The battle between Chi Yu, Kakashi, and the Hidden Mist shinobi was about to begin.
The Mist-nin surged forward in a frenzy, weapons drawn, bloodlust in their eyes.
Chi Yu murmured to himself, "A good chance to test the Lightning Release Chakra Mode I copied from the Third Raikage…"
With a low shout, he activated the jutsu.
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"
Electricity surged around him as he infused his entire body with Lightning Release chakra. His skin sparked with chakra-laced arcs, his hair bristled, and the ground beneath his feet cracked with static.
He clenched his fist, a wanton grin on his face.
"It suits me perfectly," he muttered. "Amplifying my physical capabilities with Breathing Techniques was already potent—but now, with this Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the cellular activation, nerve transmission speed… it's on another level. Even my Thunder Breathing gets faster."
Chi Yu's eyes drifted to the boy beside him—Hatake Kakashi. A flicker of regret passed through him.
If Kakashi hadn't transplanted that Sharingan... this mode would've been perfect for him.
But now...
Even if Kakashi learned it, he couldn't sustain it.
If he dared to use it in this state, he'd collapse instantly.
"Let's go, Kakashi."
In a flash of blue light, Chi Yu disappeared, tearing into the Mist-nin ranks.
"Thunder Breathing: Sixth Form – Electric Blast!"
With himself as the epicenter, Chi Yu unleashed dozens of jagged lightning arcs in every direction. The resulting explosion carved through enemy lines—bodies fell, charred and mangled.
Within a 50-meter radius, only Chi Yu stood—lightning dancing across his body.
Kakashi's pupils narrowed in disbelief.
"His speed… it's even faster than before."
He bit his thumb and performed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Two clones materialized beside him.
"Chidori: Lightning Release Transmission!"
The clones charged, Chidori in hand. As they moved, their Chidori surged into a linked current, forming a crackling chain of lightning. They cut through the Mist-nin like a living thunder serpent.
Dozens were cleaved apart.
But the cost was steep—almost half of Kakashi's chakra was gone.
He popped two soldier pills and swallowed them without hesitation.
Raising his forehead protector, he revealed his Sharingan. With his ninjatō drawn, Kakashi dove into battle, joining Chi Yu in the bloodshed.
Chi Yu kept one eye on him throughout the battle, not out of distrust—but caution.
Despite being drenched in blood, Kakashi's movements grew sharper, more vicious. There was rage behind every strike.
His mind was clouded—by the faces of Sakumo Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara.
They were gone.
Not at the hands of enemies—but by the choices of their own comrades.
His father, disgraced and shunned, had taken his own life.
Obito, betrayed by a teammate, had died saving that very person.
Rin… turned into a Jinchūriki, then killed by Kakashi's own hand to prevent a greater disaster.
Now, in the middle of carnage, Kakashi let it all out. His fury. His guilt. His grief.
He was only twelve—but already a Jonin, already battle-hardened.
Still, his young body had limits.
The Sharingan devoured his chakra relentlessly. Even when he switched to Taijutsu to conserve energy, it wasn't enough.
Chi Yu was still monitoring him through Observation Haki.
It had only been twenty minutes.
Kakashi's chakra was nearly gone.
Chi Yu sighed inwardly.
You're strong, but that Sharingan drains you faster than you realize…
Kakashi shot him a quick glance—a subtle signal.
I'm nearly out.
The soldier pills had already lost effectiveness. Even more would barely delay the inevitable.
Chi Yu gave a slight nod, acknowledging the message.
Still, he was glad Kakashi remained calm. That alone showed growth.
Kakashi took a deep breath and lowered into a stance.
He had never succeeded with this move.
But now, with everything on the line… he was ready to try.
Blue lightning flared across his body.
"Thunder Breathing: Seventh Form – Honoikazuchi no Kami!"
Kakashi vanished.
A high-speed dash-slice burst forth with a blue lightning dragon trailing in his wake.
The Mist-nin barely saw it coming.
The dragon roared through their ranks, slicing down dozens.
Chi Yu blinked.
That idiot... he actually pulled it off with almost no chakra left.
But halfway through the charge, the lightning dragon flickered—then vanished.
Kakashi's body gave out. His chakra was gone. His legs buckled.
He collapsed mid-run.
Dozens of Mist-nin rushed in, kunai and shuriken flying toward him.
But Kakashi didn't panic. He stared straight ahead, calm.
A flash of lightning split the air.
Chi Yu appeared in front of him.
"Thunder Breathing: Third Form – Gathering Mosquitoes into Thunder!"
He spun rapidly, arcs of lightning spiraling around them. The incoming projectiles were shredded in the electric storm.
Slashing through the encroaching shinobi, Chi Yu swept Kakashi into his arms.
In the next instant, Body Flicker Technique.
They vanished from the battlefield.
This Chi Yu… was a Shadow Clone.
The real Chi Yu was still deep in the fray, tearing through enemy ranks.
The clone checked Kakashi's condition.
"Minor wounds. Chakra network's damaged—nothing life-threatening, but you're lucky you didn't rupture your heart with that reckless stunt."
He scowled.
"I just said you were calm. Then you pull that crap? You nearly died. Always leave yourself a margin for retreat. Got it?"
A tired smile tugged at Kakashi's lips beneath the mask.
"I trusted you, Chi Yu-sensei. You're my leeway now. Thanks—for everything."
The clone ruffled his hair.
"Get some rest. From here on, I'll handle the fighting."
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