This was a problem. A real problem.
The moment he saw the group of missing-nin appear at Konoha's sweets shop, Kakashi Hatake was on high alert, his eyes tracking their every move.
Even with Obito Uchiha—the one he cared about most—among them, Kakashi didn't dare make a rash move. A fight in the middle of Konoha's bustling business district was the last thing he wanted.
After all, none of these missing-nin were to be taken lightly.
While Emiya Shirou and Nagato had been the most terrifying threats during the Chūnin Exams, Konoha couldn't afford to overlook dangerous figures like Orochimaru and Obito Uchiha.
Compared to them, Itachi Uchiha—who had previously warned Konoha—might even be considered an ally.
Of course, that only applied if Sasuke didn't find him first.
Kakashi knew there was more to the Uchiha clan massacre than the official story, but he had no way to investigate it further, nor did he have any idea how to tell Sasuke the truth.
Luckily, just as Sasuke arrived, the missing-nin in the shop seemed to sense something and quietly vanished, avoiding a direct confrontation.
Still, as a Konoha ninja, Kakashi couldn't just ignore them. Orochimaru and Obito were two of Konoha's greatest concerns, they were the masterminds behind the disaster at the Chūnin Exams.
That incident had cost Konoha its Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Worse, the outcome was anything but favorable. It led directly to the resurrection of Emiya Shirou, a man whose power effortlessly destroyed the reanimated Hokage.
His mere presence was enough to overwhelm Konoha's forces, leaving a dark shadow on the hearts of many.
Kakashi quickly sent Sasuke off to train and went to find his comrades. After sending a runner to report to the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, he took the others to intercept Orochimaru and Obito.
However, before the jonin could locate Orochimaru, they ran into two other Akatsuki members: Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.
This was the last thing Kakashi wanted. He had no desire for a confrontation with Itachi and even considered turning a blind eye to him and Kisame.
But Itachi had clearly been waiting for him.
"This is rather unfortunate," Kakashi sighed, glancing at his two companions, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi. Neither of them knew Itachi's true history, and both were itching for a fight.
"No," Itachi said, offering a polite smile. "Actually, this couldn't be more appropriate. Asuma, Kurenai... and Kakashi. It's been a while."
"Where's Orochimaru?" Kakashi pressed immediately, trying to signal his true priority. They were only here for Orochimaru and Obito.
"Kakashi…" Asuma wasn't about to let it go. He drew his two chakra blades, his expression grim as he faced Itachi and Kisame. "Forget Orochimaru. The Akatsuki are the real threat here, aren't they?"
"That's right," Kurenai added, her gaze sharpening.
"..."
Kakashi felt helpless. He looked at Asuma and Kurenai, raring to go, then at Kisame, who looked just as eager.
"Well, Itachi, looks like our timing is perfect," Kisame grinned, pulling out his massive blade, Samehada. The Akatsuki's mission, after all, was to cause a distraction in Konoha so Obito's group could snatch Sasuke.
"Then, let's begin."
Itachi's Sharingan activated, instantly trapping Kurenai in a genjutsu. The three tomoe in his eyes spun, transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan. In that same instant, Kisame rushed forward, swinging Samehada in a wide arc at Asuma.
The fight quickly moved to the riverside.
Itachi and Kakashi faced off. Kakashi hesitantly raised his fingers to form a hand sign, but it was too late. Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan had already locked with his own.
"Tsukuyomi."
The world dissolved into black and white. This was the second time Kakashi had been trapped in Itachi's illusion. The last time, they had exchanged information about Obito within this psychic world. This time, Kakashi seemed more prepared.
"The Akatsuki, Orochimaru, and Obito," Itachi began, not wasting any time. "Konoha's enemies are all targeting Sasuke. We've been ordered by Emiya Shirou to bring Sasuke to the Akatsuki. But Orochimaru and Obito are here to stop Shirou and abduct Sasuke as well."
There was no good option. Whether Sasuke joined the Akatsuki or was taken by Orochimaru, both paths were incredibly dangerous. Kakashi's only hope was Konoha. He had to believe Konoha could protect Sasuke.
But Itachi couldn't give him a reason to believe. If he told Konoha's leadership that Sasuke might one day awaken the Rinnegan, it would only bring more trouble. He couldn't let them know.
Still, Kakashi was someone he could trust. Not only was he strong enough to face Obito, but he was also Sasuke's team leader. He was capable of looking after his student.
It was a difficult mission, but Kakashi didn't shy away. "I understand," he promised Itachi. "I'll protect Sasuke."
"But…" Kakashi couldn't help but add his own request. "Sasuke is already blinded by hatred. Itachi, I know there's more to the massacre… can you finally tell me the real story of what happened to the Uchiha clan?"
At the very least, it might be enough to keep Sasuke from being lost to his hatred forever.
"There's no need," Itachi replied flatly. "Hatred is what will make his Sharingan stronger."
He rejected Kakashi's plea, unwilling to let his younger brother abandon his anger or to reveal the past he had buried so deeply.
He never wanted anyone to know.
"You'd better go stop Orochimaru and Obito," Itachi said when Kakashi looked ready to press him further.
He then dropped the bombshell. "While you're here dealing with me and Kisame, Orochimaru and Obito have already slipped away and taken Sasuke."
"!!!"
Kakashi's face tightened. In that instant, he and Itachi reached a silent understanding.
Back in the real world, by the riverside, the clash between Kisame and Asuma had just begun. Itachi, meanwhile, staggered back, his hand covering his eyes as if his Tsukuyomi had been broken. His body was clearly weakened.
"Kisame, retreat," Itachi called out, his voice laced with pain. "My Tsukuyomi was broken."
"Itachi!" Kisame tensed. He forced Asuma back with Samehada, then rushed to Itachi's side.
He glanced from the weakened Itachi to the composed Kakashi and frowned. This was going to be a pain. If he wanted to stall for more time, he'd have to fight three-on-one while protecting an injured Itachi.
"We can't report back like this, can we?" Kisame muttered. They hadn't caused nearly enough commotion to satisfy Emiya Shirou or Obito. He hadn't even warmed up yet.
"Kakashi has a Mangekyō Sharingan too," Itachi said.
That one line was all it took for Kisame to drop the idea.
"Mangekyō, huh?" Kisame saw Kakashi begin to lift his forehead protector, revealing his own crimson eye. He didn't dare make eye contact.
This was trouble. As Obito's subordinate and Itachi's teammate, he knew all too well the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!" Kisame quickly formed hand signs, unleashing a powerful water attack to cover their escape.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Kakashi countered, raising a wall to block the water. His eyes followed Itachi and Kisame with deep concern as they retreated.
"We have to pursue—" Asuma gripped his blades, ready to give chase. The fight had barely started.
"Asuma, don't!" Kakashi stopped him short. His voice was serious. "They've escaped. It's more important to track the other intruders in Konoha!"
Time was running out. He had to get back to Sasuke, fast.
Kakashi couldn't help but regret sending Sasuke off to train. Maybe he should have kept him close, even if seeing Itachi sent him over the edge. At least he wouldn't have ended up in Orochimaru's hands.
Now, Itachi had passed him crucial information as quickly as possible. Kakashi just hoped he could get back in time.
But he was too late.
Even the briefest delay was too long. When he rushed to the training ground, he found it empty, with only faint signs of a battle.
"There aren't many signs of a fight," Kakashi observed, his heart sinking. "Sasuke didn't put up much resistance."
While the power gap between Sasuke and Orochimaru was huge—not to mention Obito was also there—Sasuke's fighting style usually left obvious evidence. A few fire jutsu would have scorched the area. But the traces here were minimal.
This suggested the worst-case scenario. Sasuke, always desperate for the strength to get his revenge, might have been tempted by Orochimaru's offer and chosen to leave on his own.
It was all too possible.
Especially since Naruto, under Jiraiya's guidance, was growing stronger and gaining recognition, leaving Sasuke feeling increasingly left behind.
The former "dead-last" was now the prized student of a legendary Sannin, carrying Jiraiya's hopes. Meanwhile, Sasuke was stuck, with no one to guide his training. His own jonin leader was too busy to even give him missions to gain experience.
For a prideful Uchiha like Sasuke, hungry for power, this sudden shift made him dangerously susceptible to the wrong influences.
Kakashi had noticed these changes in his student and had planned to talk to him, but just like his own sensei once did—he had acted a moment too late.
"Report to the Fifth Hokage: Sasuke Uchiha is missing," Kakashi said, taking a deep breath and keeping his suspicions to himself. He spoke in a heavy voice to his friends. "He was most likely taken by Orochimaru and Obito. I'll go after him. Asuma, go get reinforcements!"
"..."
Asuma gave Kakashi's shoulder a firm pat. As a fellow jonin, he could read between the lines. He understood but, out of friendship, didn't push it.
"Be careful. If it's impossible… well… in any case, Kakashi, I'll catch up as soon as I report back."