"The Hokage specifically requested my presence?"
Uchiha Kouki was surprised by the summons. Sarutobi Hiruzen's noticing this wasn't unexpected. However, Hiruzen summoning him at this time was very puzzling
With Kirigakure's invasion of Konoha, Hiruzen should have been dealing with a mountain of problems. Why would he suddenly summon him?
Could it be… related to the Kirigakure incident?
Kouki couldn't think of any other possibility.
"I used Amaterasu to burn Danzō's arm, and then again to kill Mangetsu Hōzuki in front of Kurenai and Guy. Kurenai and Guy must have reported this to the Hokage."
"Could it be… that Hiruzen knows I'm the one who killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Kouki pondered this internally.
However, this was purely Kouki's speculation. He didn't know that Hiruzen hadn't revealed the identity of the mysterious figure who had killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
After all, the fact that a person of unknown identity, purpose, and strength—at least Kage-level—was hidden within Konoha was something that would cause a huge uproar if revealed. People with ulterior motives, like Danzō, would certainly try to exploit the situation.
Therefore, until he had gathered more information, Hiruzen intended to keep the matter secret.
Danzō, who had also witnessed Kouki's true abilities, had chosen to conceal Kouki's Sharingan due to his own selfish reasons.
Thus, Kouki's secret remained, for now, undisclosed.
With a mind full of various thoughts, Kouki quickly arrived at the Hokage's office.
When he arrived, he found Kakashi and another ninja he didn't recognize already waiting.
"The three of you will form a temporary team to undertake a tracking mission!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, without further preamble, announced the mission once everyone had arrived.
"With the withdrawal of the Kirigakure ninjas, Minato Namikaze's student, Rin Nohara, has also gone missing. We have reason to believe that Kirigakure ninjas abducted Rin!"
"What, Rin?!"
Kakashi's face instantly paled. He looked up, unable to accept the news. The death of Obito had already dealt a heavy blow; if Rin were to suffer a similar fate, Kakashi's young heart might not be able to bear it.
"Rin Nohara is missing? I…"
Upon hearing the news, Kouki outwardly remained calm, but inwardly, he was far from composed.
At this time, Kirigakure capturing Rin undoubtedly meant that Madara Uchiha had begun his scheme against Obito! Obito's tragic life was about to begin.
"Your mission is to investigate this matter and find Rin's whereabouts! Do you understand?" Hiruzen addressed them.
"Understood!"
They responded in unison.
However, upon hearing the mission, Kouki couldn't help but think critically.
Rin and Kakashi were both Minato Namikaze's students. Kakashi also had ninken (ninja dogs), making him the most suitable person for a tracking mission.
Why did Hiruzen specifically request his presence?
Was it because he'd beaten Asuma Sarutobi, and Hiruzen was seeking revenge?
While ostensibly a tracking mission, it also carried significant danger. Were the Kirigakure ninjas to be taken lightly?
Kouki was overthinking. Hiruzen's strategy wasn't that simplistic. He chose Kouki for two reasons.
First, from a mission perspective.
The abduction of Rin Nohara by Kirigakure was only a hypothesis, not a certainty. Hiruzen needed this tracking mission to confirm it. Note that it was a tracking mission, not a rescue mission, hence a small team was sufficient.
However, considering the potential dangers, he needed to select capable individuals. Kouki, who had defeated the elite jōnin Asuma Sarutobi and whose strength had been confirmed by Danzō, was a logical choice.
Furthermore, the village was short-handed due to the war and recent losses to Kirigakure; Kouki's sudden emergence as a powerful shinobi couldn't be ignored.
The second reason was Hiruzen's desire to assess Kouki's true abilities. The taijutsu that could defeat Asuma Sarutobi was certainly something Hiruzen was curious about. Hiruzen's motives weren't entirely pure.
"There's no time to waste. Leave immediately!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The three accepted the mission.
Kakashi, being familiar with Rin, took out a gift Rin had given him before the Kannabi Bridge battle. He quickly summoned Pakkun and began tracking.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Three figures moved swiftly, quickly leaving Konoha.
Following Pakkun's keen sense of smell, the three relentlessly pursued the trail, eventually reaching the shores leading to the Land of Water.
The Land of Water was an island nation surrounded by water, requiring a sea route to reach Kirigakure. This was only the first barrier.
Even if they crossed the water to the Land of Water, Kirigakure was shrouded in dense fog, forming a second barrier, making it a dangerous place for intruders.
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