Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

Six months had passed since Kakashi's last milestone in his Sage training. His strength and reflexes had improved dramatically, though he still felt the sting of defeat every time he sparred with the Spider Sage. Despite this, Kakashi couldn't deny the progress he had made. If anyone else were to witness their battles, they might think they were watching two fighters who could see into the future—each movement perfectly countered or dodged in the nick of time.

Kakashi had also grown more adept at controlling his Sharingan. What had once been a painful and cumbersome process had become as easy as blinking. At first, this newfound ease perplexed him. He spent several sleepless nights trying to figure out the mechanism behind it, as the Spider Sage didn't consider it part of the official training and offered no guidance. Initially, Kakashi believed that controlling the Sharingan required the same techniques as the Uchiha. However, he quickly realized he was mistaken.

The truth lay in the residual nature energy left by the venom that had deactivated his Sharingan in the first place. This faint trace of natural energy seemed to act as a bridge between his chakra and the eye. Through months of focused practice, Kakashi had learned to manipulate this energy, not only to activate and deactivate the Sharingan at will but also to enhance its synergy with his Sage Art. To his surprise, he found that the Sharingan wasn't as much of a drain as he'd initially thought. More than that, it amplified his already heightened senses, making his "spider sense" sharper than ever.

One evening after a particularly intense sparring session, the sage leaned against a boulder, observing Kakashi as he sheathed his blade. "Your swordsmanship is impressive," the sage remarked. "Whoever in the Hatake clan came up with this style must've been a genius. It fits almost perfectly with our Sage Art and even complements the ninjutsu I've taught you."

Kakashi gave a small nod. The sage's "ninjutsu" had been far from what he expected. Initially, he'd been unimpressed, thinking the techniques were nothing more than enhanced versions of basic shinobi jutsu—Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Body Flicker. However, over time, Kakashi realized their potential. They were optimized for speed and efficiency, perfectly aligning with the fast-paced, instinct-driven combat style the Spider Sage emphasized. In battle, these "simple" techniques became invaluable tools, allowing him to outmaneuver opponents with minimal chakra expenditure.

Still, the sage's eccentricities hadn't waned. "Say, Kakashi," he said suddenly, his many eyes glinting with mischief, "what do you think about kidnapping a few Uchiha kids and bringing them here? I'd love to see what two Sharingan users could do with our Sage Art."

Kakashi didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he quietly sheathed his sword and began to pack up his gear, signaling the end of the session.

The sage chuckled. "You've grown, Kakashi," he said, his tone unusually soft. "You're getting stronger, and not just physically. How about we celebrate? Dinner's on me. I caught some fish earlier."

Kakashi blinked in surprise. In all the time he had spent here, the sage had never once mentioned sharing a meal. At first, Kakashi had relied on worms and insects to sustain himself, until he stumbled upon a small stream where he managed to catch fish using makeshift traps. The thought of eating something prepared by the sage himself was… curious.

A few minutes later, they sat by a small fire in a secluded part of the cave, the scent of grilled fish wafting through the air. The sage handed Kakashi a skewer, grinning. "Eat up, and no critiques. I don't need your opinion of my cooking."

Kakashi bit into the fish. To his surprise, it tasted normal—almost good, in fact.

"You're going to leave soon," the sage said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Kakashi sighed. "Yes."

"What's with the sigh? Don't want to go back to Konoha?"

"No, I do," Kakashi replied quickly. "It's just... going back means taking on more responsibility."

"Responsibility?" The sage raised an eyebrow. "What, like becoming Hokage?"

"Not even in hell," Kakashi said flatly, earning a laugh from the sage.

"So what is it?"

Kakashi set the skewer down and looked up at the jagged ceiling of the cave. The moonlight filtered through a massive opening, illuminating the space in soft, silvery light. "It's about taking responsibility for my choices. For a long time, I've lived in a way that avoided it. I followed orders, completed missions, and protected people because I had to. But now… I want to do it because I choose to. Not because it's expected of me."

The sage didn't interrupt, sensing Kakashi's rare moment of vulnerability.

"I used to think the question was always about choosing—teammates or the mission, family or the village," Kakashi continued. "But now I understand. Those questions only hold you back when you're weak. The stronger you become, the fewer limits you have. I don't have to choose anymore. I just have to do my best, no matter what, and trust my strength to carry me through."

He paused, letting the words sink in. "In the past, I avoided responsibility because I was afraid. Afraid of leading people and failing them. Afraid of losing them, like I lost… everyone else. But I see it differently now. Look at Minato-sensei. He was strong, stronger than almost anyone. And yet he lost two of his students and then sacrificed himself not even a year later. But I don't think he ever regretted his decisions. He did what he believed in, right until the end."

Kakashi lay back, staring at the stars visible through the cave's opening. "That's who I want to be. Someone who gives it his all, who has no regrets—even if I fail. That's why I let you torture me for the past year and a half. I wanted to grow stronger, not just to protect others, but to protect myself from becoming someone I don't want to be."

The sage said nothing for a long time, letting the crackle of the fire fill the silence. Finally, he smirked. "Well, kid, you've got the right idea. Just don't get too sentimental on me. You'll ruin my reputation."

Kakashi chuckled softly, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter as he drifted into a rare, peaceful sleep.