"Kakashi-sensei?!"
Naruto's voice cracked.
Because Kakashi had just fallen straight backward with a heavy thud.
Earlier…
Kakashi had rushed back from the lake, feeling slightly embarrassed.
He had been lured away by a water clone of Zabuza Momochi.
Worse—
He had faithfully copied forty-four hand seals for Water Dragon Bullet.
Forty. Four.
He distinctly remembered that the technique required fewer seals.
But, fearing deception, he mirrored Zabuza exactly.
The result?
Two massive water dragons collided in midair and canceled each other out.
And by the time he realized what had happened—
Uchiha Kai had already used "Shunshin Shisui" to sever Zabuza's arms.
Not exactly a glorious showing for the Copy Ninja.
The Orochimaru Discussion
When the conversation shifted to Orochimaru, Kakashi couldn't stay silent.
He absolutely could not allow these kids to casually label Orochimaru a "friendly Uchiha supporter."
"That's not accurate," Kakashi said firmly.
"Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's student."
"But he conducted forbidden experiments."
"He used village shinobi as test subjects."
"That cannot be forgiven."
"And when he defected—"
"The Third sent me to pursue him."
Kakashi's tone changed slightly.
"That day… I couldn't move."
"It wasn't even a fight."
"His killing intent alone froze me."
"He's Kage-level."
"Do not underestimate him."
Naruto and Sasuke both nodded.
If Kakashi admitted that he had been paralyzed—
That meant something.
Uchiha Kai's Response
"You're right, Kakashi-sensei."
"For the village, Orochimaru is dangerous."
That answer confused Kakashi even more.
What position was Uchiha Kai standing on?
Not fully aligned with the clan.
Not fully aligned with the village.
The Third Hokage feared him.
Yet he showed no ambition.
Then Kakashi remembered something.
"You said you'd show us your real strength."
"That Shunshin Shisui wasn't everything, right?"
Uchiha Kai smiled faintly.
"If you insist."
"Don't regret it."
The Awakening
He covered his left eye.
His right pupil shifted.
Black dissolved into rotating tomoe.
Not three.
More.
A complex pattern formed—
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
Sasuke exploded first.
"WHAT?!"
"MANGETSUKYO?!"
"I'm still at one tomoe!!"
He physically could not process this.
Earlier, Uchiha Kai had said "slightly stronger."
This was not slightly.
This was cosmic betrayal.
"Liar!!"
Sasuke crouched down, emotionally collapsing.
Naruto tried to calm him.
Kakashi simply stared.
Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō at fourteen.
Uchiha Kai was younger.
The Third Hokage had effectively handed the village a walking nuclear variable.
And Then—
Kakashi felt it.
Behind Uchiha Kai—
A figure materialized.
Tall.
Long black hair.
Overwhelming presence.
But it wasn't the Sharingan that froze Kakashi.
It was the eyes.
Purple.
Ripple-patterned.
Rinnegan.
Madara Uchiha.
Not old.
Not dying.
Peak form.
Supreme.
Absolute.
He didn't move.
He didn't need to.
One glance—
Kakashi's world turned purple.
His breathing locked.
His heart stalled.
His knees gave out.
Thud.
Reactions
Naruto:
"KAKASHI-SENSEI?!"
Sasuke:
Still internally self-destructing.
Zabuza stared.
Hands severed.
Sweating.
"…I only wanted a bounty…"
"…Losing my arms was merciful."
Haku silently recalculated his life choices.
For the first time—
Zabuza genuinely felt that Uchiha Kai had shown restraint.
Because if that presence had been directed at him—
He wouldn't even have remained conscious.
Behind Uchiha Kai, Peak Madara remained expressionless.
If he had emotions—
They might have been mild surprise.
I haven't even moved.
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