Chapter 268: The Struggle for the Sharingan

"As expected of Konoha’s Copy Ninja... truly battle-hardened and experienced."

A trace of approval appeared beneath Obito’s mask.

At the very least, Kakashi Hatake had perfected the art of combining elemental techniques.

Compared to those who relied on bloodline limits...

Kakashi, as a traditional ninja, had pushed his ninjutsu to its limits.

Even Obito found the effects produced by Kakashi’s combinations impressive.

It seemed that no matter how much time passed, Kakashi was still the same confident and composed Kakashi Hatake.

"If you’re not up here... then you must be underground."

Obito pulled the chain from behind his back.

The Sharingan beneath his mask glimmered with its distinctive crimson light.

After all, retrieving his Sharingan was the top priority.

Capturing Kakashi alive was the safest option.

A sinister smile curled across his lips.

Then he slapped a hand against the ground.

Using the Hiding Like a Mole Technique, Kakashi was concealed beneath the earth.

The moment he sensed danger, his heart skipped a beat.

Then he saw countless branches bursting up from underground!

He immediately abandoned any thought of remaining hidden and leaped out!

Against such a dense Wood Release assault, there was no way he could completely defend himself.

His only choice was to reveal his position and evade the attack.

However, Obito wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Through Black Zetsu, he already had a rough understanding of Kakashi’s strength and fighting style over the past few years.

Even now, Kakashi remained as cautious as ever.

Despite partially analyzing Obito’s abilities, he didn’t recklessly launch an all-out assault.

Instead, he continued probing, gathering information, and adjusting his tactics accordingly.

That methodical style had always been Kakashi Hatake’s trademark.

"Damn it..."

Kakashi stared at the masked man.

Feeling the meager amount of chakra remaining in his body, he found himself at a loss.

He knew that if no reinforcements arrived soon, he wouldn’t be able to uncover any information about the masked man today.

He might even die here.

"You did well."

Obito’s voice remained calm beneath the mask.

He spoke indifferently.

Whoosh!

Kakashi refused to sit still and wait for death.

He continued throwing shuriken.

Unlike before, however, these carried no Lightning Release chakra.

With a flick of both arms, Obito used the chains in his hands to knock every incoming shuriken out of the air.

"Tch..."

Kakashi’s expression beneath his mask darkened.

While throwing shuriken, he steadily retreated.

His chakra reserves simply weren’t enough to sustain further combat.

At this point, he could only wait for Ning Feng or Minato Namikaze to come support him.

Bzz...

Suddenly, the Sharingan beneath Obito’s mask widened.

Spatial distortions appeared before him.

Kamui activated.

His body gradually disappeared.

At the same moment, Kakashi sensed something.

His expression changed, and he immediately dove forward!

Behind him, a hand emerged from another dimension and grasped at empty air.

"What a terrifying ability..."

The masked man’s powers filled Kakashi with unease.

This level of mastery over space-time ninjutsu was nearly on par with his teacher, Minato Namikaze.

In some respects, the masked man’s technique was even more covert than Minato’s.

Although Kakashi possessed unusually keen spatial awareness, tracking the masked man’s movements was still extremely difficult.

This guy...

Was definitely no ordinary ninja.

Kakashi instantly elevated him to the highest threat level.

Back then, Ning Feng had managed to suppress him and his entire group.

Just how strong was Ning Feng, then?

Suddenly recalling how Ning Feng had overwhelmed the masked man during the Nine-Tails incident, Kakashi felt deeply shaken.

Previously, he hadn’t thought much of the masked man.

Even if he couldn’t win, he had believed he could at least hold his own for a long time.

Now, however, he realized how mistaken he had been.

Forget suppressing the masked man.

The mere thought of maintaining a stalemate against him was unrealistic.

And this was with prior knowledge of the masked man’s intangibility ability obtained from Ning Feng.

Although Kakashi still had numerous techniques and methods he hadn’t used...

His remaining chakra was insufficient to support them.

If he wanted to continue fighting, he would need chakra reserves comparable to a Tailed Beast’s.

Only then could he continue probing for weaknesses.

Whoosh!

Before Kakashi could think further, Obito suddenly reached directly toward his Sharingan!

Kakashi didn’t even have time to speak.

A sharp pain exploded from his eye.

Then came emptiness.

An endless sense of emptiness.

With his remaining eye, he watched clearly as the masked man pulled out a bottle filled with an unknown liquid and placed an eyeball inside.

A familiar eyeball.

The gift left to him by his friend.

Warm liquid trickled down through his fingers.

Only then did Kakashi fully realize what had happened.

"AH!"

Kakashi cried out in agony and disbelief!

Sweat poured down his face as he dropped to one knee.

His Sharingan had been taken?

The Sharingan Obito had entrusted to him had been stolen?

"You bastard!"

Kakashi’s remaining eye turned bloodshot as he charged forward recklessly!

The last scraps of chakra in his body gathered into his hand.

Brilliant lightning crackled violently!

"Hmph."

Obito watched calmly as Kakashi’s attack passed harmlessly through his body.

"I’ll spare your life this time... Kakashi."

He tucked the bottle containing the Sharingan into his clothing.

The spatial distortions around him intensified.

"Stop!"

Kakashi roared.

With every ounce of strength he possessed, he chased after the gradually disappearing figure ahead.

That was the only thing Obito had left him.

How could someone take it away so easily?

How could he ever face Obito after this?

"Stop right there!"

Kakashi hurled every remaining shuriken from his pouch.

Without exception, each one passed harmlessly through the masked man as he vanished.

"Damn it..."

Kakashi wanted to say more.

But the weakness from having his eye forcibly removed, combined with severe blood loss, made it impossible for him to remain standing.

His body swayed.

Then he collapsed onto the ground.

Blood continued to flow from the empty socket of his left eye.

"Finally got it."

Carrying his reclaimed Sharingan, Obito felt a tremendous weight lift from his heart.

Only now did he truly possess the qualifications to stand on equal footing with Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju, and Ning Feng.

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