Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

Kakashi was meditating, tattoos covering his right arm from shoulder to sleeve. The most astonishing thing was the immense amount of natural energy flowing around him, saturating the air like an invisible current. The elder spider sage watched from the corner of the cave, his many eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and anticipation. He had already instructed Kakashi on the process. Now, it was entirely up to him.

The throbbing pain in both of Kakashi's arms was almost unbearable. He had prepared himself for this, knowing that awakening the new organ inside him would be anything but easy. His breathing was steady, but the agony was unlike anything he had experienced before. Soon, veins bulged along his forearms, pulsating intensely. It felt as if something was trying to force its way out of his body.

Kakashi gritted his teeth, a scream escaping him despite his best efforts to remain composed. He could feel a strange pressure building under his skin. Without his realizing it, a white, sticky substance began to seep from his arms. Then, suddenly, it exploded outward, scattering everywhere like a burst dam.

The pain intensified, and Kakashi screamed again, feeling his body tremble under the strain. The white substance clung to the cave walls and floor, its texture thick and sticky. His arms throbbed as though they were on fire, but then, just as quickly as the pain had come, it began to fade. He stared down at his arms, watching in awe as the wounds healed rapidly, leaving behind two microscopic holes on each forearm.

When Kakashi opened his eyes, the black sclera, marked with a faint pinpoint glow, faded back to normal. Every tattoo disappeared except for the spider mark on his palm, which pulsed faintly as if alive. Breathing heavily, he lifted his arm and felt an odd sensation. There was something new—something foreign yet strangely intuitive.

He focused on the feeling, and suddenly, a long, cord-like web shot out from his palm, anchoring itself to the cave roof. Kakashi blinked in astonishment, testing the web's strength by pulling on it with all his might. To his shock, it wasn't the web that gave way but the cave roof itself, which cracked under the force.

"Hahaha! It seems like you're amazed," the sage said, his tone dripping with amusement. "Don't be ashamed. I'll just forget you called it creepy before."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "No, you called it creepy. I just agreed."

"Oh, did I? I don't remember. For now, let's just say you called it creepy," the sage insisted with a grin.

Knowing he would never win an argument with the spider sage, Kakashi sighed and let the comment slide.

"Anyway, congratulations! You actually did it. That was surpr—NO, I mean, I totally believed you could do it," the sage said, correcting himself mid-sentence with an exaggerated nod.

Kakashi couldn't help but shake his head.

"Don't celebrate too soon. I'll only release you after a month, once you've mastered this ability," the sage added.

Acknowledging the challenge, Kakashi retreated to his makeshift 'room'—a cleaned-out section of the cave that served as his living space. Sitting down, he carefully examined his body, particularly his arms. The two small holes in his forearms seemed harmless, but Kakashi could feel the new organ inside him, humming with potential.

What intrigued him most was that this web-shooting ability wasn't tied to his Sage Mode. Unlike the powers he had previously unlocked—abilities that required him to channel natural energy—this one was different. Even in his normal state, he could sense and control the organ responsible for producing the webbing.

This realization sparked curiosity. Could other abilities, like his spider sense, function outside of Sage Mode? He had never tested it, assuming it only worked when nature energy coursed through him. Yet, the web-shooting ability challenged that assumption.

Kakashi flexed his fingers, marveling at how natural it felt to use this power. It was as if he had grown a new limb. The implications were exciting but also a bit unsettling. He resolved to ask the sage about it during their next session.

.......

A month later, under the pale moonlight seeping through the hole in the ceiling of the cave, the sound of clashing swords echoed. Kakashi, locked in combat with his master, felt himself improving at a rapid pace. His movements were sharper, more precise, and his reflexes had reached new heights.

If anyone had been watching, they would have described the battle as a mesmerizing dance. Each strike and parry was calculated, every movement deliberate. It was a symphony of combat, a duel between two masters. Yet, despite his growth, one thing remained clear: the elder spider sage still had the upper hand.

Kakashi, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration. His master, however, seemed to be enjoying himself.

"You've improved, Kakashi," the sage said, his voice laced with amusement. "No, I've said that so many times, but every time, I meant it."

The sage's mocking smile only fueled Kakashi's determination. He was tempted to attack recklessly, but he forced himself to remember his master's teachings. Recklessness would only dull his senses. Calmness and focus were the keys to unlocking his potential.

Closing his eyes, Kakashi took a deep breath, centering himself. When he opened them again, his expression was calm yet resolute. He darted forward, his sword slicing through the air toward the sage's neck.

The sage reacted effortlessly, blocking the attack with his elbow while simultaneously catching Kakashi's free hand. Kakashi tried to twist away, but the sage's grip was unyielding. A swift kick disarmed Kakashi, sending his sword clattering across the cave floor.

Before Kakashi could react, the sage delivered another kick to his chest, sending him flying. The impact hurt, but Kakashi didn't flinch. Instead, he shot a web behind him, using it to absorb the shock, and then fired another web in front to pull himself upright.

Hanging from the ceiling, Kakashi used his momentum to launch himself back into the fray. He fired several webs in rapid succession, using them to change his trajectory unpredictably. His goal was simple: to overwhelm and surprise his opponent.

As he closed in, Kakashi spotted an opening. He shot himself forward like an arrow, his sword in hand, aiming for the sage.

The sage turned at the last moment, smiling confidently, and caught Kakashi mid-air, pinning him to the ground.

"You thought something like that would work on me? Hahaha!" the sage mocked, his laughter echoing in the cave.

Kakashi murmured something under his breath.

"What was that?" the sage asked, leaning in closer to hear.

In that moment, Kakashi acted. Grabbing the sage's shoulder with one hand, he screamed at the top of his lungs, catching the sage off guard. The sage's senses flared with warning, but before he could react, Kakashi used the distraction to let go of the web in his.

Just then the blade pierced the sage's stomach.

For a moment, the cave was silent. Even Kakashi was stunned. He had planned to use the web's momentum like a bow and his sword like an arrow, but he hadn't expected the plan to work—or for the sage to be caught so completely off guard.

Then, the sage's laughter broke the silence.

"Hahaha! Hahahahaha!" The sound was almost maniacal. Pulling the sword from his stomach, the sage grinned. "Good. Very good. You've graduated."

Kakashi, still unsure whether to laugh or apologize, managed a small smile.