"What a disappointing outcome. Minimal financial compensation, yet we encountered formidable adversaries. This situation is simply..."
In the Land of Waves, Kitagawa Minamoto supported the still-unsteady Hatake Kakashi as they navigated toward the town.
Despite encountering the formidable opposition of Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa, their mission could still be classified as successfully completed.
After all, the operational parameters had expanded significantly beyond initial specifications, and without Naruto's presence on their team...
They possessed complete justification for premature mission termination, particularly given Kakashi's compromised physical condition, which clearly precluded further operational engagement.
Kakashi required immediate rest and medical intervention—urgently.
Perhaps due to their location outside Konohagakure, or possibly because his customary teammates were absent, Itachi Uchiha appeared to have exercised restraint during this encounter.
The neurological damage inflicted by Tsukuyomi manifested less severely than Kitagawa Minamoto had anticipated based on his knowledge.
While Kakashi remained significantly impaired, he wasn't rendered completely non-functional as had occurred in the original timeline.
"Although I harbored concerns regarding potential complications with this mission, I didn't anticipate such an unfortunate sequence of events," Kakashi remarked, running his hand through his disheveled silver hair, exhibiting clear signs of exhaustion.
"To encounter two rogue shinobi of such caliber immediately—Jūzō Biwa and Itachi Uchiha. Particularly those eyes of Itachi's... they present extraordinary tactical challenges."
"Indeed. I've heard Guy-sensei express similar sentiments regarding your capabilities," Kitagawa Minamoto responded with a measured chuckle.
"That's precisely why Guy-sensei has developed combat methodologies to engage you without direct visual contact, relying exclusively on physical movement interpretation. Perhaps you should consider adopting elements of his approach, Kakashi-sensei."
"That individual..."
Kakashi compressed his lips thoughtfully. The notion that Guy would develop such specialized combat strategies didn't surprise him, yet the concept lingered in his consciousness.
Perhaps it genuinely represented a viable tactical adaptation?
Nevertheless, for Kakashi, this would remain a contingency strategy rather than primary methodology.
Having experienced Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi directly, he had already begun formulating alternative countermeasures.
More significantly, he perceived that his own Sharingan had undergone subtle yet meaningful transformations following this encounter...
"But regarding another matter, what precisely characterizes your Lightning Release?"
Executing a negative cranial gesture, Kakashi elected to temporarily defer those considerations.
He intended to conduct comprehensive self-examination upon returning to the village.
Presently, his curiosity centered on Kitagawa Minamoto's Lightning Release. That technique had established a profound impression.
"Kakashi-sensei, didn't I previously articulate my conceptual framework?" Kitagawa Minamoto responded with a casual shoulder elevation, though after brief contemplation, he provided additional elaboration.
"Well, it's peculiar. I've consistently found that manipulating Lightning Release presents fewer challenges than anticipated. However, I simultaneously recognize that achieving advanced form manipulation and nature transformation represents an extraordinary challenge.
"Yet, during the confrontation with Jūzō Biwa, I experienced a moment of intuitive comprehension. Despite lacking complete proficiency, I achieved success during my initial implementation."
As he articulated this explanation, Kitagawa Minamoto deliberately elevated his hand, allowing his Chakra to surge internally.
Instantaneously, a stream of purple lightning materialized in his palm.
The electrical energy rapidly consolidated into a blade-like configuration, enveloping his hand.
"So that's the mechanism..."
Kakashi's eyelid exhibited an involuntary contraction as he observed the Purple Electricity manifesting in Kitagawa Minamoto's hand.
He clearly perceived the technique's potency and comprehended its substantial tactical value.
Though he detected the technique's current instability—evidenced by erratic electrical arcing patterns—it nonetheless represented an impressive achievement.
The truly remarkable aspect was that this young shinobi had successfully executed such an advanced technique during his first attempt!
This level of innate capability...
"These emerging generations... each more formidable than its predecessor."
Following prolonged contemplation, Kakashi finally spoke, his tone reflecting a complex blend of resignation and professional assessment.
"Under conditions of extreme peril, a shinobi occasionally experiences developmental breakthroughs that transcend conventional progression. You likely experienced such circumstances. I must acknowledge, your fortune is extraordinary."
"Is that indeed the case?"
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded affirmatively.
This precisely represented his intended impression.
After all, the Ōtsutsuki bloodline manifested truly extraordinary properties!
He had even begun contemplating whether future developmental breakthroughs might benefit from deliberately engineered hazardous situations—what he privately conceptualized as "Tatakae" mode.
"But this also substantiates your inherent talent."
As Kitagawa Minamoto engaged in internal deliberation, Kakashi continued his assessment.
"Without sufficient natural aptitude, even under extreme circumstances, such breakthrough achievements remain virtually unattainable. Your affinity for Lightning Release potentially exceeds my own..."
"What?"
Before Kitagawa Minamoto could formulate a response, an unexpected voice resonated from above their position.
"Acknowledging superior talent? Kakashi, that represents an uncommon admission. And observing you in this compromised condition? Even more exceptional."
The voice startled both Kitagawa Minamoto and Kakashi, prompting their immediate upward visual orientation.
There, positioned casually upon an arboreal branch, sat a man with distinctive white hair and a prominent "油" (oil) symbol adorning his forehead protector, directing a broad grin toward them.
Upon recognizing him, both exhaled with evident relief.
It was none other than Jiraiya.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, within the Mizukage's administrative chambers, Obito Uchiha, concealed behind his mask, was engaged in profound contemplation.
The sociopolitical climate in Kirigakure exhibited alarming deterioration. The entire village experienced pervasive instability and insurrectionist activity.
But Obito maintained minimal concern regarding these developments.
His primary preoccupation centered on the operational status of the Akatsuki.
However, the organization's progression had proceeded at a pace significantly below his strategic projections.
Even at this juncture, they lacked sufficient operational personnel to effectively implement their strategic objectives.
"Then there's Nagato..."
At this developmental stage, Nagato still required continuous energetic supplementation of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to gradually restore its capabilities.
One aspect that continued to perplex Obito was the extraordinary quantity of energy Madara Uchiha had extracted from the statue, leaving it in such a severely depleted condition.
"What additional temporal investment remains before I can manifest the world I envision?"
As he contemplated these strategic considerations, a plant-like entity suddenly emerged from the ground.
"Obito, I bring information."
"Hmm?"
Obito contracted his brow, directing a severe gaze toward the figure.
"Don't forget, I am Madara Uchiha!"
"Hehehe..."
The white component of Zetsu emitted a dismissive chuckle before continuing with evident excitement.
"We've received intelligence that Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa encountered an individual from your past during their operational assignment. Care to speculate regarding their identity?"
"I have no interest in trivial guessing games," Obito responded with frigid detachment, his gaze intensifying.
Fortunately, Black Zetsu assumed control of the dialogue.
"It's Hatake Kakashi. Itachi and Jūzō intersected with his operational unit."
"Kakashi?"
Obito paused momentarily before emitting a derisive sound.
"That ineffectual individual. Nevertheless, if Itachi encountered him, complications likely ensued. I presume no significant incidents occurred?"
"No, he no longer maintains Anbu affiliation."
White Zetsu produced a mischievous chuckle before adding, "And he's assumed pedagogical responsibilities. Specifically, for a single student."
"That failure abandoned the Anbu and became an instructor?"
Obito experienced genuine perplexity.
Under such circumstances, Kakashi should have suffered fatal consequences following an encounter with Itachi and Jūzō.
"What transpired?"
"Apparently, Kakashi's student initially detected Itachi's presence, providing sufficient opportunity to request reinforcements from Konoha," Black Zetsu elucidated.
"Remarkably, Kakashi's student demonstrates exceptional ability. Despite his youth—approximately thirteen or fourteen years of age—he successfully engaged Jūzō Biwa and even facilitated Kakashi's survival.
"Ultimately, Itachi experienced Mangekyō overexertion, while Jūzō suffered combat capability degradation, necessitating their tactical withdrawal."
Naturally, neither Black Zetsu nor Obito accepted Itachi's justification at face value.
They possessed comprehensive understanding of Itachi's dual allegiance.
"Kakashi's student, you say?"
Obito contracted his brow, exhibiting marginal interest, though insufficient to constitute genuine concern.
After all, he had transcended his former identity as Obito Uchiha.
"Intriguing..."
But at that moment, White Zetsu, perhaps deliberately attempting provocation, chuckled and remarked with calculated casualness, "Kakashi historically demonstrated consistent failure in protecting individuals under his care.
"Yet on this occasion, he actively endeavored to safeguard this youth, and no adverse consequences materialized. Isn't that remarkable? Do you suppose his fortuitous circumstances have finally improved?"
Those words triggered an immediate transformation in Obito's ocular expression.
[TN-Final: Original Term - "タタカエモード" - Final Translation: "Tatakae mode" - Justification: This is a reference to the Japanese phrase "Tatakae" (fight/struggle) from another anime series, kept as romanized Japanese to preserve the cultural reference while being recognizable to English-speaking anime fans.]