Chapter 16: Solitude
-Kakashi Hatake's POV-
Several months have passed since I acquired this gleaming device known as a smartphone.
Since being bestowed with "Universal Affinity" by the "admin," my left eye's sharingan feels remarkably tamed, which requires minimal chakra consumption and enables me to execute techniques without hand seals.
These newfound abilities make me question the validity of the admin's words. Is it true that Itachi will massacre his own clansmen, and will Danzo really target Shisui's life?
But again, I still didn't know when everything would happen. If only the admin weren't that stingy with information... Should I bet on it? Maybe... I could sell the sharingan for more info?
*Ding*
As I thought about this, I opened up my smartphone and accessed the group chat. I am currently in the ANBU headquarters; I had some time to...
[Star Plasma Vessel: @Ex-Veteran Ame-saaaaaaan please help meeeeee!]
[Attachment: 0909078000.jpg]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Riko-chan, I sell and help you guys with information and skill-sharing... Why are you asking me to help you with your math homework?]
[Star Plasma Vessel: Because it's too hard!]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): No, it's not. That's just multiplication... You should have been memorizing the multiplication table, shouldn't you?]
[Star Plasma Vessel: I did! But I can't remember! Kuroi-san banned me from using my notes! 😒]
This interaction left me quite surprised... Multiplication? Seriously? I'm curious, what is Star Plasma Vessel's age?
That being said, do they not know that this device has a built-in calculator?
With my curiosity piqued, I decided to type in...
[Copy Ninja: How did she even allow you to use this smartphone then? This thing has a calculator, you know that?]
[Star Plasmas Vessel: REALLY!?? THANKS NINJA-SAN! 🥷]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Bravo, Kakashi. Bravo.]
Ah... Am I to blame for this?
I suppose this implies that we have a young member in our group. Not to mention, multiplication? We learn that at the age of five...
Yearning to ask more questions, I was interrupted by the admin's unexpected message.
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): How is your plan progressing? What do you intend to do about Danzo?]
To my surprise, the admin brought up the topic before I could mention it.
[Copy Ninja: What are your thoughts on the matter?]
I inquired immediately, but they just echoed my question back.
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): My thoughts? Not much, really. Why do you ask?]
...This guy is starting to annoy me.
*Ding*
[Copy Ninja: I'll compensate you, so spill the details.]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): You're no fun...]
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[Ex-Veteran (Admin): You mentioned being 19, right? Is your birthday approaching?]
[Copy Ninja: Why does that matter? But yes, it's coming up soon.]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Then the time is near. The Uchiha Clan will start harboring hatred towards your Village, and they will stage a coup. Shisui holds the key to maintaining peace. You must protect Shisui at all costs.]
!!? Now those words have captured my full attention.
[Copy Ninja: A coup? You never mentioned any of this before.]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Hey, if I suddenly drop you with that kind of bomb, the only thing you'd look at is how the Uchiha clan is staging a coup. You won't be able to see the real problem here.]
[Copy Ninja: What do you mean?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): After the Kyuubi's attack, the Uchiha clan was shunned by the village. Who do you think spread the rumors that led to that outcome?]
By that description... I see now...
[Copy Ninja: Danzo, wasn't it?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Damn straight.]
Danzo again... My speculation leads me to believe that he played a role in marginalizing the Uchiha clan, confining them to a separate compound within the village. This began due to their awareness of the Sharingan's potential to control the nine-tails, but is this the entire story?
No, it doesn't end there. If the Admin designates Shisui as vital for maintaining peace, it begs the question: what role does he serve in this scenario?
*Ding*
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Just keep him alive; he is a comrade of the Leaf, is he not?]
...
[Copy Ninja: That's just obvious. Naturally, I'll protect my comrades. My only query is why your comments seem to consistently push me toward opposing Lord Danzo?]
Honestly, I detested the situation as well. Dealing with those elders proved to be excessively burdensome due to their outdated mindset, which significantly influenced the current generations. Notably, Danzo even went to the extent of plotting an assassination against the Third Hokage.
However, amidst these thoughts, I couldn't help but contemplate how Obito would have approached such circumstances.
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Because he is the catalyst.]
Hm? Catalyst?
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): It's already too late. The "cause" driving your world's demise was set in motion ages ago, with Danzo acting as the "catalyst" that propels the cause toward its ultimate culmination. Seize this opportunity now, eliminate the catalyst, and ensure the prevention of any undesirable minor future events.]
"Huh?"
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): All I am saying is that you can choose to either kill Danzo or protect Shisui's life.]
Kill or protect... That doesn't make any sense. If I could, of course I would protect my comrades of the Leaf. And...
*Ding*
[Ex-Veteran: You can do both, but I won't stop you. After all... You are destined to become the 6th Hokage.]
...what!?
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Me as Hokage... The 6th? My first reaction was actually "Oh God, no," but I still can't help but ask about it,
[Copy Ninja: What a spoiler, who's the fifth?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Oh, that's Tsunade, you know... The slug sage? The sixth was supposed to be Danzo, but he was killed sooner or later because a certain Uchiha found out about his wrongdoings and killed him.]
Wrongdoings, huh? Even if Lord Danzo had targeted my life, I wouldn't be overly concerned. That's the extent of my selfishness now – I prioritize those close to me, but I'm okay with my own demise.
[Copy Ninja: When should I start executing my plans?]
[Ex-Veteran: Now should be fine, I guess? I suppose growing stronger is the best route. Why don't you try to learn Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique?]
[Ex-Veteran: Understand that when you carry the burden of knowing too much, solitude might become your sole path to achieving your goals.]
[Copy Ninja: Solitude is not a strength.]
[Ex-Veteran: Good point, yet if it brings joy to others, you'll likely assume the role, won't you?]
The burden of knowing too much, is it? I reckon he's suggesting that he possesses insight into future events in my realm. In this scenario, altering destiny individually seemed more favorable than relying on companions... But why?
What led him to claim that solitude is my best bet?
Maybe...
I see it clearly now... Much like the data bestowed upon me by the administrator... Itachi chooses solitude to ensure harmony. This is his indication, implying that in order to alter Konoha's destiny... I should follow the path of solitude.
But...
[Copy Ninja: What if I don't want to follow that path?]
[Ex-Veteran: Then you just need to be the best version of yourself. That's pretty much all you need.]
*Ding*
[Ex-Veteran (Admin) has shared a skill core: 『Thought Guidance』]
....huh?
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However, as an Anbu Captain, the Hokage keeps assigning me a constant stream of missions, which keeps me busy and focused.
It was at that moment when I became aware of my aptitude for sealing arts. As my 20th birthday approaches in a few months, I've decided to request Lord Hokage for the opportunity to relearn the Flying Thunder God technique.
And... "Sure, Kakashi... You have my permission," he stated this after another mission completed.
To my surprise, both asking that question and mastering the technique turned out to be much easier than I anticipated.
I believe the "Multilingual" skill played a crucial role in understanding the intricate seal formations on the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Sealing arts might appear simple, involving inscribing characters onto paper and harnessing chakra to activate them.
However, the reality is quite different. Take, for instance, how does "Nin AI no Ken" (Sword of Shinobi's Love) turn into "Anywhere teleportation device that will make you flash mid-battle"?
The potency of the effect is proportional to the brevity of the characters displayed on the paper's surface.
Even the paper itself requires chakra pathways; merely channeling chakra to it could lead to destruction or ineffectiveness. Thus, the utilization of other languages in sealing arts doesn't necessarily offer a shortcut.
Having successfully mastered the technique, I am now ready for my next move. I plan to retire as an Anbu Captain soon, having been assigned as a Jounin. My primary focus will be to conduct a thorough investigation of Danzo and Itachi while accepting students from the lord third.
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Several months later, I confronted the Third Hokage. I've closely monitored both him and the elders throughout this period. Consequently, I unraveled their entire plans.
"Hokage-sama,"
It was nighttime.
Lord Third, amidst his paperwork, detected my presence and motioned for me to reveal myself...
"You were assigned a mission by me, Kakashi... So, what brings you here instead?"
Without any delay, "Have you tasked Shisui with casting 'Kotoamatsukami' on the Uchiha elders?"
I observed the widened eyes upon his countenance.
Shisui possessed a unique Mangekyo Sharingan ability: Kotoamatsukami. This technique granted him the power to delve into the mind of anyone within his line of sight, skillfully altering their perceptions and implanting fabricated encounters, all while preserving the illusion of their voluntary actions.
Amidst the backdrop of conflicting interests between the village and the Uchiha clan, Shisui Uchiha contemplated employing this technique on the Uchiha's clanhead. This elder, a central figure in the clan's deep-seated animosity toward the village, became the focal point of Shisui's consideration.
"...That assignment was meant to remain confidential," he asserted.
"It's an excellent strategy... We can quell the Uchiha's animosity toward the village, granting us ample time to eradicate the negative stigma among the masses," I quietly remarked, keeping my emotions in check.
Lord Third's initial surprise waned, revealing a composed expression as he concurred with my statement, "Indeed... Shisui is undoubtedly a valuable asset to the Leaf," he affirmed.
"Indeed, it's a bit disappointing, actually..."
The widened eyes slowly returned to Lord Third's face.
"What are you talking about, Kakashi?"
"Oh, it's nothing, really... The elder council was the whole reason the Uchiha bears so much hatred toward the village. Yet, the whole village still shunned the Uchiha clan as if they were never a part of the Leaf in the first place."
"...Just what is your intention, Kakashi?" Lord Third's countenance displayed a blend of seriousness and astonishment. This reaction stemmed from my swift withdrawal of my ninjato from its rear scabbard as I slowly walked to his desk.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
"Hokage-sama... Are you aware of Lord Danzo's current whereabouts?" I asked him calmly, with a weapon in my hand, my footsteps growing louder as I approached Lord Third.
"Danzo? What is wrong with you, Kakashi?"
Disregarding Lord Hokage's suspicions, I lunged ahead, launching an attack with my straight katana. The sheer shock on Lord Third's face was an understatement; however, as my blade neared his line of sight, he discerned my intentions.
Anticipating my assault, he readied his right hand to parry my blade. Yet, drawing from his lifetime of experience, the approaching blade gradually altered its trajectory, moving in slow motion.
Surprisingly, the target wasn't his head or heart. Instead, it veered toward an object behind him. Caught in this astonishing moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen attentively followed the path of the blade that should have been aimed at his own flesh, only to find it impaling something behind him.
*Stab*
"KAHHK!?"
"!??" Upon looking back, he encountered a ninja donning a unique uniform: a black, high-collared jacket devoid of any discernible insignias or markings. This jacket was fastened shut and reached down to the wearer's thighs.
Clearly, this was one of Danzo's Root agents. Alongside the jacket, these operatives sported black pants and gloves, contributing to their overall covert and shadowy demeanor.
My sword, coated with paralyzing poison, pierced his lungs with precision.
Lord Third's comprehension dawned, and I inquired once again, "Hokage-sama, are you aware of Lord Danzo's current whereabouts?"
His widened eyes were still there, and he asked, "I see... That wasn't a question. Do tell, Kakashi... What has he done this time?"
"Certainly, Hokage-sama."
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[Copy Ninja's skillset:]
• [Mangekyou Sharingan] (S)
• [Chakra Control] (B)
• [Universal Affinity] (B)
• [Multilingual] (C)
• [Thought Guidance] (B)
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To be continued...
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