Kakashi-Five elements

In the depths of the borderland's primeval forest, under the cover of towering trees and rustling leaves, the air was thick with tension.

Kakashi, who was leading the group through the dense foliage, suddenly raised his right hand, signaling everyone to stop.

Minato, trailing behind, noticed the motion and smiled with satisfaction.

"They've sensed something? Their instincts are getting sharper by the day," he thought, feeling a sense of pride in his students.

Unbeknownst to them, high on the thick branch of an ancient tree ahead, an assassin ninja crouched silently in the shadows, observing the team.

"They stopped? So quick… Tch, not bad."

His eyes narrowed. But when his gaze settled on the blond-haired young man at the back of the team, his expression shifted to shock.

"That guy… No way! That's… That's Minato Namikaze! What are the chances? Damn it… Is this really happening?"

Still, he gritted his teeth and refocused.

"No matter. Let's see what they're made of first."

He quickly formed hand seals, chakra surging around him as he began his setup.

Meanwhile, Minato and his team took cover behind the natural foliage.

"Just one target?" Rin asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Minato nodded. "Yes. But be careful—he's using Shadow Clones. There are at least twenty hidden figures. We're dealing with more than meets the eye."

He tapped two fingers lightly on the ground, activating his sensing abilities.

Suddenly, Kakashi turned to him. "Sensei, let me go in first. Cover me from the rear."

The two exchanged glances. There was no hesitation, only understanding.

"Alright. Be careful out there," Minato said with a calm nod.

Kakashi formed the hand seals—Chou, Mao, and Shen—and suddenly, a sharp arc of electricity erupted from his right hand, crackling and snapping in the air.

"Chidori!"

With a shout, the electricity flared wildly, expanding dozens of times in strength, bathing the forest in a dazzling light. The sound of a thousand birds chirping echoed through the trees.

Obito and Rin were stunned.

"W-What kind of jutsu is that?" Obito gaped.

"It's amazing…!" Rin whispered in awe.

This was their first time witnessing Kakashi's self-developed jutsu. His raw talent and innovation were on full display.

With a quick breath, Kakashi sprinted forward, a blur of motion and light.

"Foolish boy! You're charging right into my trap!" the assassin ninja snarled, flinging over a dozen shuriken directly at the incoming Kakashi.

But Kakashi didn't flinch.

In the blink of an eye, the spinning shuriken were knocked away midair with a clang-clang-clang, as Minato's kunai intercepted them with precise timing.

From the trajectories of the shuriken, Minato instantly located the enemy's real position.

"There!"

He hurled another kunai directly at the assassin's head.

The ninja instinctively pulled back to avoid it, but that moment of hesitation sealed his fate.

Kakashi reappeared in front of him like lightning.

"Too slow."

He drove his electrified hand straight into the enemy's chest.

Bang!

The body burst into smoke—it was a Shadow Clone.

Kakashi didn't pause. He sprang from tree to tree, eliminating the remaining clones in rapid succession.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each Shadow Clone vanished in a puff of smoke, until only one remained.

"Nineteen down. That means…" Kakashi locked eyes with the final figure. "You're the real one!"

With a determined shout, he lunged at the last assassin, the Chidori blazing in his hand.

"Don't get cocky, brat!" the enemy roared and drew his sword, slashing down with full force.

Kakashi ducked at the last second, the blade narrowly missing his head.

Using his momentum, he twisted and rammed his electrified hand into the man's chest, this time with devastating force.

The assassin's body convulsed. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"How… how can a kid…"

His voice trailed off as life faded from his body.

Kakashi's expression was ice-cold. "Your biggest mistake… was playing with a blade in front of me."

He pulled his arm back and gave the body a gentle push. It collapsed limply to the forest floor.

"Kakashi! Are you hurt?" Rin rushed over, her face full of concern.

Kakashi turned and gave her a small smile.

"I'm fine. Just a scratch… He wasn't strong enough to harm me. Don't worry."

He didn't want Rin to worry. That was always his priority.

Minato approached, eyes bright with praise.

"Well done, Kakashi. It seems you've truly overcome the major weakness of this jutsu."

Chidori's biggest flaw was its speed—it made reading the enemy's counterattacks almost impossible. But Kakashi had shown precise control, as if the drawback no longer existed.

"It's clear you've been working hard, even while away from the village. Excellent work."

Kakashi nodded silently, quietly proud.

Minato then smiled warmly.

"In that case… I can leave without worries tomorrow."

He looked at his team one last time.

"Before I go, remember this: The most important thing for a ninja is teamwork."

"Yes!" the trio responded in unison.

---

The forest transformed under the moonlight. It was now late at night, and the bright moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the quiet world below. The stars twinkled faintly, and the soft sound of crickets chirping filled the air, accompanied by the occasional crackle of burning wood from the campfire.

Minato sat on a small rise overlooking the area, legs crossed, his eyes alert. He was on the night watch shift, keeping his team safe.

Behind him, he heard soft footsteps approaching.

He turned and saw Obito walking toward him, his face clouded with thought.

"Minato-sensei," Obito said softly, sitting beside him.

There was a moment of silence before he spoke again.

"I know... I know how important teamwork is."

He looked down at his hands.

"But... Kakashi is too strong. Every time I compare myself to him, I just feel... useless. Today, he fought bravely while I just stood there and watched."

His voice trembled slightly. The weight of inadequacy pressed on him.

Minato looked at him gently and placed a hand on his head.

"Obito, you're far from useless. You've achieved something few your age ever have—you've awakened the Sharingan. That's an incredible feat."

He paused, his tone sincere.

"You may not see it, but I do. Your determination, your growth, your loyalty—they all make you special. And yes, Kakashi is a genius, but his path isn't yours."

Minato continued, voice calm and reassuring.

"Think of it this way—because Kakashi has always been by your side, he's become your benchmark. That comparison, even if it hurts sometimes, has pushed you to grow stronger than most of your peers."

"Living in a chaotic world, it's a gift to have such a rival and companion. You both make each other better."

Obito's eyes widened slightly as Minato's words sank in.

"Also," Minato added with a smile, "you've activated the Sharingan. That alone gives you abilities that even Kakashi doesn't possess."

"The road ahead is long, Obito. But as long as you never give up, you'll discover just how far you can go."

Obito's hands clenched into fists, but not out of frustration—out of determination.

"You're right, Sensei!" he said with renewed vigor. "I awakened my Two Tomoe Sharingan at seven. If I keep training, I'll reach Three Tomoe soon—and then Jōnin won't be far off!"

He looked up at the stars, eyes full of hope.

"Besides… Kakashi once said there's something even greater above Three Tomoe… the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

His heart beat faster at the thought.

"I'll get there. No matter what, I'll catch up to you, Kakashi!"

Minato smiled, seeing the fire in his student's eyes rekindled.

In the stillness of the night, among the flickering firelight and gentle whispers of nature, a silent promise was made—a vow to grow stronger, not out of jealousy, but out of inspiration.

A rival.

A friend.

A future hero in the making.

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