakened Sharingan; wouldn't that be the end of the world? Think about it carefully, it's not entirely wrong" Shiraishi stated earnestly.
"You b*stard who enjoys the easy life, brace yourself for the wrath of the Uchiha clan!" Obito roared angrily in the snow.
....
"Don't think that buying me barbeque will make me forgive you! Just so you know, once I awaken the Sharingan, it's the end for you! Be prepared!" Obito threatened Shiraishi vehemently as they headed back.
"It doesn't matter. Ruri will protect me. Your Sharingan is useless against me" Shiraishi countered, bringing out his most powerful shield yet, Uchiha Ruri.
"Hey, can't you accept my challenge like a man?" Obito grumbled, feeling exasperated with the man in front of him.
The opponent was thick-skinned, always claiming to be the strongest.
"I'm a medical ninja, and I don't need to focus on physical strength. However, if you'd like to compete in medical ninjutsu, I'm available anytime" Shiraishi said with a casual smile.
Obito took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself.
Stay calm.
Don't lose your temper.
Think like a mature adult.
But... he was still furious.
Just as Obito was about to speak, two Chunin conversed by the roadside, one of them shouting in a fit of anger, "We should request that the captain remove Kakashi from our team! I've had enough of him!"
"Although I agree, I heard that Hokage-sama values Kakashi greatly."
"But if this continues, we have to worry about it every time we're on a mission. This guy isn't cut out to be a ninja at all. Whenever we send out a support signal, he ignores it and claims we're slowing down the mission."
The Chunin's faces had signs of frustration, and their eyes burned with anger, pushed to the brink and in dire need of venting.
"To be honest, I'm almost at my limit. Let's approach the captain together and explain. I thought he'd change his attitude after this year, but it seems we can't expect much from him. He's solely focused on completing missions and doesn't consider us as his companions."
The ither Chunin had also reached a decision.
If this situation persisted, the mission would be nearly impossible to accomplish. Someone who consistently displayed indifference to their comrades couldn't inspire trust.
If one day they were in peril, the other party might not shed a tear for their fate.
"Well, may I ask, were you talking about Kakashi just now?" Obito overheard their conversation about someone named 'Kakashi' and approached the two seniors out of curiosity.
"Yeah, what's it to you? Do you know him?" The first Chunin who spoke gave Obito an unfriendly look and responded.
"Uh... no, I don't" Obito stammered. He really wanted to admit it, but he was afraid this guy would attack him if he did.
"Then why are you asking questions?" The Chunin's displeasure grew.
Obito felt a rush of anxiety, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. He stumbled, "Well, I just thought it's not good for two senior Chunin to discuss someone openly on the street."
"If he wasn't unbearable, we wouldn't be so irrational. In any case, this doesn't concern you. Don't meddle, Uchiha brat."
Knowing that Obito and Kakashi were acquainted, the Chunin didn't intend to take his frustration out on Obito. He didn't want to vent his anger on innocent people, especially an academy student.
As the Chunin walked away, Obito's expression grew heavy as he thought about something.
"What's on your mind?" Shiraishi approached him and inquired.
"I was thinking about Kakashi."
"Didn't you say you don't know him?" Shiraishi replied with a question of his own.
"What do you know?" Obito inquired.
"I heard that since June and July of last year, Kakashi has switched teams multiple times due to disagreements with his teammates. Many Jonin teams in the village are reluctant to accept him."
Obito was surprised. "Why? Isn't Kakashi a genius? He became a Chunin last year, right?"
Such a talented individual should have teams lining up to recruit him.
"The reason is that during missions, when his teammates were severely injured or even incapacitated, he didn't choose to save them but choose to continue with the mission" Shiraishi explained.
Obito paused, recalling the negative comments from the Chunin about Kakashi earlier. He suddenly understood.
"No, Kakashi isn't like that," Obito disagreed.
In his eyes, Kakashi wasn't a cold-hearted person who would abandon his comrades. There must be some misunderstanding.
"Do you want to visit him then?" Shiraishi asked.
"Is that okay? Won't it be too bothersome for him?" Obito hesitated.
"It's fine; that kid doesn't have much to do at home" Shiraishi assured.
"Do you know Kakashi well?" Obito asked directly.
"I don't know him well, but his father used to be my and Ruri's sensei" Shiraishi explained with a calm smile.
"Really? Kakashi's father must be a great ninja if he's Uchiha Ruri's sensei"
With Uchiha Ruri being the most outstanding Jonin in their Uchiha clan, Obito assumed that her sensei would be equally impressive.
"Okay, don't daydream. After seeing Kakashi, I still have work to do" Shiraishi reminded Obito.
"Alright, I got it" Obito replied, then quickly followed Shiraishi to Kakashi's house.
It was a traditional Japanese-style courtyard, with the name 'Hatake' displayed on the doorplate. Obito knew this was Kakashi's residence.
"Why are you here?" Kakashi questioned as he opened the door to find the two visitors.
"We brought your friend to visit you and maybe have dinner. Are you okay with that?" Shiraishi asked, smiling at Kakashi while ruffling Obito's hair.
"If you want to eat takeaway with me, I don't mind," Kakashi replied, his tone flat and neutral.
Shiraishi didn't mind; Kakashi's current attitude was quite welcoming compared to before.
"Kakashi, I..." Obito began, but Kakashi interrupted, "Since you're here, come in."
Obito's smile froze, and his hands hung awkwardly in the air. The atmosphere was uncomfortable.
"What's happened to this guy?" Obito wondered aloud, his face now having a confused expression.
Following Shiraishi into Kakashi's living room, they sat down. Kakashi brought out a tea set and a pot of hot water and said to them, "If you want tea, make it yourself."
Obito was left stunned, his hands hanging in the air, not sure what to do.
"I haven't finished my training today. I will order the takeaway for dinner. You can help yourselves" Kakashi continued, then left without much interaction.
Shiraishi also left.
Obito's face darkened.
"You two, enough! Don't leave me alone here!"
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