"I can smell the scent leading to the water ahead. It's confirmed; Rin Nohara was taken to Kirigakure by Kirigakure ninjas! Let's return and report!" Pakkun advised Kakashi.
"That's right, Kakashi. We can't act rashly! I know you want to save Rin Nohara, and we do too, but this isn't something the three of us can handle."
"Let's return and report. The village won't ignore this!" Kimura Kunan also urged Kakashi.
Kakashi, calmer than expected, nodded. "Let's go back."
The best way to save Rin Nohara as quickly as possible was to return to Konoha and plan a strategy.
The three used the Body Flicker Technique and quickly returned.
"No good, Kirigakure ninjas are pursuing us!"
However, shortly after they began their return journey, they sensed a group of Kirigakure ninjas relentlessly pursuing them.
Everyone frowned.
They had wisely stopped outside Kirigakure, choosing not to alert them, yet Kirigakure had chosen to pursue them anyway. Even those who were simply gathering information were being eliminated. Clearly, Kirigakure's scheme was far-reaching and dangerous.
"Pakkun, how many are there?"
Kakashi moved through the dense forest, questioning his ninja dog.
Pakkun sniffed the air, his voice grave. "Twelve."
Twelve!
Kakashi and Kimura Kunan's expressions changed. They were only three; how could they possibly deal with twelve opponents? Returning to Konoha seemed highly unlikely.
"Kimura and Kouki, the situation is critical. If we continue to flee, we'll inevitably be caught and killed by the Kirigakure ninjas."
"The chances of a successful escape are slim."
"So I have a suggestion!"
After a moment of thought, Kakashi outlined his plan. "Two of us will stay behind to cover the other's escape. It's our only chance."
Kimura Kunan nodded, agreeing with Kakashi's assessment.
Three against twelve offered no chance of victory; it was a suicide mission. Kakashi's suggestion of sacrificing two to save one was indeed their only option.
The question was, who would be the two to stay behind and face almost certain death?
"Uchiha Kouki, we'll stay behind. You take the message back to Konoha! Understood?"
"Even if it costs your life, you must get the message back!"
Kakashi and Kimura Kunan made this decision unanimously. They both believed Uchiha Kouki was too weak.
Kakashi and Kimura Kunan were seasoned jōnin. Uchiha Kouki's only known feat was defeating Asuma Sarutobi, which was merely a rumor.
Kakashi had worked with Kouki six months prior searching for Obito, at which time Kouki was merely a genin. How strong could he possibly be now? Having him stay behind would be useless.
"Understood! You two, be careful!"
Kouki didn't object. Tactically, Kakashi and Kimura Kunan's decision was sound. He had no reason to refuse.
Kakashi and Kimura Kunan set up traps to hinder the enemy while providing covering fire for Kouki.
However, unbeknownst to them, Kouki returned shortly after escaping. Knowing his own strength, he couldn't bear to watch Kakashi and Kimura Kunan sacrifice themselves to buy him time. That would be unconscionable.
What Kouki didn't expect was that, after catching up to Kakashi and Kimura Kunan, the Kirigakure ninjas didn't attack. After a brief standoff, they simply left!
What the hell?
Kouki was utterly baffled. What was that about? Did they create such a large-scale pursuit only to scare them?
Unable to understand Kirigakure's baffling actions, Kouki stopped trying to make sense of it. He silently left Kakashi and Kimura Kunan and continued on his way alone.
Then, halfway there, the strange events continued as the Kirigakure ninjas reappeared, pursuing him once more.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The ninjas used the Body Flicker Technique, descending around Kouki like falling dumplings, completely encircling him.
"Your real target… was me all along!"
Kouki suddenly understood. From the beginning, the Kirigakure ninjas hadn't been tracking the "Konoha tracking team," but only him!
Since he was with Kakashi and Kimura Kunan, they had mistakenly believed the target was the entire team. But when they caught up to Kakashi and Kimura Kunan and found Kouki absent, they didn't attack. They simply left to continue pursuing Uchiha Kouki.
"And you're not actually Kirigakure ninjas!" Kouki's eyes were sharp, having seen through their deception.
Upon closer inspection, these individuals had never identified themselves as Kirigakure ninjas and weren't wearing Kirigakure forehead protectors.
They had simply been mistaken for Kirigakure ninjas due to the timing of their appearance.
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