Back When Lord Madara Personally...

Iburi Gota, the Iburi clan chief, felt that something was off. He eyed the two of them suspiciously for a while but failed to spot any flaws.

Mostly because Kakashi's somewhat awkward posture was remarkably convincing. His embarrassment was written all over his face; it did not seem faked.

Iburi Gota gestured to his clansmen, signaling for them to leave first.

Seeing the Iburi clan leave, Yamato formed hand seals, intending to release Kakashi from his restraints.

Kakashi shook his head and whispered into Yamato's ear, "Be careful. Someone is eavesdropping nearby."

Startled, Yamato raised a hand and knocked off Kakashi's mask, demanding sternly, "Kakashi Hatake, tell me who sent you."

At the same time, Yamato carefully sensed the chakra around them and discovered that someone really was hiding nearby.

As expected of Kakashi Hatake—he was truly alert.

Yamato looked at Kakashi, a trace of admiration flashing through his eyes.

Kakashi also played along with Yamato's act. "Even if I, Kakashi Hatake, starve to death today, even if I jump off this mountain, I will never tell you!"

Seeing that Yamato truly appeared to be interrogating Kakashi, the distant figure finally left in relief.

Only then did Yamato release Kakashi from his restraints and ask softly, "Kakashi, why are you here?"

Kakashi flexed his somewhat stiff wrists and patted Yamato on the shoulder.

"Tenzo, listen to what I'm about to say. Be careful not to overreact."

Yamato nodded suspiciously. He did not even know why he trusted Kakashi.

"I received intelligence that Orochimaru needs the blood of a girl named Iburi Yukimi."

"With her blood, Orochimaru can easily break through the ANBU blockade around him." Kakashi's expression was grave.

"Yukimi!"

Sure enough, the moment Yamato heard that Orochimaru's target was Yukimi, he became agitated, with no mind at all to question where Kakashi had gotten the information.

"Ah! Ah!" A succession of screams rang out, audible even from far away.

Yamato's expression changed repeatedly. "I heard Yukimi's voice!"

Kakashi was also startled. Orochimaru had come far sooner than he remembered.

Damn it! Was this butterfly effect caused by me again?

The two raced toward the source of the cries, one after the other.

By the time they arrived, Iburi Yukimi was already collapsing limply from Orochimaru's grasp.

Looking at the two boys, Orochimaru licked his lips. "Two interesting little ones have arrived."

His gaze passed over Yamato and settled on Kakashi beside him.

"Those are quite nice eyes. But I have no need for a counterfeit."

Kakashi sneered. Even Lord Madara, the Uchiha Clan's final boss, had to come personally to gouge out my eyeballs, and you actually look down on them?

"Yukimi!"

Watching the girl collapse, Yamato's eyes turned bloodshot as he charged straight at Orochimaru.

"Wood Release..."

Before Yamato could finish his hand seals, Orochimaru kicked him away in midair.

Yamato doubled over in pain, though it was impossible to tell whether it came from his body or his heart.

Kakashi drew his short blade. He did not want to face Orochimaru, but since they had crossed paths, he could not exactly hope Orochimaru would be in a good mood and let him go.

Though he was no match for Orochimaru, he knew Orochimaru would not risk lingering here for too long. That gave him some confidence.

His strength was vastly different from before now. He was still confident he could exchange a few moves with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru flicked out his snake-like tongue. "White Fang... How nostalgic. Unfortunately, the one wielding this blade now is just a brat."

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!

Countless giant pythons burst from Orochimaru's hands and charged straight at Kakashi.

Kakashi remained calm in the face of danger. He raised the White Fang in his hand, recalling the feeling he had found before—the feeling of "momentum."

Sword Art: Azure Lotus!

Kakashi's short blade flashed up and down, forming an invisible, airtight defense before him.

The giant pythons attempted to attack from every angle, yet without exception, they were struck by Kakashi's short blade, chopped into pieces, and fell to the ground.

A trace of surprise flashed through Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils. He had not expected Kakashi to so easily neutralize his attack.

"Ox—Dog—Dragon—Rat—Dog—Boar—Snake—Tiger, Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!" Orochimaru used the A-rank ninjutsu taught to him by his teacher.

A massive shuriken howled toward Kakashi, then transformed into countless more shuriken.

Looking at the dense mass of shuriken filling the sky, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on Kakashi's forehead.

His swordsmanship had only just reached a modest level. Azure Lotus alone probably could not stop this rain of shuriken.

Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Wall!

Kakashi decisively chose to play it safe. After all, being a Hokage was turn-based—he should block this wave first.

Several stone walls, each seven or eight meters tall, rose up and blocked the incoming shuriken.

Just then, Orochimaru smashed through the stone walls and leaped inside, the kunai in his hand aimed directly at Kakashi's face.

Facing Orochimaru, Kakashi did not dare let down his guard in the slightest.

"A gay guy is unzipping my pants!"

Kakashi let out a bizarre cry as violent lightning-nature chakra frantically spread from his hand to his short blade, dangerous arcs of electricity dancing joyfully along the blade.

Now that his chakra reserves had multiplied several times over, Kakashi had more confidence as well.

In the past, coating a weapon with chakra... he would not even have dared to think about it!

His Sharingan locked firmly onto Orochimaru as Kakashi raised his blade to meet him!

Clang!

Their weapons collided with a crisp ring.

Kakashi planted his feet firmly. Though he looked slightly bedraggled, he had blocked Orochimaru's attack.

How was that possible?!

Orochimaru could hardly believe it.

Though he was injured, his attack should not have been something this brat before him could withstand!

Orochimaru stepped on Kakashi's short blade, then used the force to leap backward, rapidly retreating.

My estimate was wrong. This brat was somewhat troublesome. I cannot keep wasting time with him!

"Interesting little one. I'll come play with you again next time."

Whenever Orochimaru encountered a gifted youth like Kakashi, he wished he could snatch every one of them away. Unfortunately, the circumstances did not permit it right now.

Hearing Orochimaru's creepy uncle tone, Kakashi neither agreed nor disagreed. He knew Orochimaru was preparing to retreat.

After several flickers, Orochimaru vanished beyond the cave, and Kakashi had no intention of chasing after him.

He could not win. He truly could not win. He absolutely must not fall under the delusion that he could turn the tables—that would just be walking into death.

Though it sounded like a long time, their exchange had actually taken very little time.

Yamato endured the intense pain and forced himself to his feet. With an angry roar, he tried to chase Orochimaru, but Kakashi grabbed the foolish kid.

"Tenzo, don't be impulsive. There's something more important than chasing Orochimaru right now. Hurry and see how that girl is!"