Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

Naruto was startled, and Sakura, who was hiding, let out a gasp.

Sasuke scoffed.

These two idiots…

The blood looked too thick, and the "wound" after "death" was way too realistic. It was obvious this had been a clone from the start.

Despite appearing lifeless, Kakashi was still a jōnin, and even basic techniques like clones could create such effects in his hands. Still, even without the Sharingan, Sasuke wouldn't have been fooled by such a simple trick.

Where is he hiding?

The Sharingan spun, scanning left, right, front, and back…

Nothing!

There was some noise from the forest, but that was just Sakura.

Above?

Sasuke instinctively looked up. In battles with Shinigami, some sword practitioners liked to jump—a habit he had developed from those encounters.

But this time, there was no one above.

After all, ninjas aren't known for fair, open tactics.

Then he must be below!

Sasuke lowered his stance and thrust his sword downward.

The blade pierced the earth, forcing a figure to spring up from the ground behind him.

"It's hard to believe you just graduated from the Academy." Kakashi brushed himself off, his eyes full of admiration. "As expected of an Uchiha."

"But…"

"Until your talent is fully honed, don't get overconfident."

"Let your teacher teach you a lesson."

"Speaking of which, when I was your age, I was quite skilled with a blade myself."

He pulled out two shuriken from his pouch, preparing for close combat.

Shuriken clashed with Sasuke's sword, sparking with a metallic ring.

Kakashi's expression grew serious.

Such ruthless swordsmanship!

Sasuke's techniques were from the Onmitsukidō, focused on "one-hit kills," eliminating targets swiftly and quietly to avoid direct confrontation when possible.

This was assassination swordsmanship, not dueling swordsmanship.

In Seireitei, assassination techniques weren't popular since they were designed for stealth rather than direct combat. Compared to other sword styles, they were relatively weaker in head-on clashes.

However…

No skill is inherently superior or inferior.

In swordsmanship, especially, the strength lies in the user.

With his Sharingan, Sasuke wielded assassination techniques with deadly precision.

Kakashi felt the pressure.

Every strike of Sasuke's blade aimed for lethal areas, attacking vital points with no hesitation, even exposing his own openings in the process.

Of course, these "openings" weren't easy to exploit.

The high perception of the Sharingan largely compensated for such weaknesses.

Even if Kakashi wasn't holding back, a true one-on-one battle with Sasuke would be challenging, requiring significant effort to take advantage of those openings. Such risks were exactly what Sasuke was waiting for.

And this wasn't even a real fight, just sparring.

Sasuke Uchiha's talent far exceeded Kakashi's expectations.

"It seems I'll have to get a bit more serious." Kakashi twisted away, disengaging after a few traded strikes, then tossed aside his battered shuriken. "A unique kekkei genkai like the Sharingan—"

"Looks like it can only be countered by another Sharingan."

Sasuke was taken aback.

What does that mean?

A Sharingan to counter a Sharingan?

Does he have Uchiha blood?

As Sasuke pondered this, Kakashi raised his right hand, pulling his forehead protector up to reveal a crimson eye.

Three tomoe of the Sharingan.

"How do you have a Sharingan?" Sasuke asked, gripping his sword tightly.

He remembered that Kakashi's family name was Hatake, and the Uchiha clan was known to rarely marry outsiders. It was impossible for anyone outside the Uchiha bloodline to possess a Sharingan.

Could it be…?

One of those three-tomoe Sharingan eyes supposedly taken by Itachi the night of the massacre?

"It's a bit hard to explain," Kakashi scratched his head. "But let's focus on training for now."

"By the way…"

"I'm also known as Kakashi of the Sharingan."

Sasuke tightened his grip on his sword, his fingers turning white.

"Hard to explain?"

That vague answer only made him lean toward his worst suspicions.

"Is that so?" Sasuke took a deep breath and lowered his stance. "I'll make you explain it yourself."

"And you've made a huge mistake."

"Using a Sharingan in front of an Uchiha…"

Without holding back, Sasuke dashed forward in a flash step.

Kakashi's Sharingan rotated.

He's even faster now!

A body-flicker technique?

As expected of the Uchiha. With only his training, he'd reached this level.

Even Kakashi's Sharingan had trouble keeping up!

Using a combination of vision and experience, Kakashi hastily pulled out two more shuriken to block Sasuke's blade.

With a clash and spray of sparks, the weapons met.

At the same time, an intense flame began forming in Sasuke's hand.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

Single-handed jutsu?

When did he prepare this?

A searing fireball took shape in Sasuke's palm.

An unfamiliar fire-release jutsu… Was this an Uchiha clan secret?

Sasuke closed in with a fierce look.

That Sharingan eye was too important to him.

Even so, he remembered not to reveal too much about the techniques he'd learned from the Soul Society. He avoided using spells that would seem out of place.

This one, though…

"Hadō #31. Shakkahō (赤火砲, Red Fire Cannon)"

It looked similar enough to a fire-release jutsu, and since the Uchiha were famous for their fire techniques, using it wouldn't raise suspicion.

Kakashi stepped back and jumped into the air.

The fireball launched forward, blasting through the air and slamming into a tree.

The tall trunk burned to ash, its top half teetering before collapsing.

"What a powerful fire release," Kakashi muttered, balancing on a tree branch.

His praise had barely left his lips before a blade shot up from below, thrusting mercilessly through the branches.

The clash continued for several more rounds.

Kakashi frowned.

He was feeling increasingly uneasy.

Sasuke's target wasn't the bell hanging on Kakashi's waist anymore—it was Kakashi himself.

His sword strikes held a relentless intensity, as if he carried a deep grudge, as if today, only one of them would be left standing.

Why?

Was it because of the "Sharingan"?

Kakashi recalled that years ago, Sasuke had asked the village why the eyes of all the deceased Uchiha had gone missing.

"You might be misunderstanding something," he said, gritting his teeth as he parried a few more strikes before withdrawing. "This eye… it was a gift from a friend."

"I see…"

Sasuke's expression softened slightly as Kakashi continued, "Your father, the head of the Uchiha clan, knew this. Thanks to him, I was able to keep this eye."

Sasuke's expression eased further.

A gift from a friend…

Although he couldn't verify this explanation just yet, it was a reason he could accept for now.

"Is that so?" he muttered softly, though his strikes didn't slow; instead, he seized the moment to launch a few more fierce attacks.

Their duel didn't last much longer.

After assessing Sasuke's abilities—confirming that his tactical sense, experience, and skill were far beyond his peers, even rivaling Kakashi's at that age—Kakashi allowed an opening, letting Sasuke take the bell from his waist.

After all…

The true purpose of this test wasn't actually to prevent anyone from taking the bells.

Sasuke retrieved a bell and stepped aside.

Now there were only two others left.

One was Naruto Uzumaki, who had great physical talent but lacked the intellect or battle sense to use it effectively. The other, Sakura Haruno, had some sense but average ability.

By the time the alarm rang, neither had managed to get the other bell.

Naruto's face turned pale with nervousness, while Sakura seemed equally anxious and uncertain.

Originally…

The news that "only two out of three could graduate" had already made them tense. After the exercise, they realized it was even worse—having two graduation slots didn't necessarily mean two people would pass.

Kakashi tilted his head, observing the three of them.

"Sasuke Uchiha performed exceptionally well. To have this level of skill at his age is rare, even during wartime."

"How can I put it…"

"With a few successful missions, he could become a truly excellent jōnin."

Naruto and Sakura looked up instinctively, glancing at Sasuke.

A… jōnin?

Wasn't that the same rank as Kakashi-sensei?

He was their age, had just graduated from the Academy, and yet the gap between them was that wide?

"As for the other two," Kakashi shook his head and sighed, "I'm very disappointed in your performance."

"Naruto has no sense of a ninja's basic training, though he showed courage and didn't back down."

"As for Sakura…"

Kakashi paused for a moment, shaking his head. "Considering you've just graduated from the Academy, it wouldn't be fair to expect too much."

As he spoke, he picked up the remaining bell.

"So, the final result is—"

His tone turned serious, abruptly lowering, "None of you pass. Including Sasuke Uchiha."

All three were stunned; Naruto and Sakura looked even more shocked than Sasuke.

"Sasuke didn't pass either?" Sakura protested instinctively, almost as if she had a romantic interest, "But he got the bell!"

"Why?"

Kakashi shook the bell, letting it jingle. "Did any of you ever consider why new genin are placed in teams of three?"

"Because your skills and experience are lacking, so you're placed together, relying on teamwork to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of a ninja."

"Was there even a hint of teamwork in your approach?"

Sakura muttered indignantly, "But Kakashi-sensei, you said only two people could get the bells…"

"Even then," Kakashi interrupted, his tone cold and indifferent, "when facing a powerful opponent or a mission that seemed almost impossible, did it never occur to you to work together first and divide the bells afterward?"

Sakura was left speechless.

Kakashi turned to Sasuke. "And Sasuke, while your individual skills are impressive…"

"…When you had the ability to alleviate some of the pressure on your future teammates, why didn't you step in?"

"Your assistance might have given the other two a chance at getting a bell."

Sasuke froze, staring blankly at Kakashi.

What is he even talking about?

If this were in the Gotei 13…

Someone gives you a mission, and then, after you complete it, they suddenly say the requirements were different and that another person was supposed to finish it—such a person's head would end up embedded in a desk as pulp by Captain Shihōin.

Someone who couldn't even define a mission properly wasn't fit to be a Shinigami.

"Oh." Sasuke Uchiha nodded calmly, casually tossing the bell onto the ground without another word, and walked away.

That reaction…

Left Kakashi feeling uncertain.

"Sasuke, what are you…" Kakashi called after him.

Sasuke kept walking, turning his head slightly. "You said we failed, didn't you?"

"You're right."

From what he'd gathered so far, Kakashi wasn't a qualified leader—if he couldn't even stick to a task's stated conditions…

And Sasuke didn't need him.

Ninjutsu?

He already knew how to perform Hadō.

Swordsmanship?

Kakashi might know some, but it had been a long time since he'd wielded a blade regularly; he was a bit out of practice. Between them, it was hard to say who was more skilled.

As for the Sharingan…

Ridiculous.

Would the Uchiha really need someone else to teach them how to use their own Kekkei Genkai?

Kakashi's eye was transplanted.

But the Uchiha were born with theirs.

Playing at being a ninja was less valuable than training alone; Sasuke was sure he'd progress more quickly on his own.

And now that he'd proven his talent, if he calmly accepted this result, it wouldn't be him who felt anxious.

Kakashi rubbed his nose, his gaze softening.

This…

This wasn't how it was supposed to go!

After hearing that he'd failed, wasn't the expected reaction to reflect, then resolve to improve?

How could he just accept the result so casually?

Something felt off.

With Naruto and Sasuke, he'd tested a few students before, and when they learned they'd failed, they'd all reacted emotionally—some wept, others were angry, and a few had even tried to attack him.

This calm acceptance…

Sasuke was the first to react this way.

An unexpected outcome, something he hadn't anticipated, left Kakashi unsure of what to do.

Should he stop Sasuke?

Explain that this failure wasn't permanent, just a small lesson to help them understand the importance of teamwork? That there was one more test ahead and that they'd almost certainly pass now that they'd grasped the need for cooperation?

But if he said that, would the test still hold any meaning?

Kakashi was conflicted.

Sasuke didn't hesitate at all as he left without looking back.

Naruto and Sakura exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Even Sasuke was rejected...

With downcast expressions, they figured they didn't stand a chance either.

Kakashi scratched his head, looking in the direction Sasuke had gone, and let out a sigh.

...

At the Hokage's Office

Kakashi dutifully reported the day's events to the Third Hokage.

"Sasuke was eliminated?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi in disbelief.

The veteran shinobi, renowned across the ninja world, lowered his head, looking somewhat lost and confused.

He felt bewildered, even a bit disappointed.

This was the same method his own teacher, the Fourth Hokage, had used to test his team back in the day. It had been incredibly effective and left a lasting impression on him. So why had it backfired today?

The Third Hokage sighed, watching Kakashi and shaking his head. "Since you've already made that decision, you can't take it back. Otherwise, you'll lose your authority as their jōnin instructor."

Kakashi nodded, still looking down.

"Let them take another year to reflect," the Third Hokage decided after a moment's thought. "Just one year. It won't set them back too much."

"It's a shame, though…"

He wondered if Kakashi would still be their jōnin instructor next year. After all, the test had been established—if they failed to cooperate according to Kakashi's expectations again, would he stand by the decision he'd made a year ago?

There was also the upcoming joint Chūnin Exams with the Land of Wind.

With Sasuke's jōnin-level abilities, he would've been a powerful asset.

It was unfortunate.

Kakashi nodded, departing the office with a dejected expression. He couldn't understand why he was struggling to do things right.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe as the door opened.

"I've heard about Sasuke Uchiha," came a voice from the doorway, even before the speaker entered. "Hiruzen, someone like that… you should leave him to me."

"He's the last with the Sharingan, and we need to make good use of that…"

The Third Hokage interrupted, "Did you forget about 'that man'?"

Danzo paused. "I only want to turn him into Konoha's weapon. Wasn't that man hoping for the same?"

"That won't be necessary. Let him stay in the open for now," the Third Hokage replied, shaking his head. "It's best for Sasuke to remain visible."

Danzo gave a cynical laugh. "If I had any other option, do you think I'd come to you with this request?"

The Third Hokage frowned.

What did he mean?

"Sasuke isn't planning to return to the Academy," Danzo said calmly. "Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno have gone back to re-enroll, but Sasuke returned to the Uchiha district and rejected the instructors' requests for him to rejoin."

The Third Hokage rose abruptly, his brows knitting together.

Not returning to the Academy?

Did that mean he didn't want to become a ninja?

"Hiruzen, we're running out of options," Danzo leaned forward, his tone sharp and carrying a hint of triumph.

There was, of course, one other option: to do nothing.

But Konoha could hardly allow such a talented Uchiha to opt out of becoming a ninja, even passively.

"Then he'll join the Anbu," the Third Hokage declared firmly, inhaling deeply from his pipe and giving Danzo a sidelong glance. "This matter doesn't require your involvement. The Anbu can handle it."

Danzo gave a faint, sardonic smile, refraining from objection. He simply nodded and withdrew.

The Root was technically part of the Anbu as well.

So what difference did it make whether he joined the Anbu or the Root?

That living Sharingan would eventually belong to him, no matter what.

...

Uchiha Residence

Sasuke continued his training when he sensed a presence just outside the dilapidated estate. It was one of the Anbu agents responsible for monitoring him. Normally, they stayed hidden and kept their distance, rarely interacting directly with him.

He paused, fixing his gaze sharply in that direction—signaling to the person that he had noticed their presence.

The Anbu member shifted, repositioning himself, but Sasuke's eyes tracked him without losing focus.

Understanding the signal, Sasuke used a quick body flicker to approach.

"Sasuke Uchiha, so you sensed me?" the Anbu operative asked.

Sasuke nodded. "Did the Hokage send you?"

"Smart," the Anbu replied coldly, with a hint of mockery in his voice. "Hokage-sama has ordered you to report to his office."

The Anbu operative couldn't help but sneer slightly at the boy's calm expression. Could Sasuke really think he could handle the situation on his own? Bold little brat.

Sasuke pocketed his hands, unfazed.

As he suspected—Konoha wouldn't be so willing to let go of a valuable Uchiha.

...

Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage studied Sasuke closely, speaking gently, "It's been years, and you've changed a lot, Sasuke."

Sasuke remained silent. In his memory, he and the Third Hokage didn't have much of a relationship; they'd only met once after the massacre, when he'd demanded information about the missing Sharingan from the clan members' bodies.

"I remember that your parents, Fugaku and Mikoto, named you to honor my father," the Third Hokage continued warmly, trying to establish a connection.

Sasuke, however, still didn't respond.

The Hokage smiled. "I heard you refused to return to the Academy. Why is that?"

"Let's skip the pretense," Sasuke replied, hands still in his pockets, his tone direct. "We both know why I'm here."

"Right now, it's my choice not to become a ninja."

The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling slowly. "What is it that you want?"

Seeing Sasuke's blunt approach, he decided to be equally direct.

"I want jutsu—not just ordinary techniques, but jutsu that will make me stronger," Sasuke said, his ambition clear in his eyes. "And I want information on Itachi Uchiha."

"I want to know where he is and how powerful he's become."

The Hokage met Sasuke's intense gaze, pausing. "You seek revenge?"

"Of course," Sasuke replied without hesitation, his crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan glowing with steely resolve. "I'll kill him with my own hands."

"Jutsu… that, I can grant you," the Hokage finally replied. "But as for Itachi's whereabouts, I don't have any concrete information."

Sasuke was skeptical.

"After leaving Konoha, Itachi vanished," the Hokage explained. "He left the Land of Fire, and we've had no reports of him appearing anywhere else."

"If we don't know where he is, then naturally, we have no intelligence on him."

Sasuke remained unconvinced.

As deputy commander of the 2nd Division back in Soul Society, he understood well what a proper intelligence network was capable of, even without advanced tracking technologies. If Konoha's network were truly that incompetent, it wouldn't hold its place as one of the Five Great Nations.

Besides…

The Hokage's response felt off. He'd readily agreed to give Sasuke jutsu but withheld information on Itachi—a seemingly cheaper and more fitting bargaining chip than high-level jutsu.

"Konoha has always supported talented individuals," the Hokage continued. "I'll teach you a Forbidden Jutsu: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."

"A technique created by the Second Hokage, an advanced form of the regular Clone Jutsu."

'Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu?' Wasn't that the technique Kakashi had used during the survival exercise?

"As for you…" the Hokage's gaze sharpened as he leaned forward, "I want you to join the Anbu."

"If you want information on Itachi, becoming Anbu will give you more chances to encounter him on missions."

Sasuke agreed immediately. "Fine, I have no problem with that."

The Anbu was a specialized, secretive group, fully known as the "Special Assassination and Tactical Squad."

The Third Hokage hadn't expected Sasuke to excel so quickly, assuming it would take time before he proved capable. Itachi had been an exceptional Anbu, but Sasuke had little real ninja experience.

Yet Sasuke exceeded expectations. He seemed born for the Anbu. Whether tracking down rogue chunin or confronting jonin in A-rank missions, he handled every challenge effortlessly, surpassing even some who'd served in the Anbu for three or four years.

His accomplishments began drawing the attention of others.

In a dark chamber, the white-haired Kabuto reported to a cold, pale-skinned man.

"No recent information on Sasuke Uchiha?" Orochimaru frowned.

Kabuto nodded. "It appears he's joined the Anbu, and the Hokage is making sure Danzo and Root stay far away from him."

Orochimaru's voice rasped. "He's in the Anbu… just as impressive as his brother."

"Kabuto, I know it may be challenging, but you must find a way to keep track of him. He is very important to me."

Kabuto nodded. "Even if it risks exposure?"

"Yes, even if it risks exposure," Orochimaru confirmed with a calm tone.

...

Back at the Hokage's Office

Sasuke ignored the greetings of those around him and walked forward without hesitation. The Anbu and Soul Society's 2nd Division had similarities, but the Anbu atmosphere was even darker—a stark contrast to the outgoing, brash personality of his 2nd Division captain, Yoruichi Shihōin.

The Anbu was perfect for him. Here, everything was task-oriented, and he knew that by completing increasingly difficult missions, he would earn access to even greater jutsu.

In just over two months, Sasuke had completed six A-rank and sixteen B-rank missions, but he hadn't yet cashed in his points for any techniques. The basic elemental jutsu were uninteresting to him—hand seals felt cumbersome, and the Kidō from Soul Society had no such restrictions.

He planned to save up enough points to redeem an S-rank jutsu, something truly powerful, like the 'Flying Thunder God Technique.' This was no ordinary elemental jutsu; its unique abilities made it S-rank and incredibly valuable.

...

The Third Hokage, observing a fresh mission report from Sasuke, was delighted.

Sasuke's Anbu codename was "Hawk," and his accomplishments reminded the Hokage of Itachi's proficiency.

"Your next mission will be S-rank," the Hokage said, setting aside the report. "This time, you'll act under your true identity."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

An S-rank mission, and under his own name? No Anbu alias?

"In a few days, the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind will hold a joint Chunin Exam," the Hokage continued. "According to intel, the One-Tails' jinchuriki will participate this year."

"Your mission is to defeat him and emerge as the exam's sole victor."

"Understood?"

Sasuke nodded, accepting the assignment. "Yes, understood."

The Hokage nodded approvingly. "You'll be exempt from missions in the coming days, and I'll assign two genin to accompany you." He smiled. "If you encounter any difficulties in your training, feel free to seek my guidance."