Tracking

Konoha, Year 52.

The Anbu ninjas, who had barely celebrated a peaceful New Year, were forced to leave their warm beds late at night for a mission due to the defection of an unexpected individual.

The moment the Third Hokage issued the order, Konoha's Anbu mobilized en masse, and countless idle Jonin were also dispatched, sparing no effort to capture Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, who had fled the village after his Human Experimentation was exposed.

Kakashi Hatake, as the squad leader, set out with his sole team member, Yuzuru Hyuga.

Orochimaru had fought the Third Hokage before escaping and was heavily injured, leaving obvious traces. Clearly, this was the best moment to pursue him.

Unlike Kakashi Hatake, who was in a frantic rush, as if trying to stretch every minute into two.

Yuzuru Hyuga moved slowly and relaxed, as if on an outing.

"Heavenly Fox, pick up the pace. We need to reach his potential transfer and retreat points to set up an ambush before Orochimaru does."

Kakashi's objective was clear. He first summoned a Ninja Hound to track the scent, then continuously urged Yuzuru Hyuga to hurry.

But Yuzuru Hyuga merely said indifferently, "Do you think the two of us can take on Orochimaru?"

Kakashi fell silent for a moment. In fact, when Orochimaru was caught in the act by the Third Hokage, Kakashi had been waiting by his own door and was almost instantly killed by the fleeing Orochimaru. If not for the Third Hokage's Explosive Tag, he might still have the Heavenly Cursed Seal on his neck, or worse, had his head bitten off.

However, he still said coldly, "Orochimaru is heavily injured. Our mission is only to trap him. I'll use this opportunity to have my summoned beast notify our comrades."

"And you think we can trap him?" Yuzuru Hyuga asked again.

Kakashi stopped walking altogether. "If you think it's impossible and want to abandon the mission, you can turn back now. I'll report it truthfully to the Third Hokage. You're an Anbu ninja!"

"I just want to know, did the Third Hokage truly lack the ability to kill or detain Orochimaru at that time?"

Yuzuru Hyuga's eyes were equally cold.

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

His sharp eyes held none of the usual gentle teasing or flippancy. Instead, there was only a hint of anger, mockery, and indifference.

"Did the Third Hokage not consider how many ordinary ninjas would die facing someone like Orochimaru?"

"Did he not consider how many innocent people would die along the way because of Orochimaru?"

"Just because of some so-called master-disciple bond, he felt pity and couldn't bring himself to act against Orochimaru, only to hand the task over to his subordinates later."

"Capture? Don't make me laugh."

"Kakashi, if you truly want to carry out this mission, promise me one thing."

Kakashi Hatake was left speechless by his barrage of words. He couldn't explain the Third Hokage's actions.

Yuzuru Hyuga looked at him coldly. "If we absolutely must capture Orochimaru, then I apologize, but I might stop you from making any rash decisions at any moment and find a way to get you out of here with me."

"I won't risk my life to rectify someone else's laughable mistakes. Rather than fight Orochimaru and get ourselves killed pointlessly, I'd rather risk my life to stop you if I deem the mission impossible and it must be terminated."

Yuzuru Hyuga's attitude seemed resolute.

Yet, his words unexpectedly struck a chord with Kakashi. At this moment, he might feel his own life was insignificant, but he no longer wanted to witness his comrades die before his eyes.

However, as Kakashi stood in silent contemplation, Yuzuru Hyuga put his mask back on.

"Of course, if you say you're going to report me to the Third Hokage, then forget I said anything. I'll cooperate."

His words were light, sounding as if he had returned to his usual flippant self.

But Kakashi already knew his determination – this mission, he was truly going to slack off with all his might.

After a moment of silence, Kakashi said, "If the situation becomes impossible, I will prioritize retreat. But before that, a ninja's primary objective must be to complete the mission. If the Third Hokage asks for the reason for failure, I will also convey your attitude truthfully."

"Don't worry, you don't really think the Third Hokage expects the two of us, or these Anbu, to actually capture Orochimaru, do you?"

Yuzuru Hyuga chuckled lightly. From Kakashi's reaction, he knew Kakashi would never truthfully relay his criticisms of the Third Hokage.

But what did conveying his attitude truthfully even mean?

I just think we can't stop Orochimaru, is there a problem? If you can't stop him, how can you expect us, who are less than half your age combined, to do it?

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

Kakashi led the way in silence, with Ninja Hounds tracking clues, and Yuzuru Hyuga confirming them with his Byakugan. Their search was highly efficient.

After two full days and nights.

Kakashi, with the help of the Ninja Hounds and Yuzuru Hyuga.

Discovered something unusual.

On the essential path leading out of Konoha.

Inside a giant tree hollow.

Yuzuru Hyuga detected the Chakra trails of dozens of people.

Kakashi and Yuzuru Hyuga exchanged a glance. Kakashi stepped inside without hesitation, but Yuzuru Hyuga placed a hand on his back.

No words were spoken, only Yuzuru Hyuga's confirming gaze. Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently.

Trusting a comrade is also a quality a qualified ninja should possess.

Kakashi thought to himself.

Yuzuru Hyuga motioned for Kakashi to follow behind him, taking the lead himself as they slowly entered the deep, cave-like tree hollow.

In his mind, the plot of the original work began to rapidly replay.

Would Orochimaru appear here?

Yes.

But when?

He couldn't remember.

What dangers were there? Probably just a group of unfortunate people brainwashed by Orochimaru, possessing a peculiar ability to turn their bodies into smoke, making them quite troublesome.

He couldn't recall any other details, oh, their name seemed to be the Iburi Clan.

"Do you know Wind Release ninjutsu?"

"A little, but Wind Release is currently my weakest ninjutsu," Kakashi replied truthfully.

Even though he would later be known as the Copy Ninja Kakashi, the ninjutsu he had mastered at this time wasn't as comprehensive as it would be in the future.

Kakashi, who hadn't yet grasped the joy of using an opponent's technique against them, was at this point more focused on efficient combat rather than showboating.

His chakra also didn't support him playing too many tricks; carving a dog's head into an Earth Style Wall was the limit of his showboating.

Yuzuru Hyuga narrowed his eyes.

What a coincidence, I don't know Wind Release either.