"Are you sure we're heading in the right direction, Pakkun?" Kakashi asked in a deep voice while jumping through the trees.
Pakkun, who was leading the way, replied, "Yeah, the scent is coming from this direction. It should be right."
"But you already know who that rocking chair belongs to. Are you sure you really want to go there?"
"That guy didn't kill you last time because of his teacher. This time, it's not just you—even Naruto might get caught."
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who looked furious and determined over Gaara's kidnapping. He fell silent for a moment before sighing heavily.
"I have to go. At this rate, our only option is to fight after meeting up with Gai's team. Otherwise..."
By the end, Kakashi's voice was barely a whisper.
"Son of White Fang, I can feel your body trembling. Is there really someone you fear that much?"
Hearing this, Granny Chiyo, who had been following behind Kakashi, suddenly sped up until she was moving alongside him. Her tone was unhappy.
"You misunderstand." Kakashi's voice was calm but firm. "He is terrifying. When I look back at our last fight... it was a miracle I even survived. Even now, I don't stand a chance against him."
"How disgraceful," Granny Chiyo scoffed, her disdain evident. "Losing the will to fight before the battle even begins? If your father were still alive, he'd die of shame."
"Is that so?" Kakashi smiled bitterly, not bothering to argue.
Because he knew the truth—even his father would have chosen the same path when weighing a mission against the safety of his comrades.
Even Tsunade's orders were clear—if they encountered an enemy they couldn't defeat, retreat strategically.
Just then, the group spotted a lone figure standing in their path.
A man, wearing a black cloak adorned with red clouds, stood in the middle of the forest.
A Konoha forehead protector, scratched across the symbol, rested on his head.
His dark tear-grooved eyes held an emotionless gaze.
It was Uchiha Itachi.
"Stop," Kakashi ordered, raising his hand.
The group immediately halted, landing on the ground thirty meters away from their opponent.
"You are..." Kakashi's voice trembled slightly, sweat forming on his forehead.
"Uchiha Itachi!"
His mind flashed back to their last encounter.
Although he hadn't truly fought Itachi back then, due to interference from Jiraiya, he was fully aware of Itachi's strength.
And now... they were face to face again.
And Fujiwara Kirito wasn't even here yet.
If Kirito arrived, and he and Itachi teamed up, then... this mission would be over.
"Teacher Kakashi! That's really Uchiha Itachi?!"
Just as Kakashi was debating whether to abort the mission, an excited voice interrupted his thoughts.
It was Haruno Sakura, her tone filled with awe and tension.
Kakashi didn't turn to look at her. His gaze remained locked on Itachi, his expression growing heavier.
"Yes. It seems we have no choice but to fight."
"Don't worry, Kakashi," Itachi's calm voice broke the silence.
"I'm the only one who will be intercepting you this time."
"We...?" Kakashi murmured, his anxiety deepening.
"Then does that mean..." His voice turned sharp.
"Does that mean Gai's team has been intercepted by Fujiwara Kirito?!"
"No," Itachi shook his head, forming a hand seal.
He was being watched, so he couldn't say too much.
Instead, he activated a technique that consumed extra chakra, ensuring he wouldn't harm Konoha for real.
"Be careful! He's about to attack!" Kakashi shouted urgently.
The next moment, a massive fireball burst from Itachi's mouth, hurtling toward them.
Just before it could hit, a giant water dragon surged from behind Kakashi.
It collided with the fireball, neutralizing it.
A thick mist rose into the air.
"Chinatsu?"
Kakashi, Granny Chiyo, Naruto, Sakura, and Karin all turned in shock.
The one who had launched the Water Dragon Bullet—a technique requiring forty-four hand seals—was none other than Chinatsu.
Even Itachi was surprised.
He had been watching closely and realized something unbelievable.
She had performed the Water Dragon Bullet with a speed and efficiency that rivaled Kirito himself.
A genius who could match or even surpass Kirito?
Chinatsu, however, saw through him immediately.
"So, you're really a Konoha spy," she thought.
"Kakashi, Sharingan illusions require direct eye contact to be effective."
"If you close your eyes, his illusions won't work."
"Also..." She narrowed her eyes. "This isn't his real body—he doesn't have much chakra."
"I'll handle this."
With that, she closed her eyes and rushed forward.
"Wait!" Kakashi tried to stop her, but it was too late.
Chinatsu's speed was astonishing—even faster than Kakashi himself.
"A perceptive ninja, huh?" Itachi murmured, his expression showing rare amusement.
He formed another hand seal.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
Countless small fireballs shot forward like scattered petals, each targeting Chinatsu.
Itachi originally intended to control the fireballs so they barely missed, but—
She dodged them all effortlessly.
Even without seeing them.
Itachi's eyes widened slightly, revealing genuine admiration.
"What incredible perception. Even Kirito... probably isn't better than this."
Granny Chiyo narrowed her eyes, also impressed.
"It seems Tsunade didn't send her daughter to die after all."
"Of course not." Kakashi readied himself for support, his voice firm.
"Chinatsu is a genius on par with Fujiwara Kirito."
Sakura's eyes sparkled with awe.
"He dodged them all. And with his eyes closed?!"
Karin stepped forward, grinning proudly.
"Of course. Chinatsu is incredibly strong."
Meanwhile, Naruto...
Was completely trapped in Itachi's illusion.
In his mind, his right half had turned into Sasuke, while Sakura was crawling out of his stomach.
The word 'love' and Gaara's eye had appeared on his left hand, blaming him.
As they talked, Chinatsu reached Itachi, and the two engaged in fierce taijutsu.
(End of this chapter)