At the entrance to Konoha.
Just as Akihara Kagura had expected.
When Little Sasuke heard that his brother was leaving on a mission, he cried miserably while seeing him off, clinging to Uchiha Itachi's arm and refusing to let go.
"Don't cry."
Watching Uchiha Itachi patiently comfort his little brother, Akihara Kagura stepped forward to help him out. "Kid, we don't really want to take your brother on this mission either. He's no match for me and probably won't be much help. How about you take your brother home?"
"Ah... hic..."
Little Sasuke's sobs caught in his throat. Then he instantly began crying even louder. "...Waaah... Big Brother! Big Brother is the strongest! He'll definitely help complete the mission!"
"Fine."
"Then cry a little longer."
Akihara Kagura patted Second Pillar on the head and waved at Uchiha Itachi. "Let's go. Listen to your little brother. Don't disappoint him."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi was at a loss.
"Go on, Itachi."
Mikoto Uchiha wrapped an arm around her younger son and smiled as she persuaded him. "Don't keep everyone waiting. I'll take Sasuke home first."
"Big Brother..."
Little Sasuke went home with his mother, crying all the way.
"Thank you."
Only then did Uchiha Itachi stiffly thank Akihara Kagura. Compared to Kagura, the boy was exceptionally polite. "Senior Kakashi, Kagura-kun, let's set out!"
Kakashi Hatake, who had been standing nearby and watching coldly, finally stepped forward and nodded. "Let's go. We'll pick up the pace while we're traveling."
As a senior, Kakashi Hatake was still quite qualified.
Along the way, Kakashi Hatake took great care of the two kids, generously teaching them little tricks for concealing their tracks and counter-tracking in the wilderness.
Even though Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui had learned this knowledge before, they still had to admit that the Anbu