"Why don't you kill me?" Kakashi coughed, his voice weak.
He lay in the middle of the forest, his eyes devoid of light, his will crushed.
Moments ago, he was Konoha's proud genius ninja, brimming with confidence. But this battle had stripped him of that pride completely.
Only now did he understand how powerful a true genius could be.
Even his prized Copied Ninjutsu was nothing but a joke in the face of this assassin. He had used not only Raikiri but also several other advanced jutsus, all to no avail.
They were effortlessly copied. Worse, the assassin performed them even better than Kakashi himself.
And then there was the assassin's chakra. It seemed endless, like a boundless ocean.
Every ninjutsu he unleashed crushed Kakashi's own. If not for the assassin deliberately holding back, Kakashi would already be dead.
"Because you still have your uses. Besides, I don't usually harm the innocent," Genya replied with a faint smile, walking slowly toward Kakashi.
He had plans for this man, who was destined to become Naruto's teacher. There were things that Kakashi still needed to accomplish.
"Then why did you attack the Sarutobi clan members?" Kakashi asked again, his voice trembling with confusion.
"Because they tried to kill me. I merely acted in self-defense," Genya replied calmly, his tone even and unshaken.
The Sarutobi clan tried to kill him?
Kakashi frowned. If that was true, this assassin must be an enemy of the Third Hokage.
But what sort of grudge could have led to this assassin being surrounded by Sarutobi ninja in Konoha? Kakashi didn't know, and the assassin wasn't about to explain.
Genya continued answering Kakashi's questions as he slowly approached him.
Standing over Kakashi, who was on the brink of death, Genya looked down at him.
"I may spare your life, but you've had that Sharingan for long enough. It's time to give it back."
Genya reached out, his hand moving steadily toward Kakashi's eye.
"You better not move. There's Lightning Release chakra gathering in my eyes. As soon as you try to take my Sharingan, I will destroy it instantly!" Kakashi stared at Genya with unwavering confidence.
Genya's hand hesitated for a moment.
He could see that all the chakra left in Kakashi's body was converted into Lightning Release chakra, focused around his eye.
Kakashi was certain that if Genya dared to take it, he would destroy the Sharingan himself.
"Don't even think about killing me and taking my Sharingan. Before I die, I'll use lightning to destroy my eye!" Kakashi looked at Genya with a fearless expression, leaving Genya momentarily stunned.
"Aren't you afraid that I might get angry and kill you?" Genya laughed, looking at Kakashi. "This Sharingan doesn't even belong to you. It constantly drains your chakra, so why not just give it up?"
Genya never imagined Kakashi had such a move in mind!
In truth, he didn't really need the Sharingan. He just didn't want to give it to Obito, the person who had helped Itachi destroy their clan.
In my eyes, Obito may be pitiful, but he participated in the massacre. As a Uchiha, Genya can't allow such a person to exist. Besides, the Uchiha clan didn't do anything wrong to him!
Rather than that, he might as well destroy this eye.
"This is the only thing my friend left me. I can't give it to you!" Kakashi's eyes were firm. Even though his breath was weak, he still stood firm against Genya.
"Ha... such a touching bond of friendship!" Genya spoke in his hoarse voice. "How about we make a deal?"
"A deal?" Kakashi frowned, unsure of what Genya meant.
"I've told you from the start, Uchiha Obito is still alive!" Genya looked at Kakashi, speaking slowly. "You help me with something, and I'll tell you where Obito is."
"Are you sure Obito is still alive? I watched him get..." Kakashi couldn't finish his sentence, the words choking in his throat.
"If he couldn't survive, he wouldn't be alive. But someone injected him with the First Hokage's cells, and he pulled through." Genya answered with a smile.
"This..." Kakashi knew well the significance of the First Hokage's cells from his years in the Anbu.
"I said he's alive, so he is!" Genya looked at Kakashi, clearly not wanting to waste more words. "If you've thought it over, just nod."
"What do you want me to do?" Kakashi couldn't hold back his curiosity and finally asked the question.
"It's simple. I want to see the Scroll of Seals. You just need to help me," Genya said to Kakashi, speaking slowly and clearly.
"Uh? The Scroll of Seals? It contains Konoha's forbidden jutsu. There's no way I'm giving it to you!" Kakashi shook his head, firmly rejecting Genya's request.
"I don't want the scroll. You just need to take me to see its contents!" Genya said, looking at Kakashi, gently persuading him. "If you find the chance, hang a red cloth on the third tree near the east entrance of the village. I will find you then."
"Why do you want to see the Scroll of Seals?" Kakashi asked, frowning.
Genya smiled and replied, "There's a rumor that the book contains some forbidden jutsu. I'm curious about what kind of jutsu are in it!"
"Just curious?" Kakashi asked.
"If I can learn them, that's even better!" Genya answered with a smile.
"But those are forbidden jutsu. Using them could cost you your life!" Kakashi warned.
"That's not your concern!" Genya shook his head. "If I die from using forbidden jutsu, won't that be good for you and Konoha?"
"I just want to see the Scroll of Seals once!" Genya continued.
"This isn't about betraying the village. Over the years, as the leader of the ANBU, you should've noticed what Danzo has been doing—using orphans and civilians for experiments, and Sarutobi Hiruzen not doing anything about it. Danzo can view the Scroll of Seals!"
"If such an evil person can see it, why can't we?"
"Think about your father, Konoha's White Fang. That secret mission—how did it get out?"
Genya continued to persuade him.
"Enough, don't say anymore!" Kakashi looked at Genya, then asked, "If I agree to help you, then what if I decide not to later?"
"Once you agree, we'll make a contract. If you break it, I will personally take away the most important thing in your life!" Genya stared at Kakashi. "For example, your friends, your teacher's child, anyone you're close to."
He said this only to make Kakashi understand the cost of breaking the agreement, ensuring he couldn't back out.
Kakashi fell into silence. He could indeed approach the Scroll of Seals, but he'd never looked at it before!
But he also wanted to know about Obito's situation.
He thought about his father, who had actually committed suicide because of rumors. That was a secret mission of Konoha. How could it have leaked? And the Hokage at the time didn't stop it either, so the hidden details were obvious!
"Alright, I agree!" Kakashi said after coming to a decision, still nodding. "But you also have to promise me that you won't harm the villagers of Konoha again!"
"Heh... I'm someone who knows how to separate grudges from debts," Genya finally showed a smile. "I won't harm ordinary ninjas now, and I certainly won't in the future!"
This mission was a huge success. The Scroll of Seals was far more powerful than Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan!
Right now, Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan was temporarily useless.
But the jutsu within the Scroll of Seals were of great use to him!
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