In the blink of an eye, it was mid-October, and autumn was deepening.
Golden maple leaves fell in Kakashi's yard, forming a soft carpet.
Ever since Rin was revived, Kakashi had turned down almost all missions. He even stopped his daily training, spending his days doting on Rin. This had been going on for over a month.
Meanwhile, in the council hall of the Daimyo Mansion in the Land of Water, Shun looked at the report presented by the Anbu, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.
The report clearly stated: "Kakashi has not accepted any missions for the past month, his attendance at the training ground is zero, and he spends every day at home with Rin."
"Hmph, that Kakashi kid is really disappointing."
Shun put down the report, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table. "He forgot his duties as soon as he got a lover. He is a tool I painstakingly cultivated, he cannot be wasted like this."
He raised his hand and summoned an Anbu. "Someone, invite Kakashi to the Daimyo Mansion."
Soon, Kakashi appeared in the council hall of the Daimyo Mansion.
He was wearing casual clothes, his hair slightly messier than usual, clearly having been summoned suddenly and not having time to tidy himself up.
Facing Shun, who was seated at the head of the table, he instinctively lowered his head. From the oppressive gaze of the other party, Kakashi sensed displeasure.
"Kakashi, your performance over the past month has been somewhat disappointing to me."
Shun's tone was quite calm, but it made Kakashi's heart sink sharply.
Kakashi immediately bowed, his voice filled with apology. "I apologize, Your Excellency. I have been negligent and should not have let personal matters delay my missions and training."
He knew that Shun had high hopes for him, and his state over the past month had indeed fallen short of that expectation.
Shun looked at his sincere expression, and the coldness in his eyes slightly diminished. "Let bygones be bygones. Consider it a honeymoon period for the two of you."
Kakashi suddenly looked up, a hint of unnatural blush on his face. "Thank you, Your Excellency."
He hadn't expected Shun to describe this time as a "honeymoon," which made him a little embarrassed but also warmed his heart.
Shun took out a silver syringe from a nearby drawer. The syringe contained a light red liquid, glistening under the light. He stood up and walked in front of Kakashi, holding up the syringe.
"Kakashi, this is the Uchiha Gene Enhancer. After injection, your Chakra volume will greatly increase, and there's a high probability you'll awaken a pair of your own Sharingan."
Kakashi's eyes instantly widened, his gaze fixed on the syringe. He knew the power of the Sharingan all too well.
Over the years, relying on the transplanted Sharingan from Obito, his strength had greatly increased, but it was, after all, someone else's eyes. Using them consumed a large amount of Chakra and caused rejection reactions.
If he could have his own Sharingan…
Before he could think further, Shun continued, "I have decided to bestow it upon you, but there is one condition, you must change your surname to Uchiha."
Kakashi was stunned, his brows furrowing. "Change my surname to Uchiha? Your Excellency, isn't that inappropriate? Such a big matter as changing one's surname…"
He had never thought of leaving the Hatake clan. After all, it was the surname left by his father, Sakumo, and it was his root.
Shun looked at his hesitant expression, his tone becoming serious. "Kakashi, a man cannot be without power. Without the Sharingan, you are currently only an ordinary Jonin. If one day, someone targets Rin, just like that year, are you willing to see Rin die in front of you again?"
"I…"
Kakashi's heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer.
He imagined seeing Rin fall into his arms, her blood once again staining his hands. That feeling of powerlessness and pain, he never wanted to experience a second time.
He suddenly knelt down, his forehead hitting the ground heavily, his voice firm. "I am willing to change my surname to Uchiha. Please, Your Excellency, bestow upon me the Uchiha Gene Enhancer."
To protect Rin, let alone changing his surname, Kakashi was willing to pay an even greater price.
Shun nodded in satisfaction, reached out to help Kakashi up, and aimed the syringe at his neck. "The process will be a bit painful, endure it. I will use my ocular power to help you awaken your Sharingan, so you can adapt to this power faster and possess your own Sharingan."
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will endure it." Kakashi gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and prepared to bear the pain.
The cold needle pierced his neck, and the light red liquid slowly injected into his body. At first, it was just a slight stinging, but before long, a burning sensation spread from his neck to his entire body, as if countless fine needles were pricking him all over, or as if flames were burning inside him.
Kakashi's body began to tremble, cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes, his teeth clattered, but he never let out a single groan.
Seeing this, Shun reached out and placed his hand on Kakashi's head, pure ocular power slowly injecting into his body, guiding the Uchiha genes to fuse with his body.
"Relax, don't resist."
Shun's voice sounded in his ear, carrying a soothing power.
(Note 1: After Kakashi lost his eye, Shun had an eye cloned using Kakashi's cells, so now Kakashi has both eyes.
Note 2: Kakashi has O-type blood, so the gene enhancer injected into him was made from Obito's blood, because he also has O-type blood, which minimizes body rejection. (Kakashi, Obito, and Madara all have O-type blood.)
Note 3: As for why Shun had Obito's blood and genes, it was because when Obito first ran to the royal palace, Shun beat him until he vomited blood, and he specifically had people collect it.)
After an unknown period, the burning sensation in his body gradually receded.
Kakashi felt his Chakra surge like a tide, at least more than double what it used to be. Even more surprising to him was that he now possessed his own two-tomoe Sharingan.
Looking at the Sharingan in Kakashi's eyes, Shun withdrew his hand. "Now your Chakra volume has greatly increased, and you have your own Sharingan. Train well, and who knows, you might even possess your own Mangekyo Sharingan in the future."
Kakashi felt the powerful strength within him, and remembering Rin's gentle smile, his eyes reddened slightly.
He bowed again, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I will not disappoint your expectations and will use this power to protect Rin and the Land of Water."
Shun waved his hand. "Alright, you can go back for now. Remember to accept missions on time from now on, don't just focus on romance."
"Yes." Kakashi nodded in response and turned to leave the council hall.