"They've both left. Was there something you wanted to tell me?" Only after Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara had left did Kakashi turn his gaze to Sōkyū Hatake.
For a moment, the two white-haired boys simply looked at each other.
"Just focus on the front line. I'll take care of everything at home." Sōkyū Hatake took out two wooden swords and tossed one to Kakashi.
"You really don't need me to come back?" Kakashi caught the wooden sword Sōkyū Hatake tossed him and spoke somewhat casually.
"Of course not. I'll take care of things at home. Just concentrate on earning military merits for our Hatake Clan on the front line." Sōkyū Hatake spoke nonchalantly, already using Soru to appear beside Kakashi.
"Sounds good, then. As long as you can handle everything, I trust you." Kakashi tightened his grip on the wooden sword and blocked Sōkyū Hatake's incoming strike. In response, he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Sōkyū Hatake, unleashing a textbook sequence of the White Fang Sword Style.
"Of course you should trust me. I've already taken the first step." Sōkyū Hatake chuckled, unleashing a Wind Scar with a turn of his hand.
"Yes, yes, yes. But things haven't been very stable on the front line lately, either. I heard the Uchiha Clan has sent over half its ninja to the Kumogakure front." Lightning erupted all over Kakashi's body, forcibly deflecting the Wind Scar.
"That's part of the plan. Kakashi, our Hatake Clan really needs to grow. When are you getting married and having some children?" Sōkyū Hatake asked with a mischievous grin.
"In my next life. How about I leave the job of carrying on the family line to you?" Kakashi's cheeks reddened, but he gave no ground in their verbal sparring.
"No, no, no. You're the older brother. No matter how you look at it, you should go first. I think Rin Nohara's pretty good. Made any progress lately?" Sōkyū Hatake wasn't buying Kakashi's words.
"Cough, cough, cough! Rin?" Kakashi choked at Sōkyū Hatake's words. What the hell was he even talking about?
"I only mentioned Rin. Did you really have to react like that?" Sōkyū Hatake knew Kakashi must have some feelings for Rin Nohara, or he wouldn't have reacted that way.
"There's nothing between her and me," Kakashi said with a sanctimonious air.
"Yes, yes, yes. There's nothing between you and anyone. Or do you actually dislike girls and prefer Obito Uchiha?" Sōkyū Hatake continued unleashing his big moves, intending to leave Kakashi utterly unable to counter.
"*/-&%￥#! Take my Lightning Blade!" Kakashi was stunned by Sōkyū Hatake's wild imagination. Lightning appeared in his hand, and he thrust it straight at Sōkyū Hatake.
"Lightning Blade... now that's perfect!" Seeing the Lightning Blade coming, Sōkyū Hatake abandoned all resistance. He even dropped his wooden sword and spread his arms, simply waiting for Kakashi's attack.
"Are you insane?!" Looking at the completely defenseless Sōkyū Hatake, Kakashi's pupils trembled in shock.
But the Lightning Blade was still a technique he couldn't fully control. Even though he hadn't put much chakra into it, if he drove it straight into Sōkyū Hatake's chest, things would still be rather...
"Don't worry, Kakashi! Let me show you something good!" Sōkyū Hatake wasn't about to put himself in danger. As the Lightning Blade neared his chest, he even opened his mouth in a savage grin at Kakashi, his hands already gripping Kakashi's Lightning Blade!
Squelch!!!
At that moment, guided by Sōkyū Hatake, the Lightning Blade in Kakashi's hand pierced straight through Sōkyū Hatake's body. The next second, Kakashi had passed all the way beyond him!
"Sōkū!!!" After passing through Sōkyū Hatake's body, Kakashi went rigid. Was this... killing his own younger brother???
At that thought, Kakashi spun around at top speed and rushed toward Sōkyū Hatake. But when he saw Sōkyū Hatake's body, his steps abruptly halted.
Crackle, crackle, crackle!!!
At that moment, a huge hole occupied the spot where Sōkyū Hatake's heart should have been, and arcs of lightning surged there!
Sōkyū Hatake himself slowly walked toward Kakashi, a strange smile still on his face.
Tap, tap, tap!
Footsteps sounded in Kakashi's ears as he simply watched Sōkyū Hatake approach him step by step.
"I told you, you don't need to worry about things at home. I'm not someone who can't fight." Sōkyū Hatake spoke cheerfully, and the next second, a sword appeared in his hand.
Wisps of green energy began emerging from the sword, instantly putting Kakashi on guard.
A demon sword! This had to be a demon sword!
Kakashi warily watched Bakusaiga in Sōkyū Hatake's hand. This was his first time seeing the sword, and he was certain he had never seen it in the Hatake Clan!
Holding Bakusaiga, Sōkyū Hatake lightly slashed at a nearby tree.
A blade of sword energy instantly cleaved the tree in two. The next second, it was pulverized along with its roots!
That power!
Seeing Bakusaiga's power, Kakashi's pupils constricted. This was far more powerful than the White Fang in his own hand!
"Kakashi, I'm showing you all this to prove that I'm no weakling!" Sōkyū Hatake said with a cold smile. These were some of the things he wanted Kakashi to know today.
"I understand. So..." Kakashi watched the lightning flicker in Sōkyū Hatake's chest. Then it healed back to its original state, as though Kakashi's Lightning Blade had never pierced it at all.
"So none of the decisions I make will harm the Hatake Clan, nor... will they tarnish Father's honor. In fact, you could say I'll reclaim all the honor Father deserved, step by step!" Sōkyū Hatake said directly.
"Father's honor..." Kakashi fell silent. He knew that what Sōkyū Hatake was doing must carry some risks, but he also knew Sōkyū Hatake wouldn't keep letting the matter rest!
After all, he was also working toward a better future for the Hatake Clan! As his older brother, Kakashi naturally couldn't hold him back!
In fact, Sōkyū Hatake had made it very clear!
He would definitely settle accounts with those who had persecuted their father!
Including that Hokage who stood high above everyone else!
Before you continue