What did someone of Orochimaru's caliber have to do with someone who wasn't even strong enough to be a jonin?
Never mind Naraku—even the Third Hokage thought it sounded ridiculous. He knew his disciple's personality very well. Nakashita So was probably just an exceptionally stubborn follower!
After reporting the mission, Naraku turned to leave.
"Naraku and Tenzo, stay behind. Hyuga Hi, the rest of you go back and get some rest," the Third Hokage said hoarsely.
"Uh, don't tell me there's another mission," Naraku said, taken aback.
Sure enough, the Third Hokage's next words confirmed his suspicions. "There's been some unusual activity along the Land of Fire's border. The two of you will help the guards there investigate."
Naraku was about to refuse.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Yamato replied.
Naraku stared at him, speechless. But since Yamato had already accepted, he couldn't very well refuse now. He had no choice but to take the mission.
Naraku finally understood what Kakashi had been going through.
Fortunately, they didn't have to leave until the next day, so they still had a day to rest.
Back at the hospital, Naraku checked on Kushina as usual, then returned to his room.
As for Gamayan, Naraku let him return to Mount Myoboku to rest. He planned to summon him again early the next morning.
Back in his room, Naraku washed up, then planned to lie down and catch up on some sleep.
In a secluded spot in the Konoha Back Mountain.
A black mask and long silver hair—this was Kakashi, who had taken an extended leave.
He held an old, somewhat battered book. It showed little figures holding weapons, along with what looked like illustrations of special pressure points on the human body.
Kakashi sat there all day. It wasn't until the sun had set that he slowly closed the book. The words "Hatake Sword Technique" were visible on its cover.
The Hatake Sword Technique was a special form of Nintaijutsu. Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, had earned a reputation even greater than the Sannin's through this powerful technique.
[White Fang of Konoha]
Kakashi had trained in the Hatake Sword Technique under his father for a time when he was young. It had played a part in helping him become a ninja at such an early age.
But White Fang had died young, and Kakashi had later received Obito's Sharingan. With no one to teach him and his chakra always running low, he had never practiced the Hatake Sword Technique again.
Now, however, he could temporarily seal the Sharingan, and he had plenty of chakra. How could he abandon the Hatake Clan's legacy?
Kakashi picked up the silver sword beside him and began practicing.
He hadn't touched a sword in a long time, so his movements were clumsy at first. But as time passed, he grew more and more practiced.
Though he was only performing simple slashes, Kakashi took each one seriously. He swung again and again, never stopping even when his clothes were soaked with sweat.
Night fell. In the boundless darkness, silver blades flashed again and again.
He didn't stop until the dead of night. As his body suddenly relaxed, a sharp pain hit him, and he nearly fell to the ground.
"Ha... ha..." Kakashi gasped for breath.
His body was exhausted, but he was happier than he'd been in a long time. Excitement shone in his one visible eye.
"Father..."
After resting briefly, Kakashi entered a simple wooden hut. On the table inside, a broken white short blade gleamed coldly.
The White Fang was a specially made chakra blade, and Kakashi's father, White Fang of Konoha, had once wielded it. After White Fang died, the blade had passed to Kakashi.
But Kakashi had broken it during a mission.
As he looked at the broken White Fang, a hint of nostalgia passed through his eyes. Soon, however, his gaze grew resolute.
"Since it's broken, I'll have it reforged," Kakashi murmured.
"Looks like I'll have to visit the Land of Artisans," Kakashi thought.
Now that he'd decided to start practicing the sword again, he needed a good weapon. That was why he'd thought of the Land of Artisans, famous for its smithing.
His father's White Light Chakra Sabre had been forged in the Land of Artisans.
Konoha,
Naraku jolted awake in the middle of the night. The next moment, he got up and opened the door.
"So it really was you, Shisui." Seeing a crow fly past in the distance, Naraku had already guessed who was behind it.
He left behind a few Shadow Clones, then vanished in a flash.
In a secluded grove,
Shisui wore a dark, high-collared shirt and triangular armor, with a short sword strapped to his back.
Naraku looked at him in confusion. "Shisui, what did you want to see me about?"
Naraku had reason to be confused. He and Shisui weren't close, and Shisui had several different roles. For now, it was better for Naraku to keep his distance from him.
"Naraku, how are you holding up? You've had so many missions lately. Have you gotten used to it?" Shisui asked with a smile.
Naraku gave a slight shake of his head but said nothing.
Seeing Naraku like this, Shisui smiled helplessly and was about to say something.
"Uzumaki Naraku," a voice, slightly rough with age, called from behind him.
At the sound, Naraku's guard shot up. He spun around and stepped back.
A man stood before him, half his body wrapped in white bandages.
Naraku's heart sank when he saw the man. He hadn't expected Danzo to come see him in person.
He should have realized sooner. Shisui had clearly been transferred to Root by the Third Hokage.
"Lord Danzo, what brings you here in person so late at night?"
As he spoke, Naraku activated his Mind's Eye of the Kagura. He sensed several presences nearby and knew they were members of Root, hiding in the shadows.
Naraku watched Danzo carefully. If the man made any sudden move, Naraku would react at once.
Still, Naraku didn't think Danzo was foolish enough to try anything. They were still in Konoha, and Naraku was the Fourth Hokage's younger brother. If things got too ugly, it wouldn't just be Danzo who'd have a hard time explaining himself—even the Third Hokage would be in trouble.
"Uzumaki Naraku, I hear you recently joined Hiruzen's Anbu. That place isn't right for you. Join Root instead. Only in Root can you do whatever you want," Danzo said.
Danzo had long wanted to study the Uzumaki Clan's unique constitution.