"What... what was that?"
In an instant, a head was twisted off its shoulders. The scene before them had transcended the comprehension of the Root members.
Shin Rakuri clenched his fists, his teeth grinding as he muttered, "It's a dōjutsu! There's no mistake... it's the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Huff.
Kakashi Hatake exhaled deeply, his breath uneven. The strain was evident.
The Kamui from his left eye... it was far more taxing on his chakra than the one from his right.
His gaze swept across the battlefield, assessing the situation. "Over twenty enemies left... Their positions are scattered. It's impossible to take them all out in one go. The real problem is... that leader. He seems to have some skill."
Far in the back of the Root formation, Shin Rakuri stood, hundreds of meters away from Kakashi—just beyond the range of his left-eye Kamui.
Kakashi half-closed his left eye, his thoughts racing. "This left eye... I recall it has another ability..."
Click. Click. Click.
Kakashi's left eye adjusted, the pupil refocusing as his vision zoomed in.
This was the unique telescopic function of this left Sharingan, allowing his field of vision to extend for kilometers, rivaling the range of the Byakugan. Its only limitation was its inability to see through obstacles.
However, this telescopic ability could not yet be used in conjunction with his long-range Kamui. Instead, it was paired with another dōjutsu embedded within this eye.
Yes, the left eye of Fugaku Uchiha housed a unique ability—Daitō Naiben.
Daitō Naiben functioned by capturing a "snapshot" of the target's chakra signature, techniques, combat intelligence, hidden abilities, and all combat-related attributes at that specific moment. It recorded everything into the eye's internal database, which could then be accessed and simulated within a mental battlefield unique to this dōjutsu.
Though the mechanics sounded complex, the execution was as simple as a single glance.
Kakashi activated the ability, capturing Shin Rakuri within the "snapshot." Within mere seconds, he had simulated ten rounds of combat against him in the mental battlefield of Daitō Naiben.
Through these simulations, Kakashi had already uncovered Shin Rakuri's secrets, including his hidden abilities.
Sizzle!
The telescopic vision disengaged, and Kakashi's left eye reverted to its three-tomoe Sharingan form.
His brows furrowed as he muttered, "That strange mark on his back... it's how he summons that creature. What is it? No... he's dangerous. I need to eliminate him first."
Crackle!
Lightning erupted in Kakashi's palm, the unmistakable roar of his signature technique filling the air.
He charged forward, his Raikiri blazing with lethal intent.
"He's coming straight at us!"
"It's Raikiri! The technique that made him famous throughout the ninja world!"
"Is he targeting the captain?!"
"Quick! Stop him!"
The twenty Root members formed a human wall in the narrow mountain pass, determined to block Kakashi's advance.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kakashi weaved through the crowd like a phantom, his movements precise and relentless.
The Raikiri in his palm didn't dissipate, even as he activated its phasing mode. [TN: Based on the original canon where Kamui's phasing ability doesn't negate ongoing techniques, as demonstrated when Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones pierced through Susano'o without nullifying it.]
Passing through the wall of enemies, Kakashi's eyes locked onto Shin Rakuri, his killing intent unwavering.
"This phasing ability... even the Bull-Headed King can't stop him. Is this... the end?"
For the first time, Shin Rakuri, known for his composure, felt his mind go blank. His face turned pale.
"My Lord Danzo... forgive me. In the next life, I shall serve you again."
Shin Rakuri closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
Thud!
Mid-sprint, Kakashi stumbled and fell. His Raikiri fizzled out, and his right eye reverted to its three-tomoe form.
Collapsed on the ground, his body was utterly drained of energy. Kakashi cursed under his breath, "Damn it... my first time using both eyes in battle, and I miscalculated my chakra reserves!"
This unexpected turn of events sent a wave of relief and exhilaration through Shin Rakuri. He nearly jumped with joy, laughing maniacally, "Hahaha! The heavens favor me! Kill him now!"
"But... the orders were to capture him alive," one Root member hesitated.
"It doesn't matter! I'll handle the higher-ups myself!"
A terrifying ambition burned within Shin Rakuri's heart. "With the Bull-Headed King under my control, and if I obtain those eyes... why settle for manipulating a puppet Hokage? With power, I can dominate Konoha, the entire ninja world! I will avenge Lord Danzo by crushing Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto Uzumaki beneath my heel!"
"Attack!" Shin Rakuri commanded. The Root members unleashed a barrage of ninjutsu, kunai, and explosive tags, all aimed at Kakashi.
Facing death, Kakashi sighed, a bitter smile on his lips. "How pathetic... The great 'Copy Ninja' Kakashi, resurrected only to fall so soon. At least Rin is safe. These eyes... they'll probably end up in the enemy's hands. But Obito... I trust you'll reclaim them. I'll be going on ahead."
"Kakashi... how unsightly."
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Huh?" Kakashi froze, startled.
BOOM!
The explosion engulfed Kakashi.
The Root members watched the scene, confident in their success. "He's dead, right?"
But as the smoke cleared, their expressions turned to shock.
Kakashi stood amidst the dissipating smoke, clutching his bleeding shoulder. Surrounding him was the skeletal frame of a blue Susano'o. His eyes... had transformed back into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Inside the spiritual realm.
Obito Uchiha smirked. "I knew you'd struggle the first time you used these eyes. That's why I left a safeguard... though I didn't expect you'd need it so soon."
Kakashi sighed, embarrassed. "These eyes... the power is overwhelming. I couldn't control it properly, and now I've made a fool of myself."
Obito snorted. "If it happens again, just die already and join me in the afterlife as an Edo Tensei. I've preserved your right eye, so even if your body is obliterated, we can bring you back."
Kakashi grimaced. "No thanks. I'd rather stay alive. Besides, an Edo Tensei body wouldn't even feel anything while reading Icha Icha Paradise."
Obito chuckled. "Then learn your lesson. I've left enough chakra for you to finish this fight. Don't waste it."
"Understood," Kakashi replied, determination reigniting in his gaze.
Sizzle!
Kakashi raised his head sharply.
Clang! The skeletal frame of Susano'o was reinforced with muscle and armor, transforming into the form of a crow-like tengu. [TN: The crow tengu represents the pinnacle of the half-body Susano'o, not its full form.]
Leaping into the air, Kakashi's Susano'o conjured a pitch-black shuriken in its hand and crushed it.
Kamui Shuriken: Shard Storm!
Shatter!
The fragments of the Kamui Shuriken scattered in all directions, creating vortexes that mercilessly shredded the Root members' bodies, pulling them into the spiraling void.
Shin Rakuri had wisely retreated far from the battlefield and narrowly escaped the carnage.
As he watched the towering figure of Kakashi's Susano'o, madness flickered in his eyes.
Tearing off his Mist ANBU disguise and mask, he revealed his spiked hair and sinister face.
Ripping his shirt apart, the purple mark of the Bull-Headed King on his back began to glow.
"If I'm going down, I'll take everyone with me! I'll unleash the Bull-Headed King!"
He raised his hands to form seals.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through the back of his hand, halting his movements.
He looked down in shock to find a shuriken embedded in his hand.
"Where... did that come from?!"
Caw! Caw! Caw!
As he faltered, crows gathered before him, merging into a dark figure.
When he saw the man's face, Shin Rakuri gasped in horror. "Uchiha... Itachi?!"
Sizzle. Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan spun with a dark, mesmerizing glow. "This ends here."
Tsukuyomi.
Thud!
Shin Rakuri collapsed to his knees, his eyes vacant, drool dripping from his mouth. A gust of wind swept through, and he fell face-first to the ground.
Itachi formed a seal with his hands. His right hand, adorned with the Akatsuki's Suzaku ring, pressed against the Bull-Headed King mark on Shin Rakuri's back.
Evil Sealing Method!
Snap!
Black patterns intertwined over the mark, closing it into a sealed loop.
The Bull-Headed King's glow dimmed rapidly.
Kisame Hoshigaki landed beside Itachi, grinning. "The Bull-Headed King... hunt complete."
Inside the Susano'o, Kakashi remained on high alert. "Itachi... Kisame... why are you here?"
"Relax," Itachi said calmly. "We're not your enemies this time."
He gestured toward Shin Rakuri. "This man harbored something unstable... something dangerous to the world. But it's no longer a threat."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Something dangerous to the world? You mean that creature he summoned during Daitō Naiben? Its chakra was immense, but it wasn't on the level of a Tailed Beast."
"You're exaggerating, Itachi."
Itachi didn't elaborate. He simply met Kakashi's gaze, his expression unreadable.
Whoosh!
Kakashi instinctively flinched, stepping back to create distance.
He realized his Teni Kiji ability could resist mental control, yet the memory of Itachi's Tsukuyomi from years ago still haunted him.
Itachi seemed to notice Kakashi's reaction. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Kakashi, send my regards to Obito."
With that, he turned away, pulling his left arm from his sleeve and extending it toward Kisame. "Let's go."
Clang! Kisame hoisted Shin Rakuri onto his shoulder with his massive Samehada, casting Kakashi a knowing smirk.
Raising two fingers, Kisame vanished into a thick mist that enveloped the entire mountain pass.
Kisame followed Itachi's lead, disappearing into the fog.
Kakashi watched their silhouettes fade into the mist.
"Itachi... always an enigma," he muttered.
The words echoed in his mind, a lingering thought from Obito before their parting.
Whoosh!
Kamui activated, and Rin reappeared beside him.
The Susano'o dissipated, and Kakashi collapsed to the ground, utterly spent. "Sorry, Rin... Let's rest a bit before moving on. Hopefully, we can still catch the boat back to the Land of Fire by dawn."
Rin said nothing, silently approaching him. Her hands glowed green with the light of medical ninjutsu as she placed them on Kakashi's injured shoulder, stopping the bleeding.
Kakashi turned to her, surprised. "Rin, you..."
Rin's voice was calm and steady. "I've been watching you all along."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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