Kakashi approached the final cylindrical container that remained sealed. He brushed away the thick layer of dust with gloved fingers. Inside, it was completely barren.
"Strange... I expected another summon—maybe a large serpent, like the one earlier."
He leaned in for a closer inspection, but nothing remained except traces of dried nutrient fluid clinging to the inner walls.
"This confirms it... Orochimaru truly abandoned this site."
This had been the last chamber of the secret laboratory. It was now evident that Orochimaru—known to few as the rogue Sannin who once wore a Konoha headband—had deliberately removed or destroyed anything of value.
Even the snake from earlier was likely an accidental remnant—an experiment that had clung to life through unnatural means. That it had survived this long was an anomaly in itself.
After another meticulous check, it was confirmed—nothing remained. The cold, damp air clung to him like mildew, and the very walls seemed to hiss in the silence. Only someone like Orochimaru, with a perverse love for serpents and the unnatural, could tolerate this place. Kakashi hated it.
His mission here was effectively over. There was now enough evidence to report back to the Sandaime Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—that Orochimaru had long since evacuated this base.
Turning back, Kakashi retraced his steps through the narrow underground passages. It wasn't long before he saw the circular exit above, sunlight streaming faintly through the broken soil like a spotlight from the heavens.
He leapt gracefully, landing at the mouth of the hidden entrance, then placed his hand on the earth.
"Doton: Dosekiryū."
With a controlled release of Earth Release chakra, the surrounding ground collapsed inwards, sealing the laboratory below. This place had no further purpose. Leaving it exposed would only invite risk.
Kakashi dusted off his hands, satisfied.
But just as he turned to leave—
Wrong.
Something's off.
It's too quiet.
Kakashi halted, eyes narrowing. His instincts screamed danger.
Earlier, the forest had been alive—chirping birds, humming insects. But now… nothing. Not a single sound.
That unnatural silence spoke louder than noise.
Animals sensed danger long before humans did. Their sudden disappearance was a glaring sign.
Ambush.
The realization was instant.
"Someone's here… someone's waiting for me."
His Sharingan wasn't active, but his sharp shinobi instincts flared. Though he couldn't pinpoint the source, the disturbance in nature was unmistakable.
"The concealment is good—too good. I can't sense them, but they're here."
Without hesitation, he bit into his thumb and performed a rapid set of seals.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A small puff of smoke exploded on the ground, revealing a petite pug wearing a blue vest and Konoha forehead protector.
Pakkun.
"Yo, Kakashi. Need something?"
"Pakkun, we've got company. Someone's laying in wait, but I can't lock onto them."
"I see. Leave the tracking to me."
Meanwhile, hidden among the trees, two Root operatives stiffened.
"Damn, he noticed…"
They had sensed Kakashi pause. Now, with Pakkun summoned, it was obvious their presence had been partially discovered. Root training was extensive, but even they couldn't completely erase the faint traces that an experienced tracker—or summon—could pick up.
"This guy's too sharp. No choice—we'll have to fight directly. The trap we laid earlier probably won't work anymore."
Moments later, Pakkun twitched his nose and turned sharply.
"Kakashi, behind those trees—two individuals. Chakra signatures are faint but definitely human."
"Thanks, Pakkun. Leave the rest to me."
Now that he knew their position, Kakashi let his chakra focus. He could now feel them clearly—masked figures, cloaked in Root silence.
"Be careful," Pakkun warned. "Their chakra's not weak."
"You don't trust my skills?"
"Just don't get cocky."
Kakashi chuckled lightly. "Noted."
Pakkun nodded, then vanished in a small puff of smoke, returning to the summons realm.
Turning to face the direction of the ambush, Kakashi called out, "You two—your cover's blown. No point hiding now."
No response.
Suddenly, the ground erupted.
"Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan!"
Two massive wooden limbs burst from the earth, coiling toward Kakashi with surprising speed.
"Wood Release?!" His Sharingan widened in shock.
The serpentine branches wrapped tightly around him, constricting like living pythons.
But before they could crush him, blue lightning erupted from Kakashi's body.
"Chidori Nagashi!"
The violent surge of chakra electrocuted the wood and shattered it into splinters.
Before he could breathe, a massive fireball roared toward him.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
"Tch. Relentless."
In a flash, Kakashi unsheathed his short blade—Chidori Blade—and swung forward.
The intense lightning-coated slash cut cleanly through the fireball, splitting it in half and dispersing its chakra in the process.
His enemies gasped from the trees.
"Impossible… He cut through a Fire Release technique with a blade?!"
Yes. And Kakashi didn't need to explain himself—he let the technique speak for itself.
From the charred treetops, two masked figures finally revealed themselves. One was small and slender with shoulder-length black hair and a plain ANBU mask. The other was tall, broad-shouldered, and equally masked.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, focusing on the smaller one.
"You're… A?"
His mind flashed back to three years ago—the Iburi clan. They had been allies then. After that mission, they never crossed paths again.
And now, here he was—attacking Kakashi under a Root mask.
Kakashi's stomach turned with unease.
Something about this felt familiar… but distant. Like a half-remembered dream.
My memory from before… it's fading. I should've written more down when I had the chance.
He clenched his fists. He couldn't afford to forget key details like this.
A finally spoke.
"…Mission."
Just one word. Cold. Absolute.
Kakashi didn't need to ask further. There was only one person who would send Root agents after him—Danzo Shimura.
So this was it. The old war hawk was ready to move.
But Kakashi wasn't shaken.
"As long as the Sandaime lives," he muttered, "Danzo won't dare cross the line outright."
These agents were just pawns—and he had no intention of falling to pawns.
Not today.
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