Going on a Mission with Itachi

Countless thoughts flashed through Kakashi's mind, but he rejected them one by one in the end.

"There is still some time before the Uchiha Clan attempts their coup. I'll take things one step at a time."

"Strength is the foundation of everything. For now, I should focus on improving myself. Once I'm strong enough, everything else can be discussed."

With that in mind, Kakashi felt that he could not waste another second. He did not have much time left!

He sprang up from the bed, then picked up Make-Out Paradise from beside him.

"Oh? Oh?... Hehehe, that position... the difficulty is way too high!"

The next day, Kakashi dragged himself out of bed with a yawn, the dark circles under his eyes painfully obvious.

"Sure enough, once you get absorbed in studying something, it's easy to lose track of time..."

Because he had to keep a close eye on Itachi lately, the Third Hokage had not assigned him any overly troublesome missions, so he had been living rather leisurely.

Kakashi had also devoted all his energy to studying.

The Flying Thunder God was extremely difficult to learn and imposed harsh requirements in every aspect. Talent was only one part of it.

"Training in the Flying Thunder God requires powerful sensory abilities and insight. Ever since I began practicing Sage Art, my sensory abilities have improved tremendously. They should definitely meet the Flying Thunder God's requirements."

"As for insight..." Kakashi touched his forehead protector. "That should be sufficient as well. So the Flying Thunder God suits my current situation perfectly. I need to master it as soon as possible."

"As for Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu Chakra, with my previous experience, I've basically figured out its internal structure. As long as I have time, I can begin attempting to fuse it."

That day, Kakashi was summoned to the Hokage's Office once more.

Besides the Third Hokage, there was another familiar figure in the office.

Kakashi frowned. Why was Danzo here too?

The Third Hokage lightly tapped the desk. "Kakashi, I have a mission to entrust to you. Have you heard that the Hannya Group of the Land of Forest wishes to cooperate with us?"

Kakashi nodded. "I have. In a few days, we will exchange mutually beneficial intelligence at the border."

"Mm, that's right." The Third Hokage continued, "But Danzo suspects that the Hannya Group is merely pretending to cooperate and actually intends to swindle us out of intelligence, so..."

"To put my old friend at ease, you should make the trip. Consider it a precaution."

Having long known how the story unfolded, Kakashi knew that Danzo had made the correct judgment in this matter. Hannya truly had no intention of cooperating and had planned from the beginning to kill them and seize their goods.

Who knew where that tiny country found the nerve to offend Konoha? Even during Konoha's weakest period, it could have easily wiped them out.

"I understand, Lord Third. If the Hannya Group deceives us..." Kakashi asked for instructions.

Danzo, who had been standing nearby, opened his eyes and said coldly, "Leave no one alive!"

"I understand. I will form a two-man team with Itachi of the Uchiha Clan and carry out this mission."

The Third Hokage waved a hand. "Handle that as you see fit. I still have matters to discuss with Danzo. You may withdraw."

"Yes, Lord Third!"

After leaving the Hokage's Office, Kakashi went to the ANBU.

Itachi of the Uchiha Clan was meticulously cleaning the team's changing room when Kakashi called out to him.

"Itachi of the Uchiha Clan, you'll be accompanying me on a mission this time. Assemble outside the village at midnight."

"Yes, Captain!"

Even though Itachi of the Uchiha Clan was mature beyond his years, he still felt a trace of excitement.

After being in the ANBU for so long, this was his first real mission.

After all, boring chores like standing guard outside the Hokage's Office could not truly be called missions in Itachi's eyes.

After Kakashi left, two ANBU members approached Itachi.

"Brat from the Uchiha Clan, what are you so happy about? If you're going on a mission with the captain, you'd better pray for yourself," one ANBU member said.

The other readily chimed in, "Yeah, you'd better be careful. Let's hope you can still come back alive after the mission."

Itachi of the Uchiha Clan frowned and looked at the two men in confusion. "Why do you say that?"

"Since you asked, we'll explain it to you."

The two bored men began speaking excitedly.

"Do you know what our captain's most widely known title in the ANBU is, aside from Silver Lightning? It's Companion Killer!"

"That's right. To complete a mission, the captain will even kill his companions! Don't you think you should be careful?"

Companion Killer?

Itachi nodded thoughtfully, gathered his gear, and left.

Late at night, Kakashi crouched on a tree outside the village and looked into the distance. Itachi was hiding behind him, and both of them had already put on their ANBU masks.

"Guy is leading the team responsible for the intelligence exchange. Our mission is to escort them there and back safely."

"If the Hannya Group makes any suspicious moves, deal with them all. Understood?" Kakashi asked.

Itachi's gaze flickered. "Understood, Captain Kakashi."

Itachi's reaction was somewhat strange, but Kakashi did not dwell on it and continued watching their surroundings.

The two followed Guy's group to the border.

"We're finally here. I really want to eat hot pot too..."

Guy had eaten and drunk well throughout the journey, even having hot pot for one meal. Kakashi was filled with resentment because all he had to eat were unpalatable Soldier Pills.

Itachi of the Uchiha Clan remained silent, only calmly surveying the surroundings.

Guy and the leader of the Hannya Group had already begun talking. Kakashi patted Itachi on the shoulder and pointed into the distance.

"See that mountain over there? There's an ambush on it. Come with me and sneak over."

Itachi of the Uchiha Clan was startled. From so far away, how had Kakashi spotted the ambush on the mountain?

Suppressing his doubts, Itachi of the Uchiha Clan swiftly followed Kakashi around to the rear of the mountain, then crept upward.

Seeing the people on the mountain furtively hiding themselves, Itachi of the Uchiha Clan said admiringly, "There really is an ambush. Lord Kakashi, your foresight is truly incredible."

"Well, well, it's just putting myself in their shoes. If I were the Hannya Group and wanted to rob them after pretending to cooperate, I would definitely set an ambush here."

The Hannya Group members on the mountain were startled and turned around one after another.

If the two had not spoken, they would never have known that two people had appeared behind them.

After all, everyone's attention was focused on Guy's group, so their vigilance toward the rear had naturally dropped. And since it was Kakashi and Itachi who had arrived, it was only normal that they had failed to notice them.

"Not good, it's Konoha ANBU! Quickly notify the boss!"