In the cold, damp darkness of a stone cavern, shadows clung to every corner like a suffocating veil. The walls were lined with protruding spine-like bones, making the space feel like a tomb. A pale-skinned boy sat curled on the floor, arms wrapped around his knees.
His white hair vaguely resembled Kakashi's, but the aura he exuded was colder, more detached. In his palm, a white bone protruded slowly, forming a blade before detaching completely—a weapon crafted from his own body.
He raised his head, revealing a youthful yet handsome face marked by two crimson dots between his eyebrows.
"Why? Why am I here? What did I do wrong? Why was I locked away?" he muttered, stabbing the bone blade into the wall over and over, the sharp crack echoing through the cave.
"Is there really a god? If so, why would he trap me in this place?"
Frustration flared in his voice. He stood abruptly, slamming the bone weapon into the wall as if to strike down the heavens.
Just then, the heavy stone door creaked open. A narrow beam of light pierced the darkness, shining onto the boy's face. He winced, shielding his eyes instinctively. He hadn't seen daylight in so long.
"Kimimaro, come out," a gravelly voice called.
He blinked toward the doorway. A man stepped forward—a middle-aged figure with a wild hairstyle and a manic glint in his eye.
"Who are you?" Kimimaro asked.
The man smirked. "I'm your kinsman. And now, it's time to fulfill your role. For the honor of the Kaguya clan—fight!"
"Fight...?" Kimimaro echoed. Something inside him stirred. The word itself seemed destined for him. His eyes gleamed faintly. "Understood."
"Good. Let's go, Kimimaro."
"Yes."
---
"Yin, it looks like we're approaching Kirigakure," Shisui whispered.
Kakashi nodded. "That's the village gate up ahead."
The two crouched behind a massive rock outcrop, just within view of the main entrance of Kirigakure no Sato.
"Are we heading in now?" Shisui asked.
"Not yet. Look at that cordon. It's way too tight. They're waiting for something—or someone," Kakashi replied, activating his Sharingan. The tomoe in his left eye spun slowly, glowing in the mist.
Shisui's own Sharingan lit up. As the illusion of tranquility peeled away, dozens—perhaps hundreds—of hidden shinobi came into view, lying in ambush just past the gates.
He sucked in a breath. "A frontal approach would've been suicide."
Kakashi didn't look over but said calmly, "They're definitely expecting trouble. No village deploys this many troops at its gate without provocation."
He narrowed his eyes. "They must be reacting to internal threats. We arrived on our own terms. No one should know we're here."
He thought about Yamato and Yūgao—both trusted operatives. Neither would leak information. So… was the target of the ambush someone else?
The Kaguya clan?
Kakashi rubbed his chin, the theory taking shape.
"Let's retreat for now," Shisui advised.
"Agreed. See that mountain? It's high enough for surveillance. We might get a clearer picture from there."
Within minutes, the two reached the ridge of a nearby cliff. They settled behind dense foliage, their chakra signatures carefully masked.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from below. A tall figure with a bandaged face and a massive blade strapped to his back strolled toward the village, a quiet boy walking beside him.
Kakashi's eye narrowed. Zabuza Momochi... and that boy... it must be Haku.
So, Zabuza had already found him.
He signaled Shisui to stay hidden. The Uchiha gave a short nod.
Below them, Zabuza stood still, gazing at the distant village.
"Bai," he said, using the boy's name in the Water Country tongue, "this is where I was born. A place I now leave behind. But I will return… and remake it as my own."
"I understand," Haku replied softly. "You don't need comfort or pity. What you need is a weapon—to cut down your enemies. Please use me as such."
Zabuza's eyes wavered for a moment before hardening again.
"Good. Let's go."
"Yes, Zabuza-sama."
The pair disappeared into the woods. Kakashi remained silent, gaze lingering on the path they had taken.
So fate draws them together again. But where it ends this time… may rest in my hands.
Shisui glanced over, puzzled by Kakashi's somber expression.
Do they have history with senpai? he wondered. But based on the large sword, that was clearly the Executioner's Blade—Zabuza's weapon.
He must be the rogue who tried to assassinate the Mizukage.
Shisui shrugged off the thought. Now isn't the time.
Suddenly, Kakashi's entire body tensed. His Sharingan flashed, and his hand drifted toward his kunai pouch.
"This chilling presence… it's him."
Shisui turned, and his breath caught.
A lone figure walked the misty path, pale skin almost glowing beneath a beige kimono. His snake-like golden eyes gleamed with menace, and his footsteps echoed ominously in the silence.
"Orochimaru," Shisui whispered.
The traitor had arrived.
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