"Kakashi-sensei, Kazahana Koyuki just hired us from Konoha to kill Kazahana Dōtō. She's our client now, and Kazahana Dōtō is our mission target."
Naruto drew the Wooden Sword from his Ninja Tool Pouch.
"Then we can't let this opportunity slip away!"
Kakashi pushed aside the Forehead Protector covering his left eye, revealing his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
He swiftly issued orders, assigning everyone a clear role:
"Sakura! Take Kazahana Koyuki somewhere safe immediately.
Sasuke, go with Sakura and help her. Protect the rest of the film crew over there, too, so the Snow Ninja can't ambush them."
Finally, he fixed his gaze on Kazahana Dōtō opposite him while forming hand seals, dispelling the Earth-Style Rampart he had used for defense.
"Leave this to Naruto and me!"
"Heh, you really don't take me seriously, do you, Kakashi?"
His voice echoed through the tunnel.
"Ten years ago, you were nothing but a beaten dog, struggling through the ice and snow with Koyuki, fleeing the Land of Snow with your tail between your legs without so much as looking back..."
He made no attempt to hide his intent to humiliate him.
"What? Have ten years given you the courage to act so brazenly before me? Do you think bringing a few wet-behind-the-ears brats will let you turn the world upside down?"
The corner of Kakashi's mouth seemed to twitch beneath his mask.
That memory truly was humiliating: fleeing for his life with the young Princess Koyuki as the Land of Snow's elite and Dōtō's forces pursued them.
Though he had completed the mission, it remained one of the few times in his career as a ninja when he had been forced into such a desperate retreat.
But now his students stood behind him. He could not back down, much less show the slightest uncertainty.
"Because