Back to Konoha to Report Someone

The short blade glinted coldly in the sunlight, lightning crackling along its edge as if urging Kakashi to strike quickly.

Yet Kakashi was in no hurry. He slowly pressed toward Murakami.

Murakami did not look at Kakashi before him. Instead, his eyes swept the surroundings, and he chuckled.

"A little trick like a Shadow Clone can't fool me, Silver Lightning."

Murakami raised his longsword and blocked Kakashi's attack from the side.

Kakashi remained calm. He kicked Murakami's blade, then used the recoil to land some distance away.

Sheathing his short blade, Kakashi rapidly formed hand seals.

"Ox-Rabbit-Monkey, Raikiri: Lightning Tiger Slaughter!"

Arcs of lightning emerged from Kakashi's hand, shifting through countless shapes in midair before finally pouncing at Murakami like a fierce tiger.

Murakami reacted swiftly. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Great Breakthrough was the most basic Wind Release technique. Its power depended entirely on the caster's chakra reserves.

The Great Breakthrough cast by Murakami was tremendously powerful, disrupting the surrounding airflow and destroying every medium through which the Lightning Tiger could travel.

"Well, Lightning Release really is at a disadvantage against Wind Release."

"The battle just now caused quite a commotion. Even with White Fang, I can't guarantee I'll take this guy down quickly. I can try that move and test the results of my recent training while I'm at it."

Kakashi quickly made up his mind and formed hand seals once more. The violent lightning-nature chakra within him was nearly spilling out.

Murakami shook his head. "If Lightning Release is all you know, then you'll die by my hand today. I'll treasure your blade properly."

"Heh. You'll be the first ninja to die under this move. Consider it an honor," Kakashi said expressionlessly.

Murakami appeared unconcerned, but he had secretly played a small trick. He left behind a Shadow Clone to draw attention while his real body had already slipped close to Kakashi.

Kakashi turned his head. "How did you dare use that trick in front of the Sharingan?"

Kakashi had already completed his seals. Murakami was startled and swiftly retreated.

"Too late! False Sage Art: Chidori Frenzy!"

Kakashi threw several shuriken from his hand. Then, violent Lightning Release chakra condensed into thousands of shuriken in midair, raining down on Murakami like an impenetrable net.

The intense currents formed from lightning-nature chakra sounded like birdsong, hence the name Chidori Frenzy!

Seeing the densely packed lightning shuriken in the sky and hearing birdsong filling the air, Murakami's expression changed drastically.

Could such a terrifying technique truly be achieved by human power?

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Murakami poured nearly all the chakra in his body into this Wind Release technique. A gale several times stronger than before howled forth and surged toward the electric birds filling the sky.

Yet to Murakami's astonishment, this Lightning Release did not vanish completely. Several hundred electric birds still cried as they charged toward him.

Lightning Release imbued with Natural Energy could naturally not be completely canceled out by Wind Release!

"Blade Art: Heaven Severing!"

Murakami raised his longsword and did his best to block the incoming electric birds, but there were simply too many for him to stop.

Dozens of electric birds pierced Murakami's body, boring his torso full of holes.

Murakami collapsed weakly. After waiting a short while and confirming that Murakami could no longer rise to counterattack, Kakashi slowly walked over.

"Cough, cough." Blood continuously flowed from Murakami's mouth. "As expected of the Silver Lightning. Dying by your hand does not disgrace me."

"Then before you die, can you tell me your name and affiliation? Maybe I can write you down in my little notebook," Kakashi said with a smile.

"Heh... cough, cough. Even if I told you, would you believe me?" Murakami smiled as well.

"Ah, true enough. Then goodbye."

Kakashi raised his hand and drove White Fang into Murakami's chest. Only after confirming Murakami was dead did he pull White Fang back out.

"Hmm, this time I gained quite a bit. I copied another decent blade technique, and there's this sword too..."

Kakashi picked up Murakami's longsword and put it away, then vanished after several quick flashes.

Inside Konoha's border defense base.

A ninja wearing an ANBU mask respectfully said to Kakashi, "Lord Kakashi, the Third Hokage has urged you to return as soon as possible. Our squad has been assigned to take over your post."

Although he was the same rank as Kakashi, both of them ANBU squad leaders, there had been no need for him to be so respectful.

But Kakashi's astonishing achievements were simply too dazzling, and reverence for the strong was an ANBU tradition.

Kakashi nodded. "It's time to go back. Help me gather my squad members. I'll go speak with Lord Gensaku."

"Yes! You lot, go bring Lord Kakashi's squad members here," the ANBU squad leader ordered.

Kakashi arrived at Hyuga Gensaku's office.

"Lord Gensaku, I'm returning to Konoha. Perhaps I can bring something to your family for you?"

Hyuga Gensaku was startled, then overjoyed. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Kakashi."

Hyuga Gensaku immediately wrote a letter, carefully wrapped it, and handed it to Kakashi.

"I know you are very strong, but you must still be careful on the road, Kakashi."

"Don't worry, Lord Gensaku. I look forward to seeing you again next time," Kakashi said with a smile.

After leaving Hyuga Gensaku's office, Kakashi saw Kenpei Aburame and Sakura Hashimoto standing in the hall.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Sakura Hashimoto tried several times to say something to Kakashi, but Kenpei Aburame pulled her back each time.

Kakashi showed no reaction and said coldly, "Squad Three, return."

Perhaps because of Kakashi's recent efforts to purge the area, the three of them encountered no danger on their way back to the village.

Given Sakura Hashimoto and Kenpei Aburame's status, they could not report directly to the Third Hokage. Only Kakashi entered the Hokage's Office.

"Ah, Kakashi, you've finally returned." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was neither harsh nor gentle, yet it made Kakashi's heart tremble.

Kakashi explained, "Sorry, Lord Third. I encountered a troublesome opponent at the border. It took a few extra days to deal with him."

"Haha, don't be nervous, Kakashi. I didn't mean to blame you." The Third Hokage smiled and took a puff of smoke. "I've read all your reports. The mission was completed very well."

Kakashi sighed in relief. "You scared me to death, Lord Third."

Kakashi's slightly playful remark pleased the Third Hokage greatly. It showed that Kakashi regarded him as an elder, and the trace of displeasure in his heart had long since vanished.

"By the way, Lord Third, there's something I need to tell you." Kakashi turned serious. "During the mission, Kenpei Aburame of our squad disobeyed orders."

"Oh, something like that happened?" The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, still unable to recall who Kenpei Aburame was. "I understand. Then transfer him out of the ANBU."