In truth, Kenya could have left the Land of Fire.
But just as Kakashi suspected, Konoha's power stretched across the entire country. Even if he managed to slip away unnoticed, the village's trackers would eventually trace even the faintest signs of his departure.
In the original tale, if Uchiha Itachi had truly massacred his clan just to "test his blade," he would have faced Konoha's relentless pursuit. The only reason he survived within Akatsuki for so many years wasn't just because of the organization's shelter—it was also because Sarutobi Hiruzen had never truly ordered a genuine hunt for him.
Konoha's intelligence network was vast enough to uncover even Akatsuki's shadows. Orochimaru himself, one of the legendary Sannin, had been forced to change hideouts constantly just to stay out of reach.
Given that, it was wiser to stay and wait for the right moment.
Through these recent battles, Kenya had discovered that the system's criteria for unlocking new abilities didn't depend solely on the opponent's strength. Reputation, significance in the original timeline, and influence all played a role.
For example, killing Sarutobi Shinnosuke—despite him being at the peak of Jōnin—only yielded an unlock rate of 0.5%. But someone like Kakashi, whose current strength wasn't far beyond Shinnosuke's, would provide exponentially greater progress. Fame mattered as much as power.
"I only wanted to draw Sarutobi Asuma out," Kenya thought, lips curling. "But I didn't expect…"
He glanced at the four figures standing across from him and sneered.
"Sharingan Kakashi… I thought you were the calm, rational type. Yet here you are, meddling with this fool."
Originally, after cutting down the first squad of Anbu investigators, he had the chance to slip away. But knowing Asuma's personality, Kenya realized he wouldn't let him escape the Land of Fire. He would chase him to the very end.
In that case, why not use him as nourishment for his own growth?
And, just as expected, Asuma had come.
What Kenya hadn't anticipated was that Hatake Kakashi, Kurenai Yūhi, and Shiranui Genma would accompany him.
Kakashi's voice was cold.
"Those who break the rules are trash… but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash."
Kenya chuckled, his grin widening.
"Oh, a fine sentiment. But reality doesn't always align with your ideals."
"Uchiha Kenya!" Kurenai snapped. "Why betray Konoha? The Uchiha clan has already been nearly wiped out—only you, Sasuke, and that traitor Itachi remain. This is the time you should unite with the village, to rebuild your clan, not tear it further apart!"
Her words nearly made Kenya laugh out loud. He gave her the same look one might reserve for a naïve child who knew nothing of the world.
"How adorably foolish… you really have no idea of Konoha's depths."
Kurenai's cheeks flushed with anger, ready to retort. But Kenya's hand was already on the hilt of Kyōka Suigetsu. The mocking smile vanished from his face as he drew the blade in one smooth motion.
"If you stand in my way," he said flatly, "I won't hold back."
"Then say that again in hell!" Asuma roared. Wind-natured chakra surged along his trench knives, the blades lengthening into deadly arcs of razor air.
Kenya's eyes narrowed.
"Wind chakra manipulation on a blade… You remind me of your brother. Too bad you'll never measure up."
Every word was like a hammer against Asuma's pride. Fury boiled over.
"Enough—take this!"
He charged forward, his twin chakra blades cutting the air with a shriek.
Steel clashed—clang! Sparks sprayed outward, devoured immediately by the whirling wind pressure.
In the next instant, Kenya's body blurred into nothingness. When he reappeared, he was already behind Asuma.
Kurenai and Genma froze, eyes wide with shock. Only Kakashi, his Sharingan spinning, could follow the movement.
"What incredible speed… such mastery of the Body Flicker Technique!"
He had fought alongside Shisui before, the Uchiha famed for his unmatched swiftness. Kenya's speed was no less. Why would someone with such potential choose betrayal?
There was no time to ponder. Kakashi slammed his palms against the ground, hands flashing through seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
Boom! A massive wall of stone erupted between Kenya and Asuma.
But a single gleam of Kyōka Suigetsu's blade split the barrier in half.
A spray of blood followed. Asuma staggered back, a deep gash tearing across his left arm, bone glinting beneath the flesh.
"Tch…" Kenya frowned. "Diverted my strike with Earth Style? That blade should have taken his head."
"Be careful!" Kakashi shouted, his expression grim. "His strength… it's increased again. Unbelievably fast…"
"In the face of death," Kenya replied coldly, flicking blood from his blade, "people awaken power they never knew they had. I owe my progress to those two foxes, Hiruzen and Danzō, who forced me into a corner."
"Enough lies!" Genma snapped. "You betrayed Konoha yourself! You killed Shinnosuke-sama—the Hokage's own son!"
Kenya's gaze turned icy.
"Brainwashed puppets, the lot of you."
He no longer felt the need to argue.
A sudden surge of spiritual pressure exploded outward, shaking the ground. His scarlet, three-tomoe Sharingan burned with a sinister glow, blending seamlessly with the crushing weight of his reiatsu—the fusion of two worlds' ultimate powers.
"You're serious?!" Kakashi's expression hardened. He slammed his hands together, readying seals.
"Stay sharp—he's coming!"