"Hatake Kakashi, the legendary Copy Ninja?"
Jūzō Biwa's expression shifted subtly at the identification offered by Itachi Uchiha. Kakashi's reputation resonated throughout the shinobi world!
"Indeed, though I hadn't anticipated his departure from the Anbu to assume teaching responsibilities." Itachi's tone remained measured, delivering this casual observation. Internally, however, he felt a profound disquiet growing.
How had fate engineered this encounter with Kakashi, his former superior, in such a remote location?
Regardless of circumstances, Itachi still considered himself fundamentally aligned with Konohagakure.
As for whether others reciprocated this sentiment—perhaps he harbored little concern...
"This presents a significant complication..."
Kakashi could no longer maintain focus on his literature. His gaze involuntarily shifted toward Kitagawa Minamoto standing at his side.
These are the "dangerous ninjas" you referenced?
Dangerous? This transcended mere "danger"—this was "catastrophic peril"!
One was Jūzō Biwa, former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The other was Itachi Uchiha, who had single-handedly eradicated the entire Uchiha clan and had once served as his colleague within the Anbu...
For a fleeting moment, Kakashi wondered if his notorious misfortune had manifested once again.
What else could explain how accepting a mission others had rejected would lead to confronting such formidable adversaries?
"Assassins! Attack!"
While Kakashi exercised prudent restraint, the warrior-farmers in their company demonstrated no such hesitation.
Already discontented by the inclusion of two shinobi in their contingent—an implicit challenge to their own capabilities—they seized this opportunity to validate their prowess.
Without delay, they unsheathed their blades, Chakra visibly coursing along the steel, and surged forward with battle cries.
"Wait, don't act precipitously—"
Kakashi attempted to intervene, but his keen vision detected Itachi Uchiha already forming hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A roaring inferno erupted toward the advancing warriors, compelling them to raise their Chakra-enhanced swords in desperate defense.
Buzz—
As the flames dissipated, Jūzō Biwa had already closed the distance.
With a single sweeping arc of the massive Kubikiribōchō, two warriors collapsed lifelessly, denied even the opportunity to vocalize their demise.
"Damn it!"
Two additional warriors cursed vehemently and charged forward, attempting to strike before Jūzō Biwa could recover from his swing. But Itachi's shuriken intercepted their advance with lethal precision, extinguishing their lives instantly.
The synchronization between Jūzō Biwa and Itachi Uchiha was impeccable. Against these warriors, the two formidable shinobi cut through opposition with devastating efficiency.
Kakashi could only exhale resignedly at the spectacle. The warriors had fallen with such rapidity that he hadn't even identified an opportunity for intervention.
"Minamoto, withdraw immediately should the opportunity present itself."
Closing his book, Kakashi drew a kunai and whispered to Kitagawa Minamoto.
"This mission has escalated far beyond our parameters. Our adversaries possess overwhelming strength, so you—"
Kakashi turned his head, only to be momentarily paralyzed by what he witnessed.
Kitagawa Minamoto wasn't heeding his counsel whatsoever. Instead, he had already launched a signal flare skyward, its luminescent glow gradually blossoming above them.
For an instant, Kakashi was utterly confounded. He quickly comprehended Kitagawa Minamoto's intention, but wasn't this tantamount to suicide?
"A signal flare?"
Itachi Uchiha, having just subdued the final warrior with Genjutsu, frowned as he and Jūzō Biwa observed the radiant beacon illuminating the sky.
"Reinforcements?"
"An interesting question," Kitagawa Minamoto remarked, directing a conspiratorial wink at Kakashi before addressing Itachi and Jūzō.
"Actually, I encountered you both in town last evening."
He straightened his posture, his tone acquiring gravity.
"Especially you—one who mercilessly exterminated your entire clan. Any competent ninja from Konohagakure would recognize you instantly. Consequently, we contacted the village overnight to request proximate Anbu reinforcements. Your position is untenable."
"..."
Itachi lapsed into silence. Though mentally fortified against such accusations, hearing them directly articulated by a Konoha shinobi still elicited discomfort.
Kakashi's eyes widened incredulously. Are you serious? You're deliberately antagonizing them further? Have you completely lost all rational judgment?
"It appears your notoriety is considerable, Itachi..." Jūzō Biwa, however, exhibited minimal perturbation. His gaze intensified as he focused on Kakashi and Kitagawa Minamoto.
"But, young shinobi, have you contemplated one critical factor..."
"Hmm?"
Kitagawa Minamoto inclined his head, feigning bewilderment. In the subsequent instant, he executed a backward leap precisely as Jūzō Biwa's Kubikiribōchō descended upon his previous position.
"We need only expedite our objective! Itachi, engage Hatake Kakashi. I'll neutralize the youth and rejoin you momentarily!"
"Understood..."
Kakashi felt an impending migraine. The worst-case scenario he had anticipated was now materializing.
Kitagawa Minamoto's strategy possessed merit—employing the signal flare to intimidate their adversaries. Under optimal circumstances, it might have induced their retreat.
However, the fundamental flaw emerged when confronting enemies resolute in completing their mission—the signal flare would only accelerate their aggression!
And now, events were unfolding in precisely the manner Kakashi had hoped to avoid.
"No alternative—I must ensure Minamoto's escape!"
Kakashi gripped his kunai with heightened intensity, preparing to intervene. But Itachi Uchiha had already positioned himself to obstruct his path.
"My sincere apologies, Kakashi-senpai."
Itachi's crimson Sharingan eyes locked onto Kakashi, their gaze unwavering.
"Itachi..."
Kakashi sighed, possessing sufficient knowledge about his former subordinate to comprehend the formidable challenge before him.
Particularly after learning that Itachi's ocular prowess had intensified following the Uchiha massacre—this confrontation would demand extraordinary skill.
Yet regardless of circumstances, this conflict had become inevitable. As a Jōnin of Konohagakure, confronting this rogue ninja constituted his fundamental duty.
His initial strategy had been to manage the situation independently. Now, he additionally needed to devise a method to support his student.
"Were I in your position, I would withdraw."
Kakashi elevated his forehead protector, revealing his own Sharingan beneath. His voice acquired a glacial quality as he echoed Kitagawa Minamoto's assertion.
"Nevertheless, if I can merely delay you until the Anbu arrive, this situation concludes definitively today!"
"Perhaps."
Itachi maintained his composure, though his Chakra began to fluctuate perceptibly.
"Kakashi-senpai might endure, but what of your student?"
As these words left his lips, Itachi propelled himself forward, and the two shinobi immediately engaged in ferocious combat!
"Young one, had you simply departed, none of this would have transpired."
Simultaneously, Jūzō Biwa moved with extraordinary velocity, wielding the massive Kubikiribōchō as though it possessed negligible weight.
Each arc of the blade generated powerful concussive waves, shattering proximate vegetation and geological formations effortlessly.
Kitagawa Minamoto, however, maintained his silence, adroitly evading each assault.
In truth, he would have preferred withdrawal.
But upon encountering these individuals, he suddenly recognized an opportunity to trigger Kakashi's [Exclusive Quest].
And, fortuitously, he had also received a new Side Quest.
[New Side Quest Acquired]
Kakashi's New Moonlight
Prove to Kakashi who truly matters to him now!
Interpreting the quest description, Kitagawa Minamoto experienced a complex amalgamation of reluctance and determination. If confrontation was inevitable, he might as well embrace the assignment.
Moreover, he maintained confidence. While victory might remain elusive, he believed he could sustain an effective defense.
After all, Itachi Uchiha, who still identified as a Konoha operative, represented the individual least desirous of engaging Konoha shinobi. Kitagawa Minamoto needed only to provide a "compelling justification" for retreat.
And should all strategies fail, Minamoto possessed sufficient speed to facilitate escape...
"Well then..."
Evading another sweeping strike from Jūzō Biwa's blade, Kitagawa Minamoto felt his Chakra surge powerfully within.
"Time to evaluate the efficacy of my Purple Electricity!"
But at that precise moment, Jūzō Biwa's blade descended again, silent and lethal in its trajectory.
Yet this time, Jūzō Biwa's own gaze flickered with a strange, inexplicable emotion...