In Konoha, not every orphan was lucky enough to even enter the Ninja Academy.
Each year, only thirty students were accepted — out of hundreds of hopefuls.
So when Arata thought about Naruto's situation, he couldn't help but smirk bitterly.
"He got in, caused chaos every year, failed every exam, and still never got expelled…"
If Arata had that kind of privilege, he thought, he wouldn't have had time to "blacken" either — he'd be enjoying himself.
Sasuke, on the other hand, had lived through a nightmare.
He had watched with his own eyes as Uchiha Itachi slaughtered their parents — watched him replay, again and again, the massacre of every clan member through the Tsukuyomi's blood-red haze.
Those faces — confusion, fear, agony — repeated endlessly in a six-year-old child's mind.
Naruto never witnessed his parents' death firsthand; Sasuke did.
He saw his family's final breaths at the hands of the brother he worshipped.
If that had been me… Arata thought grimly. I'd have lost my mind long ago.
No one could stay rational after that. No one could stay kind.
And yet — Sasuke did.
He still loved his family, loved his clan.
That love was what drove him to madness — to chase power no matter the cost.
Even when he joined Orochimaru, risking his body and soul, Sasuke never became a mindless killer.
He only fought those who stood in his way. He never slaughtered innocents.
"Even after all that," Arata murmured, "he still held onto his humanity."
That, more than anything, proved how strong Sasuke's heart really was.
He just lacked guidance — someone mature enough to steer him before he fell too deep.
Kakashi had the right mindset, but not the right strength.
And Orochimaru… offered only the illusion of control.
Before arriving in this world, Arata had admired Naruto.
But after living here — truly living here — the person he respected most was Sasuke.
Still, admiration didn't mean interference.
"Everyone's path has to be walked by themselves," he thought.
"Only pain that you survive on your own teaches you something real."
Kakashi gently patted Arata's shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Now you understand why Sasuke is the way he is, don't you?"
Arata nodded silently.
Kakashi's tone softened.
"But I hope… maybe you can change him."
"Me?" Arata blinked, startled.
Kakashi nodded again.
"When I was lost in my own darkness, it was my comrades who pulled me back. You're strong, Arata — strong enough that your words might actually reach him. Sasuke's pride won't let him listen to Naruto, but he might listen to you."
Arata hesitated, then shook his head slowly.
"I don't mind trying… but forcing change never works, Sensei."
"The more you push, the more people resist — especially someone like Sasuke. The best you can do is guide them. If you interfere too much, you'll only drive them further away."
Kakashi exhaled a long breath.
"I know. I just don't want to see him fall too far. With his obsession for power, he might end up doing things the village can't forgive…"
Arata didn't respond.
He already knew the truth — that Sasuke would leave Konoha someday.
But hearing Kakashi's quiet worry made him realize something:
Kakashi truly understood Sasuke — maybe more than anyone else.
His combat style, his temperament, his trauma… all mirrored Kakashi's younger self.
And perhaps because of Obito, Kakashi's eyes had always lingered on Sasuke — the boy who could've been another him.
Naruto? He had Jiraiya coming.
The moment the Chūnin Exams began, the Toad Sage would conveniently "return" to the village.
Arata didn't believe in coincidences.
No way would Jiraiya just show up because Naruto asked politely.
He came back because of Naruto — because of the Fourth's son.
No one else could ask Jiraiya to personally teach them and not get told to scram.
Kakashi's concern was misplaced.
Naruto would have his master; Sasuke would have his demons.
So Arata smiled faintly.
"You worry too much, Sensei."
"Even if Sasuke does something against the rules someday, he's not the type to lose his humanity. He's prideful, yes — but he's not cruel. He won't become evil."
Kakashi sighed.
"I hope you're right…"
Then, after a pause, his tone shifted — pragmatic again.
"Speaking of Sasuke, I should also teach you how to deal with the Sharingan."
That made Arata's eyes light up slightly.
Kakashi continued:
"The Sharingan isn't just about copying jutsu. Its real danger lies in genjutsu. Even if you're strong, one misstep — one glance — and you could be trapped before you even realize it."
Arata nodded gravely.
"You're right. It's one of the hardest techniques to defend against, especially since Sharingan genjutsu can trap you instantly."
He remembered clearly — how Kurenai Yuhi, a master of genjutsu herself, had been utterly defeated by Itachi in seconds.
Kurenai wasn't weak. She was a full-fledged jōnin, known for her illusions — strong enough to rank alongside Asuma, Gai, and Kakashi himself.
And yet… Itachi had dismantled her technique effortlessly.
That alone proved how overwhelming the Sharingan truly was.
Even other villages feared it — entire research divisions had been formed just to counter it.
Arata knew well: no matter how strong your jutsu were, it didn't matter if you couldn't use them.
One look into that crimson eye, and all your power meant nothing.
"There are ways to counter it," Kakashi said finally. "Not perfect ones, but effective — if you use them right."
He studied Arata carefully.
"You have one advantage no Uchiha can replicate: your sensory ability."
Arata blinked.
"You mean… you want me to fight with my eyes closed? To rely purely on perception?"
Kakashi smiled and nodded.
"Exactly. For most shinobi, that would be suicide. But not for you."
"Your sensory range and reaction speed are high enough to replace sight itself. When you use Chidori, you move at lightning speed — yet you never miss. That level of spatial awareness is beyond human reflexes."
He folded his arms.
"Even I can't track that precisely. You, Arata, have what I'd call a natural counter to the Sharingan."
Arata tilted his head slightly, intrigued.
For the first time, Kakashi was telling him something he hadn't considered — that his sensitivity to chakra flow could be used as both a shield and a weapon.
If the Sharingan could trap through the eyes, then he would fight without them.
A smile crept across his face.
"I see… so that's what you mean."
Kakashi nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. Against the Uchiha, you don't need to look them in the eyes. You just need to feel where they are — and strike before they can react."
The silver-haired jonin smirked behind his mask.
"With your reflexes, you might be the first person who could take on a Sharingan user… without ever opening your eyes."
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