"The power inside Arata's body," Kakashi said quietly, "is most likely Sage Chakra."
"Just like Jiraiya-sama when he enters Sage Mode — that same dense, overwhelming energy."
He paused, recalling the aura he'd sensed the night before. It had felt ancient, alive — like the raw will of nature itself.
"Sage Chakra is far stronger than ordinary chakra," he continued. "But the strange part is that Arata never learned Sage Mode. According to the Third Hokage, he might possess a natural Sage Body — someone born with Sage Chakra flowing inside them from birth."
Kakashi rubbed his chin, thinking aloud. "If that's true, and with the massive amount of chakra he already has, then when all that Sage Chakra flooded out at once… it could explain the scale of last night's destruction."
Even as he said it, the explanation sounded unbelievable — even to him.
He'd seen Jiraiya's Sage Mode before. The old hermit's power had been tremendous, yes, but not this.
Not enough to vaporize the land for miles around.
What Arata had done went far beyond that — closer to an act of nature than ninjutsu.
Still, it was the only explanation that made any sense.
Samei Mokuhon, who hadn't witnessed the event himself, listened in silence, then nodded slowly.
"That kind of power… that's already on par with a Tailed Beast."
"If Arata ever learns to control it, he'd be as powerful as one," he said grimly.
Kakashi frowned beneath his mask. "It won't be that simple. Arata can't control that power yet. In fact, I don't even think he understands what it really is."
He paused, then added, "The good thing is — even when his power goes out of control, he stays conscious."
Samei's eyes widened slightly. "He doesn't black out?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. Unlike a jinchūriki, Arata doesn't lose himself when it happens. He's still aware, still himself. That means the power isn't possessing him. It's just… overwhelming him."
He exhaled. "As long as he keeps training, I believe he can master it — though it'll take time."
There was a brief silence before Kakashi's voice hardened with quiet resolve.
"I'll help him."
Samei finally relaxed a little, letting out the breath he'd been holding.
"Good. I was worried it might be like a Tailed Beast — that it could consume him."
Kakashi shook his head. "No, it's different. He just lost control for a moment — that's all."
He hesitated, his gaze drifting off. "But what amazes me most is that he survived at all. He was at the center of that explosion, and yet… not a single injury. Nothing. Not even a burn."
Kakashi's voice softened, tinged with awe. "Even after his chakra was completely drained, he just… fell asleep. And by morning, he'd fully recovered."
He looked up. "That kind of regeneration — not even Naruto could match that."
"Actually…" he murmured, thinking aloud, "not even the Nine-Tails' healing compares."
Samei looked at him as if hearing a fairy tale. "That's not human. That's… divine."
Kakashi nodded slightly. "I thought the same thing. But the Third Hokage lived through the First Hokage's era — and he said Hashirama Senju was exactly like that. The man's recovery was so great he could be impaled through the chest and heal in moments."
Samei gave a half-smile of disbelief. "You're describing a god, not a man."
"Exactly," Kakashi said. "That's why the First Hokage was called The God of Shinobi. His chakra was immense — his jutsu could reshape the land itself. The Third Hokage believes Arata might one day reach that same level."
The room fell quiet.
Samei's expression grew dark. "If that's true… doesn't that worry the Third Hokage?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. "Maybe," he said finally. "But I think the Hokage still hopes Arata will remain loyal to the village. That's what we're here to ensure."
"As his teachers, it's our responsibility to keep him from walking a darker path."
Samei chuckled softly. "That won't be easy — but you're right. Arata's not the kind of boy who'd turn against his own people. He's too calm, too rational for that."
Kakashi smiled faintly. "Exactly. He's not the type to lose himself to emotion or manipulation."
Samei leaned back. "Yeah… anyone trying to deceive that kid is wasting their time."
They both laughed quietly.
Arata was nothing like the average shinobi — no fiery temper, no blind loyalty, no naivety. He saw things clearly, without the rose-colored lens that clouded most young ninjas' eyes.
He understood that the ninja world wasn't black and white — that sometimes, the shadows existed to protect the light.
Samei sighed. "Well, he was trained by two former ANBU members. No wonder he turned out the way he did."
Kakashi nodded. "True enough."
Of course, neither he nor Samei would ever let Naruto's team near that kind of darkness.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were still too young — too bright. Exposing them to the village's hidden side would only break them.
The same went for Samei's other students.
After a brief talk, Kakashi excused himself. He had other responsibilities to attend to — namely, leading his own squad on their first real missions.
A short while later, the four members of Team 7 gathered in front of the Hokage's office.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were already waiting when Kakashi arrived — late, as usual.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're late again!" Naruto shouted, crossing his arms.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head lazily. "Sorry about that. I, uh, ran into an old lady crossing the street…"
All three of his students stared blankly at him.
"Seriously?" Naruto muttered.
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
Sakura sighed.
"Your excuses never change," Naruto said, exasperated.
Kakashi waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright. Enough about that. Let's go see what missions are available."
The group started toward the Hokage's office.
As they walked, Sakura leaned toward Sasuke, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Hey, Sasuke," she whispered, "did you see it last night? That explosion?"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/MrSenpai0