Hatake Sword Technique

How could a figure of Orochimaru's caliber have any close connection to someone who couldn't even reach the level of a jonin?

It wasn't just Naraku; even the Third Hokage felt it was absurd. He knew his disciple's personality well enough—Nakashita So was likely just a follower with a rather paranoid disposition.

After finishing his mission report, Naraku turned to leave.

"Naraku and Tenzo, stay behind. Hyuga Hi, you all go back and rest," the Third Hokage's raspy voice commanded.

Ugh, don't tell me there's another mission, Naraku thought, slightly stunned.

Sure enough, the Third Hokage's next words confirmed his suspicion: "There have been some irregularities along the border of the Land of Fire recently. You two are to go and assist the guards there with an investigation."

Naraku was just about to open his mouth to refuse.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Yamato's voice came through.

Naraku looked at him, speechless. However, since Yamato had already agreed, he couldn't very well refuse anymore and had no choice but to accept the mission.

Naraku finally understood what Kakashi's situation had been like back then.

Fortunately, they could set off tomorrow, so they were at least granted a day of rest.

Returning to the hospital, Naraku checked on Kushina as usual before heading back to his own room.

As for Gamayan, Naraku let it return to Mount Myoboku to rest, planning to summon it again early tomorrow morning.

Back in his room, Naraku washed up and prepared to collapse onto his bed to catch up on some sleep.

In a secluded spot behind Konoha Village.

Wearing a black mask with a head of silver hair, it was none other than Kakashi, who was currently on extended leave.

He held a somewhat tattered book in his hands, which depicted small figures wielding weapons and what appeared to be specific human acupuncture points.

Kakashi sat there for the entire day, and it wasn't until the sun had set that he slowly closed the book, revealing the four large characters on the cover: [Hatake Sword Technique].

The Hatake Sword Technique was a unique form of ninjutsu-taijutsu. It was through this powerful art that Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, had carved out a reputation even more formidable than the Sannin.

[White Fang of Konoha]

In truth, Kakashi had practiced this technique with his father for a time when he was young. The reason he had been able to become a ninja at such a tender age was partly due to that early training.

However, after the White Fang passed away prematurely, and with the subsequent transplantation of Obito's Sharingan—coupled with a lack of guidance and a perpetual shortage of chakra—Kakashi had never touched the Hatake Sword Technique again.

But now that the Sharingan could be temporarily sealed and his chakra reserves were sufficient, how could he abandon the legacy of the Hatake clan?

Kakashi picked up the silver longsword beside him and began his practice.

Because he hadn't touched the sword arts in such a long time, his movements were stiff at first, but as time slowly passed, they grew increasingly fluid.

Even though they were just simple slashing motions, Kakashi remained incredibly focused, strike after strike, refusing to stop even when his clothes were soaked through with sweat.

As night fell, only the flashes of the silver-white blade cut through the boundless darkness.

It wasn't until late at night that he finally stopped. The sudden relaxation of his body caused him to feel a sharp, intense pain, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Hah... hah..." Kakashi gasped for air.

Despite the physical exhaustion, he was filled with immense joy, his only visible right eye gleaming with excitement.

"Father..."

After a brief rest, Kakashi walked into a humble wooden hut, where a broken white short blade lay on a table, glinting coldly.

The ninja tool "White Fang"—a custom-made chakra short blade—had been the signature weapon of his father, the White Fang of Konoha. After his father's death, the blade had come into Kakashi's possession.

However, he had snapped it during a mission.

Looking at the broken blade, Kakashi's eyes held a trace of nostalgia, but they quickly hardened with resolve.

"Since it's already broken, I'll just have to reforge it," Kakashi muttered to himself.

It looks like I'll have to make a trip to the Land of Artisans, he thought.

Since he had decided to take up the sword again, a high-quality weapon was essential, which led him to think of the Land of Artisans, famous for its craftsmanship.

His father's blade had been forged there, after all.

In Konoha Village.

Naraku, who had been sleeping until late at night, suddenly opened his eyes. The next moment, he rose and opened his door.

"So it really is you, Shisui," Naraku thought, having already guessed the truth after seeing the crow fly past in the distance.

He left behind a few Shadow Clones and then vanished in a flash.

In a secluded forest.

Wearing a dark, high-collared shirt and triangular guards, with a small katana strapped to his back.

Naraku looked at Shisui before him and asked, somewhat puzzled, "Shisui, is there something you need from me?"

It was no wonder Naraku was confused; his acquaintance with Shisui was not deep, and given Shisui's multiple roles, Naraku felt it was better to keep his distance for the time being.

"Naraku, how are things? With so many missions lately, are you finding it hard to adjust?" Shisui asked with a smile.

Uzumaki Naraku shook his head slightly at these words, saying nothing more.

Seeing Naraku's reaction, Shisui offered a helpless smile, just as he was about to speak.

"Uzumaki Naraku," a voice, tinged with the weariness of age, sounded from behind him.

Upon hearing that voice, Naraku's internal alarm bells rang instantly. He spun around quickly, retreating a step as he did so.

What met his eyes was a man with half of his body wrapped in white bandages.

The moment Naraku saw him, his heart sank; he had not expected Danzo to come and see him in person.

He should have realized it sooner—it was clear that Shisui had been transferred into Root by the Third Hokage.

"Lord Danzo, what business brings you to see me personally at such a late hour?"

As he spoke, Naraku immediately activated his Kagura Mind Eye. He sensed several presences in the vicinity and knew they were Root members lurking in the shadows.

Naraku watched Danzo closely, ready to react at the first sign of any hostile movement.

However, he felt that Danzo could not be foolish enough to act now. They were still in Konoha, and he was the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage; if things were to turn ugly, it would be impossible for even the Third Hokage to clean up the mess, let alone Danzo.

"Uzumaki Naraku, I hear you have recently joined Hiruzen's Anbu. That place is not suitable for you. Come to Root; only in Root can you do everything you wish to do," Danzo said.

Danzo had long desired to conduct a thorough study of the unique constitution of the Uzumaki Clan.