“Team members?”
“Yoroi, who are the members of your team?”
Kakashi was astonished to hear Yoroi’s report about breaking through the Mist Village’s defensive line to aid the Konoha medical ninja unit.
Like Deiwa Ishi, Kakashi knew about Yoroi’s identity and age. At the same age, Kakashi was still studying at the Ninja Academy, while Yoroi was handling critical war missions and bearing heavy responsibilities, significantly outperforming Kakashi at the same period.
Moreover, Yoroi led his team to break through the Mist Village’s strict defenses, and for the safety of his team members and the successful execution of the mission, he risked his life to cover their retreat alone. Seeing Yoroi’s serious injuries and hearing his concern for his team members, Kakashi felt a mix of admiration and guilt.
Yoroi didn’t notice the change in Kakashi’s gaze. After Kakashi asked about his team, Yoroi glanced at the fallen Mist Anbu captain and said in a low voice, “There shouldn’t be anyone else around, so I’ll drop the Anbu formalities and address you as a senior.”
“Kakashi-senpai, one of my team members is an old acquaintance of ours, Deiwa Ishi. The other two are his recommendations: Yūhi Kurenai, a genjutsu specialist, and Sarutobi Asuma, a troublemaker. If it wasn’t for him, I might not have gotten separated from Deiwa and Kurenai during the breakout.”
Saying this, Yoroi gave a self-deprecating smile, trying to gauge Kakashi’s reaction.
During the breakout from the Mist Village’s defensive line, Asuma had caused Yoroi significant trouble. If he didn’t report these issues to the higher-ups, both Yoroi and his teammates might feel uneasy.
Moreover, as an Anbu member and a Konoha ninja, Yoroi was obliged to report the mission details. So before officially reporting Asuma’s misconduct, Yoroi wanted to seek Kakashi’s advice on how to present the situation seriously without offending Asuma’s father, the Third Hokage.
As for Asuma? Ha! Yoroi didn’t need to worry about offending him. At this point, even a rebellious young Asuma or the Asuma from the original storyline wouldn’t pose a problem for him.
With half-step Jonin’s strength and having defeated the Mist Village Jonin Hozuki Mangetsu, Yoroi felt confident enough to stand up to Jonin.
Thus, Yoroi’s only concerns were the attitudes of the Third and Fourth Hokage. A mere Asuma wasn’t worth his worry.
Hearing Yoroi’s words and learning about his team members, Kakashi’s gaze towards Yoroi changed even more.
Are you a prodigy? Or was a “god” sent to save Konoha?
Assigning a four-year-old Anbu to break through the Mist Village’s defenses for the sake of the Konoha medical unit was already shocking enough!
Successfully completing the mission was astonishing enough to leave people speechless!
Now you’re telling me you led three young, burdensome members through the breakout?
Are you kidding me?
Listening to Yoroi, Kakashi felt utterly disoriented.
However, he didn’t overlook Yoroi’s deliberate hints and asked, “What about Asuma?”
“What about him?”
Yoroi let out a cold chuckle and straightforwardly said, “Disobeying orders, leaving the camp on his own, and attempting to execute a solo mission. He got captured by the Mist Village, and we had to rescue him.”
“Kakashi-senpai, forget that this is wartime under special circumstances. Even in peacetime, Asuma’s actions warrant death a thousand times over.”
“That may be true, but Asuma is… after all…”
Sighing deeply, Kakashi realized this was a tough issue.
However, just when Yoroi thought Kakashi was at a loss on how to handle Asuma’s situation, Kakashi’s eyes suddenly turned cold after his sigh.
With just a single hand gesture, Yoroi’s eyes also became resolute.
Clearly, Kakashi was using the gesture to tell Yoroi that, as Anbu, they must adhere to Anbu principles. Regardless of Asuma being the Third Hokage’s son, they had to report it to the higher-ups if he disobeyed orders. With Kakashi’s support, Yoroi decided firmly to report the matter to the Fourth Hokage. After discussing this, both fell silent.
However, their thoughts during the silence differed.
Kakashi pondered whether he should help Yoroi return to the Konoha camp.
After all, Kakashi was on a secret mission, and taking Yoroi back would inevitably affect his mission. But recalling the words of the “deceased” Obito Uchiha, Kakashi closed his eyes briefly, deciding to prioritize his comrade over the mission.
Just as Obito had said, those who abandon their comrades for the mission are worse than scum!
Yoroi’s thoughts, on the other hand, were more complex.
With early intentions to change the fates of Kakashi, Rin, and the “deceased” Obito, Yoroi, finding himself unintentionally involved in Kakashi’s mission, couldn’t help but consider how to positively influence their lives.
Unfortunately, discussing this outside, where walls have ears, wasn’t ideal. So, just as Kakashi decided to help the heavily injured Yoroi back to the Konoha camp, Yoroi spoke earnestly to Kakashi:
“Kakashi-senpai, I discovered something crucial during my mission. It’s about the Mizukage of the Mist Village. Have you noticed that the recent strategies by the Mizukage have been highly unusual? If I’m right, the Mizukage must be facing some significant issues. Please report this to the Hokage when you return!”
“Understood, no problem.”
Unquestionably, Yoroi’s words aimed to prompt Kakashi, the Fourth Hokage, and others to investigate the Mizukage’s situation, preparing them early to counter Madara’s schemes.
But after discussing this with Kakashi and disappearing quickly, heading back to the Konoha main camp, Yoroi had no idea of the impact his words would have. Because shortly after Yoroi and Kakashi left, the previously “dead” Mist Anbu captain opened his eyes!
As the Mist Anbu captain, who had been “playing dead,” opened his eyes and looked in the direction where Yoroi and Kakashi had left, he muttered to himself:
“Could it be that the Mizukage really has a problem?”
“Hmph!”
“No need for you Konoha ninjas to investigate. Let me, Zabuza, look into the Mizukage’s secrets!”
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