Chapter 5 - Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and the Sudden Attack
As the words fell, everyone silently formed a specific hand sign, one after another.
This was Kirigakure Anbu's way of confirming identities.
Sequence.
Hand signs.
Only a few mistakes were allowed.
Any slip-up would result in immediate death by the remaining Kirigakure ninja.
Zabuza crouched next to Kaguya Naoki, carefully inspecting each hand sign.
Only after the inspection was complete did he reluctantly turn his head and stiffly say, "Lord Naoki, everyone has successfully infiltrated."
Kaguya Naoki nodded slightly but did not immediately proceed to the target.
Instead, he activated his Byakugan, carefully examining the faces behind the masks of the ninjas.
Through his vision, there were no flaws beneath the masks; they were all undoubtedly Kirigakure shinobi.
As for whether any White Zetsu had infiltrated, even the Byakugan couldn't reveal that.
White Zetsu's disguise technique was unparalleled.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, only Naruto, with his Sage mode, could faintly sense malice and discover White Zetsu's hiding places.
Kaguya Naoki didn't probe further for White Zetsu's presence.
Familiar with the storyline and the shinobi world, he could deduce some things from subtle clues.
According to the plan, this infiltration should have cost at least half their manpower, but it succeeded without losing a single person.
Even the decoys meant to distract Konoha had yet to be discovered.
Though Konoha was considerably weakened, they would only partially unguarded against the unpredictable and bloodthirsty Kirigakure.
This could only mean one thing.
There were likely White Zetsu hidden among the terrain, vegetation, and even his team.
Otherwise, they couldn't have infiltrated so easily!
Kaguya Naoki squinted his eyes and clenched his fists.
Though he had mentally prepared himself, facing this reality still made him tense.
These eyes of White Zetsu were also Madara Uchiha's eyes.
When Kaguya Naoki captures Rin Nohara, these malevolent eyes will undoubtedly fixate on him.
Swapping the real Rin Nohara with a fake would be incredibly challenging in such a scenario.
I hope the measures I've prepared can deceive them.
Kaguya Naoki silently murmured to himself, suppressing his nerves, and then issued orders.
"Move carefully, avoid strong enemies, and disperse, advancing towards the target."
With that, the group silently dispersed into the surrounding forest.
Leaves rustled in silence.
The objective was clear.
Capture the Jinchuriki vessel, Rin Nohara.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Branches swayed.
The Kirigakure Anbu swiftly advanced along the route provided by the Third Mizukage.
Days passed.
They encountered no resistance.
Even the usually impatient Zabuza couldn't help but grow suspicious.
What is Konoha doing?
"Stop!"
Kaguya Naoki ordered, seeing the twisted smoke rising several kilometers away.
The destination was near.
Unrolling the intel scroll, Kaguya Naoki spoke hushedly, "According to the intel, and there are two Jonin, fifteen Chunin, and several Genin."
"I will personally handle Kakashi Hatake. The rest of you distribute yourselves to intercept the others."
As he finished speaking, the Kirigakure ninjas behind their masks wore peculiar expressions.
Based on the intel, the two Jonins at the outpost included a useless one merely accumulating years of service. At the same time, the other, Kakashi Hatake, was a renowned prodigy and the only real threat.
Given their manpower advantage, the fact that their commander, Kaguya Naoki, chose to fight one-on-one seemed overly confident.
But considering the Kaguya clan's reputation for bloodlust, the Kirigakure ninjas refrained from advising against it.
Zabuza gripped his sword handle, slowly moving closer to Kaguya Naoki, veins bulging, inwardly cursing.
This arrogant bastard.
But staying close might allow him to step in and salvage the mission if anything went wrong.
Unaware of the ninja behind him's internal musings, Kaguya Naoki looked ahead at the distant campfire and drew out his spine.
"Prepare."
"Move!"
Meanwhile…
"Kakashi? Kakashi?"
"Rin?"
Kakashi turned, hiding his weary expression in the darkness.
"Why are you daydreaming here again? I checked on the other wounded and couldn't find you, so I knew you'd be here."
Rin gathered her hair, sitting beside Kakashi, looking at the dense forest and speaking softly.
"Are you thinking about Obito again?"
Kakashi silently pulled up his headband, hiding his Sharingan in the darkness.
"Yes, every free moment, I think about him."
Rin sighed with worry and nostalgia.
"Before, when the war hadn't yet come…"
"Obito and Guy would always challenge you, and you'd coldly reject them."
"Then they'd…"
Rin couldn't help but laugh, but seeing Kakashi's increasingly desolate expression, she spoke softly.
"Those were good times."
"Yes." Kakashi replied blandly.
Rin leaned closer, concerned.
"Back then, you were just deliberately distant with them. Now, you seem indifferent to everything."
"When the war ends, will it get better?"
Kakashi avoided Rin's worried gaze, fiddling with his eye socket.
Thinking of his fading father's image, he replied uncertainly.
"Maybe."
Rin sensed Kakashi's hesitation, feeling more despondent.
She swung her legs, biting her lip.
"Kakashi."
"Obito entrusted his eye to you. He wouldn't want you facing the world so negatively, considering how lively he was."
"With you like this, how can Obito rest in peace?"
"He said…"
Rin stopped as Kakashi closed his eyes.
Rin turned away, looking at the stars, wondering how to lift Kakashi's spirits.
"I will be your eye, helping you see the future."
Kakashi silently completed her thought.
That moment had echoed in his mind for so long.
Aching deeply.
Unforgettable.
Kakashi opened his eyes, pulling down his headband. Despite his weariness, his eyes held a new light.
Father, friends, and comrades all died before him.
Only Rin remained.
No matter how disheartened,
he had to protect her.
Huh?
Rin noticed the stars blurring, puzzled.
"Kakashi, doesn't the sky look odd?" Rin asked uncertainly.
Hearing her, Kakashi refocused, seeing the thickening white mist, eyes widening.
Instantly, he shed his sorrow, becoming utterly calm.
It's Kirigakure!
Kakashi leaped up, grabbing a kunai, his Sharingan scanning the surroundings.
Simultaneously, Rin shouted, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Her straightforward, gentle voice echoed through the Konoha camp, receiving sparse responses.
Kakashi was alarmed.
When did the camp get so empty?
Despite his fear, he moved unhesitatingly, leading Rin to hide.
But the enemy was much faster!
Whoosh!
A figure ripped through the air, appearing before Kakashi with blinding speed.
Too fast. Too fast.
Kakashi was a tragic figure in the early stages, with all his loved ones dead, now clinging to his duty to protect Rin.
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