Uchiha Obito told Kakashi that he did not regret saving Katsuhiko Takei.
Kakashi sat weakly on the ground, tears flowing unconsciously from the corners of his eyes. "Why... why don't you understand? Some people aren't worthy of being called comrades! They'll only get you killed! We only needed to rescue Rin..."
A faint smile appeared on Uchiha Obito's lips. "You know, Kakashi, I just remembered something. I'm the only one who didn't give you a gift to celebrate your promotion to Jōnin."
"What should I give you? I've thought about it carefully... and now I know. Don't worry, it's not something useless... I want to give you my Sharingan."
Kakashi stared at Uchiha Obito in disbelief.
Obito continued smiling. "No matter what the villagers say about you, you're an outstanding Jōnin. This is what I want to do. Please accept it... Rin, use your medical ninjutsu to transplant my Sharingan, along with the optic nerve, into Kakashi's left eye."
Nohara Rin sensed Uchiha Obito's unwavering determination and turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, come here. We need to start right away!"
Kakashi hesitated, but Uchiha Obito pressed on. "I'm... going to die, but I can become your eyes and see what happens after this..."
Kakashi's gaze gradually hardened with resolve, and he accepted the transplant surgery.
...
Outside the cave, not far away, an Iwa ninja sat against a tree, drinking water and resting. Katsuhiko Takei was tied to the tree opposite him.
Suddenly, an explosion erupted from inside the cave, and Kakashi emerged, standing on a large rock.
Huoguang looked up at Kakashi. "This stubborn one is still alive. However, a brat will always be a brat. Why is a shinobi crying? Come on, you crybaby! Let's finish this!"
Kakashi opened his left eye, revealing a red Two Tomoe Sharingan.
Huoguang stared at Kakashi's Sharingan in surprise.
Kakashi returned his gaze with cold indifference.
Huoguang studied Kakashi with newfound seriousness, sensing that the young shinobi's aura had completely transformed from before.
Inside the cave, Uchiha Obito whispered weakly. "Kakashi... Rin... I'm counting on you..."
"I won't let you down."
Kakashi drew his White Light Chakra Sabre and glared at Huoguang with piercing eyes.
"Thunder's Breath, Shape of One, Thunderbolt Flash!"
Kakashi rushed toward Huoguang at blinding speed, slashing at the Iwa ninja's neck.
Huoguang crossed his dual swords in defense, cutting through Kakashi's blade.
But Kakashi's expression remained unchanged, his eyes still fixed on his opponent with deadly focus.
Kakashi formed hand signs and concentrated lightning chakra in his palm, charging toward Huoguang with the crackling sound of a thousand birds.
Huoguang swung both swords at Kakashi.
Just as Huoguang's blades were about to connect, Kakashi used the Sharingan to read and predict his movements. He ducked beneath the slash and drove his Chidori straight through Huoguang's chest.
Kakashi looked down at Huoguang's lifeless body with cold detachment.
But when his gaze shifted to Katsuhiko Takei tied to the tree, Kakashi's eyes blazed with intense hatred.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Kakashi appeared before Katsuhiko, grabbed him by the collar, and demanded, "Why? Obito risked his life to save you! Why did you push him down?!"
Katsuhiko Takei couldn't meet Kakashi's gaze. He hung his head and stammered, "I... I didn't mean to... I was just so scared in that moment..."
Kakashi used his broken blade to cut the ropes binding Katsuhiko, then dragged him by the collar back toward Obito. "You worthless coward! Confess to Obito what you did!"
Kakashi shoved Katsuhiko in front of Uchiha Obito. "Obito, I brought this scum! Apologize to Obito now!"
Katsuhiko Takei looked at Obito—half his body crushed beneath the boulder, blood seeping through cracks in the stone. Overwhelming fear filled Katsuhiko Takei's heart.
"No! It's not my fault! He chose to save me—I didn't force him to do it! It's not my fault! It's not my fault!"
Katsuhiko scrambled backward on his hands and feet.
Hearing these words, a murderous rage erupted within Kakashi. He struck Katsuhiko across the face with all his might. "You bastard! Weren't you the one begging for help?! You monster—I'll kill you!"
Kakashi gathered chakra in his right hand, forming another Chidori, prepared to end Katsuhiko's life.
"Don't... Kakashi..."
Uchiha Obito's weak voice broke through Kakashi's fury, bringing him back to his senses.
"Don't waste your anger on someone like him, Kakashi. Take Rin... and leave quickly..."
After Kakashi released Katsuhiko, the cowardly shinobi fled once again.
"Enemy reinforcements... are coming," Obito warned.
Obito gently shook off Nohara Rin's hand that had been holding his. "Go... it's time."
Kakashi extended his hand toward Nohara Rin. "Rin, come on!"
Nohara Rin looked back at Uchiha Obito, reluctant to leave him behind.
At that moment, reinforcements from Iwagakure arrived.
"Earth Style: Split Earth Turn Palm!"
Multiple Iwa shinobi channeled chakra into their palms, striking the ground and causing it to fracture beneath Kakashi and Rin.
Kakashi called out urgently, "Rin, grab my hand now!"
Uchiha Obito also shouted, "Rin, go!"
Nohara Rin wiped away her tears and reached for Kakashi's outstretched hand.
Kakashi pulled Nohara Rin to safety, away from the devastating earth technique.
Looking back at Obito buried under the rubble, Nohara Rin cried out his name in anguish. "Obito!"
As he felt Kakashi and Nohara Rin departing, Uchiha Obito's heart filled with regret.
It's ironic that my relationship with Kakashi finally improved... yet I never got to tell Rin how I felt about her...
I do feel some regret. If I hadn't saved Katsuhiko Takei, I might still be with everyone.
Maybe Kakashi was right—he wasn't a comrade worth saving...
Kakashi fled with Nohara Rin, but soon found themselves surrounded by Iwa shinobi.
Kakashi was panting heavily. He couldn't deactivate the Sharingan, which continuously drained his chakra. He had nearly reached his limit.
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi made his decision. "Rin, I'll hold these guys off while you escape!"
Nohara Rin protested, "But—"
Kakashi cut her off. "Obito asked me to protect you, so I will, even if it costs me my life! Rin, Obito cared about you deeply—he valued you above everything. That's why I must protect you."
Nohara Rin's eyes hardened with determination. "Then Kakashi, I too—"
Kakashi interrupted her again. "Rin, I don't regret saving you, but I do regret saving Katsuhiko Takei. You're the person Obito was willing to give his life for, so..."
Kakashi formed another Chidori in his palm. "You must live! Now go, Rin!"
Suma Shi, the leader of the Iwa shinobi, smirked. "How touching. You still have fight left in such a hopeless situation. You're certainly brave, sneaking into enemy territory. Impressively strong for your age."
"As his master, I've always known that well. So, what exactly do you intend to do to my student?"
Sora suddenly appeared behind Suma Shi, while Namikaze Minato materialized behind Kakashi and Nohara Rin.
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