Konoha's northern gate.
Kakashi, Asuma, Might Guy, and Kurenai Yuhi had packed their supplies and were ready to depart.
"Kakashi, it's been so long since you last went on a mission with us."
Guy was the happiest of the group, since he had always been closest to Kakashi.
Kakashi had already changed out of his ANBU uniform and into a jonin vest.
Other than looking younger, he was not much different from how he would be seven years later.
"I've been transferred out of ANBU. We'll have chances to go on missions together in the future."
Kakashi nodded to everyone. He had recently been taking care of Naruto, and Naruto's innocence had rubbed off on him, making him seem more human now.
He was much better than before, when he had looked half-dead all the time.
Might Guy flashed a thumbs-up and said excitedly, "That's great, Kakashi! Youth needs your company to burn with passion!"
Asuma gave Kakashi a surprised look, clearly noticing the change in him.
"In that case, that's great."
Kurenai Yuhi also smiled and nodded at Kakashi.
"Since everyone's here, let's get going. The sooner we meet Hidden Cloud, the sooner we can return."
At that moment, a lazy voice spoke up. "Hidden Cloud brought quite a lot of things. They won't be moving quickly."
Hearing that voice, Kakashi's heart skipped a beat. He looked up.
The recent man of the hour had arrived: Uchiha Zhengye, the Uchiha Clan's Fourth Elder and wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The man behind him was equally significant: Uchiha Inabi, another wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The remaining two were also elite members of the Uchiha Clan: Dongyou and Junxia.
"Elder Zhengye, why are you here?" Asuma stepped forward to speak with him.
Within Konoha, Zhengye was an honorary elder, which