Heading to Mist Village

Kou's gaze fell on the gray-robed boy below the dock, who was slightly bent over and talking to Kakashi, and his eyes turned cold.

Kabuto, 15 years old, was born in the Konoha Orphanage and was adopted by Yakushi Nonō in the Land of Wind.

Later, under duress from Shimura Danzō who threatened to provide financial assistance to the orphanage, he voluntarily went to the Root and carried out espionage operations in multiple countries as a spy.

In terms of professional competence, sending him to carry out this mission to explore the Mist Village was indeed a wise move.

With his top-notch intelligence-gathering abilities, he could easily collect enough information without violating any diplomatic rules.

If he had come with other people, Kou wouldn't have been too surprised.

But it would be really strange if he came with Kakashi and Guy...

"Did Danzo send him?"

Kou's gaze lingered on the boy's face with round-framed glasses for a few moments before he slowly shook his head.

No, that's not right.

Kabuto is a black glove secretly cultivated by Danzo, a tool used for carrying out undercover missions.

How could Danzo possibly put him in the open? Especially not in a diplomatic mission led by Kakashi, one that would require open contact with the Mist Village authorities?

Danzo may be stupid and wicked, but when it comes to his own interests, this cunning old man is more shrewd than anyone else!

Moreover, according to the intelligence he possessed, Kabuto should be on a long-term infiltration mission in Iwagakure at this point in time...

After a moment of contemplation, a flash of realization appeared in his eyes:

"Danzo's definitely wrong with Danzo!"

Since Kabuto has appeared next to Kakashi and the others, it means that he has come into the Third Hokage's sights.

If nothing unexpected happens on Danzo's side, it's almost impossible for the Third Hokage and his team to detect Kabuto, who has been on a mission outside!

With that in mind, Kou quickly deduced the most likely scenario:

"Danzo probably suffered a great loss in a certain incident, and the Third Hokage conducted a thorough investigation, which led directly to Kabuto and Yakushi Nonō."

Based on his understanding of the Third Hokage, if given the opportunity, he would definitely not hesitate to take action and NTR Kabuto, this promising talent, directly from Danzo!

... Just like Yamato before.

Thinking of this, a sense of regret welled up in Kou's heart.

Putting aside his mental state, which was completely distorted by Danzo's outrageous actions, Kabuto is absolutely a top-tier talent.

While assisting Orochimaru in his research, he also conducted intelligence gathering as a spy.

Even under such circumstances, he persisted in training in Medical Ninjutsu and Ninjutsu, and within just a few years, he reached the level of an elite Jonin, the same level as Kakashi in the original work!

It got even more absurd after Orochimaru was briefly knocked out of the game by Uchiha Sasuke.

With his boss passing away prematurely, Haki-dou, forced to start his own business, absorbed and digested all of Orochimaru's research data and forbidden techniques in just a few months.

Not only that, he also improved the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and learned the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave, earning him the titles of "Dream Master" and "Jackie Chan."

He is a prime example of a genius from humble origins with no bloodline in the Ninja World achieving a remarkable comeback!

A genius of this caliber, aside from that idiot Danzo who insisted Danzo destroying someone just because "you know too much," wouldn't they be highly sought after by everyone?

Thinking of this, Kou couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret.

I'm actually quite envious of such a talented person.

After subduing Orochimaru, he began to devise a meticulous plan in his mind:

They extracted specific information about Kabuto's current situation from Orochimaru had long coveted him.

Then, at the critical moment when Danzo arranged for Kabuto and Yakushi Nonō to kill each other, he descended from the sky and saved these two poor souls who had been tormented beyond recognition by Danzo.

While doing so, I'll also try to increase Kabuto's favorability to see if I can bring them to my side, laying a good foundation for my future solo ventures after leaving Akatsuki.

This was originally one of the things he had listed quite high on his schedule.

However, it seems that something unexpected happened on Danzo's side, causing Kabuto's life trajectory to deviate from the original script...

Sigh, it's all that inherently evil Shimura no Tomo's fault. He's good at nothing but doing the bad things, and he's completely failed at what he's good at. He's utterly hopeless!!

Pot Kage is so mean!!

He cursed Danzo in his heart, then, as if remembering something, he murmured to himself:

"Speaking of Danzo, Danzo, that old bastard, and Orochimaru probably still have contact in private, right...?"

"We'll ask Orochimaru then, see if he knows what Danzo really did in Konoha."

Kou silently marked this matter as a to-do item in his mind, and then turned his attention back to the area below the dock.

His gaze swept over Kakashi and the other two below, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luckily, I was prepared and sent Shadow Clone to scout the location in advance."

If I hadn't been prepared and had run into that guy Kai using an empty identity, I might have been exposed on the spot..."

Kouch felt a chill run down his spine as he recalled Kaina's outrageous, bestial instincts.

"Kai probably... wouldn't recognize me, right?"

He muttered something to himself with a hint of trepidation, questioning for the first time in his life his acting skills, which were worthy of being called those of a veteran actor.

After gathering his thoughts, he slowly stood up from the rooftop, wiped the remaining dumpling sauce from the corner of his mouth, and cast one last glance at the three people below the dock.

With a complex expression, he looked down at Kakashi and Guy, and murmured in a low voice, his tone complicated:

"Kakashi, Guy... we'll see each other again soon."

Before he finished speaking, Kou slowly raised his left hand and whispered:

"Untie."

The Shadow Clone transformed into a wisp of smoke and quickly dissipated on the roof of the foggy building.

The pier below

Kakashi's smile froze for an extremely brief moment.

Almost instinctively, he shifted his gaze from Zabuza's face to the street lined with houses.

The eaves were empty, with only a few wisps of morning mist remaining.

Zabuza noticed his momentary lapse in concentration, and a flicker of alertness flashed in the one eye that was visible beneath his bandaged face:

"What's wrong, Mr. Kakashi? Are you feeling unwell?"

Kakashi quickly spread his senses, carefully scanning the rooftop and the shadows of the surrounding buildings.

He breathed a sigh of relief only after confirming that no one was secretly watching them.

Kakashi looked at Zabuza in front of him, his tone becoming relaxed again, and replied casually:

"Oh, it's nothing, I was just taken aback by how bustling this place is..."

Zabuza looked at him with a suspicious expression.

No? You, a Konoha resident of the Land of Fire, are praising our place as prosperous? Are you sure this isn't a provocation?

Those who are part of the family know their own situation. Zabuza is fully aware of the current Land of Water.

Although things have improved considerably over the years thanks to the efforts of the Reformist Faction, it is still far inferior to the Land of Fire, the most prosperous Ninja World.

Feeling Zabuza's suspicious gaze, Kakashi could only give an awkward smile.

Seeing his expression, Zabuza didn't pursue the matter further, but instead steered the conversation back to the main topic.

He looked at Kakashi with a serious expression and instructed him in a businesslike tone:

"After leaving Mist Harbor, we will take you to Kirigakure."

At that time, the relevant cooperation matters will Mizukage Aide of Mist Village, and Lord Shiina Sora will personally discuss them with you.

"Shiina Sora..."

Upon hearing this name, Kakashi's gaze instantly turned serious.

"That must be the Reformist Faction leader that Lord Jiraiya mentioned, right?"

What kind of person is he, really...?

Kakashi suppressed the surging curiosity in his heart and smiled as he spoke to Zabuza in front of him:

"Ah, I'm counting on you guys from now on."

Zabuza nodded, Zabuza turned and gestured to Kimimaro and the other two behind him.

The three understood each other and approached Zabuza.

The Mist Village squad regrouped and, leading the three members of the Konoha delegation, embarked on their journey to Mist Village...