Kakashi Masters All Elements, Rewrites the Ninja World for Rin!

On the edge of the border, deep in the primeval forest.

Kakashi, walking ahead, suddenly raised his right hand, signaling a stop.

Minato noticed and smiled with quiet relief.

"Already sensed them? These kids really are sharp."

In the dense branches ahead, a hidden assassin ninja narrowed his eyes.

"That kid in the back... blonde hair... no way, that's..."

"Ugh, can't be that unlucky... well, guess I'll test the waters first."

He began forming hand seals quietly.

Back with the team, Minato and the others ducked into cover.

"Just one?" Obito asked.

"No," Minato said calmly, his fingers tapping the ground. "There are over twenty. Likely Shadow Clones."

"Sensei! Let me engage first—cover me!" Kakashi said, already stepping forward.

He and Minato exchanged a look. Minato nodded. "Be careful."

He wasn't worried. With Kakashi's skill—and his own presence—nothing would go wrong.

Kakashi moved into position, forming seals quickly. Chou-Mao-Shen.

A sharp arc of lightning flared from his right hand.

"Chidori!"

Electricity screamed across the clearing, flaring wildly.

Obito and Rin blinked in awe.

"Whoa! What kind of jutsu is that?!"

"Looks amazing!" Rin gasped.

Their shock was understandable—this was the first time they'd seen Kakashi's original technique in action.

"Cue dramatic entrance," Kakashi muttered, then launched into the trees like a human lightning bolt.

The assassin ninja saw him approach and grinned darkly.

"So you're charging straight in, huh? Cute."

He unleashed a wave of shuriken, fast and brutal.

Kakashi didn't flinch. Oh no, pointy metal things. Whatever shall I do?

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Minato blurred into motion, deflecting the hail of shuriken with a flurry of kunai.

In doing so, he also pinpointed the real ninja's location.

Another kunai flew—this one aimed straight for the assassin's face.

The enemy retreated just in time.

That's my cue, Kakashi thought.

He flashed in and rammed his Chidori forward—straight into the assassin's chest.

Bang!

Poof. Shadow Clone.

"Tch. Classic."

Without missing a beat, Kakashi surged forward again.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

More clones popped like balloons at a birthday party.

"Nineteen down," he said, skidding to a stop. "That makes you the real one."

The last assassin bared his teeth and charged with a katana. "Don't get cocky, brat!"

Kakashi's eye twitched. Oh no, a sword. I've never seen that before.

He ducked under the swing effortlessly, used the momentum, and drove his Chidori right through the man's chest.

"You... how...?"

The assassin's voice faded into silence.

Kakashi stood, lightning fizzling out.

"Your first mistake was bringing a knife to a chakra fight."

He stepped back, letting the body slump to the ground.

"Kakashi! Are you hurt?" Rin rushed over, concern written across her face.

He gave a lopsided grin. "Nah, I'm fine~ The guy couldn't land a hit if I stood still and held a bullseye."

He added more gently, "Don't worry, okay?"

Minato joined them, eyes gleaming. "Well done. Looks like you've patched the weaknesses in Chidori."

Originally, the high-speed thrust left too many blind spots. But now, Kakashi moved with fluid precision.

Clearly, even outside the village, he hadn't slacked off.

"In that case..." Minato's eyes softened. "I can leave without worry tomorrow."

Before turning away, he added, "Remember—teamwork is still a shinobi's most vital strength."

"Understood."

That night

The moon shone bright, stars scattered sparsely overhead. Insects chirped softly, joined by the crackle of firewood burning.

Minato sat cross-legged on a rise, keeping watch.

Footsteps approached.

He turned to see Obito walking up, face unreadable.

"Minato-sensei," Obito greeted softly, then sat down beside him.

"I... I understand the importance of teamwork. I really do."

"But Kakashi... he's just too strong."

Obito clenched his fists.

"Every time I'm near him, I feel useless. Like I'm always chasing someone I'll never catch."

Minato watched him for a moment, then gently ruffled his hair.

"Obito, you've got talent too."

"Awakening the Sharingan at your age? That's rare. That's special."

He continued, "Kakashi's abilities are definitely exceptional. But sometimes, being around a genius makes you forget your own strength."

"You've grown so much—because you've always aimed to catch up with him."

Minato smiled.

"In times like these, having a strong comrade is a gift, not a curse."

"And you, Obito, have your own path. The Sharingan gives you strengths Kakashi doesn't have."

He placed a hand on Obito's shoulder.

"You just have to keep moving forward. As long as you don't give up, there's no limit to how far you'll go."

"Yeah!"

Obito's eyes lit up, his gloom lifting.

That's right. I awakened the Two Tomoe Sharingan at seven!

If I reach Three Tomoe, I can become a Jōnin too!

Kakashi even mentioned something above that—Mangekyō!

No matter how far ahead you are... I'll catch up, Kakashi!

To be continued...