Sasuke Uchiha's Possible Defection

This is really... a huge problem.

When Kakashi Hatake saw the rogue missing-nin appearing in the Konoha Sweet Shop, he became extremely nervous and was constantly on guard against their movements.

Even though among the missing-nin present was Obito Uchiha, whom he cared about most, Kakashi Hatake dared not act rashly, lest a conflict break out in the downtown area of Konoha.

After all...

These missing-nin ninjas are not to be underestimated.

Even though Shirou Emiya and Nagato were the most threatening figures during the Chunin Exams, Konoha couldn't afford to ignore Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha. In comparison, Itachi Uchiha, who had tipped them off, could actually be considered an ally...

Certainly...

This ignores one thing.

That is, Itachi Uchiha was not discovered by Sasuke Uchiha.

Kakashi Hatake knew there were hidden reasons behind the Uchiha Clan's annihilation, but he had no way of finding out. Therefore, he really didn't know how to tell Sasuke Uchiha the whole truth.

Fortunately.

When Sasuke Uchiha arrived, several missing-nin from the Konoha Sweet Shop seemed to notice something and quietly disappeared from the shop, avoiding a conflict.

But...

As Konoha ninja, Kakashi Hatake couldn't possibly ignore these missing-nin, especially Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha, who were Konoha's two most concerned missing-nin and the ones who triggered the major incident of the Chunin Exams...

This major event...

This also resulted in Konoha losing the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Most importantly, the Chunin Exams incident had a very unfavorable outcome, directly leading to the resurrection of Shirou Emiya. This allowed him to easily destroy the Impure World Reincarnation Konoha Past Hokage, and his mere presence intimidated the Konoha ninja, leaving a significant shadow in the hearts of many Konoha ninja.

Kakashi Hatake gave Sasuke Uchiha a few perfunctory words, telling the student to go back to his training. Then he gathered some of his friends, sending someone to report to the Fifth Hokage Tsunade while leading the others to intercept Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha.

However, before these Konoha Jonin could find Orochimaru's whereabouts, they first discovered Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki from the Akatsuki.

This is not Kakashi Hatake wanted!

Kakashi Hatake had absolutely no desire to clash with Itachi Uchiha, and even intended to temporarily ignore Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki...

But...

Itachi Uchiha had been waiting for Kakashi Hatake for quite some time.

"What a coincidence..."

Kakashi Hatake sighed and glanced at his two friends, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, whom he had brought with him. These two friends knew nothing about the hidden story behind Itachi Uchiha, and even seemed somewhat eager to try their luck!

"No."

"I should say..."

"What a coincidence!"

Itachi Uchiha politely greeted the three Konoha Jonin opposite him, "Mr. Asuma, Ms. Kurenai... and Mr. Kakashi, it's been a long time."

Where is Orochimaru?

Kakashi Hatake pressed for an answer first, subtly implying to Itachi Uchiha that they only wanted to surround Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha!

"Kakashi..."

However, Asuma Sarutobi couldn't care less about that. He immediately drew two Chakra Blades and looked solemnly at Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, who were dressed in Cloud Pattern Black Robe with Kisame Hoshigaki: "Aren't the Akatsuki Orochimaru?"

"Good."

Kurenai Yuhi's eyes also became slightly serious.

"..."

Kakashi Hatake felt a little helpless. He looked at Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, who were standing up to fight, and then at Kisame Hoshigaki was also eager to fight.

"Itachi, it seems we're just in time?"

Kisame Hoshigaki drew his Samehada, grinning as he looked at Asuma Sarutobi with obvious satisfaction. His and Itachi Uchiha's mission was to create trouble in Konoha to draw Sasuke Uchiha Obito Uchiha...

"Then let's get started."

Itachi Uchiha raised his eyes, Sharingan Genjutsu instantly defeated Konoha Jonin Kurenai Yuhi. The three jet-black Tomoe began to transform into the shape of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

The next moment!

Kisame Hoshigaki attacked simultaneously, wielding his Samehada and charging towards Asuma Sarutobi, slashing diagonally Jonin the Konoha!

The riverbank in Konoha.

Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake stood in separate rows.

Kakashi Hatake hesitated and slowly raised his finger, but before he could act, Itachi Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan seemed to have already entered his eyes!

"Tsukuyomi..."

The world turned black and white at that moment.

This is the second time Kakashi Hatake has Tsukuyomi victim to Itachi Uchiha Genjutsu. The last time, they exchanged information about Obito Uchiha in the Tsukuyomi's mental world.

This time...

Kakashi Hatake seemed to have been mentally prepared.

"The Akatsuki..."

"Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha..."

"Konoha's enemies have all set their sights on Sasuke."

Itachi Uchiha didn't hide anything and directly revealed his information. "We received orders from Shirou Emiya to Sasuke to Akatsuki; Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha Konoha to prevent Shirou Emiya from obtaining Sasuke..."

There's nothing we can do about it.

Whether Sasuke Uchiha joins the Akatsuki or is taken away by Orochimaru, it is extremely dangerous for Sasuke Uchiha, and he can only place his hopes on Konoha.

Hope...

Konoha can protect Sasuke.

Only...

Itachi Uchiha, however, could not explain the reason.

Because the possibility that Sasuke Uchiha might awaken the Rinnegan in the future would definitely attract the attention of Konoha, he couldn't let the Konoha High Command know about this.

But...

Kakashi Hatake is a trustworthy person.

After all, Kakashi Hatake does have the strength to fight Obito Uchiha, and he is also Jonin Sasuke Uchiha's Jonin leader, so he can definitely protect his subordinates.

All right.

Actually, this task is quite difficult.

Kakashi Hatake didn't refuse and immediately promised Itachi Uchiha, "I understand, I will protect Sasuke..."

"But..."

Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but raise his own request. "Sasuke has been blinded by hatred. Itachi, I already know there are hidden details about the Uchiha clan massacre. Now, can you tell me the truth about the Uchiha Clan's annihilation...?"

At least...

This will prevent Sasuke Uchiha consumed by hatred.

"There's no need for that."

"Hatred can make Sasuke's Sharingan stronger."

Itachi Uchiha rejected Kakashi Hatake's suggestion. He did not intend to let his younger brother give up his hatred, nor did he intend to reveal his deeply buried past at this moment.

Or rather...

Itachi Uchiha never wanted to reveal it.

"Let's stop Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha first."

When Itachi Uchiha saw Kakashi Hatake trying to press for more information, he immediately dropped a bombshell. "While you were bothering me and Kisame here, Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha had already taken advantage of the situation and kidnapped Sasuke..."

"!!!"

A look of tension immediately appeared on Kakashi Hatake's face.

At this moment...

The two of them worked together exceptionally well.

In the present world.

The riverbank in Konoha.

The fierce battle between Kisame Hoshigaki and Asuma Sarutobi has only just begun!

As usual, Itachi Uchiha touched his eyes and retreated, as if his Tsukuyomi Genjutsu had been broken by Kakashi Hatake once again. He took a few steps back, feeling somewhat weak.

"Kisame, let's retreat."

Itachi Uchiha reminded Kisame Hoshigaki, a pained expression playing on his lips without any pretense, and stated his problem. "My Tsukuyomi has been broken..."

"Itachi!"

Kisame Hoshigaki's face immediately tensed up. While wielding his sword to force Asuma Sarutobi back, he glanced back at Kakashi Hatake and quickly turned back to provide support!

Kisame Hoshigaki frowned as he looked at Kakashi Hatake, who was calm and collected, and then at Itachi Uchiha, who looked sickly.

This is getting a bit tricky...

If I want to keep them occupied, I will have to fight three against one, and I will also have to take care of the seriously ill and injured Itachi Uchiha during the battle!

"We won't be able to explain this to everyone, will we?"

Kisame Hoshigaki whispered a reminder to Itachi Uchiha.

Whether facing Obito Uchiha or Shirou Emiya, the two of them made too little of a commotion, making it difficult to explain. He hadn't even started warming up yet!

"Kakashi also possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan..."

Itachi Uchiha's single sentence dissuaded Kisame Hoshigaki from his plan.

"A kaleidoscope?"

Kisame Hoshigaki saw Kakashi Hatake Forehead Protector revealing a crimson hue, and he dared not look into Kakashi Hatake's eyes again.

This is troublesome!

As Obito Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha's teammate, Kisame Hoshigaki had a great deal of knowledge about the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan!

"Water Style: Water Surge!"

After saying that, Kisame Hoshigaki immediately put his hands together and Hand Seals, quickly releasing a powerful Water Release, and dragged Itachi Uchiha away at a fast speed!

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

Kakashi Hatake raised his hand and formed Hand Seals to unleash an Earth Release Ninjutsu to block the incoming wave of water. He watched with a solemn expression as Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki retreated!

"We'll chase..."

Asuma Sarutobi gripped two Chakra Blades, intending to catch up quickly. He had only just begun fighting Kisame Hoshigaki, and it wasn't even a warm-up!

"Asuma, stop chasing!"

Kakashi Hatake immediately stopped Asuma Sarutobi, turned his head slightly, and said in a deep voice, "They've already escaped. Finding the whereabouts of the enemies who infiltrated Konoha is the priority!"

Time is of the essence...

I must get back to Sasuke Uchiha's side immediately!

Kakashi Hatake was starting to regret sending Sasuke Uchiha away for training. Perhaps he should have kept Sasuke Uchiha by his side. Even if Sasuke Uchiha was blinded by Itachi Uchiha's appearance, he wouldn't have fallen into Orochimaru's hands!

Now...

Itachi Uchiha had already conveyed the information to him very quickly, Kakashi Hatake only hoped that he could still make it back to Konoha in time!

But...

He was late after all!

Even though it only delayed him for a short while, Kakashi Hatake rushed to the Training Ground where he had assigned Sasuke Uchiha train, only to find it completely empty...

As well as...

Some minor signs of fighting.

"There aren't many signs of a battle..."

Kakashi Hatake examined the marks on the Training Ground, his heart sinking. "Sasuke didn't put up a strong resistance..."

Although there was a huge difference in power between Sasuke Uchiha and Orochimaru, and Obito Uchiha was by his side, Sasuke Uchiha's fighting style often left a lot of traces of battle, even if it was just a few Fire Release Ninjutsu.

But...

There are too few traces here.

This means that the worst-case scenario could occur.

Sasuke Uchiha, who has always longed for greater power to seek revenge, was very likely deceived and kidnapped by Orochimaru, and chose to defect with Orochimaru.

This kind of thing...

It is highly likely that this will happen.

Especially after Naruto Uzumaki was Jiraiya accepted as Jiraiya's disciple, his strength grew stronger and he received more and more attention, which made Sasuke Uchiha's heart increasingly unbalanced.

Naruto Uzumaki, has truly become a disciple of the Legendary Konoha's Sannin, and is even highly regarded Jiraiya. Only Sasuke remains stagnant, with no one to guide his training anymore. In fact, due to his busy work as a Jonin leader, he has recently been unable to accept any missions that would allow him to improve his combat skills.

For Sasuke Uchiha, who constantly craved power, and for a proud Uchiha by nature, such a drastic change in environment made it all too easy for him to be instigated to go astray.

Kakashi Hatake had noticed the change in his student's mind and wanted to find time to have a proper talk with him, but his actions, like those of his teacher, seemed to come too late...

"Reporting to the Fifth Hokage, Sasuke Uchiha has gone missing..."

Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath. He carried a heavy burden of responsibility, so he concealed his suspicions and simply instructed his friend in a low voice, "Sasuke has most likely been kidnapped by Orochimaru and Obito. I'm going to track Sasuke down. Asuma, go request reinforcements!"

"..."

Asuma Sarutobi patted Kakashi Hatake on the shoulder.

As a Jonin, Kakashi Hatake could easily see through what was going on, and Asuma Sarutobi couldn't hide it from him either. However, their years of friendship meant that Asuma Sarutobi wouldn't choose to expose Kakashi Hatake's thoughts.

"Careful..."

"If things can't be done..."

"Anyway, Kakashi, I will catch up as soon as I report the news."