Naruto: Kakashi, the Ultimate Shinobi

Ryugasaki had finally completed his revenge. The so-called mission to escort goods to the Land of Wind was, in truth, just a ruse—a trap to lure enemies into a snare.

Thus, with the task's true purpose fulfilled, there was no longer any need to journey to the Land of Wind.

Ryugasaki had already entrusted the mission completion report to Kakashi.

With over ten days remaining before the mission deadline, Kakashi saw no reason to return to Konoha immediately. Explaining everything that had transpired would only complicate matters—especially with the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The actions he had taken outside the village could easily be misconstrued. After all, gathering influence or power beyond the village's borders—no matter the intention—might seem disloyal to Konoha in the eyes of its aging Hokage.

But Kakashi bore no ill will toward the village. Everything that happened was an unforeseen detour. Yet, the full truth was difficult to convey. To prevent unnecessary suspicions, it was better to act as though nothing had occurred.

This incident, ambiguous in scale and consequence, was best left unspoken.

Kakashi wasn't concerned about news leaking. Jinnin Village was a small, obscure settlement. Even if someone paid attention, few would connect the events of today to Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja.

His official task was merely to safeguard the caravan—and as far as anyone knew, the conflict involved only a pair of unfortunate bandits.

With no immediate obligation to return to Konoha, and no desire to linger near Jinnin Village where traces of the confrontation might remain, Kakashi chose instead to use his time wisely.

So, after parting ways with Ryugasaki, who had returned home to rebuild his life, Kakashi secluded himself deep within the forest to train.

In a quiet clearing, beneath bare, frost-kissed trees, Kakashi pushed his body to the limit. Though the season had turned cold, his face was slick with sweat, breath ragged with effort.

Over and over, he repeated a series of fluid movements, each time more precise, more refined.

Fatigue weighed heavily on him, but he didn't stop. When his limbs ached and vision blurred, he finally paused. Inside his body, chakra coursed swiftly, guided along the ancient pathways of the Eight Gates Formation technique—Hachimon Tonkō—which he had recently begun learning from Might Guy.

Kakashi closed his eyes, sensing the surge of energy.

Then—snap!

He opened his right eye, and whispered softly: "Gate of Opening—Kai!"

A surge of clarity burst through his senses. His muscles tightened, reflexes sharpened. For a fleeting moment, it was as though his entire being was reborn.

But the strain followed just as quickly. Kakashi dropped to one knee, gasping.

"Hah… hah…"

The breath trembled from his lips. But despite the exhaustion, there was satisfaction in his eyes.

In just a few days, he had successfully unlocked the first of the Eight Inner Gates—a feat even Might Guy, the living embodiment of perseverance, had taken months to achieve.

It wasn't that mastering the first gate was impossible—it simply demanded absolute control over one's chakra and body. And Kakashi had that in abundance.

Truly, the most terrifying kind of genius was the one who also worked harder than anyone else.

Cross-legged, Kakashi entered a meditative state, regulating his breathing as chakra slowly replenished. After about fifteen minutes, he felt his strength return.

Standing, he brushed the dirt from his uniform and stretched. He had achieved his goal: opening the Gate of Opening.

"There's still time," he muttered. "I can push further."

Fingering his silver-white hair, Kakashi reflected on his path. Since arriving in this world again, he found himself constantly chasing power.

Was it obsession?

No.

In a world ruled by strength, those without it were not only powerless—they were disposable.

And Kakashi was not someone ready to die. Not yet.

Drawing the short blade White Light Chakra Saber—Chidori no Ken—from behind his waist, Kakashi danced with it under the grey sky. Each slash carved through the air like a song of steel.

Compared to his first day in this world, he was undoubtedly sharper—more focused, more resolved.

With one final swing, he drove the blade into the ground, panting.

A strange sensation coursed through his body—like ripples moving across his chakra network.

His eyes widened.

His tenketsu—chakra points—had shifted.

"Wait…" he whispered.

A realization struck him. That sensation—could it be?

Without hesitation, he began forming hand seals. Lightning crackled to life in his palm.

Chidori—his original jutsu. A technique of piercing lightning, born from speed, chakra, and focus.

But Kakashi knew Chidori was incomplete in its original form. Like the Rasengan, it had untapped potential. The perfected version, Raikiri, proved this.

And perhaps, with his recent training, he could take it one step further.

Chidori was meant for more than just offense. He envisioned it as a technique that could both strike and defend—chakra flowing around the entire body like armor.

He had attempted this once before—unsuccessfully. But now, with several tenketsu opened by the First Gate, maybe—just maybe—it was possible.

Unlike the Hyuga, Kakashi couldn't release chakra from every tenketsu. But with several partially open thanks to the Eight Gates, there might be enough.

Lightning danced from his hands, spreading along his arms, then across his torso.

Yes. This feeling. This is it.

"Chidori… Nagashi!"

In an instant, the lightning in his palm shrank and dispersed—reappearing across his entire body in a burst of blinding blue.

He stood at the center, radiating crackling power like the very incarnation of thunder.

His Sharingan spun slowly.

This was his first truly original advancement since arriving here—a new form of Chidori, born from experience, intellect, and necessity.

The sound of a thousand birds echoed through the silent forest. Flocks of startled birds soared into the sky as if heralding the arrival of a new lightning king.

Kakashi let the energy fade, the Chidori flow dissipating as his breathing calmed.

This was just an A-rank jutsu. But to him, it meant far more.

It was proof.

Proof that his power was still growing.

Proof that he could still change the future.

"It's time to return," Kakashi said quietly.

Only now, he carried not only his sword—but also renewed confidence.