Sure enough, it was an employer like Tazuna.
Kakashi originally thought the mission's rank was exaggerated, but now, it clearly seemed underrated.
"How about your undercover intel? How many enemies are we up against this time?" Kakashi asked coolly.
"Two Jōnin and five Chūnin."
Kakashi was shocked internally, but kept his face unreadable.
Ryugasaki Yamaichi noticed Kakashi's impassive demeanor and was inwardly impressed. He hadn't expected someone so young to have such composure. Was it emotional control or sheer confidence in his strength?
Two Jōnin and five Chūnin—clearly, Jinnin Village had committed nearly all of its capable forces to this assault.
It wasn't just about the rare ores anymore; they must know that Ryugasaki Yamaichi, a former Jōnin, was among the caravan.
"Your undercover agent is one of the Chūnin?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes," Ryugasaki confirmed, "he's one of the five. He's someone I've cultivated in secret for years. I didn't expect he'd come in handy now."
"You're from Jinnin Village, aren't you?" Kakashi asked again, eyes narrowing with sharper insight.
Ryugasaki blinked, caught off guard. "How did you know?"
"If an outsider joins a hidden village like Jinnin, they'd undergo rigorous vetting and never be trusted with high-level missions right away. Yet this mission involves two Jōnin, so it's high-priority. That means your Chūnin informant must be a native."
"Also," Kakashi continued, "it takes nearly a decade to rise from academy student to Chūnin unless they're a genius. If you nurtured him into a trusted confidant, it had to be within Jinnin. So, you're originally from there."
"Looking at your current state, you clearly have a grudge against Jinnin Village. My guess? You're a defector. Judging from your chakra control and reflexes, you're Jōnin level. That would put you close to the power center in a small village."
"For someone like that to leave—it wasn't ideology. If it were, your hatred wouldn't burn this strongly. This reeks of betrayal. Internal politics, maybe? Likely, the other two Jōnin conspired against you. I'd even guess they tried to kill you, and perhaps succeeded... but only when it came to your family."
Kakashi's words flowed like cold water, each deduction sharper than the last, causing cold sweat to bead down Ryugasaki's back.
He stared at Kakashi, stunned. The young Jōnin had pieced together nearly everything from a few clues—it was terrifying.
"Judging by your face... I was right. Such grudges are all too common in our world."
Kakashi let out a weary sigh, as if resigned to the ninja world's cruelty.
Ryugasaki took a long breath and said gravely, "Mr. Kakashi... you truly live up to your father's name, the White Fang. Yes, I was one of Jinnin Village's three Jōnin. Not long ago, the other two colluded—one from the Water Release division, one from the Shadow Corps. They attempted to assassinate me over a political dispute. I barely escaped alive... but they slaughtered my wife and son."
"This blood feud cannot be forgiven! I must avenge them! But with strength equal to mine, I cannot win alone. That's why I sought you out, Kakashi."
"I understand. This is a personal vendetta between you and your village. I don't intend to get involved."
Ryugasaki's expression shifted instantly. If Kakashi refused, the plan to draw out the enemies would collapse—and he'd be walking into death.
"Mr. Kakashi, I beg you! If I succeed... I swear on my honor, just say the word and I'll serve you without question."
Ryugasaki had nothing left to offer but his loyalty.
Kakashi gave him a sidelong glance, voice calm: "My mission is to protect the caravan and its goods. If ninja attempt to kill or steal, I will respond."
He then jumped to a different cart, gaze scanning the treeline.
Ryugasaki's heart leapt—Kakashi had indirectly agreed!
He suppressed his joy, retreating quietly to make final preparations.
(If I hadn't seen with my own eyes that his chakra flow hadn't shifted—proving his honesty—I wouldn't have bothered helping. But loyalty from a Jōnin isn't a small thing. If we can take out the other two, the remaining fighters in Jinnin Village could be trained over time... turning them into an elite force.)
Kakashi murmured to himself, voice barely above a whisper. No one but him could hear.
This was a world where strength alone wasn't enough. Influence was also crucial. Konoha promoted diplomacy and unity, but building secret alliances outside the village… was another matter.
Kakashi lacked the power to shape factions within the village. But outside of it—he had more freedom.
He hadn't intended to start building his own power base so soon. But if opportunity came knocking...
Besides, the client had lied about the true nature of the mission. Kakashi had every right to walk away. Yet he didn't.
Partly, he wanted the challenge. Partly... he genuinely respected Ryugasaki and wanted to help.
"Now then... it's time to prepare for battle."
Kakashi sat silently in the cart, drawing chakra inward, restoring himself to full readiness.
The caravan rolled slowly into a grove of trees. The silence was uncanny—no birds, no insects.
Kakashi suddenly snapped his eye open.
"Stop! Everyone halt—be on guard. We're walking into an ambush!"
The caravan came to an abrupt stop. Faces turned grim—everyone understood this could turn deadly fast.
The killing intent in the air was thick enough that even the civilians felt it.
But the enemy made no effort to hide. From behind thick trees, figures stepped into view.
Two Jōnin. Five Chūnin. They formed a loose encirclement around the caravan.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, "the brat's got sharp senses. Ryugasaki... where'd you find this helper?"