Meanwhile.
At the time the sealing began, a person and a dog successfully landed on Aqua Blue Island.
"Kakashi, there are a lot of people here. Are you really going in alone?"
The ninja dog wearing a forehead protector sniffed the scent, his brows furrowed tightly.
"There are several Jonin-level Chakras, plus those Anbu from before. With just your strength alone, there's no way to deal with them."
"Wait for support. I've already sent your intelligence back. Reinforcements should arrive before long; just wait a little while."
"There's no time!"
Kakashi Hatake gasped for breath, stuffing a Soldier Pill from his ninja pouch into his mouth while scouting the surrounding situation.
He didn't know why those guys kidnapped Rin. Perhaps it was related to the Battle of Kannabi Bridge back then, but he couldn't let it be like Kannabi Bridge again.
Once something happened to Rin, how could he explain it to the departed Obito?!
"No matter what, I must bring Rin back!"
Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath, and the two-tomoe Sharingan in his right eye rotated slowly.
Ever since Rin was kidnapped, he hadn't slept a wink, tracking them all the way here.
The Kirigakure Anbu were extremely professional in leaving diversions and anti-tracking measures along the way. If not for Pakkun and the other ninja dogs' extraordinary sense of smell and tracking abilities, he would never have found this island hidden in the vast ocean.
Pakkun sighed.
He knew Kakashi's stubborn nature.
Ever since his father died, this kid had become increasingly paranoid. Once he set his mind on something, even ten Pakkuns couldn't drag him back.
One of his partners, Obito, was already dead. Whether due to the bond between partners or responsibility, Kakashi would not tolerate anything happening to Rin.
"I understand how you feel, Kakashi, but a frontal assault isn't a wise move."
"How about this: we can infiltrate first, find Rin's specific location, and then wait for an opportunity to act. I can smell Rin's Chakra; she's fine."
Kakashi forced himself to calm down.
Pakkun was right. Impulsiveness wouldn't solve the problem. If he wanted to save Rin, he needed to be even calmer!
He looked around. The island wasn't large, and there was a thin mist, so visibility was passable. In the distance, the outlines of warehouse buildings and the figures of patrolling ninjas were faintly visible.
"Pakkun, can you find Rin's most precise location?"
Pakkun took another deep breath, carefully distinguishing the countless mixed scents in the air.
"Over there, the largest warehouse area has very intense Chakra fluctuations. It's very chaotic, massive... and Rin's scent. It's very faint, but it's right there!"
"Additionally, there are several unfamiliar powerful Chakra reactions. They should be those Anbu who took Rin earlier. There are also many ordinary Mist ninjas guarding the perimeter."
"The warehouse..."
Kakashi locked onto the target.
"We'll go around from the side and avoid the main patrol routes."
Relying on Pakkun's olfactory warnings and the Sharingan's observational powers, Kakashi successfully avoided several teams of open sentries and hidden posts, approaching the core warehouse area silently.
The closer they got, the more Kakashi and Pakkun could feel that heart-palpitating Chakra fluctuation.
Violent, chaotic, and full of hatred.
"This kind of Chakra... what on earth are they doing?!"
The ominous premonition in Kakashi's heart grew stronger and stronger. He had never felt such terrifying Chakra before.
Kirigakure must have a conspiracy!
"Careful! Two around the corner ahead, approaching!"
Just as they were about to infiltrate the warehouse's outer defense line, Pakkun suddenly lowered his voice.
Kakashi held his breath instantly, pressing his body against the shadow of the wall, his Sharingan carefully scrutinizing the surrounding situation.
Sure enough, two Mist Chunin were patrolling over while chatting.
"...Don't know what they're doing inside, making such a big commotion."
"Don't ask too much. The Captain said it's top secret. We just need to guard the outside."
"But this Chakra feels really uncomfortable..."
"Whoosh!"
As the two Mist ninjas gradually approached, Kakashi's eyes sharpened. His figure darted out from the shadows like a ghost, extremely fast.
His right hand holding a kunai accurately slashed towards the throat of the Mist ninja on the left, while his left hand delivered a clean chop to the side of the neck of the Mist ninja on the right!
The two Mist ninjas slumped to the ground without even the slightest warning.
After observing the surrounding situation, Kakashi added another stab to their necks to ensure they were thoroughly dead. Only then did he proceed cautiously, preparing to continue the infiltration.
"Watch the surroundings, we contin..."
"Shoo!"
Kakashi seemed to sense something. His Sharingan contracted abruptly, and his body dodged sharply to the side and back almost instinctively.
A stream of water shot over like a bullet, grazing Kakashi's cheek and hitting the ground, instantly blasting a deep hole in the earth.
"Not bad reflexes, Konoha ninja."
A cold voice came from above. Kakashi looked up and saw a white-haired boy ninja with white eyes, holding a ninja sword, looking down at him from a high vantage point. His eyes were sharp, carrying undisguised hostility and intense excitement for battle.
It was precisely Hōzuki Dalang, who was eager for battle!
"Pakkun, go find Rin first!"
Kakashi immediately shouted in a low voice, his Sharingan locking tightly onto Hōzuki Mangetsu.
The opponent was about the same age as him, but his Chakra was condensed. The speed and precision of that Water Style just now were no small matter; he was definitely not someone easy to deal with.
"Understood, be careful!"
Pakkun didn't hesitate.
Taking advantage of Kakashi attracting the opponent's attention, his small body turned into a black shadow, drilling towards a gap on the other side of the warehouse using his sense of smell.
His combat power wasn't high. Rather than staying here, it was better to locate Rin first. He could also create some noise elsewhere to help Kakashi stall the other Mist ninjas.
"Trying to leave?"
Hōzuki Mangetsu raised an eyebrow, his body moving slightly.
"Your opponent is me!"
How could Kakashi let him intercept Pakkun? He drew the White Fang blade from his back, locked on with his Sharingan, and with an indomitable momentum, thrust straight at Hōzuki Mangetsu.
Seeing the opponent draw his blade, a trace of surprise flashed in Hōzuki Mangetsu's eyes, but it was mostly excitement.
"Good timing!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu advanced instead of retreating. The ninja sword in his hand traced a cold arc, accurately meeting Kakashi's White Fang blade.
"Clang!"
The ear-piercing sound of metal clashing exploded in the open space outside the warehouse, sparks flying everywhere.
The moment the blades crossed, Kakashi immediately felt an extremely strong force transmitted to him.
Despite looking thin, the opponent actually possessed such powerful strength. Similarly, Hōzuki Mangetsu also felt the sharpness and determination contained in Kakashi's blade.
The two separated upon contact.
"Strength isn't weak, and the blade is fast too."
Hōzuki Mangetsu shook his wrist, the fighting intent in his eyes growing stronger.
This Konoha ninja's foundation in swordsmanship was extremely solid. That indomitable, sharp, and resolute sword intent...
Wait, this blade is!
"The White Fang blade... You are the son of Konoha's White Fang?!"