Seiran woke with a groan, the dull ache in his muscles refusing to fade even after a full night of rest.
"Didn't expect the side effects of Tyrant Mode to be this stubborn," he muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his sore side. "My chakra has mostly recovered, but the muscle damage needs time to heal."
He forced a grin as he pushed himself up, one hand gripping the headboard while the other massaged his ribs. Anyone walking in right now would probably get the wrong idea—like he'd been through hell and back last night. And judging by the exhaustion clinging to him, they wouldn't be entirely wrong.
After a quick breakfast, Seiran felt marginally more human, though the soreness lingered. He let out a sigh.
"I'll have to suspend my training for a few days," he decided aloud. "Better to let my body heal properly before pushing it again."
With no scheduled missions for a while, Seiran found himself at loose ends. The streets seemed like a welcome escape.
Konoha was bustling with life. Children chased each other through the crowds, their laughter cutting through the afternoon air. Seiran looked up at the sky, a shadow crossing his expression.
How long can this peace last? The Third Shinobi World War is coming. It's just a matter of time.
Before, the looming threat had been like a sword hanging over his head, driving him to train relentlessly. But now—after accidentally unlocking Tyrant Mode yesterday—he felt something shift. A sliver of confidence. A sense that he could face the unknown future without fear.
"It's been a while since I had Ichiraku Ramen," he mused, a small smile returning to his face. "A little relaxation won't kill me."
He was halfway to the stall when a voice cut through the air, breathless and panicked.
"Seiran! It's bad!"
He turned to see Anko Mitarashi sprinting toward him, panting heavily.
"It's Rin Uchiha," she gasped, pointing back toward the Mission Desk. "She and Kakashi are fighting!"
The smile vanished from Seiran's face instantly.
---
A crowd had already gathered near the Mission Desk, their voices rising in excited murmurs.
"That white-haired kid is Hatake Sakumo's son, right?" one shinobi whispered.
"Has to be. They say he's the genius of the new generation. And that Uchiha girl holding her own against him? She's no slouch."
"An Uchiha and the son of the White Fang? This is getting interesting..."
Inside the circle, sparks erupted. A short knife flashed in a white arc, moving faster than the eye could track. It clashed repeatedly against a kunai, the screech of metal ringing out with each impact.
Rin Uchiha's Sharingan spun rapidly, her eyes tracking every movement. She blocked another vicious slash, her expression darkening with each exchange.
Kakashi Hatake's swordplay was brutally efficient. Every strike targeted a weak point, probing for an opening. Without her Sharingan predicting his moves, she would have fallen long ago.
"This guy..." Rin gritted her teeth as she parried another blow. "His strength has improved way too fast."
They'd been rivals since their Academy days, but since graduation, the gap between them had only widened. He was pulling further ahead with every passing week.
From the crowd's edge, Might Guy watched with deep worry etched into his face. Both were his classmates. The sudden escalation left him frozen, unsure of what to do.
"I remember your name," Kakashi said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Rin Uchiha. You shouldn't have mentioned his name. He was nothing but a waste of space who couldn't even complete a mission."
"Cut it out!" Rin snapped, anger flaring in her eyes. "I have nothing but respect for the White Fang. I didn't expect his son to be strong enough only to bully others with words!"
"I told you," Kakashi's voice dropped an octave, his killing intent flaring like a visible wave. "Don't mention that man's name."
Rin's words had struck a nerve. Kakashi jumped back, creating distance, his hands moving in a blur through the hand seals. A piercing sound erupted—like a thousand birds screaming at once. He held one wrist steady, lightning crackling violently in his palm, the technique coalescing into something far more dangerous than a typical jutsu.
"Lightning Release ninjutsu?" Rin narrowed her eyes, already moving. "I wonder how it compares to my fire."
She matched his speed, her own seals flowing with practiced precision. "Fire Style: Phoenix Immortal Claw Technique!" The strongest B-rank Fire jutsu she could handle—her full power.
"Is he insane?" someone in the crowd shouted. "That technique isn't even stable! Does he want to kill her?"
The surrounding shinobi recognized the jutsu and tightened instinctively, their hearts racing.
A thunderclap exploded through the air. Kakashi's body became a bolt of lightning, hurtling toward Rin like a spear. She finished her seal, determination etched across her face, chakra surging to her throat.
Then—thud!
The sound of impact echoed through the street. Kakashi's lightning-wrapped palm stopped mere meters from Rin's face. Her lips were parted, fire breath ready to unleash, but she froze mid-technique.
"Close call. I caught him."
Seiran let out a sharp exhale, pain shooting through his still-sore muscles. He grimaced slightly.
His right hand gripped Kakashi's wrist like a vice, while his other shoulder was pressed firmly against Kakashi's chest, physically halting the lethal thrust. The lightning crackled harmlessly around them, dissipating against his skin.
"Seiran? Why are you here?" Rin asked, her eyes widening in surprise. Then her expression hardened. "That was way too close. My jutsu was half a second from firing!"
Seiran suppressed the pain radiating through his body, his teeth clenched slightly. "I had to step in. Otherwise, we'd have a real problem."
His gaze swept over Kakashi's lightning-wrapped hand, analyzing the technique. Chidori. An A-rank Lightning jutsu developed through incredible focus and precision. I didn't expect Kakashi to have developed it this early—but he hasn't mastered it yet.
If Seiran hadn't intercepted that attack, Rin would have been in serious trouble. Maybe worse.
Kakashi's gaze shifted to the newcomer, analyzing the interruption. He'd noticed how Seiran had recognized the weakness in his Chidori's thrust. White Eyes. Makes sense.
After seeing Seiran's Byakugan clearly, Kakashi's expression turned thoughtful.
"What's going on here?" Seiran asked, his voice tight. "Why are you suddenly fighting?"
Rin glanced at Kakashi, frustration evident. "I was at the Mission Desk checking for available jobs. I ran into him and thought I'd say hello. I accidentally mentioned his father, and he just... attacked. I didn't even have time to react."
Seiran nodded, processing the information. So Kakashi made the first move, then.
"I already told you," Kakashi cut in, his voice cold. "Don't mention that man in front of me. He was a failure who couldn't even complete a mission."
Rin threw her hands up in exasperation. "See what I'm dealing with?"
Seiran couldn't help but sigh. It seems Kakashi still hasn't gotten over the trauma of the White Fang's death.
He'd heard rumors about Kakashi clashing with his teammates around the village. According to what he knew, Kakashi only started to mellow out after he partnered with Obito Uchiha—but that hadn't happened yet. This version of Kakashi was still trapped in his grief and rage.
Kakashi turned his cold gaze fully onto Seiran.
"You're the first dual-bloodline successor in the history of the Hyuga Clan, aren't you?" he said, his tone carrying a challenge. "We haven't crossed paths before."
The atmosphere, which had just started to relax, instantly tensed again. Every eye in the crowd locked onto Seiran.
"Seiran..." Anko gripped her hands together, worried.
"Kakashi, you bastard! Do you have any comrades left in your heart?" Might Guy shouted angrily. If he thought he could match him, he would have charged in already.
Seiran felt the pressure bearing down on him. His body was still in pain, his physical condition far from peak. But if he refused, Kakashi wouldn't back down easily. And besides that—Seiran could sense a faint, prying gaze locked onto them from the shadows. Watching. Waiting.
Well, in that case...
Seiran turned to face Kakashi fully, his expression serious.
"If you're that desperate to test me, let's get this over with."