"It's over, Kakashi-sensei."
Observing the receding silhouettes of the two retreating figures, Kitagawa Minamoto finally experienced a profound wave of relief washing over him, though he couldn't suppress an internal expression of discontent.
This confrontation had proven significantly more perilous than his initial assessment had indicated.
If not for Itachi Uchiha's divided loyalties—whether stemming from fraternal bonds or village allegiance—and his evident reluctance to deploy his full capabilities, coupled with the remarkable efficacy of his own Purple Electricity, the outcome would have been considerably less favorable.
"Yes... it's finally concluded."
After confirming the adversaries' definitive departure, Hatake Kakashi collapsed onto the ground, utterly depleted.
The formidable nature of Itachi Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan transcended Kakashi's most extreme estimations.
Despite possessing the Sharingan himself, the overwhelming superiority of the Mangekyō Sharingan compared to its standard counterpart defied comprehension.
"No wonder he successfully eliminated his entire clan without assistance..."
The contemplation sent an involuntary chill traversing Kakashi's spine.
Without Kitagawa Minamoto's timely intervention, the situation could have developed along a drastically different trajectory.
Particularly that purple lightning—it evoked in Kakashi an inexplicable sensation that eluded precise articulation.
However...
Kakashi's expression darkened as he regarded Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Didn't I explicitly instruct you to withdraw? Despite your impressive performance and successful manifestation of your conceptualized technique, nevertheless..."
"I understand, Kakashi-sensei."
Before Kakashi could complete his admonishment, Kitagawa Minamoto interjected with a measured smile.
"We've successfully deceived them, haven't we?"
"But have you contemplated the potential consequences had they not been susceptible to our deception?" Kakashi executed a negative cranial gesture, his tone conveying stern disapproval.
"Persistence in such reckless behavior will inevitably result in your demise!"
"But abandoning you to peril wasn't an acceptable option, Kakashi-sensei."
Kitagawa Minamoto blinked deliberately, his smile unwavering as he articulated his response with measured cadence.
"Perhaps I disregarded explicit instructions, but Kakashi-sensei, have you forgotten? Those who violate regulations are trash, but those who forsake their comrades are worse than trash."
"Now, Kakashi-sensei, you should restore your energy. I'll verify our client's condition."
With that declaration, Kitagawa Minamoto rose expeditiously, directed a reassuring grin toward Kakashi, and proceeded toward the carriage.
"This young shinobi..."
Kakashi remained motionless, his gaze fixed upon Kitagawa Minamoto's retreating form with an expression that defied simple categorization.
In candid assessment, when he encountered Jūzō Biwa and Itachi Uchiha during this mission, he had genuinely believed their situation was irredeemable.
He had experienced a profound sense of predetermined fate, as though his perpetual solitude were an inescapable destiny.
Since his formative years, tragedy had accompanied him with unwavering constancy.
His father had terminated his own existence, leaving him without parental guidance.
As he matured, his closest companions—Obito and Rin—had both perished during wartime conflicts.
Subsequently, his mentor and the latter's spouse had met their end during the Nine-Tails' catastrophic assault.
Throughout those periods of profound darkness, Kakashi had navigated existence without clear purpose, immersed in despair.
His sole motivation for continued existence derived from the mechanical execution of successive missions.
Without Guy and several other associates in Konoha, Kakashi believed his life would have concluded during some unremarkable Anbu operation.
Upon eventually departing from the Anbu and assuming pedagogical responsibilities, he encountered his initial student.
Initially, Kakashi had maintained minimal expectations regarding this individual.
Indeed, following the hospitalization of the student's teammates, Kakashi had contemplated abandoning instructional efforts entirely.
Yet, to his considerable surprise, that student had reiterated the precise philosophical principle that Obito had once impressed upon him.
And now, during this critical encounter, that same student had demonstrated authentic commitment to those principles through decisive action.
"Nevertheless, fortune favored us this occasion—no casualties resulted..."
Kakashi's gaze acquired a distant quality.
The previous instance when someone had articulated those words to him, they had preserved his life only to subsequently perish on the battlefield.
But in this instance, the individual who expressed that sentiment had rescued him, and circumstances had evolved along a fundamentally different trajectory.
Gradually, Kakashi's mental focus reestablished itself.
He adjusted his headband to conceal his Sharingan, revealing his characteristic crescent-shaped eye.
"It appears... this truly represents a new beginning."
[Side Quest Completed: The Light in Kakashi's Heart]
[Reward Received: Information on Divine Weapons]
As Kakashi engaged in introspection, novel information materialized within Kitagawa Minamoto's consciousness.
Observing the notification regarding the completed quest, Kitagawa Minamoto couldn't help but marvel at the remarkable effectiveness of Obito Uchiha's philosophical principle in penetrating Kakashi's emotional defenses.
However, upon examining the specified reward, his expression adopted a peculiar configuration.
"What precisely is the significance of this?"
In his recollection, the designated "divine weapons" appeared to correspond to implements utilized by those eccentric siblings from Kumogakure.
But after meticulous examination of the provided details, he discerned a significant discrepancy.
"The Sword of Totsuka and the Yata Mirror?"
Kitagawa Minamoto's brow furrowed in contemplation.
He recalled that these two artifacts constituted weaponry deployed by Itachi Uchiha's Susano'o.
If his memory served correctly, Itachi had employed the Sword of Totsuka to effortlessly seal Orochimaru, even when the latter had activated the Eight Branches Technique.
Moreover, both items existed in a Chakra state.
He had consistently presumed they represented integral components of Susano'o's inherent arsenal.
But current information suggested an alternative interpretation.
"Could it be that these designated divine weapons existed in their Chakra manifestations long before Itachi discovered and incorporated them into his Susano'o?"
The more he analyzed this possibility, the more plausible it appeared.
After all, when Itachi deployed the Sword of Totsuka and the Yata Mirror, both Orochimaru and Black Zetsu had exhibited immediate recognition.
Furthermore, they demonstrated familiarity with these weapons' specific capabilities.
"This indicates these divine weapons must have maintained a presence in the shinobi world for an extended duration, generating numerous legendary accounts..."
Otherwise, neither Orochimaru nor Black Zetsu could have identified them with such immediacy upon their initial encounter with Itachi's Susano'o.
Regarding the circumstances that facilitated Itachi's acquisition of these weapons...
"Either he experienced extraordinary fortune, or this information was already integrated within the Uchiha clan's hereditary knowledge."
At this consideration, Kitagawa Minamoto's expression underwent subtle transformation.
While the divine weapons themselves didn't particularly captivate his interest, if information regarding these artifacts was indeed connected to the Uchiha clan, then his curiosity was genuinely piqued.
This strongly suggested these items represented either relics of their progenitor Indra, or perhaps...
"...Even armaments once wielded by the Sage of Six Paths!"
Regardless of their precise origin, weapons existing in a Chakra state would inevitably retain residual elements of their wielder's Chakra signature.
Such Chakra could potentially facilitate the development of Kitagawa Minamoto's bloodline capabilities!
Particularly if associated with the Sage of Six Paths—discovering any artifacts connected to this legendary figure would enable Kitagawa Minamoto to accelerate his developmental trajectory significantly.
"Additionally, following their tactical withdrawal, they'll likely report Kakashi's condition to Obito Uchiha, won't they?"
Kitagawa Minamoto's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Though he maintained no particular affinity for Itachi Uchiha, he couldn't suppress a murmured acknowledgment.
"You truly embody admirable ethical principles, Itachi Uchiha..."
"Are you maintaining functional capacity?"
Elsewhere within the forest, Itachi Uchiha regarded Jūzō Biwa, who continued to exhibit residual rigidity from the purple lightning's effects.
"I'll recover adequately, though restoration requires time," Jūzō Biwa responded, his tone infused with evident frustration.
"I underestimated the youth's capabilities. Without comprehensive intelligence regarding his abilities, I acted with insufficient caution. And that Lightning Release technique he employs... it possesses truly exceptional properties."
As a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Jūzō Biwa wasn't predisposed to deny his tactical miscalculations.
Though Kitagawa Minamoto had outmaneuvered him strategically, he accepted this outcome as an inherent aspect of shinobi existence, where conventional limitations rarely apply.
What persisted most prominently in his consciousness was the vivid impression of that purple lightning.
That technique had established a profound psychological impact.
"Impressive capabilities for Hatake Kakashi's student. Kakashi himself presents substantial challenges—despite deploying the Mangekyō Sharingan, I couldn't achieve complete subjugation."
Itachi nodded affirmatively, then briefly closed his eyes.
"We should expedite our departure. I require recovery as well. Should Konoha's Anbu intercept us, our tactical position becomes precarious."
Though uncertainty remained regarding the actual deployment of reinforcements, as an operative, Itachi had no rational basis to question his own strategic assessment.
"Agreed. Let's proceed."
Jūzō Biwa nodded, evaluating his physical mobility before continuing.
"What an unfortunate sequence of events. Not only did an adolescent identify my operational status, but the mission objectives remain unfulfilled. I'll communicate these developments to our associates subsequently..."
"After all, we encountered the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi and a prodigiously talented shinobi. What alternative outcome could reasonably be anticipated?"
[TN-Final: Original Term - "神器" - Final Translation: "Divine Weapons" - Justification: This term refers specifically to legendary artifacts with spiritual or divine properties in Japanese mythology, accurately capturing the supernatural nature of the Sword of Totsuka and Yata Mirror.]