Chapter 16: Kakashi and Itachi: Is This Really a Six-Year-Old?! A Grown-up Ishihara!

Chapter 16: Kakashi and Itachi: Is This Really a Six-Year-Old?! A Grown-up Ishihara!

"I've got him!"

Kakashi felt the tactile sensation of flesh and blood, a bit shaken. "That was close. My Chidori was nearly blocked by his Lightning Release!"

He stared at Jūgo, who was enveloped in lightning, finding it incredible. This was definitely a secret technique on par with the nin-taijutsu of the Cloud Village!

"Ishihara's secret technique is too powerful. If this person truly exists, we must bring him back to Konoha! With him, Konoha's power would greatly increase!"

"Watch out!"

A desperate scream jolted Kakashi back to his senses. He turned around to see Jūgo's ferocious face approaching, and a chill ran down his spine.

"Die!!!"

Jūgo snarled with violent fury, forcefully trapping Kakashi's arm within his body and pulling him closer.

"He can still move? What a monster!"

Kakashi was horrified, increasing the power of his Chidori.

The sharp chirping sound erupted, as if lightning was exploding from Jūgo's chest. Blood and flesh splattered wildly, making the scene extremely gory. Jūgo, his face covered in blood, continued to advance with determination.

"He's insane! Does he not care about his life?"

Kakashi's pupils contracted in fear. If Jūgo got any closer, he would die!

"Kakashi, use genjutsu! Then bind him with binding seals and repeat the process!"

Itachi shouted urgently. Kakashi, without time to consider the feasibility, immediately cast a genjutsu with his Sharingan.

The three-tomoe Sharingan, having unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan, released a genjutsu incomparable to Itachi's previous attempts. Instantly, Jūgo's body froze.

The Root Captain quickly applied a binding seal, immobilizing Jūgo. Kakashi cast another genjutsu to lower Jūgo's resistance, allowing the Root Captain to strengthen the binding. This continuous cycle eventually gave the Captain enough time to use a sealing technique.

"Five Elements Seal!"

Jūgo's chakra was sealed, and the reverse curse seal activated, reverting Jūgo from his cursed state to normal.

"Argh!!! Damn it, let me go!"

Jūgo roared in fury, his eyes burning with rage as he glared at Kakashi.

"Stay still!"

Kakashi delivered a hard punch to Jūgo. Everything had happened in an instant, but the danger lingered, leaving Kakashi feeling cold all over.

It was too dangerous! If it hadn't been for Itachi's quick thinking, they might have all perished at Jūgo's hands. Despite their success, they had suffered heavy losses. Kakashi's face darkened as he stared at Jūgo.

"Tell me everything about Ishihara!"

Jūgo growled, "Even if I die, I will never betray Lord Ishihara!"

Kakashi's expression turned icy before he let out a cold laugh. "It doesn't matter if you don't speak. He's just a six-year-old kid. I can take him down with one hand!"

Jūgo looked up, his eyes filled with contempt and mockery. "You? You struggled to defeat me and think you can beat Lord Ishihara, who is ten times, a hundred times stronger than me? Laughable!"

The Root Captain and his men showed signs of relief. "So Ishihara is indeed only six years old!"

They dismissed Jūgo's claim of Ishihara's strength. However, Kakashi and Itachi exchanged a glance, seeing the fear in each other's eyes. Itachi's smart and agile performance in the mission had been their only aid. Itachi's reaction suggested that the enemy's strength was beyond their imagination.

"Do we stay or leave?"

"If we leave now, we can take Jūgo with us. If we stay… we might all die!"

Itachi swallowed, nervously approaching Kakashi. Kakashi's face shifted through various emotions. The mission's difficulty exceeded his expectations. Capturing Jūgo had already been more than he had hoped. But giving up on Ishihara was unacceptable, even at the risk of his own life.

"You take Jūgo..."

Kakashi's words were cut off as he sensed a powerful presence approaching from the base's depths. The oppressive atmosphere made him feel suffocated.

"Damn it! The enemy is stronger than I thought!"

He took a deep breath, tensing his body. "We might not be able to leave now. Ishihara is coming!"

No one needed further warning; the pressure was palpable. A slow, steady rhythm of footsteps echoed, approaching fast. The oppressive atmosphere overwhelmed the group, stifling their breathing and inducing fear.

Footsteps approached from the dim passageway. The silhouette emerged, illuminated by the corridor's lights, leaving Kakashi and his group stunned. The newcomer's ethereal presence made them feel like he didn't belong to this world.

Jūgo lowered his head in shame. He had failed his mission for Ishihara.

Ishihara glanced at the subdued Jūgo, covered in seals and bindings. "Kakashi Hatake, get off my friend! Immediately!"

He recognized Kakashi and Itachi's familiar faces but felt indifferent towards them—just strangers.

Ishihara's voice snapped everyone back to reality. Before Kakashi could react, the Root Captain pointed at Ishihara, furious. "Damn it, look at him! Is this a six-year-old?!"

Kakashi and the others were speechless. Ishihara himself was taken aback by the comment, feeling momentarily dazed. It had been a while since he had looked at himself properly. With a wave of his hand, a Water Release mirror appeared beside him, reflecting his entire body.

Ishihara was stunned by his own reflection. A youth, appearing seventeen or eighteen, with long black hair tied simply behind him, bright black eyes, and sharp features. He looked incredibly handsome, with an ethereal aura reminiscent of an immortal from his previous life's novels.

What shocked him the most was his current appearance, which had reverted to his seventeen- or eighteen-year-old self from his previous life.