Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Sasuke had also observed the battlefield through his Sharingan.

Unlike Hinata, however, the moment Naruto and Hinata were defeated, Sasuke immediately focused entirely on escaping and retreating with everything he had.

Konoha Jōnin are far stronger than I imagined…

Even Naruto got defeated that easily?

Watching the Kakashi Shadow Clone relentlessly close the distance no matter what he tried, Sasuke's expression grew increasingly agitated.

Even his breathing rhythm had begun destabilizing.

Seeing this, the Shadow Clone chasing Sasuke suddenly seemed to notice the perfect opportunity.

Just like the technique that defeated Naruto earlier, the clone drew its lightning-covered blade once more.

The shriek of Chidori echoed violently.

The clone's speed exploded forward instantly.

"Lightning Cutter: Blade!"

Kakashi's Shadow Clone even deliberately shouted the technique's name.

Not good!

The instant Sasuke saw the same move that had previously defeated Naruto, his heart jolted violently.

Without even thinking, he instinctively crossed both arms before his chest in a defensive posture, desperately trying to reduce the damage from the unavoidable strike.

However—

Bang.

The Shadow Clone vanished the moment it reached him.

"Haa… haa…"

Cold sweat slid down Sasuke's forehead as he landed weakly on the ground.

Only then did he suddenly realize—

Without noticing during his desperate retreat, he had already left the boundaries of the training ground.

"Tch…"

"So I lost because I ignored the boundary too…"

"Just like that idiot?"

Strangely enough, Sasuke felt slightly relieved.

Deep down, he almost felt fortunate that he successfully avoided the terrifying attack that defeated Naruto earlier.

At least he wasn't seriously injured.

Still—

This meant all three of them had failed the exercise completely.

And that realization finally suppressed a small portion of Sasuke's pride.

In his mind, Kakashi-sensei's overwhelming strength was probably intended to remind them there would always be stronger people above them.

"Looks like nobody gets lunch now."

Yet to Sasuke's and Hinata's shock—

The person standing before them shaking his head and sighing was Naruto himself.

The same Naruto who moments ago appeared critically wounded and barely conscious.

"... What exactly…?"

"Let me explain."

Kakashi glanced toward Naruto, who clearly could no longer keep pretending, before sighing softly.

"First, you, Hinata."

"At the beginning of the battle, even though Naruto fell into a disadvantageous position, your trust in him allowed you to remain calm."

"Honestly, you performed very well."

"Whether it was suppressing my Shadow Clone…"

"Or continuously monitoring both Naruto's and Sasuke's battlefields simultaneously…"

"I think from the very beginning, you already noticed that the clone fighting you wasn't nearly as strong as the one pressuring Naruto."

Kakashi looked toward Hinata, who still worriedly stared at Naruto's shoulder.

"But…"

The tone of his voice suddenly turned colder.

"The moment Naruto was truly injured, you completely panicked."

"You—who originally could have defeated or at least restrained my clone before rushing to support Naruto—became the easiest target to break through instead."

"And do you know what would happen next if this were a real battlefield?"

Kakashi's expression became completely serious.

"Because of your mistake…"

"An injured Naruto would suddenly be forced into one of two choices."

"Either abandon you…"

"Or face multiple enemies alone while already wounded."

"And even worse…"

"If you were captured and turned into a hostage…"

"The burden on your teammates would become even heavier."

"And your chances of survival…"

"Would become even smaller."

"I…"

Hinata opened her mouth slightly.

Then slowly closed her eyes as she replayed everything that happened earlier.

Her expression gradually turned extremely pale.

Because she understood—

Kakashi wasn't exaggerating at all.

In fact, if that situation truly occurred, things would likely become even worse.

Because Naruto would never abandon her—

Or any teammate—

To escape alone.

I…

Would become Naruto-kun's burden?

That was something Hinata absolutely could not accept.

"As for you, Sasuke…"

Kakashi's tone softened slightly as he turned toward the silent Sasuke.

"Looks like you already realized your problem too."

Sasuke lowered his head without speaking.

Especially after hearing Kakashi mention Hinata could potentially defeat the Shadow Clone.

"Your problem is that your judgment of the enemy's strength became far too absolute."

"You never once directly clashed with my clone the way Hinata did."

"Of course…"

Kakashi continued calmly.

"Avoiding stronger enemies isn't necessarily wrong."

"In many situations, facing a dangerous opponent means first figuring out how to gather information."

"Your initial retreat was actually rational and correct."

"But if I'm not mistaken…"

Kakashi's eye narrowed slightly.

"The moment you saw Naruto immediately fall into a disadvantage against me…"

"You subconsciously concluded my clone was unbeatable."

"And from that point onward…"

"You never once truly considered fighting me head-on."

Sure enough—

Kakashi's words struck directly into Sasuke's weakness.

The handsome boy lifted his head unwillingly, clearly wanting to argue.

Yet he found himself unable to speak.

"And after that…"

"You still focused all your attention on Naruto."

"You never seriously stopped to consider why Hinata—whose direct combat ability is weaker than Naruto's—could suppress my clone for a short period of time."

"In truth…"

"The clone fighting you possessed roughly the same chakra amount as the one fighting Hinata."

"With your abilities, if you calmly analyzed the situation, observed carefully, and tested things gradually…"

Kakashi spoke calmly.

"I believe defeating that clone would simply become a matter of time."

"But until you ignored the rules and escaped the training ground…"

"You still failed to realize that."

Each sentence struck Sasuke's heart like needles.

After years of ANBU experience and countless missions outside the village, Kakashi's observational skills were terrifyingly sharp.

The weakness he identified in both Hinata and Sasuke originated from the exact same source:

Their understanding of Naruto's strength.

Hinata—

Was driven by trust and concern.

Sasuke—

Viewed Naruto as an insurmountable goal.

And once that mentality formed, while it created excellent teamwork…

For them personally becoming independent shinobi—

It became an enormous problem.

Dependence on the strong.

That mentality became both shackles upon themselves…

And immense pressure upon the one they depended on.

Exactly like himself back then.

And Minato-sensei before him.

"So…"

"Although both of you remained calm at the beginning of this simulated battle…"

"And your decisions were genuinely impressive…"

"And you both showed tremendous trust in Naruto…"

Kakashi slowly summarized everything.

"The moment that trust shattered…"

"The impact on both of you became enormous."

"You are shinobi of Konoha."

"And sooner or later, you will walk this path yourselves."

"You must understand…"

"No matter how strong or reliable your companions are…"

"There may still come a time…"

"When they cannot arrive in time."

"Or even fall into danger themselves."

Kakashi's voice gradually lowered.

"The greater your trust and expectations toward someone become…"

"When those expectations eventually collapse someday…"

"Will your reactions still remain this pathetic?"

Kakashi's final question struck like thunder.

Both Hinata and Sasuke fell completely silent in reflection.

That should be enough.

They're smart children.

This reminder should make them realize the issue now…

Next…

Kakashi slowly turned his gaze toward Naruto, who had also fallen deep into thought.

Now it's this brat's turn.

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