“I…”
“I am a scumbag who once tried to abandon you!”
Hearing Rin’s confession, Kakashi responded just as he did in the original story, calmly rejecting her.
Kakashi’s words hit Rin like a sledgehammer to the chest, causing her eyes to tremble, reflecting the pain and struggle within. His previous abandonment had truly hurt her.
“Ah…”
But Rin didn’t have time to dwell on her pain. She looked up and saw twelve Iwa-nin surrounding her and couldn’t help but cry out in shock.
“Damn! We’re surrounded!”
Kakashi looked around at the Iwa-nin, cursing under his breath. He felt a sinking feeling, realizing he hadn’t even noticed the enemy’s encirclement due to his weakened state.
“Don’t move, and don’t make a sound! Be ready to run when I give the signal!”
Kakashi protected himself before Rin, his eyes wary as he watched the Iwa-nin around them. He whispered to her, his tone urgent.
Swiftly, Kakashi’s hands formed seals!
The sound of a thousand birds chirping filled the air!
The Chidori once again crackled in Kakashi’s right hand, lightning flashing as the technique materialized.
“To think he still wants to fight in this state… No wonder he dared to infiltrate enemy territory!”
The lead Iwa-nin observed Kakashi’s Chidori with awe and contempt. Though impressed by the technique, he quickly dismissed Kakashi as just a kid despite the power of his jutsu.
He ignored Rin entirely, seeing her as a mere medical ninja with no combat capability.
“Anyone who comes at me will die! Even if I die, I’ll take a few of you with me!”
Kakashi’s cold voice echoed as he surveyed the Iwa-nin. He didn’t intend to strike immediately; his goal was to delay as long as possible.
Holding the special kunai given to him by Minato in his left hand, Kakashi’s determination was clear.
Sensing the deadly resolve in Kakashi’s words, the twelve Iwa-nin flinched involuntarily. They could tell he meant it; he would take some of them down with him if he had to.
“Kid, I advise you to surrender. Maybe we’ll spare your lives!”
The Iwa-nin leader’s eyes flashed as he spoke, hoping to weaken Kakashi’s resolve by offering a sliver of hope. He believed that Kakashi, injured as he was, might be desperate enough to grasp at any chance of survival.
Silence. Kakashi didn’t respond, maintaining a thoughtful pose as if considering the offer.
The forest was filled with the chirping of the Chidori in Kakashi’s hand, the lightning illuminating the tension.
“Hehe, it’s working!”
Kakashi smirked inwardly. He could buy a few more precious minutes as long as he stayed silent.
But the Iwa-nin leader noticed the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, almost invisible due to his mask.
“Damn it! He’s stalling for time!”
“Attack! Kill them!”
Realizing Kakashi’s ploy, the Iwa-nin leader roared, commanding his men to attack.
“Rin! Run!”
Hearing the leader’s shout, Kakashi’s calm facade shattered. He yelled to Rin, stepping forward with determination as he faced the Iwa-nin.
“It’s do or die!”
Kakashi’s heart pounded as he knew he had to fight, regardless of Minato’s imminent arrival. If he relaxed momentarily, the twelve Iwa-nin would overwhelm him before Minato could save them.
“Kakashi…”
Seeing Kakashi stand protectively before her, Rin’s eyes filled with tears. She no longer cared about his previous abandonment; all that mattered was this moment of bravery. Tenderness returned to her gaze.
Swish!
Rin drew a kunai, stepping to Kakashi’s side swiftly.
“If we die, we’ll die together!”
Rin’s soft but determined voice reached Kakashi’s ears, sending a shiver through him.
“Damn it, how could I have rejected such a good girl? My brain must have been scrambled!”
The soul within Kakashi, no longer dominated by his original self, was cursed inwardly.
But there was no time to dwell on it as the Iwa-nin’s attacks flew towards them!
“Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!”
The Iwa-nin leader attacked first, spewing a fireball at Kakashi.
“Die!”
Kakashi coldly shouted back, his Chidori colliding with the fireball.
The Chidori pierced the fireball with terrifying speed, nullifying it and continuing toward the stunned Iwa-nin leader.
“How… how is this possible…”
The leader was shocked by the power of Kakashi’s Chidori, having underestimated it. He had dismissed Kakashi as just a kid, only to face the full might of his jutsu.
“No…”
The leader’s horrified cry was cut short as the Chidori pierced his chest, blood spraying onto Kakashi’s face.
“Kakashi…”
Rin’s voice echoed in Kakashi’s ears as she called out in alarm. Though he had killed the leader, the other Iwa-nin were already upon him!
Kakashi didn’t respond; his body was paralyzed, and his chakra was nearly depleted!
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