SHINOBI EXAM

After Kakashi fell into a coma, he was first sent to the hospital by Tenzo from the Anbu. Once the doctors confirmed it was merely a severe case of chakra exhaustion, he was transferred back to his ninja dormitory.

Yet, even in a state of unconsciousness, Kakashi's rest was anything but peaceful. Disturbing memories from the past clung to him, dragging him deeper into a turbulent dreamscape.

---

In the depths of his dream, a boy lay crushed under a boulder, gasping for air yet determined to live long enough to accomplish one final act. With an unyielding will, he entrusted Kakashi with a mission:

"Kakashi... You have to help me... Protect Rin..."

"Obito... Take it easy," Kakashi's voice trembled, his younger self grasping at the remnants of hope. "Don't die... Please..."

The memory twisted, dragging Kakashi into the moment he coldly refused his teammate's plea to save Rin.

"Those who abandon the rules are trash," his past self said with icy resolve. "And trash has no place as a ninja."

A figure turned away from him—Obito, unyielding even under the crushing weight of Kakashi's words.

"Forget it. I'll save Rin myself," Obito declared. "If abandoning my comrades for the mission makes me a proper ninja, I'd rather be trash. At least Konoha's White Fang was a true hero."

"Wait, Obito," Kakashi called out. "I'll go with you. Don't leave me alone!"

The scene warped again. Obito's voice echoed in Kakashi's mind:

"Kakashi, no matter what anyone says, you're an excellent Jōnin. Protect Rin for me. Promise me!"

---

Lin's face appeared next.

"Kakashi," she whispered. "I like—"

"Stop," Kakashi interrupted. "You know Obito likes you."

"But don't you know the person I truly care about is—"

Before she could finish, Kakashi's dream flung him into the battlefield. Desperate, he called out to her:

"Rin, I'll hold the enemies back. You must survive! Find reinforcements!"

Rin turned to him, her expression filled with worry.

"Kakashi!"

Her cry was suddenly cut off by the chirping of a thousand birds and the flash of lightning. Kakashi watched in horror as his hand plunged through her chest. Blood dripped from his fingertips, and her body went limp.

"K-Kakashi..." she murmured, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth as her pupils dilated.

---

Lin!

Kakashi's voice cracked in anguish as another figure emerged—Obito, crushed beneath the boulder, his gaze filled with sorrow.

"Kakashi," Obito's voice rang hollow. "You promised to protect Rin. You failed me!"

The image warped into an older Obito's face, half-hidden by the spiraling mask of a madman.

"Kakashi," the voice snarled, "you refused to save Rin! That's why everything happened!"

"No!" Kakashi screamed, bolting upright from his bed.

His heart raced as if it would tear through his chest. Sweat drenched his body, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. The night outside his window was pitch black, but sleep was out of reach. After splashing his face with cold water, Kakashi wandered to the Memorial Stone, where he spent the rest of the night in silence.

---

The next morning, as Sasuke left to deliver lunch to Naruto, a knock echoed through the Uchiha household.

Mikoto Uchiha answered the door and blinked in surprise.

"Kakashi?"

The man before her looked utterly worn out. His once-vibrant demeanor was now dulled, his cheeks hollow, and dark circles hung under his eyes. The damp morning mist clung to his Jōnin vest, and his chin was dusted with faint stubble.

"Forgive the intrusion," Kakashi said, his voice hoarse. "I need your help."

Mikoto invited him inside, offering him tea. As he knelt before the low table, Kakashi slid a piece of paper toward her.

"Have you ever seen this Sharingan before?" he asked solemnly.

Mikoto studied the sketch. "This is... the Mangekyō Sharingan," she said after a moment. "It's a very rare form of Sharingan, far surpassing the three-tomoe stage in power."

"Please," Kakashi implored, bowing low. "Tell me everything you know about it."

Mikoto hesitated, then shared what she could. "The Mangekyō Sharingan is incredibly powerful but dangerous. I've only heard of one person who wielded it—Uchiha Madara. He was the first to rebel against Konoha."

"Thank you," Kakashi said quietly. "One more thing. Do you know anything about Obito's family? Did he have siblings or relatives?"

Mikoto shook her head. "Obito was an only child. His parents died on a mission shortly after he was born. I don't know much about them, but you might find something among his belongings."

Kakashi nodded, grateful for the lead.

---

Later that day, Kakashi returned to the Hatake ancestral home—a place he had avoided for years.

The house was filled with dust, its air heavy with memories he had long suppressed. In a corner lay his father's broken chakra blade, untouched since the day Sakumo Hatake passed away.

"Father, I'm home," Kakashi murmured as he stepped inside.

In one room, he found a collection of Obito's belongings, preserved from their youth. Among them was a wall filled with photographs—a testament to Obito's love for capturing memories.

Kakashi's breath caught as his eyes scanned the wall. There were photos of Team Minato, Rin's kind smile, and even Obito's parents. The young couple held an infant Obito, their faces alight with happiness.

The sight was overwhelming. Kakashi slumped to the floor, unable to leave the room.

---

When Naruto and the others later came looking for their teacher at the Jōnin dormitory, they found it empty.

Kakashi remained in the room, lost in the fragments of a life long gone.

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