Chapter 54: The Hunt Begins
An hour passed quickly.
After finishing their preparations, Kakashi's squad arrived early at the logistics depot. Piled high like small hills were stacks of supplies—ninja tools, medical kits, food, clothing—everything a battlefield might demand could be found here.
"Captain Kakashi," the logistics officer said as he led them into a warehouse, pointing to the neatly categorized wooden crates stacked on the left side. "These are all the supplies you'll be delivering to Kinkō Peak. Please inspect and verify them. Once you confirm everything is in order, I'll have them sealed immediately."
Kakashi gave the stacks a brief glance before issuing instructions without hesitation.
"Aika, check the ninja tools. Rin, you're responsible for the medical supplies. Akiha, carefully inspect the condition and preservation of the food. I'll handle the remaining miscellaneous items."
The assignments were clear and efficient.
The four split up, lists in hand, moving methodically through the warehouse. It took nearly twenty minutes to complete the inspection. After cross-checking quantities and quality, they confirmed that everything was present, intact, and free of defects.
With confirmation given, the officer promptly summoned four chūnin to begin the sealing process.
They unrolled massive storage scrolls—each one a meter wide and nearly ten meters long—spreading them flat across the warehouse floor. Following a precise order, crate after crate of ninja tools, medicine, and supplies was placed onto the scrolls, then sealed away using fūinjutsu.
After roughly half an hour, all supplies had been successfully sealed.
In total, four oversized storage scrolls were used to contain the entire shipment.
"Captain Kakashi, please sign here."
The officer approached with a thick stack of paperwork, watching as Kakashi signed each document in turn. Once finished, the officer gathered the forms, nodded politely, and said,
"The rest is in your hands. I still have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer."
In the blink of an eye, the overworked officer hurried off, leaving behind only Kakashi's squad—and the four massive storage scrolls resting quietly on the floor.
The preparations were complete.
The hunt was about to begin.
Kakashi stared at the four oversized storage scrolls laid out in a neat row and spoke slowly,
"There are four of us. One scroll per person—"
"Rin, let's take them," Hyūga Akiha interrupted, turning to Nohara Rin with a decisive look.
"Okay!"
Rin agreed instantly, without hesitation.
Kakashi frowned.
"Rin. Akiha. There are four scrolls—each of us carrying one would be balanced."
"But carrying something this large will drain stamina faster and limit mobility in combat," Akiha replied calmly. "Captain Kakashi, my main role is reconnaissance. Rin is a medical ninja. If we're attacked, the ones who'll actually be fighting are you and Aika. It's important that you stay in peak condition."
As she spoke, Akiha had already slung two of the massive scrolls across her back.
Rin moved just as quickly, firmly securing the remaining two scrolls to herself.
"All right, Kakashi," Rin said with a bright smile. "Let's get going!"
Kakashi's brow tightened, but before he could object again, Uchiha Aika chuckled softly.
"Then I'll make sure to protect you both," she said with a cheerful smile. "Leave it to me."
She was genuinely in a good mood.
Not because she'd avoided carrying the heavy scrolls—Uchiha pride had nothing to do with fragility—but because she felt comfortable in this squad.
Captain Kakashi was young, powerful, and taciturn—a stoic iceberg of a leader.
Akiha, formerly of the Hyūga branch family—now simply Hyūga, without division—was energetic and full of life.
Rin was gentle, warm, and always smiling—the very image of an ideal medical ninja.
Most importantly, all three treated her well.
None of them looked at her with the wariness or irritation so often directed at the Uchiha. Leaving aside Kakashi, who was equally distant to everyone except Rin, Akiha and Rin had become Aika's first and second non-clan friends.
"If you get tired along the way, say so," Kakashi said at last, his voice low and resigned.
With that, he gave the order.
The four set out, beginning their journey toward Kinkō Peak.
---
Not long after—
"Message received!"
In a concealed temporary camp deep within the forest, a man strode forward. He had long dark-blue hair so stiff it jutted upward like a torch, dusky skin, and gill-like markings on his cheeks. When he spoke, sharp, jagged teeth showed clearly.
Dressed in standard Mist ninja combat gear and carrying a long sword on his back, he looked like a shark that had crawled onto land and learned to walk upright.
He stopped at the center of the camp and handed a letter to Fuguki Suikazan.
"Lord Fuguki. The message from the other side."
"So soon?" Fuguki sneered from where he sat atop a fallen tree trunk. "Faster than I expected. Konoha really is efficient when it comes to cleaning up its own people."
A few low chuckles rippled through the camp.
Not everyone was amused.
"Enough talk," Kushimaru Kuriarare snapped impatiently. "Read the damn letter already."
Fuguki shot his longtime comrade a glare.
"Kuriarare, ever thought about fixing that temper of yours?"
Still, he took the letter and muttered as he broke the seal,
"Let's see how they plan to deliver the prey straight into our jaws."
He read quickly.
"Well?"
Kirishima Shinya asked from across from him.
"Everything's going smoothly," Fuguki replied. "Hatake Kakashi's squad is escorting supplies toward Kinkō Peak. Meanwhile, Hyūga Ritsu—who's been tracking Ao—is departing from Kinkō Peak to rendezvous with Kakashi halfway."
As he spoke, Fuguki passed the letter to Shinya.
Shinya skimmed it in seconds, confirming the contents. His excitement was unmistakable—he licked his lips and grinned.
"Perfect. Then we split up," Shinya said eagerly.
"I'll take a team and wipe out Hatake Kakashi's squad. Fuguki, you take your men and hunt down White Yaksha. Once you kill him, meet up with me—then we storm Konoha together and leave it in ruins!"
Around them, the Mist ninja grinned, eyes gleaming with bloodlust and anticipation.
High up on a tree trunk behind them, hidden among the leaves,
a half-black, half-white face curled its lips into a subtle smile.
The hunt had begun.