Kakashi: Godless Ascension

The sun was just beginning to rise over Training Ground 3, its soft orange glow spilling over the treetops. Sasuke stood alone, already there, arms crossed as his eyes stared ahead at nothing in particular.

He had come early again, as usual. Earlier than anyone else. There was something sharp in his expression, silent determination, burning just beneath the surface.

The soft crunch of footsteps through the grass interrupted the quiet.

"You're early," Kakashi said as he approached, hands buried in his pockets, his ever-casual posture unchanged.

"I want to get stronger," Sasuke said, eyes still forward. "Fast."

Kakashi stopped in front of him and tilted his head slightly, studying the boy's serious expression. After a moment of quiet, he unsealed his Sharingan, revealing its unmistakable red glow.

Sasuke's eyes widened, breath catching slightly. "That's… the Sharingan."

Kakashi gave a slight nod. "Yeah. Just one. My left eye."

"But you're not a Uchiha," Sasuke said, narrowing his eyes.

"It's a long story," Kakashi replied, lowering his headband again. "I got it from a close friend. His name was Obito Uchiha. He gave it to me… during a mission. Just before he died."

Sasuke blinked, stunned into silence. He didn't say anything for a long moment, but the look in his eyes said he understood. That kind of pain… that kind of loss… it resonated with him.

"I know you've awakened yours too," Kakashi said next, watching him.

Sasuke turned his head slightly, surprised. "How… how did you know?"

"You've been trying to control it. I can tell." Kakashi spoke. "You're not the only one who's struggled with it."

Sasuke looked away, frowning.

"Want to learn how to control it?" Kakashi asked calmly.

Sasuke didn't answer with words. He simply gave a sharp nod.

"Focus your chakra on your optic nerves," Kakashi instructed, his tone shifting slightly into that of a teacher. "Slowly and carefully. Don't force it. Keep your breathing even."

Sasuke closed his eyes and breathed out through his nose. He concentrated. Then, when he opened his eyes again, both of them burned with the red hue of the Sharingan. One tomoe in each eye spun faintly.

"Good," Kakashi said, his eyes curving in approval. "You're progressing."

He took a step back.

"The Sharingan will help you read movement and copy it. That'll be important for what comes next."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm going to show you a taijutsu style I copied long ago," Kakashi said as he adjusted his gloves. "It's from a friend of mine. You've seen him before, green jumpsuit, thick eyebrows, loud voice."

"Might Guy?" Sasuke said with a raised eyebrow.

"Exactly," Kakashi nodded. "He may be flashy, but when it comes to physical combat, he's in a league of his own. His form is flawless."

Kakashi suddenly shifted into a stance. He moved quickly, precise punches, spinning low kicks, sudden pivots, a forward charge, and retreat. The movements were sharp, tight, and rhythmic. Sasuke's eyes followed every motion, the tomoe spinning as they absorbed the pattern.

"Watch closely," Kakashi said as he finished the sequence. "This form emphasizes raw speed and clean motion. You'll need both to handle what I plan to teach you later."

Sasuke nodded once and stepped forward. He tried to imitate the moves, his strikes were a little stiff at first, but each punch became smoother, each kick a little cleaner. The Sharingan helped him remember the rhythm.

Kakashi watched silently. He didn't interrupt. He simply observed.

Sweat started forming on Sasuke's forehead, but he didn't stop. His face was blank, but his eyes burned with quiet fire.

"I'll master it," Sasuke said.

Kakashi gave a small smile. "Good. Master this first. When you've got speed and control, we'll move to the next phase."

Sasuke kept at it, repeating the motions again and again, not pausing, not hesitating. He would keep going until it was perfect.

He wasn't going to stop, not until he had the power to destroy the man who took everything from him.

…

The next morning, Training Ground 3 greeted them with the soft wind and chirping birds. Sasuke stood there again, this time with his arms loose at his sides. Kakashi was already waiting this time, leaning against a tree.

"Ready for the next step?" Kakashi asked, straightening.

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi paused.

He blinked. That was the first time Sasuke had called him "Sensei."

For a second, he wasn't sure he'd heard it right. Then he gave a faint smile and walked forward.

"Alright then. Sit," he said, motioning to the grass.

Sasuke obeyed, settling down quietly in front of him.

"Before we begin, you need to understand the foundation of what I'm going to teach you," Kakashi said. "It's called Chidori."

Sasuke's eyes flickered slightly.

"It's not just about speed and power," Kakashi went on. "It's about control. Precision."

Kakashi held out his right hand and focused. Lightning chakra surged around it, crackling violently, chirping like a thousand birds.

"Chidori," he said simply.

Sasuke leaned forward, eyes wide. The electricity hummed in the air.

"It's a high concentration of lightning chakra," Kakashi explained. "Compressed and channeled into your hand. At this level, it can pierce through almost anything."

The jutsu crackled fiercely, tendrils of lightning coiling up his wrist.

"But it's not without risk," Kakashi said, his voice firm. "This much power puts stress on the hand. You'll feel the burn. It can cause your skin to smolder."

Sasuke didn't flinch. "Does it stop you from using it?"

"No. But that's not the real problem," Kakashi said, letting the jutsu fade. "The real problem is speed."

He stood.

"When you perform Chidori, you rush at your opponent in a straight line at full speed. So fast, in fact, that it creates tunnel vision. You can't see your surroundings clearly."

Sasuke furrowed his brow.

"Which means…?"

"Which means you're vulnerable," Kakashi said. "Even if you land the blow, an enemy could counter if they see it coming. That's why most shinobi can't use this technique safely."

Sasuke's Sharingan lit up again, his gaze sharp.

"But you have the Sharingan," Kakashi continued. "With it, you can predict movement and react even at that speed. You can eliminate the tunnel vision effect."

He paused, making sure Sasuke was following.

"Chidori is powerful, but deadly if used carelessly. That's why I'm teaching it to you. Because you have what it takes to use it properly."

Sasuke stood now, serious. "Teach me."

Kakashi nodded once, then raised his hand.

"Watch the hand seals."

He went slowly, step by step.

"Ox. Rabbit. Monkey," he said.

Lightning began to spark again around his hand.

"You'll feel resistance at first," he said. "Your chakra will fight back. But push through it. Let the chakra spin and gather."

Kakashi stepped back and gestured. "Your turn."

Sasuke took a breath and raised his hand. His fingers moved slowly at first, Ox… Rabbit… Monkey.

The instant he completed the final seal, a small crackle of chakra flickered in his palm. Then it intensified, electricity dancing faintly.

The sound, soft at first then grew louder. A high-pitched chirping.

"Birds…" Sasuke whispered. "It really does sound like birds…"

Kakashi watched with a quiet nod.

"You've got the control," he said. "Now you need repetition. Train your body to stabilize the chakra while in motion. Once you can hold it steady… we move to impact drills."

Sasuke stared at his hand, the sparks flickering across his skin. There was power there. Real power. He could feel it.

He clenched his fist, and the jutsu dissipated.

"I'll master this," Sasuke said.

Kakashi walked past him and looked out at the clearing. The wind blew gently across the field.

"I know you will," he said.

Sasuke didn't reply. He didn't need to.

He simply turned, raised his hand, and formed the hand seals again, Ox. Rabbit. Monkey.

The air filled with the chirping of lightning birds once more.

And the training continued.