After seeing Kamizuki Hikari disappear, Sasuke—who was questioning his life choices—felt an urgent need to find someone to rely on.
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Ten minutes later...
Kakashi's lifeless, dead-fish eyes stared blankly at Sasuke.
"So, you wanted to train with Hikari, but he turned you down?"
"It's not that he turned me down... He crushed me. According to him, the gap between me and Itachi is way too big. And then, he also said..." Sasuke trailed off, glancing at Kakashi. His tiny bit of emotional intelligence told him that some things were better left unsaid.
"What did he say? I know that guy too well. If he was talking about me, then I can guarantee he didn't say anything nice!"
Kakashi did understand Hikari.
That guy was the definition of a slacker — if there was a chance to slack off, he would never move a finger voluntarily.
And when it came to insulting people, his barbs weren't something just anyone could withstand.
At this moment, Kakashi couldn't help but feel genuine sympathy for Sasuke.
'Poor kid... of all people, why did you have to go to him!'
"Kamizuki-senpai said... that you, Kakashi-sensei, are reliable... but even you aren't strong enough compared to Itachi. He told me to forget about revenge until I surpass you." Sasuke relayed the gist of Hikari's words.
Kakashi rolled his dead-fish eyes speechlessly.
'You fool! Don't you understand I was just being modest?! Do you really have to trash me like this? Did you even consider your teacher's feelings?!'
Fortunately, as an elite jōnin—Konoha's Copy Ninja—Kakashi had skin thick enough to take it.
"Against Itachi, I'll tell you this: relying on an ordinary Sharingan won't cut it. To beat him, you'll need eyes beyond the three-tomoe stage." Kakashi said, deciding to let his dense student in on a little truth.
Beyond the three tomoe?
Sasuke's mind went blank. He really didn't know there was anything beyond that.
"Chidori still has room for development. I've been busy with missions lately, so I haven't had time to refine it further. That's your task now! With the Chidori's speed combined with the Sharingan's incredible perception, your strength can quickly rise to the level of a jōnin — even an elite jōnin. But beyond that, things will get much harder."
"Kakashi-sensei, I'm not afraid of challenges." Sasuke replied firmly.
After being rejected by Kamizuki Hikari, Sasuke finally realized how good Kakashi had been to him.
Now he understood — aside from family, no one else had an obligation to care for him. The fact that Kakashi had entrusted him with his signature technique meant more than Sasuke had appreciated before.
"I want to know... what's beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan?"
"Don't ask. That's not something you should know yet!" Kakashi cut him off. "You still need to build a foundation and master the Chidori. You haven't even awakened the three tomoe yet, and you're already trying to reach beyond them. That's reaching too far!"
Sasuke was frustrated, but since Kakashi wouldn't say more, he had no choice but to accept it. At least he had some pride — he wouldn't stoop so low as to use the Sexy Jutsu to try and force an answer out of his teacher.
"Um, Kakashi-sensei, I heard Tsunade-sama defeated both the Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Raikage. If I asked her to teach me, do you think..."
"You silly kid!"
Kakashi finally couldn't hold back and placed a hand on Sasuke's head.
"Tsunade-sama uses Wood Release, while your Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai is the Sharingan. These bloodline limits are unique to each family. Do you think others can just awaken a Sharingan like you can?"
"Is... that so?" Sasuke deflated.
He thought he'd found a shortcut to power, but it turned out to be a dead end.
He felt awful, almost on the verge of tears.
"Yes, that's how it is. In fact, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan holds immense potential. If you can truly master it, you'll definitely be able to defeat Itachi one day!" Deep down, Kakashi was stretching the truth.
Given Itachi's strength, unless something went wrong with him, Sasuke's current level wouldn't stand a chance in a lifetime.
But Sasuke was still his chosen successor. Kakashi valued him too much to crush his spirit completely.
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
Looking at Kakashi's calm expression, Sasuke knew in his heart — as long as he stayed under Kakashi's tutelage, the chances of defeating Itachi were slim.
After all, if Kakashi couldn't defeat Itachi, what hope did his student have?
"By the way, Kakashi-sensei, from the way Kamizuki-senpai spoke earlier, it almost sounded like he looks down on the Uchiha Sharingan. Do you know why?"
"That's probably just his narrow perspective," Kakashi said casually, making excuses.
What else could he say?
'Should I just straight-up tell you, "Yeah, he thinks your Sharingan is trash, deal with it?"'
He couldn't bring himself to be that blunt.
"But Kamizuki-senpai—"
"Enough, Sasuke. Instead of wasting time thinking about this, focus on training. Strengthen your fundamentals. Understood?" Kakashi, already worn down by Sasuke's questions, had no choice but to brush him off.
He had already passed down Chidori, one of his trump cards.
The rest depended on Sasuke's own insight.
A teacher can lead you to the door, but the practice is up to the individual.
Kakashi could teach Sasuke Raikiri, the technique above Chidori, but that would only hurt him in the long run.
To Kakashi, Sasuke was talented and perceptive. Chidori was a highly flexible jutsu — perfect for Sasuke to evolve into something new based on his own strengths.
"I understand. But about Kamizuki-senpai... could you speak to him for me, Kakashi-sensei? Since you're so busy lately, I'd like to train under him instead."
If another teacher heard this, they'd probably be furious.
It was basically saying he didn't trust Kakashi's strength.
But Kakashi didn't take it to heart. After all, he truly cared about Sasuke.
Besides, he really was swamped lately.
The Fifth Hokage, had been slacking off, dumping her workload onto the four advisors.
What Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu enjoyed most... was exactly what Kakashi hated the most.
If he could, Kakashi would slack off too.
Nothing would be better than sitting around reading novels by Jiraiya and Holy Light-sensei, admiring his beloved waifu's pictures, and occasionally enjoying a private moment with them.
Those days... were long gone.
"I'll speak to Hikari. But recently, he's been busy hosting shinobi from Kirigakure, so he may not have time to guide you personally."
"That's fine! As long as Kamizuki-senpai agrees!" After being thoroughly beaten down by Hikari, Sasuke had learned his place. At least until he could defeat Hikari, he wouldn't dare act arrogant again.
That was the harsh reality of society.
"Fine. Go train for now—I'll talk to him."
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