To be honest, Sasuke had once suspected Kakashi's identity, but he also knew it was basically impossible. So when he learned that the Sharingan had been left to Kakashi by an Uchiha teammate before dying, he did not feel disappointed.
"Sigh, there's nothing we can do about it," Kakashi said, rolling his eyes. No one liked being told something so bluntly—especially when they had no way to refute it.
Xia Li had briefly considered using the Flying Thunder God Technique to send everyone back, but he gave up on the idea. The journey was long, and transporting so many people would be exhausting. Besides, he still wanted to deal with Gato.
Looking at Kakashi, Xia Li couldn't help sighing at his wasted talent. He had once been so gifted, yet had ended up like this.
Still, Xia Li could understand it. Kakashi had lost his mother at birth. Later, while still young, he lost his father—who took his own life under the villagers' accusations. Kakashi had grown up listening to those criticisms every day.
After retreating into the shadows, he had finally found a warm team. Yet his teammates died, leaving behind only the Sharingan as a final memento.
Then, just when he might have found redemption with the help of his teacher and comrades, he personally killed another teammate.
Finally, his teacher and his teacher's wife died on the same day.
Xia Li felt that Kakashi's life was tragic—tragic beyond words.
If Kakashi had truly been an Uchiha, then with his experiences, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan would have posed no obstacle at all.
Precisely because the Sharingan was a keepsake from his fallen teammate, Kakashi refused to lose it—he would not even seal it.
Clearly, his teacher had been extremely skilled in sealing techniques, and his teacher's wife had been a top expert in the field. So when his teacher claimed it was impossible to seal the Sharingan while maintaining its vitality, Kakashi had never believed it.
The only possibility was that Kakashi himself did not want to do it.
Without the Sharingan, Kakashi would not necessarily be stronger—but with it, his potential ceiling was much higher.
The real issue was that the best way for Kakashi to use the Sharingan would have been to seal it first, train his body to peak condition, then unseal it and master its usage through his own talent. It wasn't difficult in theory.
That version of Kakashi would have been the strongest Kakashi.
Unfortunately, he did not choose that path. His nickname, "Copy Ninja," said it all—he neither sealed the Sharingan nor restrained its usage.
Under the constant drain of the Sharingan—especially the three-tomoe version—his chakra remained perpetually restricted. His physical condition weakened, which inevitably interfered with his training time and energy, slowing his growth.
Otherwise, Xia Li believed Kakashi might not reach the realm beyond Kage level—but reaching standard Kage level should not have been difficult, instead of fluctuating as he did now.
"Although we need to rest for a while, we can use this time for some practical teaching," Kakashi said, unaware that Xia Li had been internally criticizing him.
"Teaching? Training?" Naruto's and Sasuke's eyes lit up. Sakura looked even more excited. She had long sensed the gap between herself and her teammates. If she didn't want to fall behind, this training was crucial.
Soon, Kakashi led them into a forest to begin lessons.
However—
"Tree climbing? Xia Li already taught me that."
Sweat appeared on Kakashi's forehead.
"Standing on water? Xia Li taught that too!"
More sweat formed. He shot Xia Li a look—just how much had this guy already taught them?
No wonder Naruto and Sasuke felt stronger than typical genin.
"Sensei, are you okay? Can't you teach something else?" Naruto asked bluntly.
Kakashi wanted to roll his eyes. He just wanted to teach properly—why was it so hard?
"Sensei… I don't know how to do that," Sakura said weakly, raising her hand. She glanced at Xia Li, who had never taught her.
After thinking it through, she realized they weren't particularly close. She was closer to Ino. Xia Li had no reason to teach her.
Hearing this, Kakashi almost cried with relief. At least he had one normal student.
But Xia Li spoke up first.
"Sakura, I'll teach you the basics. Naruto, Sasuke, and Senior Kakashi are legendary ninja who've copied countless techniques. They're very strong," he hinted.
Naruto and Sasuke immediately looked at Kakashi with shining eyes.
Kakashi couldn't refuse. Teaching was his duty. He knew many techniques, but most weren't suitable for Naruto and Sasuke.
"By the way, Senior Kakashi—Naruto's nature is Wind. Sasuke's are Fire and Lightning. Don't teach the wrong thing."
The smile on Xia Li's face looked almost evil to Kakashi. Was he determined to squeeze everything out of him?
Kakashi did know some Wind Release techniques, but not particularly well. The same for Fire Release. As for Lightning Release…
He glanced at Sasuke. Lightning nature, Sharingan, solid physique. It wasn't a bad match. Considering Sasuke's age and rapid growth, it was reasonable.
Still, was it wise to rush into self-study of advanced techniques?
Kakashi suddenly remembered Xia Li's file. He also possessed Lightning nature. The Third Hokage had hinted at it before.
Was Xia Li trying to learn Chidori as well?
"I do know a strong Lightning Release technique, but it requires exceptional dynamic vision," Kakashi warned.
"It's fine. Sasuke has the Sharingan—his dynamic vision should be sufficient," Xia Li replied calmly.
After a moment of eye contact, Kakashi sighed. "Fine. After you finish teaching Sakura, come over."
If they wanted to learn, he would teach. Building a good relationship with the future Hokage wasn't a bad idea either. Kakashi even found himself wondering—just how old was Xia Li? Three generations seemed intertwined around him.
"Understood." Xia Li smiled. Now he had official permission to use Chidori openly.
Kakashi then left with Naruto and Sasuke, who excitedly discussed Wind Release techniques along the way.
After they were gone, Sakura looked at Xia Li awkwardly.
"Um… can I go with them? It should be similar training, right?"
She clearly didn't want to be separated from Sasuke.
Xia Li shook his head. "No. The techniques they're learning are high-powered. You might get caught in the crossfire."
"Alright." Sakura accepted it, though she resolved to master tree climbing and water walking quickly so she could stand beside Sasuke.
"Let's start training?" she urged.
"There's no rush."
Inside, she was screaming that she was in a rush—to see Sasuke.
"Tree climbing and water walking aren't difficult for you," Xia Li said thoughtfully.
"What? Aren't they hard?"
"They're tests of chakra control. And Sakura—you're very strong in that area."
She nodded. That much she was confident about.
"However, your low chakra reserves do have a reason," Xia Li added bluntly. Indeed, her chakra pool had always been small. Only later, with the Strength of a Hundred Seal, would she compensate.
Sakura fell silent. She knew it was true.
"The difference between Kakashi and me is that he would guide you gradually. I won't."
"Sakura, it's time to think about your own path. Do you feel the gap between you and Naruto and Sasuke? If you don't find a path suited to you, that gap will only grow."
She was stunned. Wasn't this just training? Why was she suddenly being told to think about her future?
But Xia Li didn't have time to ease her into it.
"My suggestion? Consider genjutsu and medical ninjutsu. They don't require large chakra reserves—but they demand precise control."
Sakura remained silent.
"Think about it later. Don't worry about genjutsu—Kakashi can help you find a teacher. As for medical ninjutsu, I know some people at the medical center."
Xia Li could teach both himself—but he preferred not to get involved unnecessarily.
"For now, let's focus on tree climbing and water walking."
Sakura nodded, still distracted but determined.
Chapter 122 – Wind Release: Chakra Escape Mode? The Mystery of Chidori
Soon, Xia Li found himself surprised. Sakura's chakra control was even better than he expected.
She succeeded in climbing a tree on her first try. Even walking on water posed little difficulty.
"That's enough for today. Practice by the river on your own."
"Thank you, Xia Li," Sakura said sincerely, impressed by his control and presence. Was this what a jōnin felt like?
Xia Li nodded and vanished toward the other training site.
Sakura slapped her cheeks. "Focus. Master this first. Then I'll go see Sasuke."
Thinking of Sasuke reignited her determination.
"What happened here?"
When Xia Li arrived, Naruto looked dejected while Kakashi scratched his head helplessly.
"Kakashi-sensei is biased! He taught Sasuke an amazing technique but gave me something ordinary!"
"Oh? Favoritism? That's not good," Xia Li agreed.
"Don't stir things up," Kakashi groaned. "Naruto doesn't know—but you do."
Sasuke remained silent, eyes still burning from witnessing Chidori's demonstration.
"So Naruto, what did he teach you?"
"Something called Gale Palm. Doesn't sound impressive."
"Oh? I know that one too."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"It may look average, but it's actually easy to use," Xia Li said, forming a seal.
A moment later, wind swirled around him in a controlled vortex.
Kakashi's eyes widened. To reshape the form so effortlessly—this was talent.
"Wow! That's Gale Palm? Why does it look different from Sensei's?" Naruto complained openly.
"My demonstration wasn't bad," Kakashi muttered, rolling his eyes. "Xia Li just has far better chakra control. He restructured the technique's form."
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