Chapter Thirty-Seven: Kakashi’s Eye

... In the Sound Village, the exhausted Orochimaru lay bedridden for three days before he could move about again.

The battle three days prior, whether it was Chiyo’s Transmigration of Life technique or Might Guy’s Eight Gates Release Formation, both drew upon life force as their energy source. Being drained twice consecutively, even Orochimaru, with his immortality and a body enhanced by Hashirama’s cells, could hardly bear it.

Yet, that battle gave Orochimaru a rough understanding of his current research’s results. Although powerful, it was still far from enough to face the Ten-Tails. More research was necessary.

“I suppose Obito will come soon,” he mused.

The Rinnegan and the Ten-Tails’ shell were both in the Sound Village. According to Orochimaru’s knowledge of the Akatsuki, Obito was now leading the organization under the name “Uchiha Madara.” The first thing Obito would do upon appearing would certainly be to retrieve the Rinnegan and the Ten-Tails’ shell, as well as the One-Tail and Nine-Tails.

Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then summoned Kabuto: “Bring Kakashi here. Prepare to extract his Sharingan.”

Kabuto was puzzled. “Extract Kakashi’s Sharingan?”

He knew Orochimaru possessed several Sharingan, and lately had been inclined toward cloning them, making significant progress—especially after acquiring an eye as powerful as the Rinnegan. So what use was Kakashi’s Sharingan?

Kabuto did not realize the original owner of Kakashi’s Sharingan was Obito, whose Mangekyō ability, Kamui, allowed objects or himself to enter another dimension. Without knowledge of space-time techniques, there truly was no good method to deal with Obito.

“Space-time jutsu...” Orochimaru murmured, a glint flashing in his pale golden eyes.

...

In a clearing within the Sound Village, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Naruto were gathered, all focusing on Naruto’s training.

Previously, Naruto had been deeply discouraged, unable to master the Wood Dragon Technique. Tsunade and Jiraiya had comforted him, claiming he was the closest to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Yet, in a twist, Orochimaru proved to be the real successor, leaving Naruto dispirited for quite some time. Only today had he recovered, and so they assembled in the clearing.

Naruto resumed his practice of the Wood Dragon Technique, creating shadow clones to study it alongside him. In fact, Naruto already understood the principles of the technique thoroughly, but there remained a subtle gap preventing mastery—a bottleneck that had persisted for several days.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the genius Kakashi joined in researching the Wood Dragon Technique, hoping to help Naruto overcome his hurdle.

Jiraiya stared at the scroll detailing the Wood Dragon Technique, his head aching. Wasn’t this jutsu far too complex? His mind felt like mush. Defeated, he withdrew, leaving only Tsunade and Kakashi.

Soon, Kakashi stopped studying the scroll and created a shadow clone, which sat cross-legged nearby. Jiraiya noticed and asked, “Kakashi, are you stumped as well?”

Kakashi seemed lost in a strange trance and didn’t respond. Jiraiya pursed his lips. Only Tsunade remained, still scrutinizing the scroll. After a while, she too put it aside. Jiraiya quickly leaned in, “How’s it going?”

Tsunade answered, “I think I have an idea.”

One of Naruto’s shadow clones, not engaged in training, stood by awaiting the results of their research. Hearing this, the clone promptly asked, “Granny Tsunade, what’s your idea?”

Tsunade handed Naruto the scroll. “Look here. The principle of the Wood Dragon Technique is to use Wood Release to stimulate a seed’s growth, controlling its form with chakra. Try performing the jutsu for me.”

The clone nodded, forming seals with both hands, infusing the prepared seed with Wood Release chakra.

With a rustle, the seed began to sprout, morphing quickly into a wooden dragon about the length of an arm. Naruto tried to control it, but with a crack, the dragon split in two and fell to the ground.

Tsunade said, “That’s it. The wooden dragon you created is stiff, like a sculpture. I believe it’s not just about controlling its form with chakra—it also involves changing the chakra’s nature, such as incorporating the properties of water.”

Naruto’s clone pondered, “Are you referring to the softness of water?”

Tsunade nodded. “Wood Release is a combination of Water and Earth Release. Perhaps if you add water’s softness, the wooden dragon will move naturally.”

Naruto found the reasoning sound.

Suddenly, Kakashi, who’d been meditating, stirred.

Everyone turned to look. Kakashi formed seals—the same ones for the Wood Dragon Technique—but he didn’t possess Wood Release. What could he achieve?

After forming the seals, lightning flashed in his hands, followed by the crackling of thunder. A miniature thunder dragon emerged from his palm!

“This is...”

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Naruto’s clone were all astonished. This was the Thunder Dragon Technique!

But what was going on?

They had all been studying the Wood Dragon Technique scroll. How had Kakashi just performed the Thunder Dragon Technique? And in such a short time, he had modified the Wood Dragon Technique into a Thunder Dragon Technique?

Naruto’s clone didn’t care how Kakashi did it—he cared about the result. He rushed over, “Kakashi-sensei, please teach me!”

Kakashi snapped his fingers, making the thunder dragon vanish. He checked his chakra reserves; creating a palm-sized thunder dragon had used up half his chakra. Clearly, this technique was not for those with limited chakra.

Kakashi explained, “Tsunade-sama was partially right. The Wood Dragon Technique isn’t just about controlling the dragon’s form with chakra—it also requires nature transformation, but not water’s, rather the wood’s own.”

Naruto’s clone asked, “The wood’s own nature?”

Kakashi nodded. “Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but wood itself also possesses nature transformation. I’m not certain what it is, but you can discover it yourself.”

He went on to describe how he had used the Sharingan to copy Naruto’s attempt at the Wood Dragon Technique, grasping its essence. He then modified it, substituting Lightning Release for Wood Release, and quickly developed a ‘Thunder Dragon Technique’ thanks to his mastery of Chidori.

However, the technique consumed too much chakra to be useful for him.

“I understand!” Naruto’s clone seemed enlightened. He dismissed his shadow clone, allowing its experience and memories to return to the original.

The real Naruto opened his eyes at once, looking to Kakashi. “Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!”

He felt he had grasped the key and was about to master the Wood Dragon Technique.

At that moment, Kabuto appeared.

He looked at the group. “Kakashi, so you’re here. Come with me.”

Kakashi frowned. “For what purpose?”

Kabuto smiled. “To extract your Sharingan.”

Kakashi’s pupils contracted.

Naruto sprang to his feet, gritting his teeth. They wanted to take Kakashi-sensei’s eye—he was furious.

Kabuto turned to Naruto. “Is there anything you wish to say, Naruto?”

Naruto took several deep breaths before snorting and saying nothing. He was no longer the impulsive boy of before; he understood restraint.

Kakashi thought for a moment, then smiled lightly. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”