"Why him?" Mizuki was indeed somewhat puzzled. In the original story, Hayate Gekko had been the one to track and monitor Kabuto Yakushi, only to be instantly killed by Baki of the Sand Shinobi. Though Mizuki had not been particularly close to Hayate, they had once risked their lives together as comrades. If possible, Mizuki still hoped he could survive.
"Is there a problem?" Kakashi asked. "Hayate Gekko is a Special Jonin skilled in tracking and infiltration. His swordsmanship is excellent, and he is no slouch in combat. Isn't he the perfect choice to investigate Kabuto Yakushi?"
Mizuki nodded without speaking. Without solid intelligence, it seemed impossible to send a stronger ninja. He could hardly just claim, without proof, that the Sand Shinobi were about to betray them. Although intelligence did indicate that this ally, which had always been somewhat dissatisfied with Konoha, had been acting strangely lately, saying now that the Sand Shinobi would join forces with Orochimaru to attack Konoha was still far too shocking.
"Hayate Gekko, I really can't help you. You'll just have to pray for your own safety."
Sakura Haruno, who had been listening to Mizuki and Kakashi, suddenly cut in. "Kakashi-sensei, is this Hayate Gekko the examiner from the Chunin Exams? And Kabuto Yakushi is the contestant who took the exams with us?"
"That's right," Kakashi answered.
"But why? They're both Konoha ninja, so why did Kabuto-senpai attack Sasuke? And why is one of the village's Special Jonin investigating him?"
After hearing Sakura's question, Mizuki looked at Kakashi. "Do you not tell your subordinates any intelligence at all?"
Kakashi answered awkwardly, "Didn't I just forget? Nobody asked, so I thought everyone already knew. Sakura, the Kabuto-senpai you mentioned is actually Orochimaru's subordinate and a spy. He approached you with bad intentions from the start."