After hearing Fugaku's explanation, the surrounding ninjas fell silent. Given the Uchiha Clan's current situation, even though they still harbored resentment, they had no other choice but to agree with Fugaku's opinion.
Fugaku noticed the slight resentment on the faces of his clansmen, but he paid it no mind, because he believed that after this plan, the clansmen would see change with their own eyes.
After persuading the surrounding tribesmen, things became much easier.
Fugaku quickly selected the Uchiha ninja who best met the requirements.
This ninja would never disgrace the Uchiha Clan.
Meanwhile, Kōki also found Kakashi before it got dark.
To Kōki's surprise, Kakashi had already returned to his hospital room.
Kōki had originally thought that Kakashi would spend more time getting to know Rin.
" Kakashi- senpai, why don't you chat more with Rin-senpai?" Kōki asked curiously, looking at Kakashi whose deadpan expression had returned. Knowing Kakashi as he did, he figured they would have a lot to talk about.
Furthermore, Kōki was somewhat surprised to find that although Kakashi still had a dead fish-like expression, he exuded an indescribable brilliance that made him instantly recognizable as different.
"Oh, since we've confirmed that Rin is alright, there's nothing more to talk about," Kakashi replied casually. "But you, Kōki, what brings you here so late?"
Kakashi isn't stupid. It's almost dark outside, Kōki comes to see him at this hour, there must be something he wants to say.
" Kakashi- senpai, it's like this. Didn't the Uchiha Clan come today to ask you to return Obito's eyes?"
"Hmm," Kakashi nodded gravely.
Although he was still immersed in what he perceived as the grief of Lin's passing, he was not entirely oblivious to the world around him.
However, he was so happy about the news that Lin was still alive that he forgot about this issue for a moment.
Now that Kōki had brought it up, he remembered this crucial matter.
Obito's Sharingan, he must keep it.
However, it wasn't that he coveted the power of the Sharingan, but rather that this Sharingan was Obito given to him by Obito, and he had promised to use Sharingan to Obito see the future of Konoha.
But Kakashi knew that his idea would be difficult to realize.
Because he understood the Uchiha Clan Uchiha Clan its pride.
They would definitely not allow the Sharingan to leak out, not even if it were in the hands of Konoha Ninja like him.
Thinking about all this, Kakashi frowned deeply, feeling troubled.
Kōki was standing nearby, found Kakashi's ever-changing expressions quite amusing. He hadn't expected the usually stoic Kakashi to have so many expressions.
However, he didn't let Kakashi continue to overthink.
" Kakashi- senpai has good news for you. Regarding your concerns about Obito's Sharingan, I've discussed it with the Uchiha Clan head. They're willing to give Kakashi a chance to retain your Sharingan. Kakashi condition is that you fight them. If you win, you can keep Obito's Sharingan, but if you lose..."
Even without Kōki saying the rest, Kakashi understood.
Even so, Kakashi's previously worried expression instantly brightened. He knew the Uchiha Clan's insistence on Kekkei Genkai. To get such an opportunity was extremely rare.
Although this doesn't mean he can completely retain Obito's eyes, he will try his best.
" Kōki, thank you, thank you so much!" Kakashi said with a grateful expression.
He knew that given the pride of the Uchiha Clan and their emphasis on their Kekkei Genkai, they would never have agreed to any loss of the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai. Now that Kōki had helped him obtain this opportunity, he must have paid a considerable price, which made him even more grateful to Kōki.
In response to Kakashi's gratitude, Kōki simply smiled and shook his head.
"It's alright, Kakashi- senpai. I deeply admire the bond between you and Obito -senpai. It's an honor to be able to contribute my meager strength to you both. Also, I actually feel a bit guilty towards Obito- senpai. Back in the Ninja Academy, I embarrassed Obito quite a bit. Doing this now is my way of making amends."
When Kōki talked about Obito, he looked guilty, as if he really felt ashamed for teasing Obito back then.
This made Kakashi admire Kōki's noble character.
But what he didn't know was that Kōki was currently preoccupied with figuring out how to get good stuff from Obito.
Obito, I'm really helping you and Kakashi now, you have to repay me in the future. I don't mind any of the Six Paths Techniques or Yin-Yang Release training methods, the more the merrier.
" Kōki, if Obito heard you, he would definitely forgive you," Kakashi comforted Kōki, whose face was full of guilt.
Kakashi thought to himself, "I never imagined Obito and Kōki were so close. I really misunderstood Kōki." Before, when he saw Kōki and Obito at their gatherings, Yuki was either verbally abusing each other or making sarcastic remarks, so he assumed Kōki disliked Obito too. Now, he realized that Kōki was just like him—sharp-tongued but kind-hearted—and had long since accepted Obito. It's just a pity that it's too late now; Obito is already gone.
Kōki had no idea what Kakashi was thinking. If Kōki knew that Kakashi thought of him this way, he would probably laugh himself silly.
He wasn't actually close to Obito; he was just after Obito's inheritance.
"Don't worry, Kakashi- senpai, I just feel sorry for Obito- senpai's untimely death. Now that I've told you about the duel, I'll head back now. I'm exhausted after a long day." Kōki said, stretching.
He wasn't lying. He set off early this morning to carry out the mission, finished the battle around 2 p. m. and returned to the camp. Then he reported back, visited Kakashi and Rin, and was then called over by Uchiha Fugaku to discuss matters. Finally, when it was almost dark, he came over to explain the situation to Kakashi.
After a day's work, even an adult would be tired, and this child was no exception. Even though he had a special constitution and felt less physical fatigue, he was still mentally exhausted.
Seeing Kōki's state, Kakashi didn't say anything more.
"Alright, then Kōki, you should rest well. Don't worry about this duel. I definitely won't lose. I won't give up on the keepsake Obito left me."
"..."
Three days later, on a bright and clear morning, a field next to the Konoha camp was filled with Konoha Ninja, all of whom were astonished by the core content of this duel.
"Do you really think the Uchiha Clan would willingly Kekkei Genkai flow out? It sounds like a complete fantasy to me."
No wonder some Konoha Ninja were incredibly surprised by the content of this duel.
As a Konoha Ninja, I wouldn't say I fully understand the nature of the Uchiha Clan, but I certainly understand more than half of it.
They all understood how much the Uchiha Clan valued their Kekkei Genkai, and now they actually agreed to retrieve the Sharingan using this fair method.
This is something that is simply unimaginable for the Konoha Ninja.
In their view, once Uchiha ninjas discover that their Kekkei Genkai limit Kekkei Genkai been leaked, they don't care who holds it; they will only forcefully take it back. They even speculate that if it were a high- Kekkei Genkai member of Konoha or the Hokage Uchiha Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Uchiha Clan would also forcefully reclaim it without showing any respect.
But now they're willing to give Kakashi, who possesses the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai, a chance. It's really hard for them to believe.
"To be honest, I don't believe it either, but it's happened now, so we can't deny it. Besides, the news initially came from within the Uchiha Clan, so they can't possibly contradict themselves."
"That makes sense. So, this duel is for real? I really didn't expect the Uchiha Clan to back down on their Kekkei Genkai origins. This makes me wonder if the Uchiha are still the same Uchiha I know. The change is too drastic."
"Who can argue with that? Sigh, I don't know if this change in the Uchiha is a good thing or a bad thing."
"Whether it's good or bad, we don't need to worry about that too much. What I'm curious about now is, who will win this duel? Kakashi, or Shisui Uchiha?"
Just moments ago, the ninjas were concerned about the changes within the Uchiha Clan. However, after the topic of who would win between Kakashi and Shisui was raised, they immediately forgot about the changes in the Uchiha and began to fiercely discuss the relative strengths of Kakashi and Shisui.
"I think it should be Kakashi. Think about it, as the son of Konoha's White Fang, Kakashi completely inherited his father's talent, reaching the level of Jonin at a young age. What's even more impressive is that he changed the course of the battle in Iwagakure with his own strength. Who can defeat such a genius ninja?"
"No, no, no, although Kakashi is very strong, I think Shisui Uchiha is stronger. Even though I don't like the Uchiha Clan, I have to admit that Shisui Uchiha was powerful."
I was fortunate enough to witness Shisui Uchiha's battle against Kirigakure on the battlefield before; it was utterly devastating. Those Kirigakure ninjas were no different from ordinary bandits in Shisui Uchiha's hands, easily killed like cutting vegetables. You didn't see that scene; it was horrifying."
"No, I agree that Shisui Uchiha was strong, but he was too young. Kakashi was several years older than Shisui. Given that their talents were similar, Kakashi, with his extra years of growth, was clearly stronger. Furthermore, Shisui Uchiha's strength lay largely in his Sharingan, which Kakashi also possesses. With these advantages Sharingan out, Kakashi is clearly stronger."
If you ask me, it's still...
Listening to the enthusiastic discussions among the ninjas around him and feeling the bustling crowd around him, Kōki's forehead creased with annoyance, and his eyes showed a speechless expression. He really hadn't expected Uchiha Fugaku to publicize this duel so much.
He had previously heard Fugaku say it was to ensure fairness, and assumed it would simply involve inviting a few high-ranking ninjas to witness the duel. He never imagined that Uchiha Fugaku would actually publicize the duel.
Aren't they afraid that Kakashi's victory would cause the Uchiha Clan to lose face?
However, seeing Shisui's calm and confident demeanor not far away, Kōki felt that Fugaku really didn't need to worry about the Uchiha Clan losing face.
Come to think of it, he felt he had miscalculated, completely failing to consider the possibility that the Uchiha Clan would send Shisui to intervene.
However, it wasn't that Kōki underestimated Shisui's strength; Kōki would never underestimate someone who could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future.
He simply felt that Shisui was too young to be trusted by Uchiha Fugaku, and given the pride of the Uchiha Clan, they should send someone who could gain an absolute advantage, rather than Shisui, who was even younger than him.
In fact, Kōki didn't know that if such a duel had occurred before the Uchiha Clan stepped onto the Kirigakure battlefield, Uchiha Fugaku would definitely not have allowed Shisui to participate.
Just as Kōki initially thought, Shisui was simply unable to gain Fugaku's trust at that time.
However, after the Uchiha Clan's elite ninjas clashed with members of the Light Organization some time ago, a significant gap was created in their skill.
Coupled with Shisui's outstanding talent and excellent performance on the battlefield of Kirigakure, Uchiha Fugaku came to trust Shisui's strength and regarded Shisui as the absolute pillar of the younger generation of the Uchiha Clan.
Furthermore, considering his age, Shisui wasn't older than Kakashi, demonstrating the Uchiha Clan's generosity in not letting years of training fool them. Therefore, Shisui, with both strength and talent, was the best choice for Uchiha Fugaku for this duel.
If Kōki knew that Fugaku had a hand in sending Shisui, he would probably be even more speechless. But Kōki certainly couldn't know the reason behind that. All he could do now was wait and see, hoping that Kakashi could use his age advantage to defeat Shisui.
Otherwise, Kakashi's plan to preserve Obito's eyes would be in serious jeopardy.
If things go wrong, he'll be blamed by Obito.
Of course, Kōki didn't really care whether he blamed Obito or not; what he cared about was the many legacies Obito.
The thought that he might miss out on Madara's inheritance from Obito filled Kōki with heartache.
However, no one noticed Kōki's heartache. The ninjas present were all focused on the situation of Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi in the center of the arena. Because the battle over the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan was about to begin.
"To avoid accidental injury, all ninjas who are watching, please step aside. The duel is about to begin."
Suddenly, a ninja appeared in the middle of the open space and shouted loudly to the ninjas around him.
Then he turned to Kakashi and Shisui on either side and said, "Both of you are Konoha Ninja. I hope you will uphold the principles of dueling and be mindful of your strength when fighting, so as not to kill each other by using excessive force."
"Yes"
Upon hearing the referee's statement, Shisui and Kakashi both nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then let the duel begin!"