"Team 7, retreat immediately."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Orochimaru and the two mindless puppets, then instructed Kakashi and Team 7, "Take the kids and stay far away."
"What about you?"
Kakashi stopped.
"What do you think I can do?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Kakashi and said, "Orochimaru has set up a trap here. It would be disappointing if I didn't jump in, right?"
"Actually, you..."
Kakashi wanted to persuade Akihara Kagura.
Because no ninja in Konoha is as important as Akihara Kagura. His existence is the cornerstone of Konoha's strength.
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura directly interrupted Kakashi, whispering, "There may be a spy in the village, perhaps even someone high-ranking. Otherwise, Orochimaru wouldn't know I left Konoha or even that I came to the Land of Waves on a mission..."
"Root..."
Kakashi immediately became suspicious.
"Root has never left my sight."
Akihara Kagura shook his head and continued, "Not many people know I'm on a mission in the Land of Waves. Perhaps this is a trap set by some people and Orochimaru, or they deliberately made me accept this mission. It might even be the Hidden Mist Village..."
"Hidden Mist Village?"
Kakashi furrowed his brow.
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura took the opportunity to cast blame on the Hidden Mist Village: "Orochimaru must have collaborated with someone from the Hidden Mist Village. Otherwise, why would he be in the Land of Waves? It's just a smuggling hub between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire. Only those connected to the Hidden Mist Village would appear here without a reason..."
Feeling his accusation wasn't convincing enough, Akihara Kagura offered more evidence: "Great Country Ninja Villages always like to conspire with traitorous ninjas from other villages to use them against enemy ninja villages. Like how I recently collaborated with the Hidden Mist Village's traitorous ninja, Momochi Zabuza, to help with my affairs..."
"..."
Kakashi's eyes twitched slightly.
Over the years, Kakashi had seen many people blame others, but never had he seen someone pour a bucket of blame on themselves while pointing out others' faults...
But...
Akihara Kagura's words made sense.
This guy is trying to warn Konoha to be wary of the Hidden Mist Village allies.
"By the way, your mission is to protect Dazna and complete the bridge, right?"
Akihara Kagura glanced at Dazna and then at Team 7: "After I defeat them, I'll secure the bridge and Dazna, so remember to give me your mission rewards when you return. I've dealt with the enemies twice for you..."
"..."
Kakashi felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Is this the time to talk about rewards?
Kakashi knew Akihara Kagura was joking to lighten the mood, so he nodded, showing he understood: "Alright, but as the instructor Jonin, I can only get a part of the reward. You'll have to ask these kids for the rest..."
"All my share goes to Kagura!"
Naruto Uzumaki, loyal as ever, didn't grasp the situation fully but wanted to stay and help: "I can stay..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura knocked on Naruto's head: "You still can't beat Karin yet, so don't be a burden..."
"I don't want my reward either."
Uchiha Sasuke had no objection.
"Me neither."
Haruno Sakura quickly agreed with Sasuke.
"It sounds like I'm bullying kids..."
Akihara Kagura ruffled Naruto's hair and chuckled: "Alright, hurry up and go. Karin and the Root Ninja will stay to help me."
"Okay."
Kakashi could only nod.
He's the only one in Team 7 who can help, but he's injured too, with little chakra left, so retreating with Team 7 is all he can do for now.
After they left, Karin ordered the Root Ninja to retreat to the bridge's edge and then looked at Akihara Kagura: "Lord Kagura, can I..."
Karin thought her Kagura Heart Eye might help, and even if Akihara Kagura got hurt, he could drink her blood for healing, but Akihara Kagura interrupted her.
"You go and wait nicely over there."
Akihara Kagura waved her off, instructing her to wait by the bridge: "Set up the fishing rod for me. Once you've prepared my fishing spot, it should be about over."
"Yes."
Karin could only lower her head and retreat to the bridge's edge.
On the entire bridge,
Only Akihara Kagura, Orochimaru, and the two Hokages, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, remained. Mist slowly spread across the bridge.
"Lord Orochimaru."
Akihara Kagura looked at Orochimaru and softly asked, "I'm curious about one thing. If there was a Ninja Academy student holding two sharp kunai and wanting to challenge you, wielding the Kusanagi Sword, how would you feel?"
"..."
Orochimaru thought for a moment, not expecting the question, and after a second, he smiled and answered, "Perhaps I'd pity his ignorance and fearlessness?"
A Ninja Academy student from Konoha who barely understands the Three-Body Jutsu and isn't skilled in Taijutsu, how could they possibly be a match for him?
After speaking, Orochimaru seemed to realize something, narrowing his eyes: "Kagura-kun, are you saying that I'm the kid with the pretty kunai?"
"Yes..."