"Kakashi, did you do something suspicious? Why are you being so secretive?"
Haruki couldn't help but smirk slightly as he teased.
"It concerns Obito."
Kakashi didn't pay attention to his teasing and seriously recounted everything that had occurred.
Haruki raised his eyebrows.
No wonder they were being so cautious.
If a White Zetsu clone noticed them, all their efforts would be for nothing.
Still, whenever he was nearby, White Zetsu clones rarely reappeared.
Although there were many White Zetsu clones, it was unnecessary to waste them pointlessly.
"You did well."
Haruki nodded in praise.
Falling into an ambush set by Madara Uchiha and Zetsu, yet managing to realize what was happening so quickly and then cooperating accordingly—this wasn't easy at all.
Certainly, they knew each other too well, but ultimately, it came down to their growth.
From reckless youths to capable adults now.
Both had bright futures ahead of them.
As Kakashi said, he definitely needed to leave for some time.
At the very least, until Madara Uchiha was gone.
Haruki thought for a moment before saying, "You should head out immediately to the Land of Lightning."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment.
The Land of Lightning?
Well, that wasn't bad either.
Minato Namikaze was currently overseeing the Land of Lightning, and manpower was severely lacking.
Going there might give him a chance to achieve many accomplishments.
"Alright, Teacher."
Kakashi gave a slight bow and replied.
"I'll speak with Minato about it."
Haruki held Kakashi in high regard.
Besides the Flying Thunder God Technique, perhaps he could even succeed Minato.
Because Sakumo Hatake hadn't committed suicide, Kakashi wasn't burdened by excessive gloom like he was in the original story.
Right now, although his personality leaned toward coldness, it fell within the normal range for someone with a stoic disposition.
"Teacher, there's another thing."
Remembering his fight with Obito, Kakashi hesitated, his face showing signs of doubt.
He hadn't given it his all back then.
It wasn't just because Obito had a Resurrection Armor and thus he held back; rather, he believed even using the ultimate techniques of Niten Ichi-ryū wouldn't allow him to defeat Obito.
The Mangekyō Sharingan was just too strong.
For someone who had always been superior to Obito, suddenly finding himself completely outmatched, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
How unfair it was.
"Kakashi?"
Seeing him fall silent, Haruki knocked lightly on the table and said, "If there's something you want to say, just say it. Don't worry about anything."
"Yes, Teacher."
Snapping out of his daze, Kakashi replied, "I want to know—what can be done to counter the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
That question again.
Haruki understood Kakashi had been shocked—perhaps even wounded—by Obito's performance.
Countering the Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't easy.
But it wasn't impossible either.
There were options—Sage Body, Sage Mode, or Wood Release.
How should he put it?
The Naruto world was essentially built on bloodline supremacy.
The closer one was to the Ōtsutsuki clan, the stronger they became.
Kakashi didn't possess any special bloodline.
Even if they might have once belonged to the Otsutsuki Clan a thousand years ago, they're now just ordinary people.
To stand against those with unnatural advantages, there's only one path left—becoming a Jinchuriki.
"Kakashi," Haruki comforted him, "bloodline doesn't define your destiny. The Mangekyo Sharingan isn't invincible either. Otherwise, Madara Uchiha wouldn't have lost to Hashirama Senju."
Truth be told, Kakashi's power had already proven to be exceptionally strong in Kakashi Gaiden.
Other than a few exceptions, he was no less capable than any other ninja.
"You're just running a little low on chakra," Haruki smiled and said. "I've got a solution here. Want me to seal Gyuki, the Eight-Tails, inside you?"
"Seal it within my body?"
Kakashi blinked in surprise but quickly caught on. His calm face couldn't hide his excitement anymore. "Teacher, are you suggesting I become the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails?"
Everyone knew how powerful a Jinchuriki could be.
They were the ultimate trump cards of a village, far surpassing most other ninjas.
The actual strength a Jinchuriki could wield ultimately depended on their Tailed Beast.
Gyuki, the Eight-Tails, was unquestionably ranked second among all the Tailed Beasts.
If Kakashi became its Jinchuriki, he'd instantly rise to the peak of the ninja world.
"Exactly. What do you think about it?"
Haruki understood his excitement well.
But tailed beasts weren't everything.
After thinking for a moment, he decided not to mention that the Mangekyo Sharingan naturally countered Tailed Beasts.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Naturally, Kakashi didn't refuse.
Back then, he might've hesitated.
Being a Jinchuriki came with many sufferings. He wasn't sure if he could endure it.
But Konoha today was completely different.
Kushina, as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, had never been discriminated against.
An important reason for that was because everyone in the village knew Haruki had the strength to suppress a Tailed Beast.
"The Eight-Tails used to belong to Kumogakure and holds prejudice toward Konoha. Getting along with it won't be easy."
Haruki could certainly seal Gyuki—even compelling it to assist Kakashi.
But that wouldn't be willing cooperation.
Achieving the state of a Perfect Jinchuriki would be difficult this way.
Kakashi fell silent.
Haruki had killed the previous Jinchuriki, B, and was now giving Gyuki to him.
It almost felt like forcing someone into unwilling servitude.
He shook his head violently, trying to banish that disturbing thought.
"I'll try my best."
Kakashi wasn't fully confident either, but perhaps time would soften Gyuki's stance eventually.
Its personality wouldn't stay that stubborn forever, would it?
"Yes. This is also a test every Jinchuriki must go through."
Haruki didn't dwell on the topic further.
Perfect Jinchuriki were rare to begin with.
Considering Konoha's current strength, Kakashi's perfect harmony with Gyuki wasn't absolutely necessary.
What followed was relatively simple.
Haruki brought Kakashi to Kurama Ecological Base.
Wait, no—it should be known as Konoha Airport by now.
"Gyuki, you don't have to work as our transport aircraft anymore."
As soon as Haruki said that, Kurama immediately refused to work.
What did he mean by that?
Who was truly the favorite?
Clearly, Kurama was the true native-born Tailed Beast of Konoha.
Why would the Eight-Tails receive such special treatment?
Of course, its anger immediately vanished after hearing the next sentence.
So I really am Konoha's favored child.
They've actually chosen a new Jinchuriki to house the Eight-Tails.
Although the Eight-Tails could never forget B, under Haruki's coercion, it reluctantly entered Kakashi's belly.
With Kushina applying the seals one by one, Kakashi officially became the new Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails.
"Kakashi, since you've just become a Jinchuriki, you probably don't know much about how to use a Tailed Beast yet."
Haruki glanced at Kakashi, who was currently stroking his stomach. He found the whole situation rather awkward.
"Both Kushina and Yugito are Jinchuriki with extensive experience handling Tailed Beasts. Why don't you stay here a few more days and learn from them?"
"Yes, Teacher," Kakashi replied, lifting his head.
Although having a Tailed Beast inside his gut felt extremely uncomfortable, he had gained tremendous power.
He could feel the near-infinite chakra surging within him.
Next time when facing Obito, he wouldn't end up in such a pitiful state again.
Anyway, Kakashi had finally transcended his previous status as a mere Chakra measurement unit, stepping into a brand-new realm.
He wouldn't have to worry about exhausting himself after using two Lightning Cutters anymore.