Mission with Itachi

Countless thoughts flashed through Kakashi's mind, but he ultimately dismissed them one by one.

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

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

With that thought, Kakashi felt 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 beside him.

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

The next day, Kakashi struggled out of bed with a yawn, the dark circles under his eyes especially obvious.

"Sure enough, once you immerse yourself 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 complicated missions, so he had been relatively free.

Kakashi had also devoted all his energy to studying.

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

"Training in the Flying Thunder God requires powerful sensory abilities and insight. Since cultivating 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 too. So the Flying Thunder God is highly suited to my current circumstances, and 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 again.

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

Kakashi frowned. Why was Danzo here too?

The Third Hokage lightly tapped his desk. "Kakashi, I have a mission for 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, correct." The Third Hokage continued, "But Danzo suspects that the Hannya Group is only pretending to cooperate, when in fact they merely intend to swindle us out of intelligence, so..."

"To put my old friend at ease, you should go as well. Consider it a precaution."

Having long been familiar with the plot's development, Kakashi knew that Danzo had made the right judgment in this matter. Hannya truly had no intention of cooperating and had planned from the start to kill them and steal their goods.

He had no idea where such a tiny little country found the nerve to offend Konoha. Even at Konoha's weakest, it could easily wipe them out.

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

Danzo, standing beside him, opened his eyes and said coldly, "Leave none alive!"

"I understand. Itachi Uchiha and I will form a two-man team to carry out this mission."

The Third Hokage waved a hand. "Handle that yourself. I have some matters to discuss with Danzo. You may leave first."

"Yes, Lord Third!"

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

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

"Itachi Uchiha, you're coming with me on a mission this time. Assemble outside the village at midnight today."

"Yes, Captain!"

Even though Itachi Uchiha was mature beyond his years, a trace of excitement still stirred within him.

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

After all, tedious 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.

"Uchiha brat, 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, be careful. Hopefully, you'll still be alive when the mission is over."

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

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

The two bored men began talking excitedly.

"Do you know what our captain's most well-known nickname in the ANBU is, besides Silver Lightning? It's Companion Killer!"

"That's right. To complete a mission, the captain has even killed his own comrades! Tell me, shouldn't you be careful?"

Companion Killer?

Itachi nodded thoughtfully, put on his gear, and left.

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

"Guy is leading the intelligence exchange this time. Our mission is to escort them there and back safely."

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

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

Itachi's reaction was somewhat strange, but Kakashi did not think much of it and continued watching their surroundings.

The two followed Guy's group to the border.

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

Along the way, Guy's group had eaten and drunk well, even having hot pot for one meal. This left Kakashi full of resentment, because all he had to eat were unpalatable Soldier Pills.

Itachi Uchiha said nothing and merely surveyed their surroundings calmly.

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

"Do you see that mountain over there? There is an ambush on it. Come with me and sneak over."

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

Suppressing his doubts, Itachi Uchiha swiftly followed Kakashi around the back of the mountain, then quietly made his way upward.

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

"Well, well, I just put myself in their shoes. If I were the Hannya Group and wanted to double-cross us, I would definitely set an ambush here."

The Hannya Group members on the mountain were startled and all turned around.

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

After all, everyone's attention had been on Guy's group, so their vigilance toward their 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!"