The Sound Ninja Four.
It was they who had set up the powerful barrier for Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, preventing the ANBU from entering.
Each of them was quite strong, making it difficult for Shikamaru and the others to win.
Neji Hyuga, seemingly under the control of a secret technique, possessed top-tier strength among Konoha's genin, rivaling that of a chunin or even a special jōnin.
The most formidable opponent was their leader, Kimimaro!
Every time he attacked, he held back, making him appear unfathomable.
Kakashi naturally didn't believe he could easily defeat him.
They were outnumbered.
The only good news was that, apart from Kimimaro, the others were in poor condition and likely didn't have much fighting strength left.
"Kakashi, Naruto's scent is getting further away. He must be chasing Sasuke."
Pakkun spoke again.
"I know, Pakkun. You go ahead and see if you can wake up the others who are under the genjutsu. I'll handle this."
"Okay."
Pakkun rushed towards Shikamaru and the others.
Kimimaro saw this but didn't stop him. He said to those beside him, "You all go back first. I'll stay here and experience the legendary Copy Ninja Kakashi."
"Yes! Lord Kimimaro!"
The Sound Ninja Four obeyed and quickly left.
Neji glanced at Kimimaro and followed them.
Kakashi didn't stop them from leaving. His full attention was now on Kimimaro.
This was the enemy he had to deal with now.
"What is Orochimaru trying to do? Use Sasuke as a vessel?"
Before the fight even started, Kakashi threw out his question.
"I have no right to question what Lord Orochimaru does. I merely help him with some things."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, knowing Kimimaro wasn't unaware, but simply didn't want to say.
"It seems I'll have to take you back to Konoha's interrogation room."
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by Kakashi's confidence.
Kakashi lifted his headband, revealing his crimson Sharingan. His right eye remained closed.
"Three-tomoe Sharingan, not bad eyes. I do want to have a good spar with you, but I'm also rushing to see a good show, so this battle must be quick."
"That's not up to you!"
Kakashi flicked his right index finger, and a kunai appeared in his hand from his ninja tool pouch.
Close combat!
Knowing Kimimaro's powerful close-combat abilities, Kakashi actually chose close combat?
Kimimaro was a bit surprised, but with a flip of his right palm, a bone sword was already in his hand.
Clang!
The kunai and bone sword clashed, and the two locked eyes.
The three tomoe slowly rotated - genjutsu!
Kimimaro instantly understood Kakashi's plan. This close combat was to use genjutsu against him.
For many ninja, genjutsu was a weakness.
There were few genjutsu experts in the ninja world, so people generally didn't pay much attention to it.
In this situation, powerful genjutsu often became a trump card.
A one-hit kill.
Kakashi knew Kimimaro also used genjutsu, but the Sharingan's genjutsu was on a completely different level from ordinary genjutsu.
Therefore, he was quite confident in his own genjutsu.
The three tomoe kept spinning, and powerful ocular power tried to invade Kimimaro's brain nerves.
But this ocular power could only flow in front of Kimimaro's eyes, unable to enter them.
"Not good, I didn't expect his genjutsu resistance to be so strong."
Kakashi thought to himself, feeling uneasy, and immediately pulled back.
Kimimaro followed up with a sword strike!
Demon Sword Invasion!
Dark sword lights flashed continuously, chasing Kakashi!
Kakashi retreated repeatedly, but found the sword getting closer and closer to him.
"Earth Style! Earth Flow Wall!"
Unable to dodge the attack, he used Earth Style to block it!
An earthen wall carved with a dog's head emerged from the ground, attempting to block the sharp sword.
But the moment the sword's edge touched the earthen wall, it sliced through it like tofu!
Unfortunately, behind the earthen wall, Kakashi's figure had already disappeared.
Kakashi's favorite fighting style was to first probe the opponent's information and then formulate a battle plan to defeat them in one fell swoop.
However, his chakra couldn't guarantee his endurance, so his probing needed to end in a very short time.
Otherwise, it would be awkward if his chakra was depleted after figuring out the information.
Byakugan activated!
Kimimaro's vision instantly expanded.
The vanished Kakashi was immediately located.
Kimimaro pretended not to know, but his mouth started moving.
"The cursed seal spreads over your body, and your fate is sealed. Flow, stagnate, crumble away! The time has come, crawl forth, iron princess! The bones of my body break free from their prison, and pierce through the flesh and blood. Dance, dance, dance! You will become a part of me!"
Kimimaro's words became increasingly urgent, making Kakashi, hiding in the shadows, feel very uneasy.
The next moment, he burst out from the ground!
"Raikiri!"
Blue lightning crackled on his right hand.
At this moment, his right hand was an unparalleled blade that could cut through thunder!
Kakashi appeared behind Kimimaro and thrust his Raikiri fiercely!
Kimimaro didn't dodge or evade, and chanted the final incantation.
"Way of Destruction Number Ninety! Black Coffin!"
Black dots appeared around Kakashi.
These black dots connected at an extremely fast speed.
Dots became lines!
Lines became planes!
A black cube completely enveloped Kakashi.
He only felt his vision go dark, and Kimimaro's figure disappeared, replaced by darkness.
His Raikiri became a tool for illumination.
Kakashi was startled and, without any hesitation, smashed his Raikiri towards the Black Coffin!
Not aiming to kill, but to break the technique!
But before the Raikiri could touch the Black Coffin, countless sharp blades emerged from within!
"Ah!"
A scream came from the Black Coffin.
A slight smile appeared on Kimimaro's lips.
The Black Coffin dispersed!
Kakashi lay on the ground, covered in blood, unable to fight anymore.
At this moment, he looked at Kimimaro with disbelief in his eyes.
Just now, in that instant, he felt that if Kimimaro wanted to kill him, it would be effortless.
His terrifying strength was undeniable.
"Why didn't you kill me?"
"You and I are not mortal enemies. I believe there will be a day when we cooperate."
After saying this, Kimimaro disappeared from Kakashi's sight.
"Kimimaro... Why did I feel an even more terrifying aura from him than from Orochimaru? What is he trying to do? Cooperate? Does he want to cooperate with Konoha?"
Kakashi was puzzled, but at this moment, he didn't have much energy to think.
The countless sharp blades that emerged from the Black Coffin had pierced his body, leaving him severely injured and naturally unable to think.
Kakashi's vision went dark, and he fainted.
Apart from Naruto and Pakkun, the Sasuke Retrieval Team was completely wiped out.
At the Valley of the End.
Sasuke had stopped.
(End of Chapter)