Return, ANBU Invitation

As his words fell, the deathly stillness had already vanished from Kakashi's face. He stared blankly into Uchiha Mo's clean black eyes.

This was an entirely different perspective. Uchiha Mo had not said who was right or wrong; instead, he had offered him a more realistic, more cruel point of view.

It could be called twisted logic, or it could be called fallacy, but its existence could not be denied.

Mo slowly rose to his feet, walked to the side, and picked up the White Fang's tanto. He glanced at its snow-bright edge, then flicked it out. In an instant, it embedded itself in the large tree beside Kakashi.

"Clink~"

The tanto trembled lightly. Kakashi came back to his senses, stood up, pulled the White Fang free, and returned it to the sheath on his back.

"It really isn't easy getting you to say so much."

Mo did not reply, but Kakashi did not mind. He straightened his clothes, turned around, and continued.

"Let's go. I buried that Sand Ninja underground with Earth Release. We can take him back and hand him over now."

Kakashi's tone was as usual, but there was something indescribable in those dead-fish eyes. The unusual heaviness clinging to him had also lessened somewhat.

With his back to Uchiha Mo, the expression on his face gradually became firm. Then he slowly broke into a run.

"Thank you, Mo. I'll find my own ninja way!"

The two left together and soon arrived at the place where Kakashi had restrained the Sand Ninja.

Kakashi released him from the earth, tied up his hands and feet, slung him over his back, and set off on the road back to Hidden Leaf.

The Land of Rain connected the three great nations of Fire, Earth, and Wind, while Grass Country lay between the Land of Fire, the Land of Rain, and the Land of Earth. Thus, the return journey was considerably shorter than their trip out. Still, because they were bringing along a prisoner, it took the two some time to return to the Land of Fire.

During the journey, the Sand Ninja woke up twice, but before he could say anything, Kakashi knocked him unconscious again. After enduring the long trek, the two finally returned safely to Hidden Leaf with their prisoner.

As he entered Hidden Leaf's gates, Kakashi let out a long breath and looked up at Hokage Rock. For the first time in a long while, he actually felt a trace of fatigue during a mission.

As the two walked toward the Hokage Office Building, Kakashi suddenly turned his head and asked, "You said before that my Chidori gave you inspiration. Are you creating your own ninjutsu too?"

Uchiha Mo had already intended to use Kakashi as a tool to clear his name, so naturally, he would not miss this opportunity. A nearly imperceptible curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

"Fire Release is too explosive. Although its power is remarkable and its presence overwhelming, it isn't very fast. As a result, its effects and lethality in battle often fail to match its power, so I've been researching a similar technique."

Although Mo had not explained in detail, Kakashi was a genius and understood his meaning at once.

He nodded slightly, then took a scroll from the ninja tool pouch at his waist and handed it over.

"These are some of my experiences creating Chidori. Although the technique is still incomplete, I believe it will definitely be of help to you."

Their eyes met for a moment. Uchiha Mo raised his hand, took the scroll, and placed it in the ninja tool pouch beneath his robe.

"Let's go. It's time to report to the Third."

Mo took the first step away. Kakashi watched his retreating back, his gaze settling on the clan crest between Mo's shoulder blades.

It seems the Uchiha aren't as difficult to approach as the rumors say...

When Mo's figure had grown farther and farther away, Kakashi came back to himself and hurriedly jogged after him.

"Hokage-sama, that was the complete course of this mission."

"Mm..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, his cloudy old eyes looking through the smoke at the two of them.

"I didn't expect you to encounter Baki... During the Second Shinobi World War, he was already a somewhat renowned genius. At this point in time... it's no wonder Ryohei was no match for him. But Mo... I never expected you to be able to kill him!"

"I only used a few small tricks."

"Hehe..." The wrinkles on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face lifted slightly. He lowered his pipe and revealed a smile.

"No need to be so modest. I've always known what you're capable of. This mission was completed beautifully. I've already had the ANBU take the man to Inoichi. I believe we'll have results very soon—"

Before he could finish, an ANBU suddenly flashed in through the Hokage's office window and handed a document to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Third-sama, this was sent by the Intelligence Division."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. The ANBU vanished in a Body Flicker, while the Third quickly scanned the document.

Before long, he frowned, and the air fell silent.

Seeing this, Kakashi slowly asked, "Hokage-sama, is there a problem with the intelligence?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, extinguished his pipe, and sighed. "No. The intelligence is detailed and accurate. You've worked hard."

As he spoke, he placed the document into a drawer before continuing.

"Completing this mission should have promoted you to jonin, Kakashi. But to be honest, this old man has a selfish motive. Becoming a jonin means leading a team personally, and in these times... to tell you the truth, war may be coming soon. You are still young. I cannot bear to have a child lead a team into battle, so I've decided to promote you to special jonin, while temporarily keeping you assigned under the chuunin establishment. Kakashi, can you indulge this old man's willfulness just this once?"

"I'll follow Hokage-sama's arrangements."

In the original story, Kakashi had become a jonin at twelve, but it seemed Mo's appearance had caused some changes.

"Good." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly. "It just so happens that the ninja students from your graduating class are about to graduate as well. I'll arrange an outstanding team for you."

Mo's eyes shifted, and he instantly understood a few things.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Uchiha Mo.

"As for Mo... to be honest, I truly wanted to make you a jonin directly... but unfortunately, once you become a jonin, you'll probably have to return to the Uchiha Police Force, won't you? You wouldn't have the same freedom as a chunin then. I'd hate to let you go."

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth lifted into a kindly smile on his aged face.

"Mo, would you be willing to join ANBU? I promise that as long as you enter ANBU, I'll reserve a squad captain position for you."

"ANBU..."

Uchiha Mo frowned and lowered his head slightly, appearing to ponder it.

"I need to discuss something like this with my clan. I can't give you an answer right now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.

"Fine. Give me your answer as soon as possible."

Uchiha Mo nodded. Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand, and the two of them turned and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe again and took a puff, his eyes fixed firmly on the clan crest on Uchiha Mo's back.

"He's clearly that person's descendant, yet he's such a traditional Uchiha... Still, I hear his younger brother is quite talented too. I hope he'll be an Uchiha who possesses the Will of Fire..."