Interception mission

Torifu Akimichi spoke up then, silencing the discussion as he said gravely:

"According to the intelligence sent back by the Intelligence Division, Kirigakure's commander is the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata. Their two leading fighters, Hozuki Mangetsu and Suikazan Fuguki, are also in the vanguard."

At those words, the hearts of the ninja present sank slightly.

Kirigakure had only two Jinchūriki: the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, the Fourth Mizukage, and the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata.

As for the original seven Ninja Blades, Might Duy had kicked them down to a lucky trio during the Third Shinobi World War. Then Uchiha Douyang had killed Juzo Biwa, leaving only two Ninja Blades.

Now, both remaining Ninja Blades had come out in full force.

Seeing the apprehension on everyone's faces, the Third Hokage stepped forward and announced loudly:

"You will form squads and head to the eastern border ahead of the others to intercept Kirigakure's vanguard."

"Understood!"

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, one of the strongest figures in the shinobi world, seemed to restore the confidence of the Konoha ninja present, who knelt on one knee to accept their orders.

At the sight, Torifu Akimichi looked slightly embarrassed.

As Acting Hokage, he could keep things stable in ordinary times, but once a real storm arrived, he ultimately still had to rely on a veteran powerhouse like the Third.

Still, Torifu Akimichi understood his own role very clearly, so he did not particularly mind.

Torifu Akimichi turned toward Shikaku Nara and said, "Fugaku, you will serve as squad commander. Hiashi, Shikaku, you two will serve as deputy commanders and assist Fugaku."

Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and Shikaku Nara hurried forward to accept their orders.

Then Torifu Akimichi swept his gaze over everyone and said gravely, "Team One, stay. Everyone else, dismissed."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

At Torifu Akimichi's order, the crowd immediately scattered.

A few seconds later, the rooftop that had just been packed with people held only Torifu Akimichi and the four members of Team Kakashi.

Torifu Akimichi took out a scroll, handed it to Kakashi, and instructed him, "Your mission concerns the village's very survival. I'm counting on you."

The four members of Team Kakashi, kneeling on one knee, called out together, "Understood."

Torifu Akimichi gave the squad only half an hour to prepare. Once he finished his instructions, Team Kakashi immediately dispersed and went home to prepare for the operation.

The conflict that had erupted between the two nations was already verging on war, and Obito Uchiha was certain to be involved behind the scenes.

So Douyang packed a double supply of ninja tools and prepared over a thousand explosive tags, placing them all in storage scrolls.

That was already the limit of the funds he could draw on.

By the time Douyang had finished preparing and was about to leave, the ninja tool pouch at his waist was stuffed with all kinds of tools.

Just then, Kurenai Yuhi came rushing over.

Douyang stroked her cheek. "So flustered? That's not like our young lady."

Seeing Douyang fully equipped and ready to head off to war, Kurenai Yuhi bit her lip lightly. "Keep yourself safe."

As a ninja who had experienced war, Kurenai Yuhi could not help shuddering as she recalled the horrors of the Third Shinobi World War.

Though she had a thousand things to say, all that reached her lips was a single plea to take care.

Douyang brushed a finger over Kurenai Yuhi's delicate nose, a smile on his lips. "I'm very strong, you know. Those Mist ninja are the ones who should be careful."

Sensing Douyang's confidence, Kurenai Yuhi let out a long breath of relief and hugged him tightly.

After parting with Kurenai Yuhi, Douyang hurried to the meeting point.

Shisui and Guy were already there.

Only Kakashi took a long time to appear.

Guy rubbed the back of his head and asked in confusion, "Kakashi, what took you so long?"

Kakashi looked apologetic. "I went to the Memorial Stone to visit Obito and Rin. It held me up a little."

At those words, Douyang's brows knitted tightly.

For Kakashi to visit the Memorial Stone at a time like this showed that the classified mission Torifu Akimichi had assigned was no small matter.

Once their preparations were complete, the four wasted no more time and set out immediately.

On the way, Douyang got straight to the point. "Kakashi, how about telling us about the mission?"

At his words, Shisui also turned his gaze toward Kakashi.

Kakashi had the mission scroll, so he alone knew the mission's specific details.

Unexpectedly, Kakashi refused. "Let's focus on getting there quickly. We'll talk once we reach the eastern border."

Hearing that, Shisui said nothing more.

Douyang, on the other hand, felt all the more that this mission was no simple matter, given such a high level of secrecy.

Three days later, Team Kakashi reached an unnamed island along the eastern border.

Kakashi took out a map, laid it flat on the ground, and said, "Our destination is this island."

Douyang looked closely. The island lay in the waters of the destroyed Land of Whirlpools. Few people went there; even rogue ninja and wandering ninja were rarely seen.

"Kirigakure's supply depot is on this island. It holds a large quantity of strategic supplies. Our mission is to destroy the supply depot on the island."

Douyang immediately asked, "How many enemies are on the island?"

"That's currently unknown."

Kakashi gave a wry laugh. "To avoid exposing themselves and alerting the enemy, the Intelligence Division didn't dare investigate further."

At this, Shisui and Guy's expressions turned extremely grave.

The importance of a supply depot went without saying.

If they were the Mist ninja, they would certainly have stationed a large force in ambush on the island. Even several hundred elite ninja would be no issue.

Yet there were only four of them.

Once the enemy numbered more than a hundred, they would be outmatched.

Returning in utter defeat would be the least of their problems. If they failed to destroy the supply depot, things would become troublesome.

Kakashi suddenly added, "There's another piece of news. Kumogakure has already massed a large force in the Land of Hot Water, so we have to end the fighting with Kirigakure as quickly as possible. If Kirigakure ties us down and Kumogakure finds an opening, they won't hesitate to send their forces south."

Kumogakure valued strength above all else, and its hostility toward Konoha could be called the greatest among the Five Great Nations.

A few years earlier, they had come to Konoha to abduct Hinata, with the aim of starting a war.

Given the Fourth Raikage's way of doing things, he could not possibly hold his forces back if he spotted an opportunity.

If things dragged on further, even Iwagakure and Sunagakure would begin itching to act.

But those were no longer matters for Kakashi and the other three to consider.

What they had to do was give it their all and complete the mission to destroy the supply depot.

Kakashi said, "I'm sure you understand now how heavy the burden on our shoulders is."

Douyang nodded. "If we fail to destroy the supply depot, the village will inevitably become bogged down in war. Kumogakure will join in, and the Fourth Shinobi World War could break out."

Guy, however, grew fired up at that and urged them, "Then why are we still wasting time here? Let's go."

His expression grave, Kakashi drew a deep breath. "Move out."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

All four turned into blurs at the same time, their hands swept behind them as they sped across the water's surface.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield along the Land of Fire's eastern border.

Holding Samehada, Suikazan Fuguki blocked Hyuga Hiashi head-on. A light swing of Samehada forced the Hyuga clan head to retreat rapidly.