Terrifying Upon Reflection

"This could not have turned out better." Shinichi Kishimoto was overjoyed.

"You lot, go pack up the important things in my room." Shinichi Kishimoto ordered, "The rest of you, prepare a banquet according to the highest standards of our residence."

"Yes, Clan Head!" the gathered servants answered in unison.

Kakashi did not refuse. After that intense battle, he really was starving.

At the banquet, Shinichi Kishimoto was in high spirits. He felt that the great weight on his mind had finally been lifted.

Shinichi Kishimoto repeatedly raised his cup to Kakashi, but when he saw that Kakashi was not in the mood, he tactfully stopped.

Kakashi was deep in thought.

"It wasn't an illusion. My eyes have trouble focusing when I look at things."

Kakashi understood that this was the aftereffect of using Kamui. The vision in his left eye had deteriorated.

However, with the nourishment of Natural Energy, Kakashi felt that the depletion of his left eye's ocular power was still within acceptable limits.

Kakashi stayed at the Kishimoto Residence for five days straight. During that time, everyone in the residence said that strange feeling of being watched had vanished.

Kakashi immediately judged that the mission was complete and prepared to return to the village.

Shinichi Kishimoto stood at the gates of the residence and respectfully offered him a small pouch.

"Lord Tenzō, I have already sent the supplies promised for the mission to Konoha."

"This is just a small additional token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Kakashi had intended to refuse, but he suddenly changed his mind and reached out for the pouch in Kishimoto's hand.

"In that case, I'll gladly accept."

"Of course, of course." Shinichi Kishimoto handed the pouch to Kakashi.

Kakashi took the pouch, weighed it twice in his hand, and revealed a somewhat disdainful expression.

"Mr. Kishimoto, this really is only a tiny token. I'd rather not have it."

With that, Kakashi tossed the pouch straight at Shinichi Kishimoto.

Shinichi Kishimoto instinctively caught the pouch with his left hand, looking somewhat bewildered.

"Lord Tenzō, this... this contains a full..."

Shinichi Kishimoto suddenly stopped speaking. By then, Kakashi had already turned and left.

"Very well, Lord Kishimoto. The mission is over, so I'll take my leave."

Watching Kakashi's retreating figure, Shinichi Kishimoto narrowed his eyes, and a dangerous curve formed at the corner of his lips.

"That guy really is vigilant. Did he notice...?"

Lowering his head to look at his left hand, Shinichi Kishimoto gave a dark chuckle and turned back into the residence.

After calmly walking several dozen meters, Kakashi's chakra surged wildly, and he broke into a sprint.

"Are you kidding me?!" A trace of cold sweat appeared on Kakashi's forehead. "That level of ninjutsu hit him... I clearly shattered that guy, so how could he regenerate?!"

He could not beat him. He had barely managed to gamble on victory, only for the guy to revive afterward!

Was that guy seriously such a sore loser?!

Kakashi made up his mind to stay far away from the Kishimoto clan in the future. That guy was even more sinister than Hidan!

Along the way, Kakashi stopped briefly to rest.

It was not that he did not want to run all the way back to Konoha in one go. His chakra reserves simply could not afford it.

"You'll do, you lucky little fellow!"

He casually turned an adorable little rabbit into a roast and ate while recalling the past.

"In my memories, the ninja who completed this mission was only a Special Jonin, and he returned perfectly fine..."

"Damn!" Kakashi cursed. "Could it be that the one who came back was not him at all?"

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became!

After returning to the village, Kakashi did not report in. Instead, he went home first and threw away every mirror he had.

"Whew, I feel much safer now."

Hokage's Office.

Kakashi was reporting to the Third Hokage. To avoid causing further complications, he described that strange mirror image as a Jōnin capable of using mirrors to cast special ninjutsu.

Even so, after hearing Kakashi's description, the Third Hokage still found it unbelievable.

"I never expected such a unique ninjutsu to exist. Good thing we sent you. If it had been someone else, then I'm afraid..."

The Third Hokage changed the subject. "You've worked hard, Kakashi. Go back and rest first."

"Yes, Lord Third!"

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi did not pursue the matter further, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid that the Third Hokage would send someone to investigate the Kishimoto Residence.

At the thought of all of Konoha's ninja being replaced by that mirror image, Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat.

Of course, Kakashi also knew that was not very realistic. After all, nothing like that had happened in his memories.

That strange fellow seemed to need to meet strict conditions before he could take on someone else's appearance, so there was no need to worry too much.

Kakashi made up his mind that if he encountered someone he could not afford to provoke, he would stay as far away as possible!

After returning home, Kakashi took out the short blade stored beneath his bed.

As he stroked the exquisite sheath, Kakashi's mood sank.

Father... Obito...

Kakashi had found someone to repair this blade some time ago, but he had not drawn it in a long while.

Seeing it made him think of the past. Whenever he saw this blade, he remembered his father teaching him swordsmanship as a child, and remembered fighting side by side with Obito...

Shaking his head lightly, Kakashi gripped the hilt and slowly drew the short blade.

Kakashi's reflection appeared on the cold blade. The loneliness in his eyes was something only he himself could understand.

Swish.

Kakashi swung the short blade known as 'White Fang' and meticulously practiced the Hatake Swordsmanship his father had taught him.

As he continued, Kakashi's movements gradually ceased to be bound by form and became far more free-flowing.

A figure in white appeared in his mind, along with that unforgettable, peerless swordsmanship.

Sabers and swords shared common ground. There were many aspects they could learn from each other.

Li Bai's sword was like an endless drizzle. It seemed completely harmless, but in truth, it completely sealed off the enemy's range of movement.

Only then would the drizzle shed its disguise and transform into steel needles that took lives.

Kakashi's blade was not as long as Li Bai's sword, nor could it cover as wide an area, but his blade was fast and ruthless. He did not seek wide-scale destruction, only strikes at the enemy's vital points.

Kakashi was trying to merge Li Bai's sword intent with his own clan's blade technique.

He did not know how long he had been swinging it when Kakashi's breathing became uneven. He braced his hands on his knees and bent forward slightly.

"Whew, it still feels like it lacks a trace of spirit. What exactly am I missing?"

After recalling Li Bai's every movement once more, Kakashi's eyes suddenly lit up.

"It's alcohol!"

Kakashi dug out a jar of liquor from his home. After breaking the seal, he imitated Li Bai, tilted back his head, and drained it in one gulp.

"Mm..."

He casually tossed aside the wine jar. Slightly tipsy, Kakashi rose to his feet. His entire body swayed unsteadily, but his mind remained clear.