"Every attack connects, yet every hit feels unreal. So this illusion is really the same as Shisui's unique Body Flicker Technique?" Kakashi's mind was sharp, analyzing the strange scene around him.
"But from what I've gathered from Shisui's battle records, not once has he managed to make every clone and the real body strike simultaneously." he muttered under his breath.
"Although I can't be sure if this will work… I have to try something now."
Across from him, Yun smirked, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "Is it really necessary to look so serious, Kakashi-senpai?"
Kakashi ignored the provocation. His right hand ignited with crackling lightning, the familiar shriek of Raikiri filling the air. At the same moment, his shadow clone mirrored the movement, its hand also wreathed in electric light.
Lightning Cable!
In an instant, streams of lightning formed chains that snaked out, connecting the two Kakashis. With coordinated precision, both bodies darted left and right, encircling their target with blinding speed.
*Swish!*
The chains of Raikiri lashed out, wrapping around all five versions of Uchiha Yun. Kakashi and his clone yanked hard, pulling them together into a single point.
*Bang!*
The ground exploded in a shower of sparks, scorched black by the violent discharge of lightning. The five Yuns vanished at once, as though they had been completely erased by the strike.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Did it work…?" He turned cautiously toward the clearing behind him, already preparing for the worst.
*Puff!*
His clone burst into smoke, dispelling instantly. Behind him, the sharp ring of metal filled the air—
*Swish!*
A gleaming blade carved through his shoulder, but what it cleaved was only a chunk of splintered wood.
'Substitution Jutsu?'
"You'd been preparing a substitution since the very moment your Lightning Cable ended." Yun's calm voice echoed from the shadows. "Looks like you're not even certain of your own deductions."
The air grew still. Kakashi's figure melted from the spot, leaving silence in his wake.
…
High above, watching from the thick branches of an ancient tree, Minato observed the exchange with narrowed eyes.
"Not a single one of them is a true body." Minato murmured, glancing at the youth beside him. "Every strike comes from the real Yun, yet when countered, his genjutsu convinces the opponent that every clone is solid flesh."
Shisui gave a small nod. "Each attack re-triggers the Sharingan's genjutsu. Once the clones start moving, Kakashi won't be able to distinguish reality anymore. He'll be locked in the cycle."
Minato frowned thoughtfully. "Then even Kakashi's eye—the Mangekyō—wouldn't help him?"
Shisui shook his head. "Too many complications. Kakashi isn't Uchiha by blood. That's one limitation. He only possesses a single eye—another limitation. And he hasn't awakened its full power yet. Against Yun's genjutsu, his chances are slim."
Minato let out a slow exhale. "Sometimes I can't help but envy your clan. Once an Uchiha awakens their Sharingan fully—three-tomoe at least—they already stand at the level of a special-jōnin."
He continued, voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "Meanwhile, civilian graduates… they leave the Academy with nothing more than the Three Basic Techniques. That's when the role of a jōnin-sensei becomes critical. Yet even then, most instructors don't actually know a wide variety of ninjutsu."
"Kakashi is an exception." Minato admitted. "The Hatake line has been steeped in ninjutsu mastery since Sakumo-sama, and on top of that, Kakashi wields the Sharingan's copying prowess. It gives him a rare edge."
Shisui inclined his head. "That much is true. For most shinobi, once you reach chūnin, mastering even one or two special techniques is considered impressive. The majority of genin and chūnin barely have a handful of C-rank or B-rank jutsu at their disposal."
He paused, then fixed his gaze on Minato. "Hokage-sama, the Uchiha aren't as secretive as people claim. At least, not anymore. We share basic fire-style jutsus freely with Konoha's forces. And truthfully, whether it's Jiraiya-sama or yourself… you are proof that genius can come from beyond the great clans."
Minato smiled faintly at the remark. "The true commoners are Jiraiya-sensei and Orochimaru-senpai. As for me… even though I'm not of a great clan, I still inherited the Namikaze surname."
His smile softened as he added, "Still, your suggestion has merit. Let's arrange for Uchiha shinobi to serve as jōnin instructors starting next year. I'll bring it up with Third Hokage-sama. The Ino-Shika-Cho alliance and the other great families will need to be considered, but it's the right step forward."
Relief washed across Shisui's face. This was the mission Yun had entrusted to him: ensuring that the Uchiha had representation among Konoha's mentors, forging bonds with the village's future pillars. Their survival depended on it.
…
Back within the training ground, Kakashi crouched behind a thick trunk, forcing his breathing into silence. His chest rose and fell with effort.
"So… all of them really are his true body?"
He clenched his fist. "Genjutsu Release!"
But nothing shattered. The world around him remained just as distorted, just as false.
The Sharingan's genjutsu isn't so easily broken.
It was a terrifyingly effective combination: genjutsu layered seamlessly over high-speed taijutsu and body flicker. It was no wonder Shisui's name had become a legend of the Third Great Ninja War, feared even in the hidden villages of Kirigakure and Kumogakure. And now, that very same overwhelming style had been passed on to Uchiha Yun—only nine years old, yet wielding that level of mastery.
'Obito… your clan truly breeds monsters.' Kakashi thought grimly. "But even so, I won't go down without a fight."
He pressed his palms together. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Then slammed his hand against the earth.
Summoning: Earth Style ∙ Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!
Within moments, the ground trembled. Kakashi smirked to himself. 'Only two living beings in this training ground: Yun and myself. The hounds will find him.'
A voice barked inside his head: "Target acquired!"
*Swish!*
Through the smoke of the summoning, Yun's eyes sharpened, locking onto Kakashi's presence. His blade cleaved downward in a vicious arc—
*Swish!*
—only to carve through another shadow clone.
"Wooof! Woo woo woo!"
The ground erupted. From the soil leapt Kakashi's ninja hounds, snarling with fangs bared, lunging directly at Yun.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
One after another, Yun's fists lashed out. The hounds yelped as they were swatted aside, crashing into the dirt.
"Ouch… that stings!" Pakkun groaned, rolling before scrambling back into position with the pack.
The hounds charged again, undeterred. Yun grimaced. He had no desire to actually kill them—it was just a test, after all.
But Kakashi, blindfolded to all but scent through his hounds' senses, had locked onto Yun's position perfectly.
*Squeak…*
The thunderous chirping of lightning filled the air again.
Lightning Style ∙ Twin Lightning Shock!
Kakashi charged forward, both hands blazing with twin Raikiri. His speed spiked, tearing through the air like a thunderbolt as he closed in on Yun, who was pinned by the pack.
Bang!
Yun lashed out, swatting the hounds away again, but Kakashi was already on him.
"If you mutts come back again." Yun snapped furiously, "I'll kill you and stew you for dinner tonight!"
From midair, Pakkunr barked back indignantly, "Kakashi says you won't! This is only a spar!"
Yun's face twitched. "What the hell!?"
Even as he protested, Kakashi surged forward.
"You're cheating!" Yun spat, twisting into the air.
With Pakkun leading, the eight ninja hounds regrouped, bearing down on Yun once more. Kakashi shifted direction mid-charge, pushing himself even harder.
"Outrageous!" Yun cursed. The tomoe in his Sharingan spun violently. He had no choice but to start taking this seriously. Kakashi wasn't like the others—he wasn't some fool to be brushed aside.
*Squeak, squeak, squeak!*
The piercing shriek of Raikiri split the air once again. But as Kakashi closed in, the lightning sputtered—then vanished completely.
Bang!
Kakashi crashed to the ground, chest heaving, arms trembling. "Damn… I admit defeat. The drain from Twin Lightning Shock… it's too much…"
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page and gain early access to my creations.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
You can access up to 30 advanced chapters.
You can read 30 advanced chapters of the following:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi