After landing, Kakashi rolled his neck, producing a series of crisp cracks.
He lifted his gaze toward the newcomers.
"Asuma Sarutobi, one of the Guardian Ninja squad leaders. And the monk—Chiriku of the Fire Temple."
"Fire Temple techniques, huh? Interesting."
A glint flashed in Kakashi's eyes before fading. What intrigued him wasn't the people—it was the technique that had just sent him flying.
"Hey, want some help?" Obito called out.
"No need. Whether it's one opponent or three doesn't make a difference to me."
Kakashi turned him down flat. In the next instant, lightning surged across his hands, crackling violently.
Seeing the bright blue aura of thunder, both Asuma and Chiriku's expressions hardened. They hadn't felt this kind of pressure in years.
"Arrogant brat!"
"Chiriku, we'll take him together!"
Asuma drew his chakra blades, ready to strike—but Chiriku didn't move.
Instead, he observed the three before him quietly, then pressed his palms together and sighed.
"We're all people of the Land of Fire. Why must we fight each other in secret?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you are Kakashi Hatake, yes?"
"As for the two behind you, I can't see through their disguises, but I assume they're Konoha ninja as well."
His words froze Asuma in place—and even Kazuma, who was still wheezing from his earlier beating, stared blankly.
Konoha ninja?
Kazuma's expression immediately darkened.
He had always despised Konoha—whether it was that Kazuyama Gekkō from years ago or any other ninja from the village.
And now, Konoha had sent people to come after him.
"Tch tch tch… Kakashi, I told you letting you handle this was a mistake," Obito sniped. "Your fighting stance screams 'Konoha.' Anyone could recognize it in an instant."
Obito's sharp tongue was a perfect inheritance from his teacher—one sentence could slice straight to the bone.
Kakashi's jaw tightened in annoyance. He hadn't even done much yet—how had they recognized him already?
Then again, if it was the monk from the Fire Temple, it made sense. Chiriku was one of the temple's most renowned masters.
"Hmph! Damn Konoha shinobi, daring to cause trouble at the Daimyō's Manor—and attacking me, no less!"
"Do you understand what this will cost you?!"
Kazuma's voice burned with fury. If he hadn't been completely outmatched, he would have already drawn his blade.
This was humiliating. He was the captain of the Guardian Ninja, yet they dared lay hands on him?
"Hmph. Guardian Ninja or not, it doesn't matter."
"We're investigating the assassination of the previous Daimyō. Kazuma, preliminary evidence ties you to the case."
"You're coming with us. If you refuse…"
"Never mind—I didn't expect you to cooperate anyway. According to Hokage-sama and our sensei, you were the one who orchestrated the assassination."
"So, all I need to do is capture you and hand you over."
Kakashi's chakra flared violently, the air around him thick with killing intent.
Since his cover was blown, there was no reason to hold back anymore. He'd end this quickly.
Kazuma's expression shifted instantly, while Asuma and Chiriku both frowned deeply.
The assassination of the former Daimyō had long been one of the Land of Fire's most sensitive issues. For the country's ruler to be killed—it was a national crisis.
Even the Guardian Ninja had been searching for the culprits for years.
Yet now, they were hearing from Konoha's own ninja that the Hokage suspected Kazuma—and that Kazuyama Gekkō, one of Konoha's twin prodigies, shared that view.
"Ridiculous! As the founder of the Guardian Ninja Corps, why would I ever harm the Daimyō?"
"Hmph. The Hokage and Kazuyama Gekkō must have lost their minds."
"And to send you here to cause trouble in the Daimyō's Manor? I'll report this to His Lordship himself! Let's see how your precious Konoha explains this!"
Kakashi's words didn't shake Kazuma. The man had sat in his position for years, built on patience and composure.
If a few accusations could rattle him, he'd have been long gone.
"Tch. If your words actually meant anything, we wouldn't be here."
"And as for whether you're telling the truth—there's an easy way to find out. Mind-reading isn't the only way to probe memories."
"Genjutsu works just as well."
Obito's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across his face. In the next instant, his Sharingan spun open—three tomoe glowing in scarlet.
The three men facing him froze.
An Uchiha? Under those crimson eyes, no secret could stay hidden.
Kazuma's face twisted further, his tone bitter. "Tch. What a mess."
"Regardless, you can't run wild in the Daimyō's Manor. Even if you're from Konoha, this is an insult."
"Chiriku, what do you think we should do?"
Asuma lit a cigarette, clenching it between his teeth, his voice laced with irritation.
He turned to Chiriku because, frankly, he didn't know what to think anymore.
In his mind, Kakashi's team was clearly out of line. But if Kazuma truly was tied to the Daimyō's assassination, their actions could be justified.
For a moment, he hesitated.
"Asuma, you can't ask me for every decision," Chiriku said calmly. "You're a strong shinobi yourself—learn to trust your own judgment."
He kept his palms pressed together, but his half-closed eyes revealed the turmoil beneath his calm.
Kazuma noticed his two allies faltering—and Mizukurai was already down. If he didn't act soon, everything would spiral out of his control.
"Enough already! Stop wasting time! Once we take Kazuma down, we'll know everything!"
"Kakashi, hold them off!"
"Kazuma's ours!"
Obito and Shisui's Sharingan flared simultaneously as they rushed forward. Kakashi didn't waste a word—he charged straight at Asuma and Chiriku.
Lightning danced across his body, each step echoing like thunder. Compared to his earlier clash with Kazuma, his power now was several levels higher.
"Hmph! Took you long enough!"
"Chiriku, let's go!"
"…Chiriku???"
Asuma gripped his chakra blades, clashing fists with Kakashi—only to wince as pain shot through his arm. He quickly turned to call his comrade's name, but to his shock, Chiriku still stood motionless where he was.
...