Kakashi closed his eyes, his finely honed perception expanding like a ripple across a ten-meter radius.
Within that radius, he sensed ten chakra signatures—five jōnin-level and five chūnin-level.
"This isn't good," he thought grimly. "With this kind of combat strength, there's bound to be blood today."
"Shun," Kakashi said quietly, "you take the five chūnin. I'll handle the five jōnin. Run the moment you get an opening. With their numbers, direct confrontation isn't wise."
"But—"
"No time for arguments. This isn't the moment for hesitation. If one of us escapes, it's worth it. I'll cover the retreat."
"…Alright."
"You won't escape."
A chilling voice rang through the mist, devoid of all emotion.
Through the Sharingan, Kakashi saw their masked opponents—clearly members of Kirigakure's ANBU.
It was unclear whether these ten were here in response to the Kaguya clan's uprising or to track Zabuza. Either way, they had wandered straight into the hornet's nest.
"Just our luck," Kakashi thought bitterly. But complaints wouldn't help now.
Five elite jōnin. Five solid chūnin. All hidden behind the elite façade of Kirigakure's ANBU—this was no ordinary predicament.
In the thick mist, even the Sharingan's clarity was compromised.
"Shun, use fire to clear the fog!"
The current visibility was a serious disadvantage. If they could disperse the mist, they might stand a chance.
Shisui didn't hesitate—Uchiha were born masters of fire.
He formed hand seals swiftly.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Kakashi's left eye spun into the Sharingan, and he followed with a complementary ninjutsu.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The wind fueled the flames—elemental synergy.
A surge of searing heat burst forward, evaporating the oppressive mist and laying bare the hidden ANBU forces.
The Kirigakure ANBU were momentarily stunned. That kind of coordination, that power… terrifying.
Now in clear view, both Kakashi and Shisui stood with Sharingan activated—red eyes gleaming ominously.
"Uchiha…" one ANBU muttered, unease in his voice.
"Uchiha detected! State your purpose in Kirigakure!"
"No comment," Kakashi said coldly.
Shisui remained silent. He was Uchiha. He had no excuse.
"Hmph. Then we'll extract the answers ourselves."
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Three jōnin coordinated their jutsu. Despite no water source nearby, a colossal water dragon roared into existence, coiling toward its targets.
Kakashi wasn't surprised by the technique—he was concerned about the scale.
Even if most of Kirigakure's forces were distracted by the Kaguya assault, this level of noise could attract reinforcements.
"We need to end this quickly."
Shisui nodded, drawing his kodachi and engaging the five chūnin, keeping them at bay.
Escape wasn't possible if they ran blindly—it would only lead to pursuit. They needed to eliminate a few enemies to open a path.
The only viable strategy was a swift, brutal skirmish.
Facing five elite jōnin, Kakashi felt a surge of anticipation.
It had been a long time since he'd gone all out.
"Water Style: Water Whip!"
A serpentine stream lashed out toward him. Calmly, Kakashi drew his blade and sliced through it.
But water has no true form. The whip dissolved into droplets and reformed, circling him.
"Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave!"
Another jōnin joined in. A surge of water poured forth from his mouth, engulfing the battlefield.
Kakashi leapt into the air, chakra clinging to his soles as he stood atop the surging waves.
"Water Style: Water Prison Technique!"
A shadowy figure emerged beneath the surface—Kakashi's feet barely touched the water before a sphere of water encapsulated him completely.
"This is…"
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. His body was immobilized—the prison sapped his strength.
An ANBU's hand held the prison firm. "Target secured."
The remaining four jōnin circled around.
"Pathetic. To think you dared infiltrate Kirigakure."
"Silver!"
Shisui shouted in shock, surprised at how quickly Kakashi had been caught.
Then again, five jōnin was no joke. Perhaps they had underestimated them.
Shisui tried to assist, but his path was blocked by the five chūnin.
"Damn it!"
Cursing under his breath, he parried the incoming strikes, unable to help.
Then—Kakashi's body within the water prison erupted in smoke and vanished.
A shadow clone.
From beneath the water's surface, a silver flash of chakra surged—a blade crackling with lightning.
"White Fang Crescent Moon!"
A silver arc sliced upward, cleaving the ANBU who maintained the prison in two.
Blood swirled in the water.
It all happened in an instant. The remaining ANBU barely processed what happened before their comrade's corpse floated before them.
Shisui was elated. Of course Kakashi wouldn't fall so easily.
He refocused and redoubled his efforts against the chūnin.
"Damn it! When did he—?!"
"Must've been when the water rose. His hand seals were too fast—we didn't even see them."
Kakashi faced the four remaining jōnin. One down, but it wouldn't be as easy next time.
No matter.
"Water Style: Iron Cannonball!"
A hail of dense, high-speed water bullets exploded toward him.
Kakashi vanished.
"Where'd he go?!"
"There!"
Kakashi's blade descended, but was parried in time.
"You won't trick us twice!"
Denied the kill, Kakashi vanished again.
"Water Style: Five Feeding Sharks!"
A quintet of sharks burst forth beneath the surface, rows of teeth flashing.
"This terrain isn't working in my favor. I need a new approach."
Kakashi's Sharingan spun as a new strategy formed in his mind.
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