Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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Various methods exist for reducing impurities. Some harmonize with their own soul, while others fulfill the wishes of others to relieve their resentment. But impurities can never be fully erased. After reincarnation, a soul undergoes a period of weakness, needing several years to adapt to its new body.

"I think it's possible to cultivate a body that's pure—a body without memories or emotions," Muzan suggested.

His idea resembled human cloning: creating a new body and transferring the soul to it, potentially to minimize impurities. Muzan shared this theory, though uncertain of its success. He noticed Orochimaru's thoughtful look, hinting that he, too, found the concept intriguing.

"It's promising, but I'm not in need of a new vessel just yet," Orochimaru replied, noting his current body was still stable.

With clearer goals, they each embarked on their respective experiments—Muzan pursued human experimentation, while Orochimaru delved into further studies on the Reincarnation Jutsu.

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Muzan's life regained routine as he traveled between Root and Orochimaru's lab. In Konoha, no one had seen him during this period, leading villagers to assume he was away on a long-term mission.

"What's happening in the village?" Muzan murmured, exiting the Forest of Death and noticing the increased presence of Konoha shinobi.

Most Konoha ninjas were usually engaged in missions, even elite shinobi like Sakumo Hatake. Muzan sensed something unusual.

He headed back to the village, explaining he'd just returned from a mission whenever he encountered fellow shinobi.

Typically, a sudden influx of shinobi in Konoha signaled the threat of war. The other villages were clearly mobilizing.

Shortly after, Kakashi found him. Muzan, still cloaked in his usual black attire, looked slightly different, though that might've been the effect of time apart.

"Brother, I've been looking for you. What kind of mission were you on? It's been too long."

"My sensei's wife's due date is approaching. I need a skilled medical ninja nearby to make sure nothing goes wrong," Kakashi explained.

Muzan understood the urgency immediately. Obito, under the guise of Uchiha Madara, would soon appear, pushing the Uchiha clan and Konoha further toward conflict.

"I've been training under Orochimaru-sensei," Muzan replied.

With Kakashi recently promoted to ANBU captain, Muzan's medical skills made him a valuable asset for the team in such a high-stakes situation. He'd serve as the team's medical ninja and assist with the birth if necessary.

With only a week until Kushina's due date, Konoha was on high alert. Shinobi patrolled constantly, with teams rotating shifts at the gates to prevent infiltration.

"I didn't expect this to happen during my pregnancy," Kushina remarked, looking at the people around her—Biwako, the appointed midwife, Muzan, and Minato by her side.

"Don't worry; you and the baby are our top priority," Minato reassured her, even as he worried about the weakened Nine-Tails' seal. The Third Hokage was present in Konoha, but the whereabouts of the Sannin were unknown.

Muzan's role in the room felt redundant, as Biwako managed most of the delivery preparations, leaving him with little to do.

Outside, he saw Kakashi directing the guard detail. When Kakashi saw him approaching, he hesitated. Unsure of Muzan's current strength, Kakashi felt uncertain about assigning him a crucial position where a direct attack could endanger the mission.

"Brother, I respect your medical skills, but I'm not sure your battle abilities are up to this level anymore," Kakashi remarked.

As a well-known ANBU captain, the famed Copy Ninja felt confident in his prowess and eager to test it against Muzan, who had been preoccupied with his own pursuits.

"Oh, really?" Muzan replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. He could sense what Kakashi was thinking—a desire to challenge him after years of rivalry.

"You're serious? Alright, I'll take you on," Kakashi said, a grin spreading across his face.

Muzan had no plans to go all out, but Kakashi's skills had clearly sharpened, having mastered various jutsu and improved his combat techniques during his time in ANBU.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Kakashi called out.

With a series of puffs, three shadow clones surrounded Muzan, blocking every escape route.

"I've been waiting for this day, to finally settle the score from all those times you bested me when we were younger!" Kakashi declared.

Kakashi vividly remembered the frustration of those childhood losses. Muzan had grown stronger, much to Kakashi's dismay. Today, Kakashi intended to reclaim his pride.

"You're setting yourself up for disappointment, Kakashi. Brace yourself," Muzan said with a smirk.

Choosing not to activate his Sharingan, Kakashi's chakra reserves remained ample, keeping him primed for the fight.

"Shadow clones—good for close combat. It seems ANBU training has served you well," Muzan observed.

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Shadow clones were an effective jutsu, especially for those with substantial chakra reserves, allowing a user to summon dozens or even hundreds of clones. However, most shinobi could only manage a few.

Besieged by Kakashi's four clones, Muzan stood still, a quiet resolve in his stance. He didn't bother summoning his own clones; overwhelming an opponent wasn't his style. Yet, without the Byakugan, he couldn't distinguish the real Kakashi among the clones. He'd have to wait for a reveal.

A smirk played on his lips. "You're too slow, Kakashi," Muzan remarked coolly, his voice edged with disappointment. "You rely too much on ninjutsu. You forget the true strength of the Hatake clan."

The taunt stung. Kakashi's jaw tightened, a flicker of anger in his eyes. The clones responded, adjusting their positions and launching coordinated C-rank jutsu attacks. Sparks of fire, whirling wind, and streaks of lightning shot toward Muzan, forcing him to dodge and weave with speed that only heightened Kakashi's determination.

The attacks, while low-rank individually, merged into a formidable threat. Muzan could no longer simply evade. He settled into a combat stance, eyes sharpening with focus.

"Hatake swordsmanship, huh?" Kakashi taunted, forming hand seals at rapid speed. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

A twisting dragon of flames surged forward, fierce and blazing. But Muzan moved swiftly, splitting the fiery beast with a single, precise slash. His blade halted just inches from what he assumed was Kakashi's face—only for it to dissipate in a puff of smoke.

"Another clone…" Muzan murmured, an eyebrow raised as he scanned for the real Kakashi. "Predictable."

But Muzan's smugness was short-lived. As soon as he spoke, two clones leaped from behind, launching wind and fire jutsu in tandem to generate a searing heat wave. Muzan countered with rapid hand seals, his voice a low murmur as he called forth a massive torrent.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Water surged from his mouth, dousing the flames and flooding the field, its power knocking the clones back. Kakashi darted away, avoiding the deluge, but Muzan was relentless. In a flash, he appeared beside him, his fingers sparking with chakra.

Kakashi sensed him just in time, but Muzan was faster, delivering a bone-jarring blow that threw Kakashi backward, skidding across the soaked ground. Gritting his teeth, Kakashi forced himself up, coughing but smiling through the pain.

"You're strong, Muzan. But I'm not the kid you used to beat up," he spat, activating his Sharingan. The scarlet eye blazed, tracking Muzan's every movement.

Muzan's eyes narrowed, the tension between them palpable. Kakashi vanished, replaced by a storm of shadow clones that attacked from all directions, their kunai and shuriken glinting as they moved with surgical precision. Muzan deflected the first few strikes, his blade a blur of silver. But Kakashi's clones were relentless, pressing forward with ferocious speed.

Kakashi himself moved in, wielding a kunai with fluid grace, trying to land a critical hit. Muzan parried, and their blades clashed in a dazzling flurry. Steel met steel, sparks flying as each sought to unnerve the other. Muzan, sensing Kakashi's mounting strength, felt a flicker of excitement; his brother had indeed grown stronger.

But Muzan's experience soon outmatched Kakashi's aggression. He saw an opening and slipped past Kakashi's defenses, delivering a palm strike to his chest that sent him staggering back. Yet, before Kakashi could recover, Muzan vanished and reappeared behind him, chakra flaring as he disrupted Kakashi's flow, leaving him dizzy and weakened.

"You've improved," Muzan admitted, lifting Kakashi, whose vision was blurred and his stance wavering. But the respect was genuine. "However, strength without control is a weakness."

Kakashi slumped, barely conscious. Muzan hoisted him over his shoulder, crossing the battlefield just as ANBU agents arrived to assess the soaked training grounds.

Shortly after, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, arrived, his brow raised as he took in the scene—the drenched earth, the fallen clones, and Kakashi, unconscious and slung over Muzan's shoulder.

"A bit much, don't you think?" Minato asked, glancing at Kakashi. Muzan's expression was unapologetic.

"Just a lesson," he said with a faint smile. "Kakashi's talented, but he should remember there's always someone stronger."

Minato chuckled. "Maybe. But having you as a brother is probably tougher than any ANBU mission."

Kakashi stirred weakly, muttering as he came to. "You… jerk… Muzan… I'll… get you back…"

"Take it easy, Kakashi," Muzan said, a smirk on his face as he patted his brother's head lightly. "You'll get your chance soon enough."

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