Chidori instantly pierced through a large tree, and Kakashi's entire body was left pinned to it by his left arm.
"Has anger clouded your mind? You actually used such an incomplete, self-destructive technique. You really are trash."
In truth, if Kakashi had fought as usual, using ninjutsu to support his swordsmanship, he might not have defeated Uchiha Mo, but he could at least have caused him some trouble. Clearly, though, Kakashi had been completely blinded by rage.
Kakashi silently pulled his arm from the tree, then collapsed onto the ground like a dog whose bones had all been removed. His face was ashen, and he looked utterly lifeless.
"..."
Uchiha Mo watched him for a while before suddenly stepping closer.
"Your technique gave me some inspiration. In return, I'll tell you something even an Uchiha brat understands."
He crouched in front of Kakashi, his gaze piercing through the messy white hair to stare directly into Kakashi's eyes.
"Listen, Kakashi."
As his words fell, Kakashi slowly turned his vacant eyes and met Uchiha Mo's clear black gaze.
"This world is objective. It will not be lenient toward you because you are kind, nor will it be cruel to you because you are evil. That is why White Fang saved his comrades, only for those comrades to condemn their benefactor because of the village's public opinion. What consequences will your choices bring? No one knows."
"Whether you choose your comrades or choose the mission, they are merely your own principles for acting. People are people because they possess their own thoughts and their own consciousness."
"When ideals collide with the barriers of reality, it becomes a test of conviction. White Fang's belief that comrades mattered more than missions was not accepted by the world. He wavered. Rather than acting for what he believed in, he could not accept reality and chose suicide, leaving five-year-old you behind alone. So whether as a ninja or as a father, he was a coward."
"The creed you cling to did not come from yourself, either. It came from White Fang's fate. Everyone is influenced by the world around them, but Kakashi, you have completely lost yourself and become an extension of the past."
"You risk your life, even complete missions in a suicidal way, wanting to use your death to prove that White Fang was right, or to wash away White Fang's stain."
"One person's death was enough to turn your life into a complete mess. How narrow is the scale of your life?"
Return, ANBU Invitation
As his words ended, Kakashi no longer wore a dead expression. Instead, he stared blankly into Uchiha Mo's clear black eyes.
This was an entirely different perspective. Uchiha Mo had not spoken of right or wrong, but had given him a more realistic, more cruel viewpoint.
It could be called twisted logic, or it could be called fallacy, but its existence could not be denied.
Mo slowly rose to his feet, walked to the side, picked up the White Fang Short Sword, glanced at its snow-bright edge, and flicked it out. It instantly embedded itself in the tree beside Kakashi.
"Cling~"
The short sword trembled lightly. Kakashi came back to his senses, stood up, pulled White Fang free, and returned it to the sheath on his back.
"It really wasn't easy getting you to say so much."
Mo did not respond, but Kakashi did not mind. He straightened his clothes, turned around, and continued.
"Let's go. I buried that Sand Ninja underground with Earth Release. We can take him back and hand in the mission now."
Kakashi's tone was as calm as ever, but there was now something indescribable in those dead-fish eyes, and some of that unnatural heaviness had faded from him.
With his back to Uchiha Mo, the expression on his face gradually became firm. Then he slowly broke into a run.
"Thank you, Mo. I'll find my own Ninja Way!"
The two left together and soon arrived where Kakashi had restrained the Sand Ninja.
Kakashi released him from the earth, tied his hands and feet, slung him over his back, and set off for Hidden Leaf.
The Land of Rain connected the three great nations of Fire, Earth, and Wind, while Grass Country was wedged between the Land of Fire, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Earth. Thus, the journey back was much shorter than the journey out. Still, because they were carrying a prisoner, it took the two of them some time to return to the Land of Fire.
During the journey, the Sand Ninja woke up twice, but before he could say anything, Kakashi knocked him unconscious again. After a long trek, the two finally returned safely to Hidden Leaf with their prisoner.
As he entered Hidden Leaf's gates, Kakashi let out a long breath and looked up at Hokage Rock. For the first time in a long while, he actually felt a trace of fatigue during a mission.
As the two walked toward the Hokage Office Building, Kakashi suddenly turned his head and asked, "You said Chidori gave you inspiration. Are you also creating your own ninjutsu?"
Uchiha Mo had already intended to use Kakashi as a tool to improve his reputation, so naturally he would not let this chance pass. The corner of his mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible arc.
"Fire Release is too explosive. Its power is remarkable and its presence overwhelming, but it is not fast enough. So in combat, its practical results and killing power often do not match. I'm researching a similar technique."
Although Mo did not explain in detail, Kakashi was a genius and immediately understood what he meant.
He nodded slightly, then took a scroll from the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist and handed it over.
"These are some of my experiences creating Chidori. Although this technique is still only half-finished, I believe it will definitely help you."
The two stared at each other for a moment before Uchiha Mo raised his hand, accepted the scroll, and tucked it into the Ninja Tool Pouch beneath his robe.
"Let's go. It's time to report to the Third Hokage."
Mo stepped away first. Kakashi watched his retreating back, his gaze settling on the clan crest between his shoulder blades.
"Looks like the Uchiha Clan isn't as difficult to approach as the rumors say..."
Seeing Mo getting farther and farther away, Kakashi snapped back to his senses and hurried after him at a jog.
"Lord Hokage, that was the full course of this mission."
"Mm..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe, his cloudy old eyes looking at the two through the smoke.
"I didn't expect you to encounter Baki... During the Second Shinobi World War, he was already a somewhat famous genius. At this point in time... it is no wonder Ryohei was no match for him. But Mo... I never expected you to be able to kill him!"
"I merely used a few tricks."
"Hehe..." The wrinkles on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face lifted slightly. He lowered his pipe and revealed a smile.
"No need to be modest. I have always known your capabilities. You completed this mission beautifully. I have already had ANBU take the man to Inoichi. I believe there will soon be results..."
Before he could finish speaking, an ANBU suddenly flashed in through the Hokage Office window and handed a document to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Third Hokage, this was sent by the Intelligence Division."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. The ANBU vanished, while the Third Hokage quickly scanned the document.
Before long, he frowned, and the room fell silent.
Seeing this, Kakashi slowly asked, "Lord Hokage, is there a problem with the intelligence?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, extinguished his pipe, and sighed. "No. The intelligence is detailed and accurate. Thank you for your efforts."
As he spoke, he placed the document into a drawer, then continued.
"This mission should have promoted you to Jonin, Kakashi. But to be honest, this old man has a selfish reason. Becoming a Jonin means leading a team yourself, and in these times... to be frank, war may be coming soon. You are still young, and I cannot bear to have a child lead a team into battle. So I have decided to promote you to Special Jonin, though for now, you will still be assigned according to the Chunin establishment. Kakashi, can you let this old man be willful just this once?"
"I will follow Lord Hokage's arrangements."
In the original story, Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve, but it seemed Mo's appearance had caused some changes.
"Good." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly. "The ninja students from your graduating class are also about to graduate. I will arrange an excellent team for you."
Mo's eyes shifted, and he instantly understood a few things.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Uchiha Mo.
"As for you, Mo... to be honest, I truly want to make you a Jonin directly... But unfortunately, once you become a Jonin, you should return to the Uchiha Police Force, correct? You would not be as free as a Chunin. This old man is reluctant to let you go."
As he spoke, the corner of his mouth lifted, revealing a kindly smile on his aged face.
"Mo, would you be willing to join ANBU? This old man promises that if you enter ANBU, I will certainly reserve a squad leader position for you."
"ANBU..."
Uchiha Mo frowned slightly and lowered his head, looking thoughtful.
"I need to discuss something like this with the clan. I cannot give you an answer yet."
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.
"Very well. Give me an answer as soon as possible."
Uchiha Mo nodded. Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, and the two immediately turned and left the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe again and took a drag, his eyes fixed firmly on the clan crest on Uchiha Mo's back.
"He is clearly that person's descendant, yet he is such a traditional Uchiha... But I heard his younger brother also has exceptional talent. Hopefully, he will be an Uchiha who possesses the Will of Fire..."
Brothers
"Bang!"
With a muffled crash, the door to the Hokage Office was violently shoved open, slamming hard against the wall.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe in one hand and a document in the other. Without even raising his head, he asked, "What is it this time?"
"Hiruzen! I heard all about it. That Uchiha brat was actually able to kill an Elite Jonin, and yet you are doing nothing! He is only ten years old. You should hand him over to me. Root will turn the evil Uchiha into Hidden Leaf's sharpest blade!"
"Hand him over to you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his eyes and glanced at his old companion before snorting coldly.
"Handing him over to you would truly ruin him! I have already asked Mo to join ANBU. Give up on that idea."
"Hiruzen, you..."
Danzo angrily pointed at the Third Hokage, who sat calmly in his chair, his tone filled with dissatisfaction. But after a brief pause, he flung his arm aside and changed tack.
"Fine! I can give up that brat, but you must give his younger brother to Root!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly. A childish face with a button nose flashed through his mind, and he immediately said, "No! You may choose someone else, but I will not hand either of those brothers over to you!"
"Hiruzen!"
Danzo slammed the floor with his cane. "I was also one of Kagami's teammates. I have the right to take one of them. You cannot treat me like this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. His aged face appeared and disappeared behind the haze, while a sharp glint suddenly flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"Danzo, I was not there when Kagami died, but do not think I know nothing!"
As his words fell, Danzo's breathing caught, and he instantly fell silent.
"You monkey..."
"Leave. Do not entertain any improper thoughts about those two brothers. At the very least, not now!"
"..."
Danzo turned his head expressionlessly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the cane in his hand.
"I understand."
After saying that, Danzo once again headed for the door.
After leaving the Hokage Office Building, Uchiha Mo headed straight for the Uchiha Clan District. The district had not yet been relocated from the village center, so it did not take long before a torii bearing the Uchiha Crest came into view.
"Mo is back. Missions are hard work. Want a fresh-baked flatbread? No charge." The rosy-faced middle-aged man wore a kindly smile.
The corner of Mo's mouth lifted slightly as he replied, "Uncle Shoushao, stop doing charity. If Aunt Geng finds out, she'll scold you again."
Uchiha Shoushao waved a hand dismissively. "Ah~ It's just a free flatbread for our Uchiha genius. Even if Geng finds out, she won't do anything to me."
Uchiha Mo shook his head, helplessly accepted the flatbread, and passed through the torii into the clan district. Every few steps he took, greetings rose from nearby.
"Oh? Our little genius is back? Did the mission go well?"
Before you continue