Kakashi let out a steady breath and rested his hand on the hilt of his saber. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he quieted his thoughts, suppressing the tension in his chest. The battlefield around him felt heavy, suffocating, as though the entire weight of Konoha's will pressed down upon his shoulders.
Then—he moved.
In a single flicker of lightning, Kakashi vanished from sight. The Anbu and elders watching from the sidelines widened their eyes. They could neither follow his movements nor sense his chakra trail. Only the sharp, piercing sound of thunder cutting through the air betrayed his approach.
When Kakashi's figure appeared again, he was already in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, his blade slashing with ruthless precision straight toward the Third Hokage's chest.
"—Tch!"
Hiruzen reacted at the last possible moment. With his right hand, he pulled out a kunai unlike any ordinary weapon. Its metallic surface shimmered with an unnatural sheen as he infused it with wind chakra, forming a razor-edged blade of air that extended outward. The kunai met Kakashi's lightning-charged saber with a violent crack, sparks and arcs of electricity dancing in every direction.
The clash was deafening. Lightning hissed against wind, both elements devouring each other in a furious struggle.
"Impressive speed," Hiruzen remarked, his voice calm despite the storm raging between their weapons. His sharp eyes fixed on Kakashi, studying every detail. "To master the Hatake sword style at such a young age… Sakumo truly left behind an exceptional son."
His words carried praise, but his tone was tinged with condescension, as though he were a teacher lecturing a student mid-duel.
And though his lips gave compliments, his hands were merciless. The wind blade condensed further, sharpening into near-solid steel, and began to overwhelm the lightning coating Kakashi's sword.
Then—
Crack!
The sound was like porcelain shattering. Kakashi's saber, unable to withstand the immense pressure, fractured in his hands. Shards of the blade scattered into the air, catching the faint glint of firelight as they fell.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. He pushed back instantly, retreating just as the wind blade slashed past his chest, grazing him by mere inches.
Hiruzen's chuckle followed. "Ah, Kakashi… such fine technique wasted on a poor-quality blade. Tell me, is the Anbu Captain's salary so meager that you cannot even afford a decent sword?" His gaze flicked toward Minato, and his tone grew mocking. "Minato, this is unworthy of a Hokage. If your subordinates lack proper weapons, what example are you setting? How disappointing."
The words carried the sting of political maneuvering more than genuine jest.
Kakashi's jaw tightened. He knew the truth. Konoha's finances were handled primarily by Utatane Koharu and the elders, meaning any budget allocations needed Hiruzen's approval. Minato, unwilling to burden the village, had been sacrificing half his own salary to cover public expenses. Inspired by his example, Kakashi had done the same, followed by many of Anbu's younger members.
It was a noble sacrifice, a proof of their loyalty to the village. Yet here Hiruzen twisted that act of selflessness into ammunition, implying neglect and incompetence.
"Careless…" Kakashi muttered under his breath, realizing the real mistake he had made. He had underestimated his sword's durability. Against weaker opponents, his lightning chakra cut them down before his blade could strain. Against stronger foes, he poured so much chakra into his strikes that the weapon itself never bore the brunt of impact. Over time, he had simply ignored the fact that his katana was ordinary steel.
And why not use White Fang's short sword? Because it was too small for his current style. Kakashi preferred the long blade's reach.
He steadied his breath again, eyes sharp as thunder flickered around his form.
Then—
Whistle!
Something shot through the air. A blade, pitch-black and steeped in sinister energy, stabbed into the ground before Kakashi. The soil hissed as though scorched, and a wave of unnatural chill spread outward from the sword.
Kakashi blinked. His instincts screamed danger, but his gaze was drawn toward the left. There, emerging from the shadows, a pair of golden, serpentine eyes gleamed.
"Orochimaru…" Kakashi muttered.
The man stepped forward, lips curling into a thin smile. "Kakashi-kun," he drawled, voice low and hoarse, "this demon sword—Muramasa—I stumbled upon it while… collecting the Kusanagi blades. A rare find, brimming with power. A precious sword for a worthy hero." His tongue flicked across his lips in that serpentine manner. "I have no use for it. Consider it… a gift. You may find it useful against our esteemed Hokage."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. His hands clenched around his kunai.
"Orochimaru!" His voice carried restrained fury. "At a time like this, you choose to aid Kakashi? Do you intend to openly stand against your teacher?"
To the onlookers, the sight was shocking. Just moments earlier, Hiruzen had mocked Minato's frugality, undermining his leadership. And now, his own direct disciple openly offered aid to Kakashi. It was a slap across the Hokage's face.
Orochimaru only chuckled softly. "Sensei, surely you see the imbalance here. You wield chakra-forged weapons against a boy with nothing but brittle steel. Where is the fairness in that? I merely wish to… even the odds. After all, I too am curious to see how far Kakashi-kun can go."
Hiruzen snorted but said nothing further. The logic struck uncomfortably close to truth.
Kakashi grasped the sword's hilt. A shiver crawled down his spine the moment his fingers touched the weapon. A surge of malevolent intent flooded his body, whispering in his mind, urging him to spill blood. The blade pulsed, hungry, almost alive.
He drew it free from the ground, the steel glistening black like a mirror of midnight. The instant it left the earth, Kakashi felt its weight press against his very soul. Any ordinary shinobi would have been consumed, turned into a blood-crazed puppet.
But Kakashi's will held firm. With calm precision, he sliced his own palm lightly, letting blood trace across the blade.
The sword drank it greedily.
At once, its color shifted, dark red veins spreading across the steel as though the weapon itself were bleeding. A crushing murderous aura burst forth, washing over the battlefield like a wave. Several Anbu staggered back involuntarily, their hearts seizing in primal fear.
"…So this is Muramasa," Kakashi whispered.
He had heard the legends: a demon sword that devoured blood, converting it into raw power for its wielder. But its murderous intent was said to corrupt its host. That Orochimaru had handed it to him without warning was reckless… or perhaps it was trust.
Kakashi allowed himself a faint smirk. Uncle Snake… you really think highly of me.
He lifted the blade, lightning sparking along its edge. His chakra meshed with the demonic power as though the two had been waiting to meet.
Then—he unleashed everything.
"The Third Gate—Gate of Life, open!"
The aura of youth surged through him, muscles burning with power.
"Byakugō no Jutsu—Hundred Healings Release!"
The seal at his forehead blossomed into intricate violet markings, chakra flooding his body.
"Sage Mode… activate!"
His skin shifted, his eyes sharpened, and nature energy wrapped around him like an unseen armor.
Finally—
"Lightning Style Armor!"
Azure lightning blazed to life, enveloping him completely. Every strand of his silver hair stood upright, glowing faintly in the storm. The ground beneath his feet cracked, unable to withstand the energy pouring out of him.
Hiruzen's eyes widened. "Sage Mode… combined with Lightning Armor?!" For the first time, genuine surprise flickered in his gaze. The overwhelming aura Kakashi now exuded pressed even against the seasoned Hokage's instincts.
Kakashi disappeared.
"So fast—!" Hiruzen barely registered the movement.
A streak of crimson lightning cleaved through the battlefield.
For an instant, the Hokage's body split in two, blood spraying into the air—
But Kakashi didn't relax. He knew.
The halves of Hiruzen's body collapsed into mud, splattering across the ground.
"Earth Style: Earth Clone," Kakashi muttered, gripping Muramasa tighter.
"Earth Style: Flowing River!" Hiruzen's hands blurred through seals.
The ground beneath Kakashi liquefied into mud, pulling him into a torrent of shifting earth.
"Earth Dragon Bomb!"
At the river's edge, a massive dragon's head rose, maw opening wide. Chunks of solid rock blasted forth like cannon fire, pelting Kakashi.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!"
Hiruzen inhaled deeply, then exhaled a torrent of flame. The fire merged with the earth dragon's assault, transforming it into a blazing inferno of molten rock. The combined jutsu roared across the battlefield, engulfing Kakashi in an explosion of fire and mud.
Anbu members gasped, their eyes wide with awe. The sheer scale of the technique was overwhelming.
"The Earth Dragon Flame Stream…" one whispered.
"A jutsu requiring multiple elite jōnin working in perfect harmony," another added, voice trembling. "But Hokage-sama… he cast it alone."
Emotion surged through them. Some felt pride, others fear. All saw the same truth:
This was the power of Sarutobi Hiruzen—The Professor, the man hailed as the strongest Hokage.
Who could dare challenge him?
---patreon (Obito_uchiha)