Kakashi Encounters Hollowfication Structure in Advance

"No wonder this mission was assigned to us. I didn't expect people from both sides to be from Kirigakure and Konoha."

The next day, as they traveled, they detected Chakra Fluctuations ahead in the Forest. Kisame Hoshigaki, who seemed to be fighting, used Water Release to stealthily investigate. After returning, he informed the other two of the situation.

"It seems Itachi is among them, your brother."

Kisame added.

"Sasuke?"

Uchiha Itachi glanced at Shirozumi.

He guessed if Shirozumi already knew he would encounter Sasuke on this trip, which was why he had said those things to him earlier.

During the last Akatsuki Gathering, Itachi and Kisame were deliberately left out of the loop so they could investigate Konoha Intelligence.

Itachi took the opportunity to look back and saw Sasuke, who had already graduated and become a Genin.

However, what he didn't expect was that Sasuke, who had only recently become a Genin, would be assigned a mission of this level.

Itachi had indeed considered forcing Sasuke to grow, not treating him like a Hothouse Flower.

But he also knew that too much was as bad as too little, especially when it came to matters of life and death.

According to Kisame's description, two Chunin appeared at the beginning of the mission, clearly indicating it had reached B-rank.

There would likely be more enemies later, possibly even Jonin-level enemies, raising the mission difficulty to A-rank.

A Genin undertaking an A-rank mission?

The opposing Jonin wouldn't hold back.

That would truly be a battle for survival.

The only good news was that Kisame recognized their supervising teacher, Kakashi Hatake.

With him present, the safety of the few individuals would at least be guaranteed.

Kisame also thought so: "With Kakashi Hatake here, Uchiha Sasuke should be safe. Should we follow behind them, or bypass them and head directly to the Land of Waves?"

"Do you really trust the ninja world's internet celebrity, Kakashi the 50/50?"

Shirozumi retorted.

"...When I was still in Konoha, I undertook missions with Kakashi in the Anbu. Kakashi's Strength is quite good."

Uchiha Itachi didn't understand why Shirozumi would say that.

"How about this, let's split into two groups. Itachi, you go to the Land of Waves first to meet the Mission Target and gather some intel.

Kisame and I will stay here and follow them."

Shirozumi didn't offer much explanation.

"...Alright, but with Kakashi Hatake's Strength and experience, it'll be difficult for you to track them without being discovered."

"Who said we're tracking them stealthily? Kisame, let's go."

Shirozumi waved to Kisame and walked straight ahead.

"Huh?"

Kisame blinked, then looked at Itachi, only to see him already transform into crows and leave. He quickly followed Shirozumi.

~

Kakashi's Team.

The end of a "Unit Play" battle. Naruto Uzumaki, who had been too scared to move earlier, had just stabbed his palm with a Kunai, vowing to change.

Then, Kakashi reminded him that he would die if he didn't stop the bleeding, and the boy instantly cried out for help in fear.

It was a relaxed scene, everyone was at ease.

But the next second, Kakashi's smiling eyes instantly turned serious as he looked towards the figures appearing in the Direction of the Forest.

Two figures, one after the other.

Kakashi didn't recognize the young man in front.

But the one behind...

A Kirigakure Rogue Ninja Symbol with A Scarred Forehead.

And the Great Sword on his back...

One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Kakashi immediately thought of the two Chunin Oni Brothers he had just dealt with, who were also rogue ninja from Kirigakure.

"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, you immediately..."

"They're enemies, right? Teacher Kakashi, then I'm going!"

Before Kakashi could finish speaking, Naruto, having just made his vow, decided to immediately fulfill it and charged towards Shirozumi without hesitation.

"Idiot Naruto!"

Sasuke saw this and had no choice but to throw a kunai, blocking Kisame's advance.

At least Naruto wouldn't have to face two people at once, especially the one behind him who looked even more formidable.

Kakashi also moved immediately.

Facing a Jonin-level member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kakashi couldn't afford to be as leisurely as he was with the Oni Brothers, reading his smutty book while thinking about teaching.

Kakashi's target was also Shirozumi.

In just one exchange, Kakashi realized that regardless of Shirozumi's strength, his status was definitely above that of the ninja swordsman behind him.

Controlling the one in front would not only ensure Naruto's safety but was also the best option.

However...

Naruto slid on the ground and sat there, looking confused.

Kakashi appeared where Shirozumi had been, holding a kunai in his hand, and also froze.

Where did he go?

"Kisame, see? I told you your filter for ninja world influencers is too strong. You attacked without even knowing if they were friend or foe."

Shirozumi's voice came from the other side.

Naruto and Kakashi looked towards the sound and found that Shirozumi had, at some unknown time, appeared beside Tazuna, their mission's escort target.

Only Sakura was guarding Tazuna. Seeing Shirozumi suddenly appear, the young girl was stunned.

Just as Sakura was about to act, raising her fist, Shirozumi grabbed her wrist, leaving her unable to move.

"Do you mean you have no hostility towards us?"

Kakashi's expression became completely serious.

Because after he came to his senses, he still couldn't figure out how Shirozumi had appeared behind them.

Substitutes and clones always left traces.

But Shirozumi's disappearance and reappearance had no trace at all.

It was even... devoid of any trace in memory.

Kakashi realized he couldn't even remember exactly when Shirozumi had disappeared.

So, after hearing Shirozumi clearly, Kakashi immediately followed up on his words.

Stabilize the opponent first.

"Not bad, one of our mission targets, and also to ensure this bridge-building old man can reach the Land of Waves."

Shirozumi let go of Sakura's wrist and pointed to Tazuna beside him.

"Mr. Tazuna, not only did you hide the mission's difficulty, but you also posted the same mission to multiple parties?!"

Kakashi's gaze turned to Tazuna, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

Just after they dealt with the Oni Brothers, they had asked Tazuna why he hid the mission's difficulty.

The mission they accepted was C-rank, which was an exception made by the Third Hokage for these Genin, given that a Jonin was leading the team.

Unexpectedly, ninjas appeared during the mission, reaching B-rank.

Tazuna's reason was that they were too poor to afford the bounty for a B-rank mission.

Yet, now another group who accepted the mission had appeared.

This was called poor? Couldn't afford it?

Tazuna was also bewildered. Although he lied and used moral blackmail, he genuinely didn't know about this matter?

Just as he was about to explain, his eyes suddenly darted, and he changed his tune: "I really didn't know about this. Perhaps it was others in the village who worried that Genin on a C-rank mission couldn't protect me, so they sold some other things and hired them..."

"Wuwuwu, we are truly suffering."

As Tazuna spoke, he started crying, snot and tears flowing.

It was clear that this old bastard had spotted that the Genin were easily swayed by moral blackmail and was preparing to use the same trick again.