Tracking

Early in Konoha's fifty-second year.

The ANBU ninja who had only recently celebrated a peaceful New Year had no time to enjoy its lingering warmth before an unexpected person's defection forced them from their beds in the middle of the night to carry out a mission.

The moment the Third issued his order, Konoha's ANBU deployed in full force. Countless idle Jonin were sent out as well, all doing their utmost to capture Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, who had fled the village after his human experiments were exposed.

As squad leader, Hatake Kakashi set out alongside his sole team member, Yuzuru Hyuga.

Orochimaru had fought the Third before fleeing and had suffered severe injuries. His trail was obvious. Clearly, this was the best opportunity to capture him.

Unlike Kakashi, who was so frantic he wished he could turn one minute into two.

Yuzuru Hyuga strolled along at an unhurried pace, relaxed as though he were out on a picnic.

"Sky Fox, pick up the pace. We have to reach the hideout where Orochimaru might transfer or retreat before he does and set an ambush."

Kakashi had a clear objective. He first summoned his ninja hounds to track the scent, then repeatedly urged Yuzuru Hyuga to move faster.

Yuzuru Hyuga merely said flatly, "Do you think the two of us are a match for Orochimaru?"

Kakashi fell silent for a moment. In truth, when Orochimaru had been caught red-handed by the Third, Kakashi had been standing guard outside his home. He had nearly been killed in a single move by the fleeing Orochimaru. If not for one of the Third's explosive tags, he might have had the Cursed Seal of Heaven on his neck by now—or had his head bitten clean off.

Still, he said coldly, "Orochimaru is badly wounded. Our mission is only to hold him down. I'll use that chance to have my summoned beasts notify the others."

"And do you think we can hold him down?" Yuzuru Hyuga asked again.

Kakashi simply stopped walking. "If you think this is impossible and want to abandon the mission, you can turn back now. I'll report the truth to the Third. You're an ANBU ninja!"

"I just want to know whether the Third truly lacked the ability to kill or detain Orochimaru then."

Yuzuru Hyuga's gaze was just as cold.

He removed his mask, revealing a face Kakashi had never seen before—without glasses.

His sharp eyes no longer held their usual gentleness or irreverent mockery. There was only a trace of anger, derision, and indifference.

"Didn't the Third consider how many ordinary ninja would die when facing someone like Orochimaru?"

"Didn't he consider how many innocent people would die along the way because of Orochimaru?"

"Because of some so-called bond between master and disciple, he took pity on Orochimaru and couldn't bring himself to strike him down, yet he turned around and handed this matter to his subordinates."

"Capture him? Don't make me laugh."

"Kakashi, if you really intend to carry out this mission, promise me one thing."

Hatake Kakashi was rendered speechless by his string of questions. He could not explain the Third's actions.

Yuzuru Hyuga looked at him coldly. "If we have to capture Orochimaru... sorry, but I may risk my life at any time to stop you from making an irrational choice and find a way to take you with me when I leave."

"I won't gamble my life to make up for someone else's ridiculous mistake. Rather than fight Orochimaru to the death and let us both die for nothing, I'd rather risk my life to stop you. When I decide it can't be done, the mission ends."

Yuzuru Hyuga's attitude looked exceptionally resolute.

Yet his words unexpectedly struck Kakashi deeply. Perhaps he thought his own life was insignificant at that moment, but he no longer wanted to watch a companion die before his eyes.

But just as Kakashi fell silent, unsure how to respond, Yuzuru Hyuga put his mask back on.

"Of course, if you're going to run to the Third and tattle, then just pretend I didn't say anything. I'll cooperate with you."

His words were light and airy, as if he had returned to his usual unserious self.

But Kakashi already understood his resolve—this time, he truly intended to slack off with all his might.

After a brief silence, Kakashi said, "If it truly can't be done, retreat will be my top priority. But before that, a ninja's foremost goal must be to complete the mission. If the Third asks why we failed, I'll also truthfully convey your attitude."

"Relax. You don't really think the Third expects the two of us—or this bunch of ANBU—to bring Orochimaru back, do you?"

Yuzuru Hyuga chuckled softly. From Kakashi's attitude, he knew Kakashi would never faithfully repeat what he had said about the Third.

And what could truthfully conveying his attitude possibly mean?

I just think we can't stop Orochimaru. Is there a problem with that? Even you can't stop him, so how could you expect two kids combined, who aren't even half your age, to do it?

Even if the Third heard it, he could only say that Yuzuru Hyuga's judgment was calm and decisive, couldn't he?

Kakashi silently led the way. With the ninja hounds picking up every clue along the route and Yuzuru Hyuga confirming them with his Byakugan, their search proceeded very efficiently.

A full two days and two nights passed.

At last, with the help of the ninja hounds and Yuzuru Hyuga.

Kakashi found something unusual.

On the only route leading out of Konoha's territory.

Inside the hollow of a massive tree.

Yuzuru Hyuga detected the chakra signatures of dozens of people.

Kakashi and Yuzuru Hyuga exchanged a glance. Kakashi headed inside without hesitation, but Yuzuru Hyuga reached out and patted him on the back.

There was no dialogue. Yuzuru Hyuga merely gave him a confirming look, and after hesitating for a moment, Kakashi nodded lightly.

Trusting one's companions was also a quality a qualified ninja should possess.

That was what Kakashi thought.

Yuzuru Hyuga had him walk behind while he took the lead, slowly stepping into the deep, cavernous hollow of the enormous tree.

At the same time, he rapidly recalled the plot of the original work.

Would Orochimaru appear here?

He would.

But when?

He couldn't remember.

What dangers were inside? Probably a group of pitiful people brainwashed by Orochimaru, possessing a strange ability that allowed their bodies to turn into smoke. They were rather troublesome.

He could not remember any other details. Oh, that group seemed to be called the Iburi Clan.

"Do you know any Wind Release ninjutsu?"

"A little, but Wind Release is currently my weakest type of ninjutsu," Kakashi answered honestly.

Although he would later be called Kakashi the Copy Ninja, the ninjutsu he had mastered now was nowhere near as comprehensive as it would be in the future.

Having yet to grasp the joy of using an opponent's techniques against them, Kakashi was still more focused on efficient combat than flashy tricks.

His chakra did not support too many fancy moves either. Carving a dog's head onto an Earth Style wall was about the limit of his antics.

Yuzuru Hyuga narrowed his eyes.

What a coincidence. I can't use Wind Release either.