Kakashi: Godless Ascension

[Author's Note ]

[Okay, so… I kinda started this fanfic thinking no one would read it. I'd tried writing before, but gave up halfway. But somehow this one got love and power stones?! Y'all really brought me back to life like a surprise resurrection jutsu. So here, have a bonus chapter while I ride this motivation wave. Keep throwing those shiny stones if you want to! ]

….

The mission was nearly over.

Kurenai stood still for a moment, letting herself breathe. Her chest rose and fell with each slow exhale, her chakra almost completely spent. She'd poured everything into that final genjutsu, leaving barely enough to keep standing.

"That seal worked," she said softly, glancing over to the side with a tired but proud smile.

"You used it perfectly," Kakashi's voice answered, calm and warm from where he now stood beside her.

The forest was quiet again, the battle already fading into memory. She looked down at the seal on her wrist, now faintly pulsing as it slowly faded. It had done its job.

…

Meanwhile…

Asuma crouched in the shadows behind a cluster of tall trees, arms folded tightly across his chest. He'd followed Kurenai here in secret. He wasn't part of the official mission, but… well, he had his reasons.

He'd made sure this mission ended up in her hands. Pulled a few strings. Suggested it to the right people. A mission near the border, with the promise of a promotion if she succeeded. It seemed like the perfect opportunity, for her and maybe for him, too.

He'd tracked the rogue ninja's last movements and waited in the distance. The plan was simple: watch, then step in if it got messy.

And maybe, just maybe—impress her.

He wasn't expecting to be… completely useless.

He saw the whole thing unfold.

Kurenai moved with silent precision. She took out the guard with one smooth, silent strike. Asuma blinked, confused—why didn't the guard resist? It looked like he just stood there and let it happen.

Before he could think further, she threw a scroll through the window.

The explosion was huge, wood and flame bursting outward, shaking the ground beneath his feet.

Smoke rolled out. Two enemy Chunin, gone in an instant.

Then the rogue Jonin stumbled out, covered in burns, coughing, still clutching a scroll.

Asuma stepped forward from the shadows, ready to make his entrance. This was the moment. The hero appears, lends a hand, wins her respect.

But… he paused.

Kurenai had already moved. Calm. Focused.

Her hand rested on something glowing faintly at her wrist.

And in the next heartbeat, the Jonin froze.

Asuma's eyes widened. The rogue ninja didn't even move. Just… stood there, eyes filled with fear and confusion.

It was over before it began.

'That's it?' he thought numbly. That was supposed to be a Jonin. Dangerous. Elite. Yet, she ended him without laying a finger on him. Just a genjutsu. Nothing else.

And what was that glow on her wrist?

A seal?

He frowned, staring. That wasn't standard. Maybe something experimental? Or something… personal?

He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought.

No. This wasn't about seals. This was about Kurenai.

She looked calm. A little winded, but unshaken.

Strong.

Stronger than he expected.

A sharp pang pressed into his chest. He wasn't used to feeling… useless. He had assumed she'd need him—that this mission would give him a chance to be her support, her rescuer.

But she didn't.

She didn't need saving.

He watched her from a distance, silent now. Kurenai had always been skilled, but this… this was something else.

Her genjutsu wasn't just good. It was terrifyingly effective.

Asuma's gaze dropped to her wrist. That seal again. What was it? He hadn't seen it clearly.

Was someone else helping her?

He sighed quietly, his cigarette burning low in his fingers. The tip glowed, then dimmed. He crushed it under his boot.

There was no place for him here.

Without another word, Asuma turned and disappeared into the trees, his figure swallowed by the forest.

…

Back at the clearing, Kakashi appeared beside Kurenai in a soft flicker of movement.

"He's gone," he said.

Kurenai turned her head slightly. "Asuma?"

"Yeah," Kakashi nodded, his tone neutral. "I sensed him earlier watching from the trees. He left right after your genjutsu finished."

She looked off toward the trees, eyes thoughtful. "I didn't expect that."

Kakashi shrugged. "Guess he was hoping to play the knight in shining armor."

Kurenai let out a short sigh. "Well, I didn't need a knight."

"You certainly didn't," he said with a small smile.

They stood in silence for a moment. The clearing was peaceful now. The burned remains of the cottage still smoldered slightly, but the tension had lifted.

Kakashi reached under the seal on his wrist and pulled out a scroll.

"Here," he said, handing it to her. "Let's seal the body. We can take it back to the village for confirmation."

Kurenai nodded, taking the scroll with a tired but efficient motion. She unrolled it, focused chakra into her hand, and sealed the rogue ninja's scorched body in a flash of smoke. Just like that, it was done.

Mission complete.

She turned to Kakashi, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "So… what now? Back to the inn? Or should we head straight to Konoha?"

Kakashi tilted his head, glancing up at the sky. "I should get moving. I've been assigned to a new genin team. Team 7."

"Already?" she blinked, surprised.

He gave a small shrug. "The paperwork's waiting. Might as well meet them early."

"Well, I hope this time you don't fail them," she teased with a grin. "What is it now? Five teams failed already?"

"Six, actually." Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "But who's counting?"

She laughed, then gave him a gentle nudge. "You'll do fine. Probably."

He chuckled in return, then looked at her with a quiet smile. "And congratulations, by the way. You'll make a great Jonin."

"Thanks." Her voice was soft, her smile genuine. "But I wouldn't have pulled it off so smoothly without your help. That seal changed everything."

Kakashi stepped closer.

"I'll give you your promotion gift now," he said.

Kurenai tilted her head, curious. "A gift?"

Then, slowly, he reached out and placed one hand on her waist, the other gently lifting her chin.

Their eyes met, silent and warm, and she realized what he meant.

He leaned in and kissed her.

It was soft at first. Gentle. But full of feeling. Kurenai's heart fluttered, and before she even thought about it, she rose on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

His hands slid lower, settling just above the curve of her hips. He lifted her slightly, pulling her closer.

She gasped, smiling between breaths.

It was sweet. Real. Something they'd both waited too long to act on.

When they finally broke the kiss, they lingered in each other's arms.

"Be mine," Kakashi said quietly, his voice low and full of emotion.

"I will," Kurenai whispered, her eyes shining as she leaned in again, sealing her promise with another kiss.

When they pulled apart this time, she rested her head against his chest, still smiling. His arms stayed wrapped around her, steady and safe.

"You really know how to surprise a girl," she murmured.

"I'm full of surprises," Kakashi replied with a small laugh.

She tilted her head up to give him a playful glare. "Just don't pull any tricks while we're heading back. I'll be watching you."

He raised an eyebrow, pretending to be innocent. "Me? Trick you? Never."

"Liar." She poked his chest, letting her hand linger a second longer than necessary.

"Okay, maybe a little." He smirked.

They began walking side by side down the path toward Konoha. The forest stretched around them, bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun. Sakura petals floated in the air, and birds chirped softly overhead.

As they moved forward, there was no more need for words. Just quiet steps, stolen glances, and the promise of something new, something real, between them.