Kakashi suddenly felt something.
A subtle yet extremely dangerous presence brushed against his senses like a cold wind.
His expression changed instantly.
However, Kakashi Hatake was an experienced jōnin. Even though alarm bells rang in his mind, he maintained a calm and relaxed appearance on the surface.
He casually glanced toward Sasuke and spoke in an ordinary tone.
"Sasuke, I'm thinking of getting some dessert," Kakashi said lazily. "What would you like to eat?"
Sasuke didn't even hesitate.
"I hate sweets the most."
His answer was immediate and blunt.
Kakashi shrugged as if it didn't matter.
"Well then, you two can eat separately."
Sasuke placed his hands inside his pockets and walked away without another word. His steps were quiet and unhurried, completely unaware of the tension building nearby.
But Hinata noticed something.
She watched Kakashi carefully before speaking in a soft voice.
"Kakashi-sensei… you deliberately sent Sasuke away, didn't you?"
Kakashi blinked in surprise.
"Really?" he asked with exaggerated curiosity. "How did you figure that out, Hinata?"
Hinata lowered her gaze slightly.
"Because… I sensed a very dangerous aura."
Her voice remained gentle, but there was certainty in it.
"And just now, Kakashi-sensei's expression changed. You also glanced toward Sasuke."
Kakashi sighed quietly.
"As expected of Hinata," he said with a faint smile. "Your observation skills are becoming sharper."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I thought I was acting calmly enough."
Hinata then asked the question on her mind.
"So… who is it?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"I don't know."
And that was the truth.
But before leaving the village, Jiraiya had entrusted him with an important warning.
Whether it was Orochimaru…
The Akatsuki organization…
Or even Uchiha Itachi…
All of them were very likely targeting Sasuke.
As Sasuke's teacher, Kakashi had a duty to protect him with everything he had.
Fortunately, just then Kakashi spotted two familiar figures walking nearby.
"Hey," Kakashi called casually, waving his hand. "Asuma, Kurenai—you two seem to be getting along well."
The two jōnin stopped.
Asuma Sarutobi was walking beside Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai's face immediately flushed red.
"Don't say nonsense, Kakashi!" she said quickly. "I'm just helping Anko buy some dango."
Kakashi gave a meaningful glance toward the dessert shop behind them.
"Oh? Like that?"
His eyes curved into a teasing smile.
"You're quite enthusiastic, Kurenai."
Asuma and Kurenai instantly understood what Kakashi meant.
"Anko is extremely lazy," Asuma muttered.
"Yes," Kurenai added quickly.
Kakashi chuckled.
"Well then, we won't disturb your little appointment."
He gently took Hinata with him and walked away.
But the moment Kakashi passed by them, his tone lowered slightly.
His expression also became serious.
Asuma and Kurenai exchanged glances immediately.
Both of them sensed it.
An enemy presence.
Without hesitation, they followed Kakashi's direction.
Soon enough, the two groups arrived near the riverbank.
Standing there were two suspicious figures wearing straw hats and long black cloaks decorated with red clouds.
Asuma's expression darkened.
"You two don't look like ninja from Konoha Village," he said coldly.
One of the strangers slowly spoke.
"It's been a long time since we've seen each other, Mr. Asuma… Ms. Kurenai."
Asuma frowned.
"'It's been a long time'?"
"That means…"
The man slowly removed his straw hat.
Then he slightly unzipped the collar of his cloak.
His face was revealed.
The moment Asuma saw his eyes, his pupils shrank.
"Those eyes…!"
Kurenai's expression changed drastically.
"Uchiha… Itachi?!"
The name alone carried heavy weight.
"You dare return to Konoha after committing such a terrible crime?" Kurenai said coldly.
"You're quite bold."
Another chuckle echoed beside them.
The second man removed his straw hat as well.
"Mr. Itachi," he said mockingly, "it seems your reputation in the village is quite terrible."
He grinned, revealing shark-like teeth.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"I am Kisame Hoshigaki… formerly of the Hidden Mist Village."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Cold sweat immediately appeared on Asuma's forehead.
Uchiha Itachi.
Kisame Hoshigaki.
Two S-rank rogue ninja.
Two members of the Akatsuki.
"And you dare to infiltrate Konoha Village?" Asuma said through clenched teeth.
"You won't be leaving here today."
Kisame laughed loudly.
"Really? You dare say that?"
He lifted the massive sword strapped to his back.
"Quite brave of you."
He glanced toward Itachi.
"What do you think, Mr. Itachi?"
"Should we kill them?"
Itachi spoke calmly.
"Very well."
"But try not to make too much noise."
Kisame grinned.
"Understood."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
A battle between two Akatsuki members and two elite Konoha jōnin was about to begin.
Meanwhile
Elsewhere, Kakashi and Hinata quickly caught up with Sasuke.
However, Kakashi felt uneasy.
He wasn't sure if Asuma and Kurenai could handle enemies like those.
So he made a quick decision.
He asked Hinata to stay with Sasuke and keep an eye on him.
Kakashi didn't reveal the full truth.
He simply said that the two strangers might be targeting Sasuke.
Hinata nodded firmly.
"I understand."
Kakashi exhaled softly and turned to leave.
When Sasuke saw Hinata standing nearby, he looked slightly surprised.
But he didn't say much.
His feelings toward Hinata were very different from his feelings toward Naruto.
From the beginning, Hinata had never behaved like the other girls.
She never chased after him.
She never admired him loudly.
She never tried to attract his attention.
Even someone as oblivious as Sasuke could see that Hinata liked Naruto.
Within Team 7, Hinata often played the role of mediator.
Even though Sasuke and Naruto constantly argued…
Even though they seemed unable to get along…
Hinata would always step in to calm things down.
She had also helped Sasuke many times.
To Sasuke…
Hinata might be the closest thing he had to a true friend.
"Sasuke," Hinata said gently, "Kakashi-sensei suddenly had an urgent matter to deal with."
"So today's training will probably just be the two of us."
"Hm."
Sasuke took a bite of his favorite bonito rice ball and nodded casually.
Hinata, however, kept glancing out the window with worry in her eyes.
Sasuke noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Hinata quickly shook her head.
"No… nothing."
Sasuke misunderstood.
"Are you thinking about Naruto?"
Hinata's face instantly turned bright red.
"N-No! That's not it!"
Sasuke spoke calmly.
"Kakashi-sensei said he's training with Jiraiya."
"So he's probably the safest person right now."
"In fact…"
"He's probably safer than any of us in the village."
Sasuke suddenly stopped speaking.
But Hinata seemed to understand what he meant.
"Sasuke," she asked softly, "are you worried that Naruto will become stronger when he returns?"
Sasuke neither confirmed nor denied it.
He simply continued eating.
Hinata smiled slightly.
"I don't think Sasuke is afraid of Naruto becoming stronger."
"I think you're worried that you won't become strong fast enough."
Sasuke frowned.
"When Team 7 was first formed," Hinata continued, "Kakashi-sensei asked us to introduce ourselves."
"You said you carried the mission of the entire Uchiha Clan."
"You said you wanted to revive your family… and kill that man with your own hands."
Hinata's voice became softer.
"That kind of obsession… must have placed tremendous pressure on you all these years."
If anyone else had said those words, Sasuke would have ignored them immediately.
But Hinata was different.
She was someone special.
"There's no pain or pressure," Sasuke replied indifferently.
"It's simply my destiny."
Then he looked at her.
"Isn't it the same for you?"
"The Hyuga clan system is like chains."
"Look at you. Look at Hyuga Neji."
"At least your family still exists."
"So there's still a chance to change things."
"But the Uchiha Clan…"
His voice trailed off.
Hinata nodded.
"You're right, Sasuke."
"But…"
She clasped her hands together.
"No matter how much I want to break my fate or destroy the corrupt system of my clan…"
"I can't do it alone."
Then she smiled gently.
"But now I feel very confident."
"Not because I'm strong."
"Because… you're all here."
Sasuke's heart stirred slightly.
"Whether it's Naruto… you… Neji… or any of our friends," Hinata said.
"When I want to accomplish something, I believe all of you will help me."
"That is the most precious thing."
"With that support…"
"No matter how difficult things become, we will overcome them."
Sasuke frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
Hinata looked at him sincerely.
"I want to say…"
"If Sasuke wants to fulfill his obsession…"
"Don't forget that we also have strength."
Sasuke's chopsticks paused.
He didn't know how to respond.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I must kill that man with my own hands."
Hinata smiled.
"That may be true."
"But we can still help."
Sasuke was silent again.
Finally, he nodded slightly.
"...Hm."
Hinata smiled warmly.
Meanwhile…
On the other side of the village…
The fierce battle had already begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)