Naruto: Paws and Whiskers

"Meow, by the way, this Daruma can transform. So, who do you want it to become? Anyone but me," Takeshi asked, his tail swaying gently from the branch he perched upon.

After the peculiar experience with the mouse puppet, both Kakashi and Obito had come to accept the strange properties of the items Takeshi produced. Therefore, the revelation that the Daruma doll could transform didn't surprise them.

"Of course, it should transform into Kakashi," Obito declared without hesitation, already picturing the scenario in his mind.

"No, it should be Obito," Kakashi retorted with a cold expression. Although he hadn't intended to suggest Obito's appearance, Obito's provocation demanded a response.

Takeshi hopped down beside the Daruma and tapped it with his paw. In an instant, the doll morphed into an exact replica of Obito, even sporting his old goggles.

"Wait, no- Please don't do this!" Obito exclaimed, a mixture of unease and embarrassment washing over him. He knew the Daruma would inevitably be beaten, and witnessing his own likeness endure the punishment stirred a sense of empathy within him. Moreover, seeing himself with the goggles he no longer wore reminded him of his past, somewhat foolish appearance, now that he had awakened his Sharingan.

"Perfect!" Kakashi's eyes lit up with excitement, a hint of mischievous glee evident in his voice.

"Alright then, Kakashi, you go first," Takeshi instructed, his feline eyes gleaming with amusement.

A sense of foreboding washed over Kakashi. His instincts screamed that this was a trap. He had already swapped his sword for a simple stick, silently regretting not letting Obito take the lead. Whoever went first was destined to suffer the brunt of the Daruma's counterattack. However, it was too late to change Takeshi's decision.

Stepping before the Daruma, Kakashi took a deep breath and asked, "Can I use chakra?"

"Yes, meow~" Takeshi replied with a flick of his tail, signaling Kakashi to begin. He had already tested the Daruma's durability and knew it could withstand even his full-strength attacks without resorting to the Multi-Size Jutsu or the Gate of Opening. 

While Kakashi's stick wouldn't damage the doll, the counterattack it unleashed might prove too much for the young ninja to handle. Of course, Takeshi wouldn't warn him; he was anticipating an entertaining spectacle.

He sacrificed messing with Asuma for this, Takeshi expected to get a good show and be entertained.

 Kakashi gripped the stick tightly and approached the Daruma with caution. Based on his experience with the mouse puppet, he deduced that the Counter-Attacking Daruma's purpose was self-explanatory. Any strike he landed would be met with retaliation. So before attacking, he must be in good position to dodge...

"Hah!" Kakashi lunged forward, thrusting the stick like a sword, employing the swordsmanship techniques his father had taught him. His attack was swift, precise, and devoid of unnecessary flourishes.

*Swish*

Although the Daruma remained silent, the real Obito couldn't help but let out a startled cry, "Ah~"

*Thud!* Daruma "Obito" was knocked down, and its neck impaled by the stick's sharp end, now stained with a vivid red.

Soon, it stood upright again. The moment it made a move, Kakashi quickly retreated to avoid the counter attack, and continued to attack from the side, and then there was another *Thud!* 

Thud! This time, Obito's cry echoed again, "Ah~"

Confusion clouded Obito's mind. 'What's going on? Did that Daruma just make a sound?'.

*Thud...*

"Ah~"

The rhythmic pattern of the Daruma falling and rebounding, accompanied by Obito's involuntary cries, amused Kakashi to no end.

Takeshi watched Kakashi with admiration. The young ninja's alertness and agility had allowed him to evade the Daruma's counterattacks thus far. However, Takeshi knew that complacency would eventually lead to Kakashi being struck, as the Daruma hadn't yet unleashed its full power.

"Is that all?" Kakashi questioned, a hint of bewilderment in his voice. He expected a more challenging opponent, something with hidden traps and tricks. 'Don't let your guard down, be careful!' he admonished himself, increasing his caution while simultaneously accelerating the speed and force of his strikes. Surprisingly, the Daruma still didn't retaliate.

"What, is that all? It seems too simple..." Obito remarked, equally perplexed. Just as he finished speaking, the Daruma absorbed another blow but, this time, instead of falling, it countered with a powerful strike.

*Bang!*

"Ah~"

With a loud Kakashi's scream this time, As Obito did not activate his Sharingan, he could not even see to what happened before he saw Kakashi being knocked out and hitting a tree trunk in the distance, rolling on the spot in pain.

Obito had cold sweat dripping from his forehead, he rushed over to check while worried.

"That's quite powerful..." Takeshi commented, leaping down from the branch, wondering if he had pushed the limits too far. He hadn't fully tested the Daruma's accumulated strength, so its maximum counterattack power remained unknown. However, judging by the force with which it had struck Kakashi, it was undoubtedly formidable.

Kakashi struggled to stand, but the pain was too intense. After several attempts, he managed to get to his feet with Obito's assistance.

"Takeshi, you've gone too far. I'll go get Rin..." Obito declared, concerned for his teammate's well-being.

"No, no need! Hiss~ I'm not injured. I just need a moment to catch my breath," Kakashi reassured him, grimacing in pain. He sat down and rested for a while before continuing, "Its attack seems strong, but it felt soft and fluffy when I struck it."

"It's okay, you'll recover," Obito said with a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. Kakashi was about to suggest that it was Obito's turn, but seeing his teammate's genuine concern, he refrained from speaking.

"Meow~ Let's call Rin over to take a look. After checkup and healing, it will be Obito's turn." Takeshi thought about it and decided to call Rin over first.

Kakashi froze, he was struggling in his heart feeling unhappy about Takeshi calling Rin over.

'Was I just used as a guinea pig for this? What if I had been seriously injured? Why didn't this damn cat make Obito go first? This is so unfair,' Kakashi thought bitterly.

Takeshi quickly located Rin and brought her back. Everyone, except perhaps Obito, felt a sense of relief. "Except for a slight bruise on his back from hitting the tree, the rest of his body is fine," Rin announced after examining Kakashi.

"See, I told you I was fine. Well, Obito, it's your turn," Kakashi declared, getting back on his feet. The pain was temporary, and he knew it would subside soon. However, he wouldn't feel truly satisfied until he saw Obito face the Daruma.

"Gulp~" Obito swallowed nervously as he stood before the transformed doll. Takeshi, observing the rising points on his panel with satisfaction, approached the Daruma and asked, "Do you want to change its appearance?"

"Yes, of course. Turn it into Bakashi, and it would be even better if it has his voice," Obito responded, gritting his teeth. He had been worried about Kakashi, but his concern was now replaced with a desire for retribution. 'How could a jerk like him be in trouble?' he thought.

"No problem, meow..." Takeshi replied, having already recorded Kakashi's earlier scream. He swiftly altered the Daruma's appearance to match Kakashi's, even replicating his voice. Kakashi watched in discomfort as his own likeness was subjected to the same treatment he had just endured.

The Daruma, now a perfect replica of Kakashi, reflected the injuries it sustained, just as it had done with Obito's appearance. Bruises and marks marred its form, providing a visual representation of the blows it received.

Observing Kakashi's experience, Obito opted to use his fists instead of a stick. He found the encounter with the Daruma strangely intriguing. Striking the doll felt like hitting flesh and bone, adding a sense of realism to the exercise. However, there was a drawback.

*Thud!*

*Smack*

The first sound was the Daruma falling and rebounding, followed immediately by the sound of Obito being knocked back.

Takeshi watched with a mixture of surprise and amusement. If Obito had gone before Kakashi, his repeated setbacks might have been understandable. However, he had witnessed Kakashi's skillful evasion for a considerable time before he was finally struck. So why was this idiot willingly taking the hits?

After observing Obito's repeated punishment for another minute, Takeshi couldn't resist commenting, "What's the matter, Obito? Can't control your masochistic tendencies?"

"Sorry, it's just that... I was too nervous," Obito replied, scratching his head sheepishly. He had intended to dodge, but the memory of Kakashi's brutal beating had frozen him in place.

"Haha, control your perverted desires, loser," Kakashi taunted from the sidelines, reveling in Obito's predicament.

"Shut up, I'm not perverted! I was just nervous for a moment!" Obito retorted, his cheeks flushing with indignation. He stepped back in front of the Daruma, determined to prove himself. Kakashi's ridicule had ignited a fire within him. 'I am not weak, I am not a coward! What's there to be afraid of? Just focus on the fight!' he resolved.

Activating his Sharingan, Obito launched a series of punches and kicks. Initially, his movements were somewhat clumsy, leaving openings for the Daruma's counterattacks. However, with each strike and subsequent retaliation, he began to adapt and refine his technique. His attacks became more precise, his movements more fluid, and his defenses more robust.

*Smack! Thud!*

The sounds of impact echoed through the forest. At first, Kakashi watched with glee as Obito was repeatedly struck, even if it was only the Daruma mimicking him. But gradually, his smile faded, replaced by a growing sense of astonishment.

He observed that Obito's taijutsu was improving at an astonishing rate. With each hit he endured, Obito adjusted his stance, corrected his form, and minimized the openings for counterattacks. Soon, he was dodging more effectively, evading the Daruma's blows with increasing skill while maintaining a relentless offensive. 'How is he improving so fast?' Kakashi wondered, genuinely surprised. 'This speed of improvement is simply amazing.'

His astonishment, however, was short-lived. Obito, caught off guard, took a direct hit and was sent flying with a resounding.

*Thud!* 

Yet, even in mid-air, he managed to twist his body, mitigating the impact and avoiding a collision with the nearby trees, demonstrating a level of control and agility that Kakashi hadn't anticipated.

"Meow~ What a terrible fate. The person you used to call a loser has improved to this level now," Takeshi whispered to Kakashi, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"..." Kakashi remained silent, unable to refute Takeshi's observation. He knew he had often dismissed Obito as a failure, a dobe, a loser. But those were just words, weren't they? Or perhaps, deep down, he had underestimated Obito all along.

"Round two! Meow~" Takeshi announced, hopping down and transforming the Daruma back into Obito's likeness. He channeled a bit of chakra into the doll, enhancing its capabilities.

Then Takeshi jumped onto the branch, motioning Kakashi to continue to go up. 'Why do I have to go again so soon?' Kakashi felt like he was being targeted. 'This was definitely intentional!'

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