The Celestial Copy - Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I don't own the original setting

[Tsura Inuzuka] 

Tsura took a deep breath, letting the scent of sizzling meat roll through her senses.

They were at Yakiniku Q, Kuma’s cousin’s restaurant. What started as Kuma’s treat to celebrate a successful first mission had quickly doubled as a welcome for Mumei. With the news of the peace treaty meant to finally end the bloodshed with the Cloud, Kuma had declared they would spare no expense.

Though, observing the mountain of premium ribs he was personally consuming, it seemed he was the primary beneficiary of his own generosity.

She observed the team from her corner of the booth. Kuma was the heart of the group today, boisterously laughing as he waved the server over for another round of meat. Mumei and Tori formed an alliance of chaos, loudly teasing Tanuki about his technique. The former Foundation agent looked completely lost, his chopsticks hovering awkwardly as he tried not to burn the premium cuts of meat Kuma kept piling onto his section of the grill.

On the other side, Neko sat beside the Captain. She asked him about advanced kenjutsu footwork. Captain Kitsune answered her with his usual patience, never raising his voice even when Mumei’s laughter practically rattled the plates.

Watching the camaraderie, her thoughts drifted to her own clan. 

The Inuzuka were strangely fluid in hierarchy. There was the “main family,” which was simply the current leader’s immediate family, and the “branch,” which was everyone else. The clan’s ultimate test of strength was the right for any member to challenge the clan head for leadership. There was no formal punishment for failure, only the crushing shame of losing in front of everyone.

A spark of rebellious ambition lit up within her. Maybe one day, she’d attempt that challenge herself. The Inuzuka clan being led by someone without a ninken. The irony alone would make it worth the effort.

Her amusement was cut short when Mumei’s attention shifted to her.

“Hey, Wolf-girl, what’s the deal? Everyone’s got a name. Kakashi, Daisuke, Akito, Yugao, even Tenzo. But you? You’re just ‘Okami.’ An Inuzuka playing at being a lone wolf. It’s weird.”

Tsura stiffened.

Before she could retort, Mumei pressed on. “Look at ’em. They’re a bunch of weirdos, sure, but they’re not gonna bite. If you had a problem, any one of them would probably try to help. Me included, by the way. Even if I’d complain the whole time. So, what’s your secret?”

Anger was her first instinct. Her privacy was her shield, and Mumei was trying to rip it away. A cutting remark was already on her tongue, designed to shut the conversation down for good.

But then, the Captain’s words from weeks ago echoed in her mind.

I’d like you to be one of them, too.

The memory stopped her. Was this what he’d meant?

She sat in silence, caught between instinct and something new. Mumei didn’t press. She just smirked and went back to teasing Tanuki, leaving Tsura alone with her thoughts.

That was when she noticed it.

The Captain's movements were slightly off as he lifted a piece of grilled meat towards his mouth. For a split second, she saw a flash of pale skin and a single dark mole on his chin.

It was an unfamiliar sight. The Captain never slipped, not like this. While he might be here physically, his focus was somewhere else.

“Captain?” she asked quietly. “What’s wrong?”

The question pulled him back to the present. “It’s nothing,” he said initially, the automatic shinobi deflection. Then he stopped, seeming to consider his options before letting out a sigh. “I was going to brief the team tomorrow, but I suppose there’s no reason to wait.”

The pleasant smell suddenly muted by the weight in his voice. Everyone else looked at him from the corner of their eyes.

“You already know the Cloud delegation arrives in a few days to sign a peace treaty. We’ll be on surveillance along with Teams Ha and Ni. Officially, our job is to ensure their safety, but I don’t trust this treaty.”

Tsura felt her earlier conflict vanish. Her next words were a promise. “They won’t make a move I don’t see. I’ll track their scent, their chakra, everything about them. From the moment they arrive, they won’t hide any secrets from us.”

The Captain looked at her, and she saw the approval in his eye. “I’m counting on it, Okami.”

She held his gaze for a moment, then made her decision. 

“When we’re out of our masks, call me Tsura.”

Kakashi’s eye curved into a crescent smile.

“Oh, now she tells us?” Akito drawled. “We’ve been on the same squad before, you know. For like two years, and you said nothing back then. But a month and a half in this one, and suddenly you’re opening up?”

Anko burst with laughter. “Guess we’re more lovable than your old squad!”

Tsura only rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth betrayed the faintest hint of a smile.

------------------------------

The Cloud delegation had arrived at the village three days ago, and so far, they hadn’t made a single suspicious move. Their Head Ninja attended meetings with the Hokage, their entourage shopped for souvenirs, and their nights were spent quietly in the guesthouse assigned to them. 

There was a chance I was wrong, that this treaty was genuine and my paranoia was only because of a future that would never come to pass.

But I wasn’t counting on it.

My team was scattered across rooftops, overlooking the guesthouse on all sides. I chose to take a position somewhat close to the path to the Hyūga compound.

“This is so boring,” Anko whispered from my left. “We should’ve been the ones escorting them from the border. At least then we’d only have one boring day instead of five boring nights.”

Tsura retorted from my right, “That’s just how things are in ANBU, Mumei. Don’t tell me a little waiting around is all it takes to beat you?”

“Weren’t you the one who said they won’t hide any secrets from us?” Anko shot back, pointing a finger. “So go on, Okami. Tell us their secrets. What’s their grand plan? Are they plotting to replace all the dango in the village with some disgusting Cloud equivalent?”

They bickered like this constantly, yet on the training field, they moved like two halves of the same coin. It was a surprise, seeing two people who seemed to fundamentally dislike each other find such a dangerous synergy. Anko’s constant needling forced Tsura out of her shell, and Tsura’s sharp tongue kept Anko from pushing too far. 

And it wasn’t just with Anko. I’d noticed the change in how Tsura acts with the rest of the squad these past few days. She trained with Yugao more regularly, even staying late to walk her through different forms step-by-step. Tenzo and Daisuke were steady presences, sharing tea without saying much. And with Akito, she started to rib back without snapping.

Team Ro had started out as a collection of weapons. Now we were becoming closer to a family, and the protectiveness I felt for them solidified my resolve. I would not let this peace, or my team, be shattered.

Suddenly, Tsura stiffened.

I was instantly alert. “What is it, Okami?”

“The Cloud’s Head Ninja left the guesthouse.” She paused, tilting her head slightly as if she were tasting the air. “He’s heading this way. Straight for the Hyūga clan.”

“Just the Head Ninja, or did he bring friends?”

“No. He’s alone.”

So it begins.

My hands moved in a quick series of signs, an order broadcast to the rest of Team Ro scattered in the darkness. Stay in position. Their job was to maintain surveillance on the rest of the delegation.

The others acknowledged from their posts. I turned to the two closest to me. “Okami, Mumei, you’re with me.”

Without another word, the three of us moved silently on the rooftops. Below, the Head Ninja had his face covered in a hood and a cloak drawn tight. He slipped down alleys, carefully avoiding the Police Force’s patrol routes with the ease of someone who had memorized the village’s blind spots.

“He’s too smooth for this to be spontaneous,” Okami muttered next to me as we crouched behind a ridge tile.

Anko moved closer as we watched him trail along the outer wall of the Hyūga compound, impatiently whispering to me. “We could take him now. No one would know the difference.”

I held up my hand.

If we struck him down now, out here on the street, what would we have? A dead diplomat. The Cloud would claim he was lost, that he was admiring the architecture, that he was simply out for a walk when he was ambushed by paranoid Leaf ANBU. It would shatter the treaty and make the Leaf the aggressor.

She cocked her head, silently asking me a question.

I kept my voice even as I explained my reasoning. “We need him caught in the act. So that when the Hokage confronts the Raikage, there won’t be any way to twist the truth.”

After a second, Anko nodded.

The Head Ninja stopped in front of a sliding paper door in the main branch’s wing. He lifted it by the rail to avoid the lower edge and set it down without a click.

Inside, I saw a tiny silhouette tucked beneath a blanket. Hinata, the heiress of the Hyūga clan.

Tsura let out a breath that was almost a growl. The wait was grating on her, on all of us. But this was the critical moment.

The man moved with a gentleness I didn’t expect. From his sleeve, he took out a cloth and held it close to the child’s nose until she fell into a deeper sleep. After a brief pause to check her breathing, he slid his hands under her shoulders and knees, placing her into a sack. 

As if nothing had happened, he left the way he came from, setting the screen back so precisely the paper didn’t make a sound.

I motioned for Anko and Tsura to come close. “We’ll let him leave the compound. Intercept him in the street beyond the main gate.”

“Finally,” Anko drawled. “I was getting pissed off watching him waltz around like that.”

“Okami, you drop in first. Draw his attention. Give him a second to think he’s about to make a clean getaway. Then I’ll take him.”

“Understood.”

“Mumei,” I added, turning my head slightly toward Anko. “Once he’s down, I want you to poison him. Something that can paralyze. If he wakes up, I don’t want him moving.”

“Fine by me. I’ve got just the thing for him.”

We took our positions just beyond the Hyūga’s main gate.

A moment later, the Head Ninja dropped from the compound wall, landing without a sound in the empty street. He glanced both ways before he began to move.

I nodded at Tsura.

She landed in a crouch directly in his path. She stood and took one deliberate step toward him. “Going somewhere?”

The Head Ninja froze, his body instantly snapping into a defensive stance. He registered her ANBU mask and his hand went to the kunai holstered on his thigh. His entire focus was locked onto the immediate danger in front of him.

I formed a Chidori as I dropped to his right. The screech of a thousand birds filled the air, causing him to instinctively whip his head toward the new threat.

And meet my gaze.

His eyes widened with surprise as the three tomoe of my Sharingan spun in his reflection. The genjutsu took hold instantly.

He crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut, the sack containing Hinata slipping from his grasp. Before it could hit the ground, I was there to catch it, securing the child in my arms.

Anko landed beside the fallen ninja a second later. She knelt, pulling a senbon from her wrist guard and pressed it into his shoulder.

[FEAT ACHIEVED: CAPTURE THE CLOUD HEAD NINJA ALIVE]

[100 CP GRANTED - 400 TOTAL]

[SECONDARY FEAT ACHIEVED: PREVENT HIZASHI HYUGA’S DEATH]

[50 CP GRANTED - 450 TOTAL]

[WOULD YOU LIKE TO ROLL?]

The first one was expected. The second lingered in my mind.

It meant that I prevented a future where a father would choose to sacrifice himself in order to preserve this fragile peace. 

No time for rolls though. I’ll wait until we finish handling this situation.

“Okami, Mumei. You two will take him to the Hokage. Tell Lord Third everything exactly as it happened. I’ll return the girl to her clan.”

Anko jerked a thumb at the unconscious man and spat. “Good. I’ll enjoy watching the old man try to look surprised.”

Tsura moved to hoist him over her shoulder, then started to leave with Anko right behind.

That left me and the sack. I unwrapped it from around the sleeping child. Carefully, I scooped her into my arms, adjusting her weight so her head rested against my shoulder.

Then I started walking back to the compound.

Hiashi Hyūga came running from the entrance, robes thrown on messily. His eyes locked onto the child I carried. The veins at his temples bulged as he activated his Byakugan.

“She’s safe. We intercepted the—”

He didn’t let me finish. With a roar of pure paternal rage, he lunged forward, his hands open in the Gentle Fist stance.

I had no desire to fight the clan head, especially when I was still carrying his daughter.

A controlled wave of Absolute Power flowed out from me. At first he staggered, his body locking mid-stride under the pressure. Then through sheer willpower, he continued to push forward.

“Calm down,” I raised my voice. “Your daughter was kidnapped by the Head Ninja of the Cloud delegation. He’s in custody and being taken to the Hokage. I am here to return your daughter to you.”

I took a slow step forward, extending my arms and carefully handed the sleeping girl over to her father.

As Hiashi held her, the murderous fury in his eyes gave way to relief. He pulled her closer, one hand cradling the back of her head. Hinata murmured in her sleep but she didn’t stir further, her head falling against her father’s chest.

“My first instinct is to demand answers from the Hokage himself. But if I went now,” he glanced down at Hinata, then back at me. “I would say something the village cannot afford.”

“You’d be right. Let me brief Lord Third personally. When the leader of one of the noble clans speaks, it shouldn’t be in the heat of the moment. That way, the Cloud has no room to twist this in their favor.”

Hiashi stiffly nodded, then walked back into the compound.

The street was silent again. 

Alright, guess I can roll now.

[ROLLING…]

It’s been a while since I did this. With 450 Celestial Points to my name, now was as good a time as any.

Take It Head On - 200 CP

Source: Bleach, Chapter: Benevolence

What matters most in battle? It’s sure as shit not fancy footwork, puffed up sword waving or whiny magic. It’s being a hard enough fucker to take the hits and give them back just as good. Too many of your fellows fall short at the first stage, dropping like flies the moment someone has a good shot. Not you though. You’ve always been naturally tougher than everyone around you, gifted in all things defensive. The primary initial way this appears is in a greatly increased defensive property. For most races, this is in inordinately tough bodies. A normal human would have skin like tough bark while a Menos or seated Shinigami’s skin seems like steel, much more potent than peers of the same level. A Hollow might instead empower their regeneration to be much faster or a Quincy their Blut Vene. You’ve got a natural affinity for anything else that falls under the umbrella of just tanking and surviving everything that comes at you. These things will grow quicker and smoother in you, the rate of increasing these gains increasing with your power to help you stand out as a bulwark among your level.

An Adult is One Who Takes Responsibility - 600 CP 

Source: Blue Archive, Chapter: Benevolence

A teacher has a responsibility to protect their students. With this, you’ll find the willpower and strength to help those under your care when they need it the most, even if you are in poor condition yourself. If you passed out from blood loss after being shot by a terrorist, you’ll be immediately ready to get back into action the moment you wake up, no matter what the pain in your chest says. Even if you fell into a deep coma, you’d find the ability to wake up in order to save your last remaining student from being twisted by eldritch forces from beyond, taking her burden onto yourself while still retaining enough of your free will to guide her to a better future. This will not heal your wounds though, merely allow you to ignore them right up until the moment your body completely gives out. But aren’t your students worth it?

Notarikon - 300 CP

Source: A Certain Magical Index, Chapter: Modus

A quick Kabbalah reading method that only uses the first letter of an alphabet. Buying this allows you to use it in conjunction with your magic, allowing for faster incantations and preventing others from understanding them. In addition, you also gain a high level of proficiency with spell interception, allowing you to disrupt a remote controlled golem, split weapons with magic flowing through them in half, and cast people in magical flight down, among others. Incantations go much faster now, and you’ll be tongue-tied less often.

My eyes scanned the three options, calculating their tactical value.

Take It Head On was a simple name for something critical.

It struck at one of my few remaining vulnerabilities. My greatest strength was my overwhelming offensive power, but defense was a lot flimsier. In simple terms, I was a glass cannon. Twin Sacred Flasks helped alleviate that a little, but this offered a permanent improvement to my baseline. It works well with my already aggressive, close-quarters style too.

Next was An Adult is One Who Takes Responsibility. It sounds like something I’d like. The ability to protect others, no matter the cost. Even if I was dying, even if my body was gone, I’d still get up.

A noble idea.

However, it was a desperation perk. A reactive measure for a worst-case scenario. My goal as a leader is to prevent such failures and build a foundation that makes these scenarios less likely. While becoming more efficient at fighting through them is also important, I already have Power of Friendship for that.

And even if I wanted it, I couldn’t afford it.

Finally, there was Notarikon. Faster jutsu activation and enhanced interception were useful, no doubt. But this perk solves a problem I don’t have. I was already a master of high-speed hand seals and jutsu execution.

And while this perk could further improve that strength, it didn’t solve the overarching weakness that the first option did.

The decision was clear. Take It Head On was a strategic investment. At only 200 CP, it offered a massive return, and it was the most logical choice for a leader who needed to be a reliable wall for his team.

[-200 CP, PURCHASED TAKE IT HEAD ON. 250 CP REMAINING]

A strange warmth spread through me. It felt like my very cells were reinforcing themselves, growing tougher.

When I have time, I’ll see if Guy’s up for another spar. That should be a good test of the improvements.

But now was time to see the Hokage. This long night was far from over.

------------------------------

[Hiruzen Sarutobi]

Hiruzen’s hands were folded in front of him. His face betrayed nothing.

Mumei and Okami stood before his desk. At their feet lay the unconscious form of the Cloud’s Head Ninja. He was a living piece of evidence that could either save the peace or start a war.

“I understand,” he said at last. “Your report is noted. Well done.”

Okami inclined her head slightly. Mumei said nothing, but the rigidity of her posture hinted at tension beneath the mask.

“Take him to the Torture and Interrogation Division. He is not to be left unattended for a single moment.”

Without a word, they lifted the prisoner between them and left the room.

“Tora,” he called.

From the shadows near the window, a tiger-masked ANBU stepped forward and knelt.

“Find Inoichi Yamanaka. Inform him we have a subject whose mind requires immediate reading. This takes priority over all standing tasks.”

“Yes, Lord Hokage.”

Silence returned to the office. Hiruzen leaned back into his chair and considered the facts.

The immediate threat was contained. The kidnapper was captured alive. The victim was safe. But what remained was a battlefield of its own. One that was fought in the council chamber.

Homura and Koharu, his old comrades, would be predictable. They would see the betrayal and call for a hardline stance. At best, they might argue for prudence and for using the evidence to secure the village’s position without parading the clan’s vulnerability.

And then there was Danzo.

This was the kind of storm he thrived in. Another village committing an act of treachery, targeting the bloodline of one of the Leaf’s noble clans? He would use that as the perfect justification for every ruthless principle he lived by. Claiming that his way was the only way, not caring for the lives of the shinobi who would have to fight.

Hiruzen would not give him that opening.

If the council walked in tomorrow to find only a captive and a shaken clan, Danzo’s voice could drown out reason. On the other hand, if Hiruzen could propose a solution from the information Inoichi finds, then the narrative would be his to control. And with it, he would turn this act of aggression into leverage the Leaf could use.

A knock broke his thoughts.

“Enter.”

Kakashi entered without fanfare, taking off his mask.

Hiruzen studied him for a moment. There was something different about him tonight. Nothing obvious, just a slight shift in the way he carried himself. As if an unseen weight had settled into the young captain and made him hold the room more firmly.

“I’ve been briefed by Okami and Mumei,” Hiruzen said. “How did the Hyūga react?”

“The girl’s father mistook me for the kidnapper and was ready to fight. But I explained the situation before it could come to that. Afterwards, he chose to wait before requesting an audience with you. I’d say that’s the best possible reaction we could hope for.”

Hiruzen allowed himself the smallest nod of approval. That was exactly the kind of outcome he needed—a swift de-escalation and the aggrieved clan head cooling his fury for the good of the village. “Well done. I will be convening an emergency council meeting tomorrow. I want you to be there as Kakashi Hatake, not Captain Kitsune.”

There was no surprise in Kakashi’s expression. “Understood, Lord Hokage.”

“Dismissed.”

Kakashi bowed his head slightly, then exited.

Hiruzen’s gaze drifted to the great stone faces visible through the window.

He had been right to trust him. Time and time again, Kakashi had met every burden placed upon him with a steadiness beyond his years. He didn’t hesitate to take more on his own either. Tonight had only proven it further.

This crisis was dangerous, yes. But it was also an opportunity. A chance to test Kakashi not on the battlefield, but in the arena of politics where the other half of leadership was forged. Tomorrow’s council will reveal much.

When Hiruzen first considered Kakashi as a potential future Hokage, it had been a grim assessment of a generation depleted by war. He was the best of a few remaining options. But tonight, his view shifted. His faith in the young man was now a matter of conviction.

Kakashi is, quite simply, the right one.