Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja, is one of the most iconic and beloved characters in the Naruto universe. His cool demeanor, exceptional skills, and tragic backstory have captivated fans worldwide. A defining feature of Kakashi is his Sharingan, the coveted eye technique of the Uchiha clan. However, unlike most Sharingan users, Kakashi wasn’t born an Uchiha. He received his Sharingan from his dying teammate, Obito Uchiha. While the single Sharingan in his left eye is well-known, the question of how he briefly wielded dual Sharingan remains a topic of much discussion and fascination. This article delves deep into the circumstances surrounding Kakashi’s acquisition of both Sharingan and the events that led to him briefly wielding their combined power.
The Tragic Origins of Kakashi’s Sharingan
Kakashi’s Sharingan isn’t a birthright; it’s a symbol of sacrifice and the bond between teammates. During the Third Shinobi World War, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara were on a mission. Obito, during a confrontation with enemy ninja, was crushed by a falling boulder while saving Kakashi. Believing he was about to die, Obito asked Rin, a medical ninja, to transplant his left Sharingan into Kakashi as a parting gift and to celebrate Kakashi’s promotion to Jonin.
This act of selfless friendship forever changed Kakashi’s life. He carried Obito’s Sharingan as a testament to their bond and as a reminder of the value of teamwork. It’s important to remember that the Sharingan was never truly Kakashi’s own; it was Obito’s legacy entrusted to him.
The Challenges of Wielding a Foreign Sharingan
Using the Sharingan as a non-Uchiha presents unique challenges. Uchiha clan members possess a natural affinity for the Sharingan, granting them the chakra reserves and inherent control needed to manage its power. Kakashi, lacking this Uchiha lineage, constantly experiences chakra drain when using the Sharingan.
His body wasn’t designed for its intense chakra consumption. Maintaining the Sharingan’s activated state puts a considerable strain on Kakashi, limiting the duration he can effectively utilize its abilities. This is why he usually keeps it covered with his forehead protector, only revealing it when necessary.
The Sharingan’s Abilities and Kakashi’s Adaptation
Despite the challenges, Kakashi mastered the use of his single Sharingan, earning him the moniker “Copy Ninja.” The Sharingan grants the user the ability to see chakra flow, predict movements, and copy any ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu they witness.
Kakashi’s strategic mind and exceptional talent allowed him to adapt and leverage the Sharingan’s power to its fullest potential. He became renowned for his ability to analyze and replicate enemy techniques, making him a formidable opponent. However, the chakra drain remained a constant limitation.
The Fourth Shinobi World War and the Return of Obito
The Fourth Shinobi World War was a turning point for Kakashi and the Sharingan. During this conflict, Obito, who had been manipulated by Madara Uchiha and believed to be dead, resurfaced as a major antagonist. He sought to plunge the world into an infinite dream state.
The war brought Kakashi face-to-face with his past and forced him to confront the consequences of Obito’s actions. This period was crucial to understanding the circumstances surrounding Kakashi temporarily wielding dual Sharingan.
Obito’s Redemption and the Transfer of Power
As the war progressed, Obito experienced a change of heart. Witnessing Naruto’s unwavering determination and the power of friendship, Obito began to question his allegiance and the path he had chosen. He started to remember his original dream of becoming Hokage alongside Kakashi.
In a pivotal moment, Obito, now an ethereal spirit, assists Kakashi in battling Kaguya Otsutsuki, the Rabbit Goddess and progenitor of chakra. Obito temporarily transfers his chakra and, crucially, both of his Sharingan to Kakashi. This allows Kakashi to briefly wield the power of dual Mangekyo Sharingan.
The Power of Dual Mangekyo Sharingan: Susanoo and Kamui
With both Mangekyo Sharingan, Kakashi gains access to extraordinary power. The most significant ability he unlocks is the complete form of Susanoo, a massive, ethereal warrior composed of chakra. Kakashi’s Susanoo is unique, possessing the same Kamui abilities as Obito’s Mangekyo Sharingan.
The Kamui allows Kakashi to warp himself and objects to a different dimension. Wielding the dual Mangekyo Sharingan drastically amplified Kakashi’s abilities, making him a key player in the fight against Kaguya. This temporary power boost allowed him to fight on par with Naruto and Sasuke, who were both wielding immense power at the time.
Kakashi’s Brief Period of Dual Sharingan Dominance
The period in which Kakashi possessed dual Sharingan was relatively short, but incredibly impactful. He used this power to aid Naruto and Sasuke in their final battle against Kaguya. His strategic use of Kamui and Susanoo proved instrumental in sealing Kaguya away.
The sudden surge in power and the activation of dual Mangekyo Sharingan surprised even Kakashi himself. He had never experienced such immense power before, and the brief duration of its availability made it all the more remarkable.
The Limitations of the Transferred Power
It’s essential to understand that Kakashi’s dual Sharingan was a temporary power-up. Obito’s spirit was the catalyst for this transformation. The power was a borrowed gift, not a permanent acquisition.
The immense strain of wielding two Mangekyo Sharingan, even for a short time, took a toll on Kakashi. While he demonstrated incredible control and power, it was clear that he couldn’t sustain that level of ability indefinitely. The temporary nature of this power amplification underscores the unique circumstances that allowed Kakashi to wield dual Sharingan.
The Return to a Single Sharingan and the Aftermath
After Kaguya was sealed, Obito’s spirit faded away, and with it, the dual Sharingan power vanished. Kakashi returned to having only one Sharingan in his left eye, once again facing the limitations he had always known.
Despite the loss of the dual Sharingan, Kakashi retained the experience and understanding gained during that period. The encounter with Obito’s spirit and the brief surge of power reinforced his commitment to protecting the world and upholding the values of teamwork and friendship.
The Legacy of Kakashi’s Sharingan
Kakashi’s Sharingan, even as a single transplanted eye, has had a profound impact on his life and the world around him. It shaped his identity as the Copy Ninja, allowed him to protect his comrades, and ultimately contributed to the victory against Kaguya.
His brief period of wielding dual Sharingan represents the pinnacle of his power and a testament to the unbreakable bond between him and Obito. It serves as a reminder that even the most difficult circumstances can lead to extraordinary achievements.
From Copy Ninja to Sixth Hokage
After the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage. His leadership and experience, honed by years of using the Sharingan and shaped by the sacrifices he witnessed, made him a wise and capable leader. He guided the Hidden Leaf Village through a period of rebuilding and peace, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.
While he eventually loses his Sharingan altogether during the final stages of the war and its aftermath, his legacy as the Copy Ninja and the wielder of the Sharingan remains etched in the annals of shinobi history.
The Enduring Symbolism of Kakashi’s Sharingan
Kakashi’s Sharingan is more than just a powerful eye technique; it represents the themes of sacrifice, friendship, and overcoming adversity that are central to the Naruto series. The circumstances surrounding its acquisition and his temporary possession of dual Sharingan highlight the complex and enduring relationship between Kakashi and Obito.
The Sharingan, in Kakashi’s hands, becomes a symbol of hope and resilience, reminding everyone that even in the face of unimaginable loss, one can still find the strength to protect what is most important. His story serves as an inspiration and a testament to the power of human connection. The question of how Kakashi briefly got Sharingan in both eyes is thus answered by a series of extraordinary events, acts of selflessness, and the indomitable spirit of two friends bound by fate.
Why does Kakashi Hatake possess two Sharingan eyes in fan theories, despite only having one in the main storyline?
Some fan theories explore the concept of Kakashi having two Sharingan eyes as a hypothetical scenario or ‘what if’ situation. This often stems from the desire to see Kakashi wield the full potential of the Sharingan, unbound by the limitations of only having one and the chakra drain it imposes on a non-Uchiha. It allows for speculation on how much more powerful he could become and the possibilities of mastering advanced techniques like the Susanoo.
These theories tend to disregard the established lore and circumstances surrounding Kakashi’s single Sharingan. The loss of Obito, his best friend, and the unique gift that it was, are central to Kakashi’s character development. Having two Sharingan would fundamentally alter his backstory and the significance of Obito’s sacrifice, diminishing the emotional weight associated with the single eye he uses.
How did Kakashi Hatake obtain the Sharingan eye in the canon storyline?
Kakashi received his Sharingan eye from his teammate, Obito Uchiha, during the Third Shinobi World War. Obito was presumed dead after being crushed by a boulder while saving Kakashi from a fatal attack. Before his apparent demise, Obito requested Rin Nohara, another teammate and medical-nin, to transplant his left Sharingan into Kakashi as a belated promotion gift for becoming a Jonin.
This event drastically shaped Kakashi’s life and motivated him to uphold Obito’s values. He initially struggled to control the Sharingan’s power, as it drained his chakra reserves significantly, being a non-Uchiha. He eventually learned to manage it more effectively, though it remained a constant strain, leading him to cover it with his forehead protector when not in use.
What are the limitations Kakashi faces due to having only one Sharingan and not being an Uchiha?
Since Kakashi is not an Uchiha, the Sharingan constantly drains his chakra, a considerable weakness. Uchiha clan members have a natural affinity for the Sharingan, allowing them to use it for extended periods with minimal strain. Kakashi, however, experiences fatigue and exhaustion relatively quickly when using the eye, limiting his ability to maintain its activated state for prolonged battles.
Furthermore, Kakashi cannot deactivate his Sharingan at will like Uchiha clan members can, which contributes to the continuous chakra drain. This inability to deactivate it means he constantly expends energy simply by keeping it active. He compensates for this by covering the eye with his headband when not actively using it, reducing the chakra loss to a manageable level.
What special abilities does Kakashi gain from possessing the Sharingan?
The Sharingan grants Kakashi several significant abilities, including heightened visual perception. He can see chakra flow, predict movements, and copy almost any ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu he witnesses. This copying ability earned him the moniker “Kakashi the Copy Ninja.”
Beyond copying techniques, the Sharingan also enhances his reaction time, allowing him to respond to attacks and movements with greater speed and precision. He also gains the ability to use genjutsu to a certain degree, though this is not his primary fighting style. His mastery of copied techniques coupled with the Sharingan’s enhanced perception made him a formidable opponent.
What is the Mangekyo Sharingan, and how did Kakashi awaken it?
The Mangekyo Sharingan is an advanced form of the Sharingan, unlocked after experiencing profound emotional trauma, usually the loss of someone close. Kakashi awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan after Rin Nohara’s death, which he inadvertently caused while protecting her from being used as a weapon. The shock and grief triggered the evolution of his Sharingan.
With his Mangekyo Sharingan, Kakashi gained access to powerful new abilities, most notably Kamui. Kamui allows him to warp objects or people to another dimension, making it an incredibly versatile and potent technique for both offense and defense. This ability significantly enhanced his combat capabilities and cemented his reputation as one of the strongest ninja.
How does Kakashi’s use of Kamui differ from Obito’s, who originally possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan?
Although both Kakashi and Obito possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and the ability of Kamui, their utilization of the technique differed due to which eye each of them had. Obito had the left Mangekyo Sharingan which allowed him to make himself intangible, essentially warping portions of his body or his entire self to the Kamui dimension, making him impervious to attacks.
Kakashi, on the other hand, had the right Mangekyo Sharingan which allowed him to warp objects at a distance. While Obito could warp himself, Kakashi warped external targets. Both forms of Kamui are highly potent, but their applications differ significantly, with Obito prioritizing defense and Kakashi focusing on offensive long-range attacks.
What happened to Kakashi’s Sharingan at the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War?
During the climax of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi temporarily received both Sharingan eyes from Obito’s spirit, granting him access to the Susanoo and significantly enhanced abilities. However, this power was fleeting. After the war concluded and Obito’s chakra dissipated, the Sharingan eyes vanished from Kakashi, returning him to his original state with his normal eye.
Without the Sharingan, Kakashi eventually became the Sixth Hokage, leading the village based on his own strengths and experience. He proved that his skill and leadership were not solely dependent on the Sharingan, demonstrating his ability to be a powerful and effective ninja even without its aid. This marked a new chapter in his life, focusing on his own intrinsic abilities and strategic mind.