Back in the group, Kaguya Naoki casually pointed out the Kirigakure ninja with the weakest chakra, making it easier for Kakashi to overpower them.
“I am severely injured. You will carry the Three-Tails and proceed towards Konoha as quickly as possible.”
The selected Kirigakure ninja immediately obeyed and shouldered “Rin Nohara.”
Zabuza, noticing this, turned to look at Kakashi, whom he had thrown aside earlier.
Without much thought, he began to approach him.
Kaguya Naoki was about to stop him, preferring someone weaker to facilitate Kakashi’s escape.
But through his Byakugan, Naoki saw that Zabuza’s current strength was similar to that of the other Kirigakure ninjas; he was average among the squad.
Let’s let him go.
It would be interesting to see how Zabuza fares against Kakashi. What is the difference in their strengths now?
Naoki’s eyes locked onto Zabuza, eager to find out the answer.
Unaware of Naoki’s disdain, Zabuza was deep in thought about how to use his sword to defeat Naoki’s Dance of the Seedling Fern.
He had always favored the Decapitating Carving Knife among the seven swords.
However, no matter how he thought about it, Zabuza couldn’t see himself defeating Naoki with just the Decapitating Carving Knife.
No! There must be a way to beat that bastard!
I won’t lose!
As he got more agitated, Zabuza’s blood surged. He bent down casually to pick up Kakashi.
Wait!
Even though Zabuza was weaker, his genius potential had begun to show.
He sensed a change in Kakashi’s aura.
Not asleep, but as if he were awake.
He reached out, ready to swing his sword.
At that moment, Kakashi sprang up.
Earth Release: Earth Flow River!
Chakra surged, turning the ground into a flowing river of mud.
Zabuza lost his balance but quickly braced himself with his sword, swinging it toward Kakashi’s head.
Die!
Kakashi’s Sharingan opened, and he calmly dodged the incoming sword.
Chakra continued to flow, causing the mud to engulf the Kirigakure ninjas’ ankles, making them stumble and retreat, even Zabuza.
Thanks for the elixir, Naoki.
Kakashi felt the abundant chakra and silently thanked Naoki.
At the same time, his hands moved quickly in seals.
Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!
Clang, clang!
The rising earth wall blocked the kunai thrown by the Kirigakure ninjas.
But Zabuza was already on the attack again.
Veins popping, he cursed and swung his giant sword, splitting the earth wall.
Behind the wall was a panting Kakashi, seemingly low on chakra.
Zabuza’s eyes turned cold as he thrust his sword into the ground.
He didn’t believe Kakashi could be out of chakra after using such large-scale jutsus.
The blade sank into the ground without resistance, and the “Kakashi” in front of Zabuza turned into smoke.
Not here?
Cold sweat formed on Zabuza’s brow. He released his sword and pulled out a kunai to block behind him.
As expected, the real Kakashi burst from the ground, attacking from behind!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The Kirigakure ninjas didn’t stand idly by. They attacked together, shooting a barrage of kunai at the attacking Kakashi.
Boom!
Again, smoke.
Another clone?
The ninjas were startled, stopping in their tracks and looking around.
Where’s Kakashi?
“There!”
With red eyes, Zabuza shouted. In his vision, Kakashi was at the edge of the Kirigakure ninjas, near the Three-Tails.
For some reason, there was only one ninja guarding Rin.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the guarding ninja went mad, lunging forward.
Die, Konoha, scum!
Suddenly, a strong force hit his neck from behind, plunging him into darkness. His last sight was more smoke.
Another clone.
Kakashi hoisted Rin onto his shoulder, causing an uproar among the Kirigakure ninjas.
His dazzling performance using clones and Earth Release had left them in awe.
What a genius!
“Stop him!”
Naoki pointed at Kakashi, who was now carrying “Rin.”
He appeared to try pulling out his bones but seemed unable to due to earlier exhaustion.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
Kakashi spat out a torrent of water, causing the Kirigakure ninjas to lose footing.
Naoki “furiously” commanded, “Pursue!”
Zabuza was even more enraged than Naoki.
That damned bastard, I’ll take your head for this!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The Kirigakure ninjas chased after the now-exhausted Kakashi.
Among them were the White Zetsu!
Now, the world’s attention was on Kakashi.
No one would pay attention to the Bone Forest anymore.
Naoki’s clone, carrying the natural Rin, moved cautiously within the Bone Forest.
Destination: The Land of Water!
Once this is over, I can persuade Rin to join Kirigakure!
Feeling assured, Naoki trailed behind the Kirigakure Anbu, slacking off.
Ahead of them was the struggling Kakashi.
Faster, faster!
Sweat beaded on Kakashi’s forehead.
He ran out of stamina and chakra and had wounds from his earlier battle with Naoki.
Not far behind, the Kirigakure ninjas were closing in.
The distance was shrinking.
At this rate, I’ll die.
His chakra reserves were low; he didn’t have much, even at his peak. He had already used a lot to rescue Rin.
Now, this continuous running was depleting his chakra.
With less chakra, his options dwindled.
Although Naoki helped him escape, Kakashi couldn’t fully trust a Kirigakure ninja.
But now, he had no choice.
Kakashi gritted his teeth.
I have to take a gamble.
He placed the green elixir Naoki had given him on his chest and held a kunai to Rin’s chest.
If Naoki’s elixir is fake…
Then I’ll kill Rin myself to prevent her from suffering under Kirigakure.
Sorry, Obito, Rin.
I have no choice.
Gulp!
The elixir flowed, and a surge of vitality and chakra filled him.
He didn’t lie to me!
Kakashi silently thanked Naoki.
He sped up, leaving the nearly exhausted Kirigakure ninjas behind.
There’s hope.
Feeling the distance grow, Kakashi was elated.
Taking the chance, he pulled out a blood-stained letter.
It read: “To Kakashi Hatake in hiding,” signed by Kaguya Naoki.
Scanning, he read.
“I am Kaguya Naoki. If you’re reading this, it means you’ve escaped Kirigakure’s encirclement.”
“Congratulations, Kakashi. Kirigakure’s Anbu are ruthless and numerous. I can only tell you Konoha is to the west.”
“Use the elixir to recover your strength. If the Anbu still catch you, I’m sorry.”
Kakashi read it in one go.
Is Naoki a peace-loving person?
A small part of Kakashi still doubted.
But actions speak louder than words, and Naoki has been good to me.
Doubt faded, and trust grew.
Kakashi looked up at the moon, confirming his direction.
He was indeed heading west.
Looking back, the Kirigakure ninjas were far behind.
Kakashi exhaled but kept running.
With Naoki’s help, I can escape.
[Kakashi Hatake’s fate line has deviated. Detected as a non-Kirigakure ninja. Countdown to defect to Kirigakure (0.1/10)]
Wow, my bad. There are no battles today. Kakashi’s manipulation has begun. Imagine the Sixth Hokage joining Kirigakure—I’m beyond excited. This is the joy of writing a novel!
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