Chapter 12: Awakening Shadows

The morning air was crisp, a faint breeze brushing against Suki's face as she stood in the secluded training ground. The leaves whispered overhead, but her focus was on the man in front of her. Kakashi Hatake, the legendary Copy Ninja, leaned casually against a tree, his single eye observing her with calm intensity.

"You're getting better," Kakashi said, his voice as lazy as ever. "But the Sharingan isn't just about raw power. It's about control—knowing when to strike, and when to see through your enemy's moves before they even think about them."

Suki nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. This was her fifth attempt at using the Sharingan today, and each time she felt like she was only scratching the surface of its potential. Her eye burned with each activation, and the weight of Kakashi's expectations made her hands tremble slightly.

But she couldn't stop now. Not when she was so close.

"Show me again," Kakashi instructed, stepping away from the tree and standing in front of her. "Let your instincts guide you. Trust the eye."

Suki clenched her fists. She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly, before reopening them—this time, her left eye glowing crimson with the power of the Sharingan. The world around her sharpened instantly. The rustle of the leaves, the distant movement of villagers, Kakashi's heartbeat—it all became clear.

"Good," Kakashi praised. "But you need more than just sight. Use it."

In an instant, Kakashi disappeared. Her mind, empowered by the Sharingan, tracked his movements as he blurred into a series of flickers around her. The pressure mounted. Every move was precise, but she couldn't afford a single mistake.

'Stay calm,' she reminded herself.

Suddenly, Kakashi appeared behind her. Without thinking, Suki spun on her heel, her kunai meeting his attack with a sharp clash. Her body moved before her mind had even fully registered it. This was the power of the Sharingan—prediction.

"Not bad," Kakashi commented, backing off, his eye crinkling into a smile. "But remember, your body can only keep up if your mind doesn't waver. Don't let fear cloud your judgment."

Fear. Suki swallowed hard, her eye still glowing with power. She knew what Kakashi meant. She had felt the same fear once—when Sukuna's energy had tried to overtake her. That fear still lurked, waiting for her to falter.

But there was no room for doubt. Not now.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office...

Hidden within the shadows of the Hokage's private chamber, two figures stood silently. The room was quiet, save for the flicker of a single candle. A masked ANBU ninja knelt in front of the Hokage's desk, their voice low and urgent.

"We've found something... something connected to Suki's mother," the ANBU said.

The Hokage's expression remained calm, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He had long suspected that Suki's lineage was not as simple as it seemed, but this—this was unexpected.

"Are you certain?" the Hokage asked, leaning forward slightly.

The ANBU nodded, their mask glinting in the candlelight. "Positive. There are traces of an old energy signature. One that matches reports from years ago—linked to someone with a similar cursed aura to Sukuna himself."

The Hokage narrowed his eyes. If Suki's mother was alive, it changed everything. But the question remained—why had she hidden herself? And why had no one detected her until now?

"Continue the investigation," the Hokage ordered. "But keep this quiet. If anyone learns of this, it could put Suki in even greater danger."

The ANBU nodded and vanished into the shadows.

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. If Suki's mother was truly alive, it could explain many things. But it also raised new questions. How had she evaded them for so long? And what role would she play in the battles yet to come?

Outside, the village continued its peaceful day, but beneath the surface, shadows were beginning to stir.

Back at the Training Grounds...

Suki fell to one knee, panting heavily. Her Sharingan flickered before fading out entirely. She felt like she'd been running for hours, even though only minutes had passed.

Kakashi approached her, his hands resting on his knees as he looked down at her with that ever-calm expression.

"You did well today," he said, offering her a hand. "But don't push yourself too hard. Mastering the Sharingan takes time. You've already come farther than most would in such a short time."

Suki took his hand, pulling herself to her feet. Despite the exhaustion weighing her down, she couldn't shake the strange feeling gnawing at her chest. It was as if something important was about to happen—something that would change everything.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," she said, trying to hide the unease in her voice.

Kakashi smiled, patting her on the shoulder. "Rest up, Suki. We've got a long road ahead of us."

As she turned to leave, a single thought lingered in her mind—her mother. Even now, the memory of her felt distant, like a forgotten dream. But why did she feel that somehow, her mother was closer than ever before?