Treasure

Looking at the unscathed Uchiha Gen, Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly. For the first time, genuine shock stirred in his heart.

This was... the Chidori he had created himself.

Even his discerning father had said that, unleashed at full power, this technique could absolutely kill enemies above his level on the battlefield.

Moreover, with the extreme sharpness inherent to Chidori, it could instantly pierce even certain Kekkei Genkai with astonishing defensive power.

With such praise from Hatake Sakumo, Chidori had become his proudest and strongest killing move...

Yet now, against Uchiha Gen's Susanoo Armorization, it seemed so ineffectual.

Were all Uchiha Kekkei Genkai... this powerful??

Kakashi stood stunned, but Uchiha Gen gave him no chance to catch his breath or recover. Uchiha Gen moved at once.

His right arm, covered in Susanoo armor, slowly rose. The movement was unhurried, yet carried formidable force.

Susanoo Armorization did more than add a suit of defensive armor. It meant an increase in every attribute!!

Boom!!!!!!

With a thunderous crash, Uchiha Gen's fist slammed into the pure white sheath of a short blade.

Hatake Sakumo had intervened.

"The fight's over. Kakashi couldn't take that punch in his current state. You two little fellows are both quite impressive. Hahahaha."

Having stepped in to block Uchiha Gen's attack, Hatake Sakumo spoke with a slight smile.

So fast! Even my Sharingan... couldn't see how he got here... Is this the strength of one of this world's greatest fighters...?

Looking at Hatake Sakumo, who had blocked his attack with such ease, Uchiha Gen could not help feeling a trace of yearning.

This Shinobi World was even more interesting than he had imagined.

If Hatake Sakumo alone possessed such strength, then... what would the Six Paths-level fighters of this Shinobi World be capable of??

I can't wait...

"Kakashi, satisfied this time?"

Dismissing the Susanoo armor around him, Uchiha Gen leisurely addressed Kakashi in front of him.

He remembered perfectly well how, over barbecue yesterday, this little white-haired fellow had kept brooding over his refusal to serve as a "free sparring partner" back then, sitting there without a word.

Now, Kakashi's arms hung at his sides, his shoulders and back slightly slumped. His silver-gray hair was soaked with mist and sweat, plastered to his forehead and leaving him looking somewhat bedraggled.

He lowered his head and gazed at his empty, faintly numb palms. They had once held a blade that carried the Hatake Style and lightning uniquely his own, but he had still lost.

After a moment of dead silence, Kakashi slowly raised his eyes. There was no resentment in his dark pupils, only acceptance.

He had lost.

And he had lost completely. In this battle, he had not even made Uchiha Gen use his full strength.

Now, he also understood completely just what his father had seen in Uchiha Gen.

Kakashi slowly exhaled a stale breath mingled with moisture. His taut back relaxed completely, and his fighting spirit subsided entirely.

"I lost. But I'll catch up."

His voice was clear, calm, and forthright.

"My Chidori might not be able to break through your Susanoo, but someday, my blade will."

Kakashi Hatake raised a hand, his fingers naturally spread, and swept it up from between his brows and back through his hair as he spoke coolly. His tone was even, yet carried a pride unique to a genius.

"Is that so? I look forward to it."

Watching Kakashi Hatake imitate the hair-gel hand pose, Uchiha Gen merely smiled faintly.

Please. My Susanoo will only get tougher. This Shinobi World is so nightmarish that I really won't feel safe unless my Susanoo is tough enough.

Beside them, Hatake Sakumo looked at Kakashi's soaked hair and raised a hand to gently rub the top of his head, his smile soft.

That's my son. Someday, you'll definitely surpass your dad.

Pride filled his eyes. After ruffling Kakashi's hair, Hatake Sakumo turned to Uchiha Gen and offered an invitation in a lighthearted tone.

"Now then, you've finished your fight and worn yourselves out. Hmm, the sky looks just right, and so does the evening breeze. How about another barbecue, since we didn't get our fill yesterday?"

"I am hungry."

"No objections here."

"Hahahaha, I knew you liked barbecue too. Let's go! Hmm, speaking of which, Kakashi, didn't you eat a ration pill before we left so you could fight Gen in peak condition?"

"...You're remembering wrong, Father."

"Huh? Really?"

"Heh, idiot Kakashi."

"Hey, don't think you can get away with that just because you're stronger than me."

"Idiot Kakashi."

"You..."

"Hahahaha, you two seem to be getting along pretty well."

"Father!! Who's getting along with him? He's nothing more than an opponent."

"Really? I don't consider someone I've beaten an opponent."

"...Arrogant jerk."

"Likewise."

Their idle chatter drifted through the air as mountain winds swept through the valley and the waterfall murmured like music. The setting sun scattered flecks of gold over the two boys and Hatake Sakumo, lending the scene a touch of poetry.

Meanwhile, within the Uchiha Clan Compound, as Uchiha Gen and Kakashi fought.

Inside the Elder Council.

Several elderly men in Uchiha attire quietly watched a Light Mirror before them.

Light and shadow surged within the Light Mirror, displaying live images of Kakashi and Uchiha Gen fighting beneath the waterfall.

Among the old men, Uchiha Setsuna lightly rubbed the cane in his hand with his fingertips. Cold scrutiny lurked in his eyes, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan gleaming an eerie red as he took in every move the two exchanged, slowed down frame by frame.

"It seems there's been a problem with how we nurture the younger generation of our clan. A genius like this, and we've only discovered him now.

"If the Projection Barrier hadn't sensed the burst of Sharingan ocular power at Naka Falls, we would probably have remained in the dark about Uchiha Gen's strength. This is... a failure of our duty."

Only when their battle ended did Uchiha Setsuna wave away the Light Mirror and address the other elderly Uchiha beside him in a grave voice.

"A Two-Tomoe Sharingan at the very least. This child is an absolute genius."

An Uchiha elder beside Uchiha Setsuna spoke up, his gaze burning as though he had discovered some extraordinary treasure.