The Squad Captain Breaks Out in a Cold Sweat Again

Kakashi Hatake stood there in his mask, boredly awaiting orders.

A few days ago, the squad captain from the Intelligence Department had come to him and explained this mission.

When he heard that it concerned the disappearance of villagers and shinobi, and that his ninja hounds would be needed, he agreed without hesitation.

Yet it seemed there was nothing for him to do. He had been waiting here for days now, and no one had come looking for him.

He understood that since this case had gone on for so long, solving it quickly would indeed be difficult. But they should at least give him something to do. Having nothing to do while needing to remain ready to move at any moment truly did not feel good.

Kakashi Hatake looked at the sky. Today would probably end here as well—another idle day...

Just then, an Anbu suddenly rushed in.

"Where are the ninja hounds?!"

"Here!" Kakashi Hatake had wanted to say that Ninja Hound was not his codename, but this did not seem like the time for jokes, so he answered directly.

"Summon your ninja hounds immediately. The target I was monitoring has not returned home for a long time. Judging by their usual routine, this is highly abnormal!" the Anbu said.

Kakashi Hatake had already summoned all eight of his ninja hounds.

The Anbu was startled by the number of ninja hounds, but quickly handed them the target's personal belongings that he had collected.

"Pakkun, can you track them?" Kakashi Hatake asked.

"Yes. We've memorized their scent. Let's go to the general area where they disappeared first," Pakkun said.

"Follow me." The Anbu nodded and led them to the road the target had to take home.

Pakkun sniffed the air. There was an extremely strong scent.

"What's over there?"