"No wonder we were assigned this mission; I didn't expect people from both Kirigakure and Konoha on either side."
The next day, after setting off, Kisame Hoshigaki, who had sensed chakra fluctuations ahead in the forest, seemingly from a battle, used Water Release to stealthily investigate. He then returned to inform the other two.
"It seems Itachi, your brother, is also among them," Kisame added.
"Sasuke?" Uchiha Itachi glanced at Bai Mo.
He wondered if Bai Mo had known in advance that they would encounter Sasuke on this trip, which was why he had told him those things earlier.
Some time ago, when Bai Mo had a meeting with the Akatsuki Organization, he excused Itachi and Kisame, telling them to gather intelligence on Konoha.
Itachi took the opportunity to return and saw Sasuke, who had already graduated and become a Genin.
What he hadn't expected was that Sasuke, who had only recently become a Genin, would already be undertaking a mission of this caliber.
Itachi had, of course, considered forcing Sasuke to grow, not wanting to treat him like a hothouse flower.
But he also knew that too much was counterproductive, at least when it came to life-threatening situations.
According to Kisame's description, two Chūnin appeared early in the mission, indicating it had already reached B-rank.
It was highly probable that there would be more enemies later, possibly even Jōnin-level enemies, raising the mission difficulty to A-rank.
A Genin undertaking an A-rank mission?
The opposing Jōnin wouldn't hold back.
That would truly be a fight to the death.
The only good news was that Kisame recognized their squad leader, Kakashi Hatake.
With him present, the safety of the group was at least maximally assured.
Kisame also thought so: "With Kakashi Hatake there, Uchiha Sasuke should be safe. Should we follow behind them, or bypass them and go directly to the Land of Waves?"
"Do you really trust the ninja world's internet celebrity, Hatake 'Fifty-Fifty' Kakashi, that much?" Bai Mo countered.
"...When I was still in Konoha, I once carried out missions with Kakashi in the Anbu. Kakashi's strength is quite good." Uchiha Itachi didn't understand why Bai Mo would say that.
"How about this: we split up. Itachi, you go to the Land of Waves first to meet with the mission target and gather some intelligence.
Kisame and I will stay here and follow them all the way there." Bai Mo didn't explain much.
"...Alright, but with Kakashi Hatake's strength and experience, you might find it difficult to follow without being detected."
"Who said we were going to hide and follow? Kisame, let's go." Bai Mo waved to Kisame and walked straight over.
"Huh?" Kisame was stunned for a moment, then looked at Itachi, who had already transformed into crows and left. He quickly caught up with Bai Mo.
~
Kakashi's squad.
At the end of a "one-act play" battle, Uzumaki Naruto, who had been paralyzed by fear, had just stabbed his palm with a kunai, vowing to change. Then Kakashi reminded him that he would die if he didn't stop the bleeding, and he immediately screamed for help, terrified.
It was originally a relaxed scene; everyone was at ease.
But the next second, Kakashi's smiling eyes instantly became serious as he looked at the figures appearing from the forest.
Two figures, one in front, one behind.
Kakashi didn't recognize the young man in front.
But the one behind... a Kirigakure rogue ninja symbol with a scratch across his forehead.
And that large sword on his back... the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?
Kakashi immediately thought of the two Chūnin, the Demon Brothers, whom he had just dealt with, who were also rogue ninja from Kirigakure.
"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, you immediately..."
"They're enemies, right? Kakashi-sensei, then I'm going!" Kakashi hadn't finished speaking when Naruto, having just made his vow, decided to fulfill it immediately, charging fearlessly towards Bai Mo.
"Idiot Naruto!" Seeing this, Sasuke had no choice but to throw shuriken, blocking Kisame's path.
At least to prevent Naruto from facing two people at once, especially the one behind who looked even stronger.
Kakashi also acted immediately.
Facing a Jōnin-level Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kakashi couldn't leisurely read his Icha Icha book and teach like he had with the Demon Brothers earlier.
Kakashi's target was also Bai Mo.
With just one glance, Kakashi sensed that Bai Mo, who was walking in front, regardless of his strength, definitely held a higher position than the Swordsman behind him.
Controlling the one in front would not only ensure Naruto's safety but was also the best option.
However... Naruto slid, landing on the ground with a confused expression.
Kakashi appeared in Bai Mo's original position, a kunai in his hand, and was also momentarily stunned.
Where did he go?
"Kisame, you see? I told you your filter for the ninja world's internet celebrity was too strong. You attacked directly without even distinguishing friend from foe."
Bai Mo's voice appeared from the other side.
Naruto and Kakashi looked over at the sound, realizing that Bai Mo had appeared beside Tazuna, their mission's escort target, at some unknown point.
Only Sakura was guarding Tazuna, and upon seeing Bai Mo suddenly appear, the young girl was also completely stunned.
Sakura was about to make a move, raising her fist, but Bai Mo grabbed her wrist, rendering her unable to move.
"Your meaning is, you bear us no ill will?" Kakashi's expression became completely serious.
Because even after he regained his composure, he still hadn't figured out how Bai Mo had appeared behind them.
Substitutions, clones, and the like would all leave traces.
But Bai Mo's disappearance and appearance left absolutely no trace.
It was even... without any trace in his memory.
Kakashi realized he couldn't even remember exactly when Bai Mo had disappeared.
So, after understanding what Bai Mo said, Kakashi immediately followed his lead.
First, stabilize the other party.
"That's right, one of our mission objectives is also to ensure that this old bridge builder can reach the Land of Waves." Bai Mo released Sakura's wrist and pointed to Tazuna beside him.
"Mr. Tazuna, you not only concealed the mission difficulty, but you also issued the same mission to multiple parties?!" Kakashi's gaze turned to Tazuna, his tone very displeased.
Just after they had dealt with the Demon Brothers, they had asked Tazuna why he had concealed the mission difficulty.
The mission they accepted was C-rank, which the Third Hokage had exceptionally given to these Genin because a Jōnin was leading them.
But unexpectedly, ninja appeared during the mission, raising it to B-rank.
Tazuna's reason was that they were too poor to afford the bounty for a B-rank mission.
Now, another group of people who had accepted the mission suddenly appeared.
Is this called poor? Can't afford the money?
Tazuna was also bewildered. Although he lied and used emotional blackmail, he truly didn't know about this matter!
He was about to explain when his eyes suddenly darted around, and he changed his story: "I really didn't know about this. Perhaps others in the village were worried that the Genin on a C-rank mission wouldn't be able to protect me, so they sold some other things and hired them..."
"Waaah, waaah, we're truly suffering." As Tazuna spoke, he started crying, snot and tears flowing.
Clearly, this old scoundrel had seen that those Genin were easily susceptible to emotional blackmail and was preparing to use his old tricks again.