CHAPTER 14

While Kai Uchiha was deep in thought, preparing for battle, Kakashi Hatake was already exhausted. The strain of using his newly awakened Sharingan and repeatedly executing Chidori had nearly depleted his chakra reserves.

But now was not the time for rest—nor did Kakashi intend to. A heavy sense of guilt weighed on him, darkening his heart. His grief for Obito Uchiha, whom he believed to be dead, and his promise to protect Rin Nohara fueled his determination to fight to the end.

Summoning the last of his strength, he gathered chakra into his right hand. The battlefield echoed with the high-pitched screeching of Chidori. In his left hand, he gripped the kunai gifted to him by his sensei, Minato Namikaze, infusing it with a faint trace of chakra.

The moment his chakra reached its limit, Iwa-nin launched another assault. Kakashi, indifferent to his own survival, charged forward to meet them head-on.

From the edge of the battlefield, Kai Uchiha and his team arrived just in time to witness the scene.

"…This is brutal," Uchiha Kai muttered as he watched Kakashi, reckless and relentless, tear through enemy ranks. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He had to admit—Kakashi fought fiercely. And somehow, Lady Luck seemed to favor him. Though he had taken hits, none were fatal.

Kai also noticed something peculiar—the Iwa-nin didn't seem intent on killing Kakashi outright. Instead, they fought to subdue him.

They want him alive, Kai realized. Given Kakashi's reputation as a genius, capturing him would provide invaluable intelligence.

"What's the plan?" Hyūga Aya asked, frowning. "The enemy's numbers aren't overwhelming, but they're not weak either. If they weren't trying to capture him alive, Kakashi would already be dead. And honestly, I don't think their patience will last much longer."

"Should we cover Rin's evacuation?" Imai Kenta suggested. "Her position is dangerous—"

"Protect Rin," Kai decided swiftly. "Don't let the enemy get close to her. I'll back up Kakashi."

"You really trust Namikaze Jōnin to show up in time?" Aya muttered, though she knew the question was pointless.

Kai didn't respond. Instead, he acted immediately. Aya and Kenta, exchanging a glance, had no choice but to follow. They could only hope Minato Namikaze would arrive before things got worse.

---

Kakashi drove a kunai into an Iwa-nin, pinning him against a tree. Without hesitation, he thrust Chidori into the shinobi's chest. The enemy's face twisted with pain—but in his final moments, he swung his own kunai toward Kakashi's ribs in a desperate counterattack.

He was willing to trade his life for Kakashi's.

But Kakashi didn't flinch. His Sharingan, gifted to him by Obito, allowed him to anticipate the attack. His dynamic vision had reached terrifying new heights.

With precise movement, he twisted his body just enough to evade the strike, then drove Chidori deeper, tearing through flesh and bone. Blood splattered across the battlefield as the Iwa-nin collapsed, lifeless.

Yet Kakashi barely had a moment to breathe before he was surrounded again. More Iwa-nin closed in. They were determined to capture him.

Is this the end?

Kakashi exhaled heavily. He was exhausted. So damn tired.

He wanted to stop.

But then he thought of Rin. Of Obito.

He wasn't dead yet.

Gritting his teeth, Kakashi yanked his bloodied hand free from the corpse and prepared to keep fighting.

Then, out of nowhere—

A shadow moved behind the enemy lines.

A blur of motion, impossibly fast. In an instant, a kunai slashed across an Iwa-nin's throat, clean and precise. Before the body could even hit the ground, another kunai flew through the air, embedding itself in the skull of another approaching enemy.

Kakashi's eyes widened as the figure landed in front of him.

He recognized the symbol on the newcomer's uniform.

Kai Uchiha.

Relief surged through Kakashi—followed swiftly by guilt.

"You alive?" Kai asked, glancing at him. "Where's Namikaze Jōnin?"

"Supporting the frontlines," Kakashi answered, still catching his breath. "You need to leave. I'll hold them off—just get Rin to safety."

"And your mission?" Kai frowned. "My teammates are already protecting Rin. Now rest up. We're breaking through—we can't stay here."

Kai didn't wait for a response. He turned back to the Iwa-nin, who had quickly regrouped for another attack.

Taking a deep breath, Kai assessed the situation. He wasn't sure how long Kakashi had lasted in the original timeline before Minato arrived, but one thing was certain—if they wanted to make it out, they had to fight.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

Kai unleashed a massive fireball.

The enemy scattered—but something was wrong.

The moment the flames engulfed their targets, the Iwa-nin vanished in puffs of smoke.

Clones.

Kai's eyes narrowed. He moved instantly, attempting a substitution jutsu—

Too late.

A kunai stabbed into his back—

Or at least, that's what the enemy thought.

With a burst of smoke, Uchiha Kai's body dissolved into dust.

The real Kai emerged behind his attacker, mirroring their previous move with eerie precision. His kunai plunged into the enemy's spine.

But something felt off.

As the Iwa-nin crumpled, more attackers closed in.

Realizing he was about to be overwhelmed, Kai executed another swift substitution—just in time to avoid a barrage of kunai.

He landed a few feet away, heart pounding.

This is bad.

They were outnumbered, and Kakashi was nearly spent. If Minato didn't arrive soon—

Kai clenched his jaw.

They had no choice but to fight.