Chapter 53: Cold-Blooded Kakashi
The next morning.
In the Second Company's camp, ninja emerged from sleeping bags one by one, yawning as they prepared for morning training.
Ever since Uchiha Naka's explosion yesterday, the atmosphere had grown increasingly delicate. Nobody dared breathe too loudly. Suddenly, urgent footsteps shattered the fragile tension.
Uchiha Shisui appeared in the camp. "Kakashi-senpai, urgent mission."
Hearing this, Hatake Kakashi immediately set aside what he was doing and used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Shisui's position.
"Second Company, all members ready for orders."
Squad members quickly gathered around.
Shisui observed their condition briefly before continuing. "Intelligence suggests the Cloud Village may be making large-scale movements. Lady Tsunade orders you to lead your squad into Hot Water Country immediately and investigate the specific situation at the border between Moon Country and Lightning Country."
Between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning lay two small nations - Hot Water Country and Moon Country. Moon Country was especially significant. It provided the only overland route into Lightning Country. If the Cloud Village intended war, they'd typically secure Moon Country first, controlling the passage and making their homeland easier to defend.
"Understood." Kakashi nodded.
"But one thing requires special attention." Shisui's tone grew serious. "This mission's priority is reconnaissance. Avoid exposure at all costs."
"Understood."
"Then I'm counting on you all." Shisui nodded to Kakashi, then turned and left.
Kakashi faced his squad members. "We depart in ten minutes. Prepare yourselves."
"Yes!"
Hot Water Country's territory wasn't particularly wide. In less than an hour, they'd already penetrated deep into the country's interior, reaching the designated point. They split into three squads to begin operations.
The lead squad belonged to the chunin Taguchi. The Second Company's only Hyuga ninja was part of this team, making them perfect for pathfinding. Kakashi's squad held the center position. Uchiha Naka's squad brought up the rear, positioned to support the forward teams at any moment.
Just then, the Hyuga ninja suddenly made a hand signal indicating they should stop. "Directly ahead, approximately one thousand meters. Chakra signatures detected. They're approaching our position."
"How many?" Taguchi asked.
"Three people. Based on their chakra levels, they're comparable to us."
Taguchi considered briefly, decided to fall back and report the situation. Kakashi immediately issued orders.
"Take cover. Let them pass."
Squad members erased their traces, pressing against treetops or crouching behind low shrubs, completely concealing themselves in the dense foliage. They held their breath.
Taguchi seemed about to say something, but after hesitating, he followed Kakashi's lead and hid.
Within minutes, a Cloud Village team passed directly before them without any defensive posture. From their appearance, they were clearly a reconnaissance squad - Cloud ninja sent to gather intelligence on Konoha's movements and deployments.
Just as the Cloud ninja's figures were about to disappear from view, Taguchi, crouched beside Kakashi, couldn't contain himself any longer.
His eyes gleamed. Excitement overtook him. "Kakashi, we should capture them."
"First, we can make their mission fail and protect the village's intelligence. Second, we can extract information from them, giving the village an advantage in the coming war!"
"No." Kakashi rejected the idea immediately. "That's not our mission objective. Our orders are to avoid exposure."
Taguchi refused to give up, attempting persuasion. "What does it matter if we're exposed?"
"We have nine people. They only have three. We could handle them quickly. Not only could we gather intelligence, we'd also weaken the Cloud Village's strength. This is a perfect opportunity for glory!"
Clearly, mission objectives no longer occupied his thoughts. Only the opportunity to win honor and rewards.
Kakashi withdrew his gaze from the distance, his expression darkening.
"I said no."
"Kakashi!" Taguchi couldn't help raising his voice slightly, obvious frustration coloring his tone. "If we let them go and village intelligence gets leaked, what then? You'll be Konoha's criminal..."
"Shut up."
Kakashi hadn't even glanced at him once. He made hand signals to the surrounding squad members, indicating they should continue the mission.
Taguchi froze at being ignored so thoroughly. Days of accumulated dissatisfaction and hunger for achievement ignited instantly, erupting completely.
"I understand now!" He spoke through gritted teeth. "You just can't stand seeing us succeed, can you?!"
"What are you talking about?"
Now Kakashi finally looked at him properly, though his furrowed brow didn't suggest anything good.
His intolerance for stupidity was reaching critical levels.
"I've got you figured out!" Taguchi's voice grew louder. "Everyone knows about Cold-blooded Kakashi! You'll kill comrades to complete missions. You never adapt. And right now, as long as we complete this reconnaissance mission, you as captain get the biggest share of credit."
Before anyone could respond, he immediately turned toward the other squad members.
"This person doesn't consider us comrades at all! He only thinks about his own interests! He's completely unfit to be our captain! I suggest we act together and ignore his orders!"
The other squad members exchanged glances. They did have issues with Kakashi, but Taguchi's words seemed excessive.
After brief hesitation, the young genin tried speaking up. "Captain, actually... Taguchi has a point. What if they really do gather intelligence on the village..."
His words cut off abruptly. Terrifying killing intent exploded without warning.
In that instant, everyone's bodies froze as if flash-frozen. Primal fear seized control of their bodies - the trembling of prey locked in a predator's sights.
Kakashi slowly raised his head. His eyes had changed.
That usually lazy eye now opened completely. The pupil contracted to a dangerous slit. His gaze held no human emotion whatsoever - like he was looking at a corpse.
"If you don't follow orders."
Kakashi's right hand moved slowly to the short blade at his waist.
"I'll kill you."
The blade cleared its sheath with a sharp ring that seemed deafening in the silent forest. The metal reflected cold light that made Taguchi's eyes sting.
His face went deathly pale. His legs trembled uncontrollably. His throat produced an involuntary gulp.
Kakashi... he's serious... he'll actually kill me...
The killing intent was too real. He had absolutely no doubt that if he spoke one more word, that blade would slice open his throat.
"I... I..."
Taguchi's lips trembled. He wanted to say something, but his brain had gone completely blank. Several seconds later, he finally abandoned resistance.
"Yes... Captain."
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