Before Itachi awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Kakashi was highly confident. However, after Itachi awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, if they met, he would need to handle it cautiously. Even he might suffer an unexpected defeat.
Itachi is a versatile ninja—Taijutsu, Illusion Technique, Ninja Techniques; none are weaknesses. He is also adept at analyzing enemy weaknesses and skilled in tactical analysis, which is what makes Itachi truly terrifying.
Sasuke calmed down from his excitement.
"Let's not talk about that now. How will you teach me to train?"
Although Kakashi's words seemed to praise Itachi, he didn't say that he would definitely lose against him.
So, learning skills from Kakashi means there's a chance to kill Itachi.
Thus, the current challenge is how to get Kakashi to teach him.
"Honestly, when Hokage-sama first assigned me, my heart rejected it. But seeing your surname, I couldn't help but remember my comrades on the battlefield."
"Was he also from the Uchiha Clan?"
"Yes, but later he disappeared on the battlefield. During wartime, to be missing is no different from being sacrificed. So, in honor of my fallen comrade, I intend to give you a chance. If you can pass my test, I will personally teach you."
Kakashi said this.
"What if I don't pass the test?"
"Hokage-sama's orders are hard to revoke, but I'll select a Jonin from my subordinates to guide you."
"Is he as strong as you?"
"I think there is no one in Anbu who surpasses me in strength."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke with a calm gaze.
"Fine then, tell me the content of your test. I will make you willingly teach me!"
A confident smile spread across Sasuke's face.
Studying the overly confident face of Sasuke, Kakashi pondered for a moment, then earnestly looked at Sasuke and said, "The test content is simple; I have only one requirement for you, and that is—abandon hatred."
Sasuke's smile stiffened, and his gaze turned somber as he stared at Kakashi.
Abandon... hatred?
What kind of requirement is this?
If he abandoned hatred, what remaining meaning does his life have as a revenger?
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"Abandon hatred? Why choose this teaching approach, Kakashi?"
After Kakashi's interaction with Sasuke, Third Hokage Hiruzen learned about the specifics and summoned Kakashi, puzzled.
Before Kakashi's interaction with Sasuke, Hiruzen had unlocked some of the Uchiha's Sharingan materials, combined with Kakashi's past understanding of the Sharingan, making him fully qualified to be Sasuke's private instructor.
He does not believe Kakashi is unaware that negative emotions are needed for the Sharingan to evolve.
Whether it's the ordinary Magatama form of the Sharingan or the Mangekyo Sharingan, each evolution signifies sacrifice and bloodshed.
The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan became famous under such a grand premise, making it a formidable weapon against enemies for the Uchiha Clan.
Also, it is a power feared by the higher-ups in Konoha.
If hatred is abandoned, then Sasuke loses the weapon of the Sharingan. For Konoha, if they cannot cultivate a powerful Sharingan Ninja, it's a loss-making investment.
"I understand the Sharingan materials sent to me by Hokage-sama. By traditional education methods, negative emotions like hatred can indeed be used to stimulate Uchiha Sasuke, enabling Uchiha Sasuke to gain greater power quickly. But in this way, risks are often inevitable."
"So, you mean abandoning part of the Sharingan's power to re-establish balance, right?"
Hiruzen understood Kakashi's point.
"Yes. The Sharingan is a dangerous double-edged sword; the higher the level of Sharingan, the more dangerous it becomes. If Sasuke injures Konoha pursuing revenge, that's something I cannot allow."
Kakashi spoke firmly.
Hiruzen took a deep breath; indeed, he had considered such a situation.
However, the information he knows far exceeds Kakashi's, and he is more worried about Sasuke's future instability than Kakashi.
Emotionally speaking, Konoha owes Sasuke, and he hopes to care for Sasuke as much as possible within his power, not only because of his agreement with Itachi.
Yet, from a rational perspective, he wouldn't allow too much personal sentiment.
Although Kakashi's method might weaken Sasuke's Sharingan ability, it will also stabilize Sasuke's temperament. Moreover, even if Sasuke betrays Konoha in the future, Konoha has the capability to suppress Sasuke.
This beheld balance pleased Hiruzen greatly.
"But… will Sasuke give up hatred?"
Hiruzen asked.
Hatred.
This kind of thing can become a catalyst for strength.
Even as Hokage, he sometimes couldn't resist.
His eldest son and daughter-in-law all died in combat in the Land of Wind, and he hated Chiba Hakushi. But considering the strength of both parties and the current international situation, he had no choice but to compromise.
Even to ransom Jiraiya, he had to hand over the Uchiha clan's inheritance, retracting the warrant against renegade ninja.
Sasuke's hatred is stronger than even his own Hokage, and his mind is more immature, not understanding compromise or patience.
Hiruzen couldn't see Sasuke abandoning hatred, this catalyst for power.
Carrying the clan's bloody vendetta, Hiruzen couldn't imagine the pain and struggle Sasuke was enduring deep inside.