Chapter 108: Helpless
Rain Country Border
Kakashi and Might Guy stood in the light rain, their hair drenched.
"Guy, you should head back. This is something I have to handle alone—it's going to be dangerous."
Might Guy grinned.
"What are you talking about, Kakashi?"
"Obito is your friend and mine as well!"
"We'll bring Obito back to the village together—this is a man's promise!"
Kakashi's demeanor grew somber, the youthful naivety gone from his eyes.
Just like Obito's.
He had been slow to understand Uchiha Kagami's words.
Just as he had once admitted:
I couldn't protect Obito and Rin.
But that failure was mine, not Obito's.
I won't let you continue down the wrong path!
Even if I have to break your arms and legs, I'll drag you back to the village!
Even if it costs my life!
Obito…
You're a hero of the village. If you turn back now, there's still time to set things right!
Kakashi didn't try persuading Might Guy any further. He knew Guy's resolve couldn't be swayed by words.
Thank you, Guy.
…
Kakashi reached out, sensing the faint chakra within the raindrops.
Have they noticed me…
Over the years, Kakashi hadn't wasted his time. He knew that if he wanted to bring Obito back, he first needed the strength to defeat him.
He'd asked his father: without the Sharingan, how could he stand on the same level as bloodline geniuses like Obito and Kagami?
His father had given him an answer.
From what Sakumo Hatake knew, there was only one non-Kekkei Genkai ninja who had defeated someone with the Mangekyō:
Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
The Hatake clan's kenjutsu was no weaker than the Senju's. What Kakashi lacked was the Flying Thunder God Technique, a jutsu that tested natural talent.
But what about Kakashi's talent?
Sakumo Hatake firmly believed that Kakashi's talent surpassed his own.
When a genius dedicates themselves fully to a single pursuit, their achievements are often astonishing.
Mastering the basics of the Flying Thunder God Technique required spatial and sensory abilities, exceptional chakra control, and large chakra reserves.
Kakashi possessed all of these traits.
As Hokage, Minato Namikaze had the authority to teach the Flying Thunder God Technique.
He had even trained members of the Hokage Guard Platoon—Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami—in the technique. However, their limited chakra reserves meant they could only use the technique in unison; individually, it was impossible.
With a burning determination and the solid foundation laid by Jiraiya and Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Though still lacking full proficiency—unable to seamlessly integrate it into his kenjutsu—he could use it for movement and retreat.
But neither Kakashi nor Sakumo knew…
The Flying Thunder God alone wasn't enough to counter Obito. It merely brought Kakashi closer to Obito's level.
The one who truly countered Obito was Minato, who not only mastered the Flying Thunder God but also had the skills and experience to exploit it.
…
Amid the rain, Kakashi and Might Guy suddenly stopped.
Not far off the ground, a flurry of white papers coalesced into a humanoid shape—like a winged angel.
Kakuzu's form slowly emerged, blocking their path.
Clang.
Kakashi drew his short blade. Might Guy took a ready stance.
"Leaf brats…"
Kakuzu's voice seethed with resentment as he removed his cloak.
"I heard you're a disciple of Uchiha Kagami. Let's see how you measure up against his strength."
At those words, both Kakashi and Might Guy tensed.
They knew Kagami's temperament too well: against foreign shinobi, he often delivered fatal blows without hesitation.
Kakuzu's tone brimmed with bitterness—it didn't seem like a bluff…
He had survived an encounter with Kagami.
Nerves taut, Might Guy whispered,
"Kakashi, I can open up to the Sixth Gate at most. If anything happens…use the Flying Thunder God to escape."
"Stop joking. I'd rather die than run away alone!"
As the tension reached its peak, Konan spoke.
"Kakashi Hatake, did Jiraiya-sensei ever mention us?"
Jiraiya…Sensei…
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
Rain Country. Jiraiya-sensei…
And then Konan's distinctive appearance.
"You're…Sister Konan!"
Kakashi's disbelief was evident. "But…Jiraiya-sensei said you all died in the war!"
…
"The three of us back then did indeed die."
Konan's voice was cold and detached, devoid of emotion.
"Go back. You won't find Obito here—only the Akatsuki's void."
From Konan's perspective, Kagami would surely share intelligence with someone as close as Kakashi.
Some things didn't need to be hidden.
She hoped Kakashi would leave, since Obito didn't want to play these games any longer.
But Kakashi knew nothing of the Akatsuki.
He had pieced together scattered information, deducing that Obito might be in the Rain Country.
His assumed enemy had been Hanzo of the Salamander.
What was this Akatsuki?
Was Hanzo the leader of this organization, or merely a member?
The unknown figures before him, including Sister Konan and Obito, all pointed to a group far beyond what a small ninja village should possess.
…
"What is… the Akatsuki?"
Might Guy voiced the question.
…
"You…don't know the Akatsuki?" Konan's brow furrowed, realizing she might have misspoken.
Kakuzu was quicker to react.
"Ha! That Kagami brat never considered us a threat, huh?"
"That little punk… I'll string him up with Earth Grudge Fear one of these days!"
Shh shh—
Black tendrils slithered from Kakuzu's arms.
"These clueless brats—let's beat them half to death. Konoha can come pick them up."
"Then we'll strip them of everything they've got, and make their families pay ransom!"
Whoosh!
Kakuzu shot forward, unleashing a powerful water release that sent waves surging around Kakashi and Might Guy.
Konan sighed softly. From Kakashi's gaze alone, she knew words wouldn't persuade him.
A fight was inevitable.
Shing—
A lightning-infused slash cut through the torrent, sending Kakashi and Might Guy flying forward.
"Eight Gates Released Formation, Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain—Open!"
Might Guy's skin flushed red, veins bulging, chakra roaring from his body.
In his current state, he could quickly open the Fourth Gate, then gradually open the Fifth.
If he pushed himself, he might reach the Sixth Gate, though he had never attempted it.
Boom!!
Kakuzu clashed with Might Guy, sending a massive spray of water into the air.
Kakashi approached Konan with his blade drawn but hesitated.
"Sister Konan… What's really going on? Can you tell me?"
"I'm tired…of being in the dark and feeling helpless!"
Konan shook her head, her figure rising as sheets of paper scattered around her.
"Kakashi, I've stopped trying to explain things to people like you—those who live under the shelter of the village."
"If you won't leave…"
Swish, swish, swish!
Countless sheets of paper sliced toward Kakashi like blades.
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