Chapter 72: Uchiha Forbidden Art: Six Paths Technique
Somewhere else, deep within the forests of the Land of Hot Water...
With a ripple of warped space, Uchiha Obito, Kakuzu, and Hidan emerged together, landing on a flat patch of earth.
"You two aren't dead, right?"
Obito's voice was cold—clearly, he was not in a good mood. And understandably so. He had just witnessed Kakashi awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and worse, use its power to counter him—with his own eye, no less. Everything about it felt off. Unsettling. It gnawed at him like something fundamentally wrong.
To make matters worse, the two people he was trying to recruit had ended up humiliated: Kakuzu, the man who claimed to have fought the First Hokage, had been thoroughly beaten by Kitagawa Gen—the same brat who'd once made a fool of Obito. And Hidan, the supposed next addition to Akatsuki, had been brutally pummeled by Might Guy—the man who once landed a kick on Obito's face.
With all that frustration boiling inside him, Obito felt that the fact he could still speak calmly was a testament to his self-control.
"No, we're alive... but this was a damn loss," Kakuzu groaned as he staggered to his feet. His body was torn and battered, though his Earth Grudge Fear technique was already beginning to repair the damage. But the real pain wasn't external. He had lost four hearts during this mission. One had been shattered thanks to Hidan's stupidity, and three more had been destroyed in the battle against that damn brat. This wasn't just physical damage—it was psychological torture.
"Also—didn't you say that kid's biggest threat was his Flying Thunder God technique?" Kakuzu turned, his voice weak but sharp, eyes locked on Obito. "Then why the hell does he know Lightning Release: Chakra Mode?! And why is it so damn strong?!"
"Lightning Release: Chakra Mode...?" Obito was confused. That was a technique exclusive to Kumogakure—how did a brat like Gen know it? But then he remembered Gen's signature Purple Lightning and instinctively shook his head. Maybe... this kid had developed his own variant. Given the power of that Purple Lightning, it was entirely possible.
"We didn't know about that technique," Obito admitted, "so we couldn't have warned you. But how did you—"
"Tch. Because I didn't know, I was constantly on guard for the Flying Thunder God," Kakuzu said grimly, shaking his head. "But that brat blitzed me with Lightning Chakra Mode—the speed and strength, combined with that cursed Purple Lightning, overwhelmed me. I had no time to react."
"Next time..." Kakuzu clenched his fists. He had focused his defenses entirely on Flying Thunder God, and ironically, that had cost him more than anything else. Yes, the jutsu did end up taking one of his hearts, but the real damage had come from the unexpected taijutsu blitz. He wasn't arrogant—if he had known, he would've planned differently. Flying Thunder God was deadly, yes—but overcompensating had split his focus.
"That brat's a damn headache..." Kakuzu cursed inwardly. He wasn't sure if he was more pissed about losing his hearts or about how unexpectedly tricky Gen had turned out to be.
"I'm still alive too," Hidan grumbled, sitting up with a scowl on his face. But the irritation on his face said everything. "That damn Kappa freak—his taijutsu is insane. Ridiculous speed and strength."
"And he's nuts. Kept shouting about youth this and youth that—while constantly breaking my bones!"
"Also, what's his problem with kicking me in the face? He did it like he enjoyed it!"
"..."
Obito didn't say a word. But somewhere in the back of his mind, a memory he had long tried to suppress began resurfacing... Back during his genin exam, he had been sucking on a piece of candy, planning to show off with a Fire Release jutsu. But the candy got stuck in his throat. Before he could even react—Guy kicked him right in the face. The candy did pop out, but the damage was done. He failed the test. He became the true dead-last of the year, while Guy—previously second to last—passed.
"That guy only knows taijutsu," Obito explained, shaking off the unpleasant memory. "But he also uses a secret technique called the Eight Gates."
"Fighting him in close combat is a losing battle, even if he used to be the second-worst in the class. Don't underestimate him—he's stronger than he looks."
"Hmph. So he's just a taijutsu guy with some secret technique," Hidan muttered, rubbing his chin. "That explains the strength and speed boost... yeah."
Then he looked at Obito, his face full of curiosity. "You seem to know him really well—even his old class ranking? So who was the dead-last that year? Were they strong?"
"..."
Obito paused. He felt a vein throb in his temple. What the hell is wrong with this guy? Why is that the part he's curious about?
"We're heading back," Obito said coldly, ignoring the question. "We've taken some serious losses. You both need to report in."
Then his lone Sharingan eye swept over them—cold, sharp, and full of warning. "There are things you should say, and things you shouldn't say. What you choose to reveal is up to you... but I strongly advise you to make the right choice."
"Because the right path... there's only one. Take the wrong one—and there's no coming back."
Silence followed. Kakuzu looked displeased. He really didn't care for this kind of threatening speech. Who does this Uchiha think he is, barking orders like that? He looked up at Obito, eyes cold, and Obito frowned slightly in return. But before he could say anything—
"Fine," Kakuzu said. "But it's gonna cost you more."
"..."
Obito's breath hitched. More... money? He remembered their first meeting. Kakuzu had practically looked ready to cash him in for a bounty. Now, all Obito could do was fall silent.
"Huh?" Hidan blinked, glancing between the two of them. "What the hell are you two lunatics even talking about...?"
"..."
---
A few days later – Entrance to the Hidden Leaf Village
"Yosh! We're finally back!"
At the village gates, Might Guy struck a triumphant pose, his arm wrapped around a very exhausted Kakashi.
"Slow down..." Kakashi muttered, his dead-fish eyes half-closed.
Trailing behind, Kitagawa Gen carried a mountain of luggage, staring at the village ahead with a sigh. "We didn't even get to visit the hot springs. What a waste."
"Hey, hey, can you two be a little more serious?" Kakashi groaned. "Why do you both look like this was some vacation?"
At this point, he was starting to wonder if Gen had trained under Guy as a child. That would explain... a lot.
"Still, he's not exactly like Guy," Kakashi mumbled, rubbing his temple.
Then he straightened up and said: "Gen, go home and rest. Guy—you're coming with me to see the Hokage. Our intel should have been delivered."
"Got it! I'll take you there immediately!"
Guy gave Gen a thumbs-up—then, with a fierce yell: "Time to accelerate! Kakashi, feel the power of YOUTH!"
"Wait—wha—?!"
Before Kakashi could react, Guy hoisted him over his shoulder and sprinted off toward the Hokage building.
"..."
Gen watched as Kakashi's eyes rolled back in his head. "Let's hope he doesn't pass out," he muttered.
"Oh well. It's not the first time this has happened. He'll live."
Gen turned and headed back to his house, already planning ahead. He had recovered from his injuries, and the rewards had been delivered. Now it was time to rest, research his gains—and maybe seek out Jiraiya when the time was right.
"Still, this reward is... interesting."
As he walked, he opened his system panel:
[Side Quest Completed]
[This Team Can't Go Without Me!]
[Reward: Uchiha Forbidden Art – Six Paths Technique]
"..."