Shisui Uchiha

The Third Hokage had finally managed to stop his nosebleed, looking somewhat astonished. "I never expected this technique to be so terrifying. Even I fell for it."

"Kakashi, honestly... he just taught such a terrifying technique to a child so casually. What if Naruto misused it?" The Third Hokage grumbled as he continued watching the crystal ball.

Kakashi nodded at Naruto in satisfaction. "Not bad. You've already grasped the essence of the Sexy Jutsu, but there's one thing you must remember."

"You can't remain unchanged. If you want to bring out the technique's full power, you have to keep innovating and make it endlessly varied."

"Come on, I'll demonstrate a few examples. Follow along and learn."

Although Naruto was still young, he already possessed a great deal of chakra. The two of them kept transforming without pause.

"I can't take this!"

In the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage's nosebleed spurted out again. No one could withstand this!

Inside a cave outside the village, Kakashi sat with his eyes closed in deep thought.

"My understanding of the Flying Thunder God is still only superficial. It'll probably take time before I can master it."

"Fortunately, after several months of persistent study, I've finally figured out the structure of Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu Chakra. I can begin trying to refine it now."

With his prior experience refining Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra, the process went exceptionally smoothly this time. Before long, Kakashi successfully refined Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu Chakra.

"Then... Sage Mode!"

Kakashi gave a low shout as the refined Senjutsu Chakra swiftly spread across his entire body.

He clenched his fist tightly, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of power filling him.

Markings appeared around Kakashi's eyes, while his irises turned golden-yellow. His pupils shifted horizontally in an eerie way, resembling a frog's.

He carefully sensed the changes within himself.

"Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode gives an even greater boost to sensory abilities, and my chakra reserves have increased accordingly. This is wonderful..."

Kakashi was nearly moved to tears. With his chakra reserves now so abundant, surely he would no longer be used as a unit of chakra measurement in the future!

"Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode and the Flying Thunder God are practically a perfect match. It's a shame I haven't mastered the Flying Thunder God yet."

"Hmm... I could try refining Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra while in Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode and see what it feels like."

No sooner said than done, Kakashi closed his eyes again and tried to refine Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra.

He was already highly proficient at refining Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra, and soon produced a cluster of it within his body.

Then something utterly baffling happened. Kakashi felt the world spinning before his eyes, and his pupils began rotating in circles, turning vertical one moment and horizontal the next, as if they had no idea which way they were supposed to face.

The two types of Senjutsu Chakra seemed to be locked in a standoff within Kakashi's body, utterly incompatible like fire and water. Kakashi nearly dropped out of Sage Mode altogether.

After hesitating for a long time, his pupils ultimately turned horizontal.

Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly. "It looks like the two kinds of Senjutsu Chakra aren't compatible... I'll have to make a choice."

"Hmm, Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu Chakra feels stronger, and its structure is more complex. That confirms my guess—the Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu Chakra was most likely a watered-down version."

"Besides, Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode suits me better overall and is more beneficial for my long-term development, so this is definitely the one I'll keep." Kakashi quickly made his choice.

Perhaps he could use the structure of Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu Chakra as the foundation, then modify it with Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu Chakra as a reference. After merging them, he might be able to produce an even more powerful Senjutsu Chakra.

Hmm... he would add that idea to his upcoming research goals as well.

But it was foreseeable that this research would take a very, very long time...

Hokage's Office.

Kakashi knelt on one knee before the Third Hokage, wondering if Lord Sarutobi, who called him over every few days, could perhaps create a special ninjutsu just for him.

"Summoning Technique: Kakashi!"

Next time, the Third Hokage would only need to clap his hands, and Kakashi could appear directly in the Hokage's Office.

As the Third Hokage looked at Kakashi, countless thoughts passed through his mind as well.

He always recalled the scene he had witnessed that night, and every time, it felt rather awkward. He truly had not expected one of his subordinates to have such a hobby.

After staring at Kakashi for a while, the Third Hokage asked, "How has that child, Itachi Uchiha, been performing recently?"

"He has completed his missions exceptionally well, including the mission to monitor the Uchiha Clan. He hasn't displayed any abnormalities," Kakashi said.

"Hmm..." The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe. "Then what do you think of him?"

Forced to breathe in secondhand smoke, Kakashi pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"I believe that, in Itachi Uchiha's heart, Konoha stands above all else. Even if he has to become enemies with his own clan, he would still defend Konoha's peace."

"Oh?" The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Kakashi to hold Itachi Uchiha in such high regard.

He lightly tapped the desk with his pipe, beginning to consider his next move.

Perhaps he could make use of Itachi Uchiha. If used well, he might become a sharp blade to restrain the Uchiha Clan.

"The Uchiha Clan seems to have been making some small moves lately. Pay closer attention, Kakashi," the Third Hokage instructed.

Hmm?

Kakashi froze. In his memories, the Third Hokage had never informed him in advance about the Uchiha Clan's suspicious movements. It seemed his standing in the Third Hokage's heart had truly risen by quite a bit.

"Yes, Lord Third!" Kakashi replied.

The Third Hokage continued outlining his arrangements. "Additionally, I'll be transferring Shisui Uchiha to your squad."

"Body Flicker Shisui?" Kakashi murmured.

"That's right. Although he is also from the Uchiha Clan, he likewise longs for peace." The Third Hokage deliberately emphasized the word "peace."

Kakashi immediately understood. The peace the Third Hokage spoke of also meant Konoha's peace, even at the cost of sacrificing his own clan's interests.

"He also has a very good relationship with Itachi. The three of you can communicate more often, and I'll lighten your mission load as appropriate."

The Third Hokage truly regarded me as a confidant now, Kakashi thought.

"I understand, Lord Third. Rest assured!"

"Mm." The Third Hokage nodded. He was growing increasingly satisfied with a subordinate like Kakashi, one who understood at a hint and handled matters capably.

"Go, Kakashi."

Kakashi left the Hokage's Office and made his way unsteadily toward ANBU.

Shisui Uchiha...