On the Hidden Mist battlefield, deep in the forest.
Kakashi's Sharingan glowed crimson in the dark.
He knelt in the mud, his back and shoulders riddled with senbon. He looked half like a hedgehog.
Two Hidden Mist ANBU lay dead before him. One was a ninja of the Snow Clan who wielded Ice Release.
"As expected of White Fang's son. To think you could do this much!"
The two remaining Hidden Mist ninja stood a short distance away, watching Kakashi warily.
They had thought a twelve-year-old boy could never survive an assault by four Hidden Mist elites, even with the Sharingan.
They had been wrong.
Kakashi had survived—and killed two of them!
"He's a real pain. But his chakra must be nearly spent."
"Don't get careless. His taijutsu is formidable too!"
Kakashi panted, his Sharingan fixed on them.
He really was close to his limit.
Between repeated uses of Lightning Cutter and other jutsu, the drain of the Sharingan, and the relentless fighting, his chakra was almost gone.
But...
They still had Rin!
He could not fall!
"Where—did you take—Rin?!"
Kakashi's voice was hoarse, his fury barely contained.
"Heh. Guess."
The Hidden Mist ninja sneered, his kunai gleaming coldly.
"Bastard!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth, but he had almost no chakra left.
So instead of using Lightning Cutter or another jutsu, he channeled Lightning Release chakra through his muscles, gripped his White Fang short sword, and charged.
"You're asking for it!"
Both Hidden Mist ninja attacked at once.
Protruding bones covered the Shikotsumyaku wielder's entire body. Dance of the Larch was already underway!
Kakashi's Sharingan spun furiously. He barely caught the path of the attack, but his body could no longer keep up.
Slash!
A bone blade tore across his shoulder, sending blood spraying.
"It's over, brat!"
The other Hidden Mist