Kakashi vs. Pakura

That day, Kakashi appeared outside Kusagakure.

Dressed in an ANBU uniform and wearing an ANBU mask, he stood quietly outside Kusagakure's gates.

Before long, a figure appeared in front of Kakashi with a whoosh.

It was the Scorch Release ninja, Pakura.

"What business does a Konoha ninja have here?" Pakura drew a kunai and asked coldly.

Killing intent radiated from her.

Ignoring it, Kakashi removed his mask and narrowed his eyes at Pakura. "The Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu?" he asked in a low voice. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Pakura, the Scorch Release ninja and hero of Sunagakure. I never imagined you'd become his puppet!"

"And who might you be?" Sensing that Kakashi was no ordinary opponent, Pakura asked coolly.

"Kakashi Hatake," he replied. "I'm here to see Uchiha Sora!"

"Kakashi Hatake? What is your relationship to Hatake Sakumo?" Pakura asked.

"He was my father!"

"I see! The son of Konoha's White Fang?" Pakura nodded, then shook her head. "Still, you can't meet our leader just because you want to!"

"In that case, allow me to see what you're capable of!" Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Die! Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!" Pakura immediately unleashed her kekkei genkai. A searing fireball, shining as white and bright as the sun, flew straight at Kakashi.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Kakashi immediately used an Earth Release technique, slamming both hands against the ground!

An earthen wall adorned with dog heads rose from the ground, blocking the fireball's path.

Boom!

The fireball struck the wall, and cracks instantly spread across it under the intense heat.

Startled, Kakashi hurriedly leaped aside. A moment later, the fireball burst through the wall and struck the spot where he had been standing.

Boom!

The blast left a large, scorched crater in the ground.

At the same time, Pakura raised a hand, summoning more dazzling fireballs around her.

Several fireballs revolved around Pakura like stars surrounding the moon.

Their intense heat made sweat bead on Kakashi's forehead, even from a distance.

What a dangerous kekkei genkai! One hit from those things, and I'm finished! Kakashi assessed silently.

Just then, Pakura sneered and swept both hands forward. The fireballs instantly hurtled toward Kakashi.

Kakashi formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

He opened his mouth and spat out a powerful jet of water, which transformed into a roaring dragon and lunged at the fireballs.

Boom, boom, boom!

Water met fire, yet there was no sign of the flames being extinguished.

Instead, the fireballs struck the water dragon, evaporating vast amounts of water. In the blink of an eye, their intense heat had evaporated the entire dragon!

Mist immediately filled the air.

Suddenly, lightning flashed through the mist. Pakura was slightly startled to find that Kakashi had somehow appeared behind her.

A Lightning Blade in his hand plunged viciously into her back!

"A reanimated body's reactions really can't compare to those I had in life." Pakura's body went rigid, a gaping hole blasted through it by the Lightning Blade. "Still, even when I was alive, I might not have been able to defeat an opponent like you."

"You flatter me." Kakashi withdrew his hand. While Pakura's body was still regenerating, he hurriedly took out a Sealing Scroll, preparing to seal her away.

Just as the Sealing Scroll flew out and was about to wrap around Pakura, a cold gleam suddenly flashed!

The scroll was instantly sliced to pieces.

A figure appeared beside Pakura.

"Captain Kakashi, did you ask my permission before trying to seal Pakura?" It was Uchiha Sora. He stared at Kakashi and spoke coolly.

"Sora!" Kakashi couldn't help crying out. He put away the Sealing Scroll and asked heavily, "Why?"

Uchiha Sora gave him a puzzled look and smiled, feigning ignorance. "Why what?"

"Why did you betray Konoha!? Why did you betray everyone!?"

Uchiha Sora smiled, his tone casual. "Are you so sure I betrayed Konoha? That Konoha High Command wasn't responsible?"

"Konoha High Command was responsible?" Kakashi was stunned.

Looking at Kakashi, Uchiha Sora said slowly, "Back then, Konoha's White Fang failed just one mission, yet the entire village condemned him. In the end, he fell into despair and took his own life. Whose fault do you think that was?"

Kakashi's body jolted, as though those words had shaken him to his core.

Indeed, his father's suicide had ultimately been Konoha's fault. Konoha High Command had allowed the villagers to heap accusations on his father.

If those in Konoha High Command had been willing to speak up for his father and offer him some acknowledgment, he would never have been driven to suicide so easily!

Uchiha Sora's words seemed to open the gates of hatred deep within Kakashi's heart.

Just as Uchiha Sora was on the verge of swaying him, making him hate Konoha High Command as well, images of his teacher, Minato Namikaze, along with Obito and Rin, flashed through Kakashi's mind.

Finally, a figure with a bowl cut appeared in his mind. His broad grin, flashing brilliant white teeth, was like a ray of light illuminating Kakashi's heart.

Kakashi regained his composure and spoke solemnly. "Sora, perhaps you were treated unfairly in Konoha. Perhaps you have your reasons for leaving. But the village is still the home where you were born and raised. Your clansmen and teammates are still there."

"Although my father took his own life, his lifelong conviction was to protect Konoha and uphold the will of fire passed down by the First!"

"But you, Uchiha Sora, have betrayed that will! You've cast aside your teammates' feelings!" Kakashi's tone gradually turned cold. "You're no longer the Uchiha Sora I knew!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Sora shook his head. "Kakashi, it seems you're determined to side with Konoha?"

"You're the one determined to stand against Konoha!" Kakashi replied.

"All right, so what? What do you intend to do about it?" Uchiha Sora shrugged, looking at Kakashi with utter indifference. "Surely you didn't come all this way just to have this pointless argument with me?"

Kakashi fell silent. He knew his mission was to investigate why Uchiha Sora had occupied Kusagakure.

"Enough, Captain Kakashi. Since you once did your best to protect me from Orochimaru, I won't do anything to you. But this is the last time I'll call you captain. Tell me, did Konoha High Command send you to sound me out? They want to know why I occupied Kusagakure, right?" Seeing Kakashi remain silent, Uchiha Sora waved a hand as he spoke.

At Uchiha Sora's words, Kakashi gave a bitter smile. "I finally understand why Lord Third Hokage takes you so seriously. Nothing gets past you."

PS: I'm stunned! The girl I went on a blind date with yesterday actually messaged me first just now! I don't get it. What's going on? Does anyone want to know how things develop? Tap the update reminder and watch an ad. I'll keep you posted live!