[65] Kakashi's Path Forward

By the time Sora returned with Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayū Asama, Kakashi was still entangled in battle with Rouga Nadare.

From Nadare's damaged armor, it was clear he wouldn't last much longer.

In the original timeline, Kakashi had struggled significantly against Nadare, but things were different now.

Rin hadn't died, Minato was also alive, and Kakashi hadn't spiraled into darkness or given up on his training.

Moreover, with Sora continually provoking and pushing him, Kakashi's strength had increased substantially.

Given enough time, Kakashi could thoroughly crush Nadare.

Unfortunately, they didn't have that luxury. Five minutes had already passed since their infiltration.

In three minutes at most, Kazahana Dotō and his other two armored subordinates would arrive.

Kakashi currently couldn't handle all four enemies alone, meaning Sora would inevitably have to intervene.

However, if Sora defeated Dotō here, it would complicate the situation with Koyuki's future.

To prevent such complications, Sora urged him, "Kakashi, you've got three minutes left! Hurry it up!"

"Coming!" Kakashi shouted in response. He swiftly released a prepared Fire-Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu and took advantage of the resulting chaos to retreat.

Sora took Koyuki, while Kakashi carried Sandayū, and both rapidly used Body Flicker to leave.

Nadare's Ice Release collided violently with Kakashi's fire dragon, producing thick steam that obscured his vision.

By the time the steam cleared, the dungeon was completely empty.

Whoosh!

Kazahana Dotō appeared beside Nadare in the next instant, his face dark with anger. "Where are they? Where's Kazahana Koyuki?"

"They...they were rescued." Nadare lowered his head nervously, shaking slightly.

"Useless!" Dotō exploded in rage, barely restraining himself from killing Nadare on the spot. Instead, he barked angrily, "Then what are you waiting for? Go after them!"

"Y-yes! I'll go now!"

Clang!

Nadare quickly organized a search with soldiers spreading across the Land of Snow, while he and the other two armored shinobi frantically scoured the area.

Even Dotō himself, grinding his teeth in frustration, joined the search.

The treasure left behind by his brother was far too important—it could provide the funds needed to elevate the Land of Snow's power and wealth.

However, Sora knew nothing of Dotō's obsession and wouldn't have cared even if he had.

They had already left the royal capital, heading straight to the port they'd arrived from.

Kazahana Koyuki silently followed behind, her head downcast. Sandayū seemed to want to say something but remained hesitant. Neither Sora nor Kakashi paid them any mind.

Sandayū had also realized by now that these two ninjas lacked the strength to help them reclaim their country.

Kakashi had barely managed against Nadare, and there were two others at Nadare's level, plus Dotō himself.

Thus, Sandayū gave up on the idea of reclaiming their homeland for now, focusing solely on getting Koyuki safely out of the Land of Snow.

The group silently maintained this awkward atmosphere until they reached the port.

The scene awaiting them was surprising.

Over thirty soldiers lay unconscious at the port, which was now occupied by the soldier who had met them earlier and a group of loyal civilians.

"You're finally here! These were Dotō's soldiers. Quickly, get the princess aboard and leave!"

It turned out that after Sora and Kakashi departed, the soldier anticipated Dotō's move to block the ports.

So he led a group of civilians still loyal to Koyuki, ambushing Dotō's soldiers when they arrived, capturing the port in advance.

Sora and Kakashi boarded the ship first, allowing Koyuki and Sandayū some time to say farewell to the gathered crowd.

After four or five minutes, once Koyuki and Sandayū boarded, the ship immediately departed, leaving the Land of Snow behind.

"Kakashi," Sora suddenly spoke, drawing out the White Fang's short sword from Kakashi's back. "Have you abandoned your father's sword techniques just because you have the Sharingan? You became a Jōnin relying on swordsmanship!"

Seeing Kakashi's expression darken slightly, Sora continued, "No matter how powerful the Sharingan is, it's not truly yours. You can't even deactivate it. Why discard something precious for a mere accessory?"

Sora's harsh words were meant to prevent Kakashi from wasting his potential.

In the original timeline, Kakashi, even at thirty years old, remained just an elite Jōnin—quite disgraceful in Sora's eyes.

Sora considered Kakashi the ninja with the highest innate talent. He had entered the academy at five, graduated at six, and became a Jōnin by twelve!

Had he continued progressing at his own pace, Kakashi wouldn't be overshadowed during the Fourth Great Ninja War. There wouldn't just be a "Kai of the Eight Gates" but also a "Blade God Kakashi!"

In this world, excelling in ninjutsu required the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki clan. Otherwise, the peak would only be at the levels of Sarutobi Hiruzen or the Raikage.

Swordsmanship and taijutsu, however, had boundless potential.

Might Guy nearly ended the war with a single kick, after all.

If Kakashi continued pursuing swordsmanship with his exceptional talent, he'd surely stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Guy.

"Swordsmanship, huh?" Kakashi murmured quietly, touching the Sharingan and lost in thought.

"Exactly," Sora nodded firmly. "The Sharingan is merely a burden for you, definitely not the path you should walk."

Sora didn't elaborate further. Having said all he needed, he turned away, leaving Kakashi to ponder.

Standing alone after Sora departed, Kakashi gazed at the horizon, remembering something Minato had once said.

"Kakashi, I know the Sharingan was Obito's gift to you, but it will always be your burden. You should walk your own path."

Minato had spoken these words not long ago, but Kakashi had kept putting off his decision.

Now even Sora echoed Minato's words, forcing Kakashi to finally confront the truth.

"Should I really give up the Sharingan?" Kakashi asked himself quietly.

In truth, the Sharingan's greatest value had been in confronting Obito—but Obito was already killed by Sora, rendering it essentially meaningless.

Even if Obito had survived, as long as Kakashi properly developed, Sora believed Kakashi could easily kill Obito with just a few swift blade strikes—too fast for Obito to react.

Just like Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, who needed only one blade strike to defeat anyone.

And Kakashi's potential was essentially a superior version of Sakumo's.

While Kakashi was still lost in contemplation, their ship had reached the border of the Land of Fire, where they'd have to continue on foot.

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