{🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 100+ advance chapter through Patreon by using the link: https://patreon.com/Oreski}
Because he had read the script, Kitahara Hitoshi knew that in the later stages of the original story, when combat power became chaotic, Kakashi relied on Obito to awaken and squeezed into the Kage-level. So, naturally, if Kakashi wanted to become stronger, he had to be advised to trust Obito and cherish him. He was also curious about how far Kakashi could go without Mangekyō Sharingan. But in the current situation, Kakashi believed that if he wanted to break through from Elite Jōnin strength, there was only one way forward.
The ninja world has never been a place where success comes purely from hard work. The only exceptions were Might Duy, the father of Might Guy who was a Genin for twenty years, and Might Guy himself, who trained since childhood.
While Jōnin strength could be measured by various parameters, Kage-level was different. It required massive Chakra and personal skills—powerful enough to be recognized and feared. Kakashi, known as Konoha's No. 1 technician who had copied a thousand jutsu, was still far from that mark.
But the Sharingan Obito gave him was exceptional.
Starting with Kaguya, the Byakugan of the Ōtsutsuki had special powers. Kaguya's might be the Heaven's Imperial Palace. However, it wasn't just the Rinnegan or Byakugan of the Ōtsutsuki that had such potential; the Mangekyō Sharingan of the Uchiha clan also granted unique powers. But because the bloodlines diluted over generations, using Mangekyō's special abilities came with serious side effects.
"That means..." Kakashi looked uneasy. "I could go blind?"
"Exactly," Kitahara Hitoshi replied. "When Uchiha use Mangekyō too often, their vision deteriorates until they go blind. But since those eyes belong to their own clan, they can use them more frequently than you. You can only use them a few dozen times at most."
"This..." Kakashi fell silent.
Kitahara Hitoshi continued, "So think about it. If you give up the Mangekyō Sharingan, you can still improve, but it'll take two years of training to compensate. And even then, your strength will only reach Kage-level 29. But if you use Obito's Sharingan, you can drive a 30-meter Susanoo without unlocking Kamui."
These words made Kakashi pause. He needed to seriously consider his choice.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: That's true. I can confirm that overusing the Mangekyō has consequences.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: Uchiha Itachi bled from both eyes when using Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu on Sasuke.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: Although Tsukuyomi was broken because Sasuke had Rinnegan, he still got burned by Amaterasu.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: He didn't realize until later that Rinnegan could absorb Amaterasu.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: But even then... Sasuke passed out.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: His Chakra wasn't fake, but his body couldn't keep up with its surge.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: And during the fight, Itachi's rhythm broke slightly.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: Looking back, it was probably due to overusing his eyes and triggering the side effects.
Dragon Returning to the Sea—Jiraiya: So this time... the battle definitely involved holding back.
While Jiraiya streamed the fight, he also warned everyone about the risks of overusing Mangekyō Sharingan.
Uchiha Shisui: I don't use it that much.
Uchiha Shisui: But I now realize my Mangekyō's special ability was Kotoamatsukami.
Senju Tobirama: Using Mangekyō too often...
Tobirama's Record:
Senju Tobirama: What's wrong, Uchiha Izuna? Got something to say?
Senju Tobirama: Oh, I get it. When you awakened Mangekyō, you didn't know it could unlock special powers.
Senju Tobirama: So like Kakashi, you only used the basics—enhanced perception, illusion, and clarity.
Senju Tobirama: In the beginning, you regretted not realizing Mangekyō's true potential.
Senju Tobirama: But now you've found out it can cause blindness, and you're scared?
Tobirama's Record: I haven't said anything yet.
Senju Tobirama: Still, how should Kakashi decide?
Namikaze Minato: @Kakashi
Kakashi: Let me think about it.
Namikaze Minato: I recommend testing Mangekyō Sharingan's power first.
Namikaze Minato: You can ask Kitahara for help.
Namikaze Minato: He went from 1-Tomoe to Rinnegan with Byakugan as well, so he understands these eye abilities.
Kakashi: Does that mean you think I should keep Obito's Sharingan?
Faced with the decision, Kakashi hesitated again.
When he had gone to the Land of Waves to fight Zabuza, he copied the 44-seal Water Dragon Bullet with Sharingan, which Second Hokage found ridiculous. So Kakashi studied the simplified version under Tobirama. But since Obito's Sharingan wasn't truly his, he couldn't bring it into small group practice. So he tried to learn from scratch, but was criticized for learning too slowly.
He realized he had relied too much on Obito's Sharingan. He even considered giving it up. But when it came time to truly let go, he couldn't decide.
Fifth Mizukage—Terumi Mei: I'm so envious.
Cowardly as a Mouse—Ōnoki: Envious of what?
Fifth Mizukage—Terumi Mei: Having a strong bloodline is a blessing.
Cowardly as a Mouse—Ōnoki: Don't you have two bloodlines?
Fifth Mizukage—Terumi Mei: I'm not sure if the next generation can inherit mine.
Cowardly as a Mouse—Ōnoki: Worried you won't get married?
Fifth Mizukage—Terumi Mei: Exactly.
Terumi Mei was lying. What she really thought was how the Uchiha bloodline kept getting passed down, making the descendants stronger—like Uchiha Madara. Ordinary ninjas pass their traits on too, but she had both Lava Style and Boiling Release. Ideally, her children could inherit her bloodline, but compared to Kitahara Hitoshi's complete Ōtsutsuki bloodline, hers was insignificant.
Everyone knew that to awaken advanced kekkei genkai, pure bloodlines were essential. For Terumi Mei, the key to saving Kirigakure might lie in Kitahara Hitoshi. If she could inherit his bloodline, then even if Lava Style and Boiling Release weren't passed on, his Ōtsutsuki lineage would be. That meant Kirigakure could be saved—indirectly.
So she had to start with Kitahara Hitoshi.
Too bad.
If only Kitahara Hitoshi were a bit older, she wouldn't even feel guilty about it.
Thanks to his systematic transition from 1-Tomoe to Byakugan, Kitahara Hitoshi didn't let Kakashi go astray and helped him unlock the full potential of Obito's Sharingan—Kamui, the ability to distort and transport anything in his field of vision.
It was an overpowered ability.
However, since Kakashi wasn't Uchiha, using Kamui caused massive strain. His Chakra consumption exceeded the limit.
Tobirama even proposed implanting Hashirama's cells into Kakashi. But acquiring and extracting Wood Release cells would take time.
But that's up to Tobirama.
Kitahara Hitoshi has more important matters to attend to.
Back when he went to the Cloud Shinobi Village, over ten thousand Cloud ninjas were sacrificed to the Sacred Tree.
Only eight hundred remained.
Cloud Shinobi Village became a hollow shell.
However, some ninjas escaped or refused to come to Konoha.
But now—
Good news.
The new Jinchūriki of Cloud Shinobi Village has given up resisting.
Anbu Yamato reported the development.
Among the few Cloud ninjas still on the run, several had names recorded in the original canon.
Take Karui, for example.
Kitahara Hitoshi recalls she later became Chōji's wife in the original timeline.
Now eighteen, she's proven extremely tenacious.
For two weeks she evaded pursuit alongside Futao, the new Jinchūriki.
In the end, she surrendered and came to Konoha.
Just like the previous eight hundred Cloud Shinobi, she voluntarily joined Konoha.
"We didn't send anyone after them, yet they gave up on their own. It's a bit suspicious," Tobirama said.
"Are they planning something?"
"It doesn't matter," Kitahara Hitoshi replied. "This is acceptable."
"Besides, with the two-tailed Jinchūriki leading them, there's a chance we can extract the tailed beast."
Tobirama nodded silently.
Currently, Konoha already houses the One-Tail, Nine-Tails, and Eight-Tails at its gates.
Though Kitahara Hitoshi never demanded it, the tailed beasts all ended up gravitating toward Konoha, seemingly of their own volition.
So if Futao's Jinchūriki identity leads to the tailed beast's release, Konoha loses nothing.
However—
He may not even be aware yet.
Kitahara Hitoshi quietly hopes Futao will stir things up.
"Let's begin organizing village activities starting today," Kitahara Hitoshi said, handing Tobirama a list.
Tobirama glanced over it.
The document listed numerous events involving nearly all villagers.
Most required heavy participation.
And a lot of running across the village.
"This is..."
"Torture?" Tobirama hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
The plan forced everyone to participate and constantly move around.
In some cases, dozens of gatherings and assignments were scheduled daily.
It was brutal.
"I don't hate anyone," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "But I dislike people who won't stop talking. Since they're too idle, they might as well burn off the excess energy."
Tobirama said nothing.
But he understood.
Namikaze Minato: Is this about venting your frustration on Mingbao?
Hashirama: Uh...
Tobirama: In short, the villagers talk too much, so we keep them busy.
Tobirama: When they're exhausted, they'll stay quiet.
Tobirama: That's the plan.
Kakashi: Then it might actually work.
Tobirama: We'll try it, even if it doesn't.
Tobirama: I can't tolerate these people anymore.
Tobirama: I just want to protect those who believe in me.
Tobirama: Not fools like my brother.
Tobirama: Everyone wants justice.
Tobirama: These villagers—Sarutobi didn't handle them properly, so now they must be disciplined.
That night, something odd happened.
Under the leadership of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, the villagers began training.
They ran laps around the village every day.
Some grumbled, but seeing Sarutobi—at his age—still sprinting, and with the Second Hokage also present...
And with Kitahara Hitoshi backing the effort, the complaints faded.
Or rather...
No one dared to speak up.
Three days later, while villagers nursed sore legs, they noticed a notice on the bulletin board.
All Chūnin and above would now undergo reassessment.
Based on results, the kidnapped Cloud Shinobi currently in Konoha would be relocated. The Sound Ninjas left behind after the previous Chūnin exam were also included.
Simultaneously, Konoha's own Chūnin and Jōnin would be reviewed.
If their strength was deemed lacking, their current rank and treatment could be downgraded.
This explained the earlier unease among the ninjas that Kakashi had mentioned.
After all, getting promoted was fine.
But being demoted?
Humiliating.
However, the notice also mentioned that families of deceased or retired ninjas would receive increased subsidies.
So once the news spread, few dared object.
"Strange... the exam is about to start, but Kitahara hasn't made a move," Tobirama muttered.
The first Jōnin assessment was near, yet Kitahara Hitoshi hadn't done anything.
No test design.
No Anbu deployment.
No examiners recruited.
He hadn't even visited the Hokage Office in two days.
Instead, he'd been at home feeding rabbits.
He even livestreamed it twice.
Completely relaxed—zero tension.
Tobirama found it suspicious.
Then he saw a response to an official mission request sitting on Kitahara Hitoshi's desk.
He paused.
At first, Tobirama thought Kitahara Hitoshi was taking the Chūnin exam in preparation for promotion to Jōnin.
But no.
He was hosting the Jōnin assessment.
Which meant it was going to be even more extreme.
The realization hit him hard.
He muttered to himself—
"I've underestimated him."
{ Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 100+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on Patreon – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!
patreon.com/Oreski}