18 Role Change
(A/N: Curious to read ahead? Get early access to chapters by visiting my Patreon. You'll find 5 chapters ahead of what's posted on Patreōn: door_kun )
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*Ding*
[Private Chat Room: Ex-Veteran & Copy Ninja]
Ame and Kakashi's dialogue proved too complex for Riko to grasp, and they had no intention of making it comprehensible to her.
Consequently, they decided to reserve such discussions for private settings, considering she was the youngest among them – though Kakashi remained oblivious to Ame's true age.
[Copy Ninja: I find myself following the path you mentioned.]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Impressive, didn't expect you to have a taste for pain.]
...
[Copy Ninja: You really know how to push my buttons...]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): You think so? Lmao]
[Copy Ninja: What's "lmao"?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Doesn't matter.]
Ame stopped herself from saying "He's a Chinese hacker," like a meme from her past life.
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): So? Why are you texting me again?]
Finally the real discussion began.
[Copy Ninja: I delivered Danzo's body to the Uchiha clan, exposing his plots to the clan leader and elders. I managed to dissuade them from initiating a coup. Against the Third Hokage's orders, I took on the role of a rogue ninja. As a result, I'm now viewed as a criminal...]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): It seems my actions have set off a cascade of changes in your life.]
[Copy Ninja: Can you provide more details?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Originally, Itachi Uchiha was destined to assume your current position. After Danzo obtained Shisui's eye, Shisui faked his own death, making it appear as a suicide. This was done to prevent turmoil within Konoha and the Uchiha clan. Additionally, Danzo approached Itachi, and they came to an understanding: Itachi would wipe out his entire clan to ensure his brother Sasuke Uchiha's safety.]
[Copy Ninja: I understand. What happened next with Itachi?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Itachi couldn't execute the plan alone. He encountered a renegade Uchiha who proposed a partnership to eliminate the clan and bring Itachi into his criminal syndicate. However, Itachi remained cautious, regularly sending reports about the group to the Hokage.]
[Copy Ninja: So, should I follow a similar path? Do you know the renegade Uchiha's name?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): While I'm not entirely inclined to recommend it, if you're determined, I can provide you with extensive information. Just keep in mind, there's a price to pay, as I'm sure you're aware.]
..."Of course there is..." Kakashi suppressed the urge to roll his eyes in his realm.
[Copy Ninja: What are your terms?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): I'm going all out for this. Access the sharing option and slide down the screen using three fingers to capture a screenshot. Show me what you've got to display.]
Finally, after struggling with the screenshot function, he finally sent it.
[Attachment: 87856P-i.jpg (File)]
[Would you like to share a skill?]
• [Mangekyou Sharingan] (S)
• [Chakra Control] (B)
• [Chakra Programming] (B)
• [Universal Affinity] (B)
• [Multilingual] (C) (Max)
• [Thought Guidance] (B)
The seasoned Ex-Veteran (Admin) meticulously scrutinized the Shinobi's offerings, taking her time before delivering her considered response:
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): I'll take your Sharingan and Chakra Programming, thanks.]
[Copy Ninja: Don't you think that's a bit too much?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Allow me to remind you, I've already bestowed upon you a skill that grants comprehension of various languages and insights into the profound intricacies of energy manipulation. Moreover, have you detected the peculiar nature of Universal Affinity?]
[Copy Ninja: What is it?]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Universal Affinity isn't merely a skill for energy manipulation like chakras; it imparts the capacity to adapt to a spectrum of energies. Thus, theoretically, you could wield your Sharingan without encountering the limitations of not being an Uchiha.]
"!!!?" Kakashi's realization dawned upon him.
[Copy Ninja: I suppose that's indeed an equivalent exchange...]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Understand, Kakashi, we're not engaging in a traditional exchange; we're sharing our skills. Your skills remain at your disposal even after sharing them, and I've invested on you enough.]
...
...
*Ding*
[Attachment: Mangekyou Sharingans (Skill Core)]
[Attachment: Chakra Programming (Skill Core)]
...
*Ding*
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): A pleasure doing business with you.]
[Attachment: Don't_f***_it_up.pdf]
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At the outset, the simplest approach to preserving peace involved establishing a threatening figure that compelled the two factions to collaborate.
Facilitating conventional dialogue proved exceptionally challenging, particularly when dealing with elderly individuals prone to fits of anger.
Seriously, every clan elder ever...
However, Kakashi succeeded in quelling the coup by revealing Danzo's demise. Subsequently, they could engage in effective communication with Lord Third.
Thus, they hatched the plan of rebellion. Some disagreed, but Kakashi didn't have any time for that. He left Danzo's corpse at the Uchiha compound.
Upon reaching the border of the Land of Fire, Kakashi powered down his smartphone. Laden with belongings from his compound, he embarked on a journey towards the Land of Iron. The biting cold enveloped him, freezing his body, yet his concealed breath still escaped as steam.
His current plan: to remain concealed until alterations were made in the Bingo books. Swift execution of his next plan was imperative.
He found a cave and sought shelter there, passing the day before revisiting his smartphone. His Anbu outfit was wet and soaked from melting snow, compelling him to expend energy for warmth. Once again, he accessed his phone, delving into the PDF file given by Ame.
Activating his Sharingan, he scanned the information. It indicated that joining the Akatsuki wasn't a recommended course of action, but the decision rested entirely with him, echoing Ame's words.
He grasped the necessity of infiltrating the Akatsuki, committing to dutifully report to the Hokage, perhaps every few months or years. It seemed to be the optimal way to serve the Leaf Village at this point.
Locating the toad sage Jiraiya's location could also prove beneficial, though that would be a task for a later time.
At the moment, he realized he needed a bit more strength.
"It does sound like a lot of work..." Kakashi pondered his choice, even though he had made it himself.
"At least Gai's not around..." And he could always use his 'rival' as a reason to boost his motivation.
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To be continued.
