"Ahri, you must protect yourself later," Kakashi said, his tone serious and eyes sharp with concern.
After speaking, as though still not entirely reassured, he formed another Shadow Clone and assigned it specifically to protect Lin.
"Don't worry, Fox," Lin replied firmly. "I'll protect myself. You don't need to worry about me."
She nodded with determination. In this life-or-death battle, the last thing she wanted was to become a burden to Kakashi. She had resolved not to let him get distracted because of her.
"Haha, I knew it—Ahri is the best!" Kakashi chuckled softly at her response. Then, his tone shifted as he turned his attention to another comrade.
"Shun, it's time we show Kirigakure the cost of invading the Land of Fire."
He paused, his Sharingan gleaming.
"It's rare for us to fight side by side. How about we make it interesting—see who can take down more enemies?"
The constant wave of invading forces from Kirigakure didn't faze Kakashi anymore. In fact, he was ready to let them feel what it was like to be on the receiving end of an invasion.
"Senior Silver Fox, you must be joking. There's no way I can match you," Shisui replied humbly. Still, his eyes held a sharpness of resolve as he slowly drew the ninja sword strapped to his back. "But since you suggested it, I'll do my best to catch up."
Despite acknowledging the gap between their abilities, as a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, Shisui bore his own pride. He wasn't going to be left behind easily.
"Hahaha, in that case, let the game begin!"
Swish!
The moment Kakashi finished speaking, Shisui vanished, instantly appearing before a member of the Kaguya Clan. His drawn ninja sword gleamed, reflecting a cold light that pierced the enemy's vision. Without hesitation, Shisui slashed at the enemy's neck with deadly precision.
Yet to his surprise, his razor-sharp blade only left a shallow cut on the man's pale neck.
At that exact moment, four other Kaguya warriors, grinning maniacally, lunged toward him with bone blades extended.
Shisui reacted immediately, taking a swift step back, narrowly avoiding their combined assault. He retaliated by hurling eight kunai aimed at their feet.
Clang!
No effect.
The kunai couldn't pierce their bodies at all!
So this is the defense Senior Kakashi mentioned?
Their physical defenses were beyond ordinary—likely reinforced by a hardened layer of bone beneath the skin. But then, a thought struck him: if their flesh was protected, what about their eyes?
His Sharingan spun as his hands blurred into motion.
Over twenty shuriken were launched, flying toward the four Kaguya warriors again.
Confident in their defenses, the four didn't even bother to dodge. They simply charged forward with their bone weapons, ready to tear Shisui apart.
The first wave of shuriken bounced harmlessly off their bodies—just as expected.
But then Shisui launched a second set—eight more shuriken—moving twice as fast as the first. These collided midair with the first batch, creating a sudden shift in trajectory.
Cling—Cling—Cling!
Like the petals of a red spider lily, they twisted, turned, and flashed toward their real targets—their eyes!
Pfft!
"AAAHHHHH!"
"My eyes!!"
All four warriors screamed in agony as their vision was pierced.
Before they could react or shield themselves, Shisui followed up with ruthless efficiency. He flung eight more shuriken directly into the embedded ones, driving them deep into the brain.
Their bodies stiffened mid-motion.
Then—collapse. Lifeless.
Four elite Kaguya warriors eliminated in seconds.
Shisui, understanding that the element of surprise wouldn't work again, activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan and quickly performed hand seals.
Poof!
A dozen clones appeared beside him, identical in appearance and chakra.
Each stood poised with calm yet chilling smiles, their presence exuding a silent threat.
Shisui unsheathed his sword once more, his left hand brushing along the blade.
"Uchiha Style—Shun. Let me show you."
From a distance, Kakashi paused to admire the spectacle. He hadn't charged in yet, choosing instead to observe Shisui's moves.
"Wonderful!" he exclaimed.
In just one engagement, Shisui had analyzed the opponent's weakness, then executed a devastating attack with flawless shuriken technique.
It was no wonder he was famed as Shunshin Shisui, a name that echoed across battlefields.
As for his identity being revealed—Kakashi wasn't concerned. With the Three Tomoe Sharingan on display, there was no hiding his clan any longer.
But not everyone was thrilled.
Taketori Haruhisa, the Kaguya clan leader, turned pale with rage.
Just three seconds!
And four of his clansmen were dead!
Not only that—but it had been at the hands of a youth with the Uchiha bloodline, the most feared among shinobi.
Despite appearing shorter and younger than the others, this one… he might be the very one who killed the Mizukage!
And that silver-haired brat with the mask? He seemed ordinary—aside from his looks.
Fueled by this assumption, Haruhisa made his move.
"Kill that Uchiha!" he ordered, sending most of his clansmen charging toward Shisui.
As for himself, he led a smaller force to attack Kakashi—and Lin.
His strategy was clear. Take out the seemingly weaker one first and control the girl!
Kakashi watched, amused.
So… they really think I'm the easy target?
He couldn't help but laugh.
Sure, the Sharingan looked flashier. Anyone would assume Shisui was the stronger of the two.
If that's what you believe…
"Hundred Healings Mark—Release!"
A faint purple diamond on Kakashi's forehead flared.
"Magnet Style—Gold Dust!"
He weaved hand seals rapidly. Instantly, chakra converted into magnetic energy surged into the earth.
A sea of glimmering golden sand erupted from the ground beneath his enemies' feet.
"Magnet Style—Gold Dust Funeral!"
Boom—Boom—Boom!!
Before Haruhisa and his men could react, the sand beneath them liquified and surged upward, swallowing them whole.
Kakashi raised a single hand and clenched it into a fist.
The gold sand compacted, creating immense pressure.
Then, a thunderous explosion rocked the battlefield.
A massive cloud of dust rose in the air, but Kakashi wasn't finished.
"Fierce Wind Palm!"
With a wave of his hand, a sharp gust scattered the dust. As the debris cleared, a gruesome sight revealed itself—crimson blood seeping from the golden dunes.
Kakashi's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
In his past life, the battle between Gaara and Kimimaro had always left a strong impression on him.
Now, he had recreated the famous scene himself.
Still, excitement aside, he knew what came next.
The ultimate move of the Kaguya Clan—Dead Bone Pulse: Dance of the Early Ferns.
Just in case...
"Magnet Style—Sand Mat!"
Condensing the gold dust beneath his feet, he created a floating sand platform and took Lin into the sky.
As for Shisui?
Kakashi wasn't worried. With the Body Flicker Technique, there was no way Shisui would get caught off guard.
But then—three minutes passed.
The battlefield was eerily quiet.
No vines, no deadly bone forest, no final stand.
"...?"
Where was the dramatic final move?
Where was Dance of the Early Ferns?
That was it?
Kakashi blinked.
The fearsome patriarch of the Kaguya Clan didn't even unleash his most dangerous technique?
Seriously?
He frowned.
If that was the case, how could he even call himself a true user of the Dead Bone Pulse?
If Kakashi had been in his position, he would've treated Kimimaro like the clan's treasure, not let him rot away!
With a sigh, Kakashi shook his head.
He had been overly cautious for nothing.
All that buildup, only for the enemy leader to be reduced to blood and dust without a single counterattack.
In that moment, Kakashi truly realized something important.
Unknowingly, step by step, he had become far stronger than before.
patreon (Obito_uchiha)