Water Prison Technique!

After dashing out a certain distance, Kakashi's legs gave way. He braced his palms against the ground as blood from his back dripped down instantly.

"How could this be..."

Ignoring his injuries, Kakashi turned his head to look at his assailant. When he realized it was Uncle Qianwei, his pupils constricted and he gasped in shock.

It wasn't just Kakashi; at this moment, Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Sasuke stood as if struck by lightning, too stunned to speak.

The sudden turn of events, with Uncle Qianwei attacking Kakashi, left their minds in a complete muddle.

No one had imagined that the kind and amiable client who had been grilling fish for them just yesterday—Uncle Qianwei—would actually do such a thing.

"Haha, as expected of Kakashi. To think you could dodge a fatal blow in such a short amount of time."

"But what does avoiding a fatal blow matter? With your current strength, you can't do anything at all!"

Staring at the complex expression on Kakashi's face, Qianwei smiled brilliantly, though his eyes held a hidden chill.

"Uncle Qianwei, why are you doing this?"

A cold breeze swept past, snapping Naruto out of his shock. Once he regained his senses, he immediately shouted in anger.

Recalling how Qianwei had been excitedly catching fish with him yesterday and sweating profusely while grilling them by the fire, Naruto still couldn't believe that he would hurt Kakashi-sensei.

"Uncle Qianwei? Haha, Qianwei died ten years ago. My name is Iwayano; I merely borrowed his identity!"

Tearing off the skin mask plastered to his face, "Qianwei" revealed his own hideous, true visage.

"This is..."

Kakashi studied Iwayano, his gaze lingering on the long scar across his face. He froze for a moment, then suddenly went blank.

Kakashi had a vague impression of this man named Iwayano in his mind, but perhaps because too much time had passed, he couldn't fully recall him right away.

"Kakashi, do you have an impression of the scar on my face? Heh heh... that was caused by you!"

Noticing Kakashi's bewildered expression, Iwayano pointed to the scar on his face and shouted.

After Iwayano's words spilled out, Kakashi was stunned once more.

"Kakashi-sensei knows him?"

Hearing this nonsensical conversation from Iwayano, Naruto and Haruno Sakura behind him were also taken aback, glancing at each other, while Sasuke, standing to the side, furrowed his brows.

"I was once a genius ninja of Iwagakure, receiving the attention of countless villagers and hailed as the successor to the Tsuchikage. But because I lost to you, Kakashi, in the Jonin examination match, my entire life changed."

"No one in the village smiled at me anymore; they all mocked me. No one recognized my abilities. I was like a bird with broken wings, abandoned by everyone..."

"Kakashi, the reason I left Iwagakure and became a rogue ninja is entirely thanks to you!"

As the painful memories surfaced in his mind, Iwayano clenched his fists, his angry roar echoing through the sky.

"Iwayano."

Staring at Iwayano's furious face, after a long while, Kakashi took a deep breath and finally remembered the Rock Ninja, Iwayano, whom he had faced in the final round of the Jonin exams years ago.

In truth, Iwayano had been defeated in a single move back then. Kakashi remembered comforting the sobbing Iwayano after the match, never expecting that years later, Iwayano would have fallen into darkness and become a rogue ninja.

"Heh heh, it's all in the past. Your head is worth fifty million on the black market, Kakashi. I thought I was just fishing for minnows, but to think I caught a big fish like you—how lucky!"

Fixing his gaze on Kakashi once more, Iwayano laughed sinisterly.

Although they hadn't said it, in this situation, everyone knew that Iwayano and Sanli were working together.

At his peak, it wouldn't have been difficult for Kakashi to take down Iwayano and Sanli, but with his current severe injuries, finishing them off was basically impossible.

"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, listen well! I order you as your captain: leave here immediately!"

Knowing he couldn't escape, Kakashi shouted at Lin Feng and the others.

"Worry about yourself first!"

Sneering, Iwayano channeled the chakra in his body and quickly formed hand seals.

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Gun!"

As the final seal was struck, Iwayano shouted with a twisted expression.

Following his shout, numerous stone spears manifested from the ground around Kakashi, instantly thrusting toward his body.

Kakashi stared coldly at the incoming spears, his face unmoved by the attacks. He stomped his foot and retreated rapidly.

"A spent force!"

Iwayano's eyes widened as he shouted viciously.

As the sound of his voice faded, Kakashi felt a sudden chill across his skin. Realizing something was wrong, he stopped his rapid retreat, twisted his body, and shifted to the left.

"Boom!"

Just as Kakashi moved, a stone spear materialized and violently pierced through the space he had occupied, slamming into the ground and creating a massive crater.

"It's over!"

A faint voice echoed in the air. As Kakashi landed on the ground, his face turned deathly pale. A stream of water surged forward, quickly forming a sphere and trapping him inside.

"This is the Water Prison Jutsu?"

Feeling the immense pressure bearing down on him and knowing that once trapped, escape was nearly impossible, Kakashi hurriedly channeled all his remaining chakra, preparing to break out.

"Heh, too late!"

Placing one hand onto the surface of the water sphere, Sanli offered Kakashi a faint smile before channeling his chakra into the Water Prison to maintain its stability.

"Sigh, I truly was careless."

Letting out a soft sigh, Kakashi glanced at Sanli beside him from within the Water Prison, whispering to himself in his heart.

Just moments ago, Kakashi had been too focused on his battle with Iwayano, forgetting about Sanli who had remained inactive for so long; in truth, Sanli had long since prepared to restrain him.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Seeing Kakashi trapped inside the Water Prison, Naruto and the others immediately shouted in alarm.

"Heh... what a bunch of foolish brats. Your teacher told you to leave, yet you actually remained standing right where you were."

Listening to the cries of Naruto and the others, a sinister grin flashed across Iwayano's narrowed eyes before he sneered.

"Let Kakashi-sensei go right now, or I'll kill you!"

Glaring at Iwayano, Naruto clenched his fists tightly.

"You think you can kill me? Hah, to tell you the truth, your Konoha higher-ups are idiots to the core. Sending you out on missions at the age of six or seven is no different than sending you to your deaths!"

"You were going to die sooner or later anyway, so today, let me grant you that wish!"

Hearing Naruto's naive words, Iwayano couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh wildly.

"Bastard, don't look down on us!"

Just as Iwayano was laughing maniacally, Naruto tightened his grip on his fists and dashed rapidly toward him.