Kakashi crouched opposite Hagoromo, thinking for a moment before adding: "Considering we ran into Biwa Juzo, it's highly suspicious whether other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are here... Even if they aren't, there are likely ninjas of the same caliber. That would explain why the Hyuga squad couldn't even manage to escape."
Kakashi's judgment was sound. Hagoromo nodded in agreement.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were one of the Mist's most elite groups. If they acted together in a multiple-member unit, wiping out an elite Konoha squad was entirely possible.
In other words, their primary opponents from here on out would be elite Jonin.
"In any case, we're entering the Land of Whirlpools next. Given the enemy's strength, we should try not to split up."
With Hagoromo and Kakashi cooperating, they were quite efficient.
However, things rarely go exactly as planned.
"Kushina's old home, huh?" Hagoromo murmured to himself. Thinking about the connection between this destroyed micro-nation and Kushina gave him a strange, unexplainable feeling.
"Huh?" Kakashi clearly hadn't heard what Hagoromo said; he thought he was talking about the mission.
"Nothing. Check your gear, then we move out."
There wasn't much to check; both were ready to go instantly. However...
"Are you really going to keep lugging that thing around?" Hagoromo pointed at the Kubikiribocho Kakashi was holding. Using such a specialized weapon required unique techniques; could Kakashi really pick it up that quickly?
In Hagoromo's mind, throwing the thing into the ocean was the best move. What was the point of carrying it?
But Kakashi wasn't holding onto it for combat purposes.
Even the young, stoic Kakashi had moments of whimsical thinking. He said, "Tell me—if we collected all seven weapons, could we use them as leverage to trade back for the Byakugan in an extreme situation?"
Fortunately, he didn't ask if they could summon a dragon, so Hagoromo suppressed the urge to roast him.
"No," Hagoromo said flatly. "Either we snatch the Byakugan back, or they snatch their sword back. Trading isn't on the table for either side."
Besides, running into all seven of them? He'd rather pass. Even in a gauntlet match, collecting all the weapons would be an exhausting chore.
Not to mention the risk if the enemy was actually moving in a large group.
"True..." Kakashi realized the logic instantly, but for some reason, he still didn't throw the Kubikiribocho away.
At dawn, the two entered the former Land of Whirlpools—now a deserted nation.
It was indeed a small island, but "small" was relative. If you tried to cram a hundred thousand people onto it, it would feel tiny; but if ten people were hiding there, they would be incredibly hard to find.
If the Hyuga clan's Byakugan were working at full capacity, the search wouldn't be difficult. But due to some kind of barrier or wide-range interference jutsu, its range was restricted.
They had to rely on manpower... No matter how you looked at it, it was a difficult task.
And it was possible the enemy had already left the island via some specialized method—like swimming under the sea.
On their first day on the island, Hagoromo's squad found nothing. They didn't encounter any enemies, though they did run into fellow Konoha ninjas twice.
On the second day, in a deserted village, they finally encountered their second enemy.
And their third.
Another enemy walked out quite proactively. This one... regardless of whether he was confident in his strength, he only revealed himself because Kakashi was carrying the perfect bait.
From my perspective, these guys were all fetishists; a single sword was enough to make them lose their minds.
"That great blade... since it's in your hands, it means Senior Biwa Juzo has died by your side. Therefore, according to the rules, I should be the one to inherit it now."
The enemy who walked out looked to be about the same age as Kakashi, but his voice carried an air of someone much older and more arrogant.
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed greedily on the Kubikiribocho in Kakashi's hand. Despite guessing that Juzo had bitten the dust, this fellow Mist ninja showed no grief; instead, he looked delighted, as if his wish had finally come true.
Kakashi didn't answer. He certainly wasn't kind enough to just hand the thing back.
He also didn't plan to use a sword that was currently taller than he was.
He slammed the Kubikiribocho into the ground at his feet and drew the short blade he always carried on his back. The message was clear: if you want the Decapitating Carving Knife, come and take it.
Although Hagoromo was still standing next to Kakashi, he didn't have the luxury of fighting alongside him. Regardless of how much he trusted Kakashi, he had to leave him to it.
"Kakashi, you can handle this brat on your own, right?"
Kakashi nodded. "No problem."
"Good. It looks like we'll have to split up for a bit..."
Hagoromo wasn't looking for a "fair duel"; he simply had to deal with a much more obvious "big guy."
He took a deep breath and walked toward a different part of the village, away from Kakashi.
"So, you noticed me after all?"
Before Hagoromo could get close, a voice drifted out.
The fight behind him had already begun, but Hagoromo didn't turn back. He stared at the face of the man who had just appeared. After a moment, he spoke: "Why do I feel like you look a bit familiar?"
The man was surprisingly blunt, revealing his identity immediately.
"My name... you can call me Roshi."
Just as he thought.
"Why is someone from the Hidden Stone appearing here?"
There was another sentence he didn't say aloud: Especially a Jinchuriki.
"There are suitable reasons, naturally."
That was as good as saying nothing.
"In this situation, it seems there's no need for us to fight?" Hagoromo tried to probe. Fighting a Stone Jinchuriki wouldn't help the mission; it would only waste combat strength. If they could maintain a temporary peace, that would be best.
What exactly was a Stone Jinchuriki doing here? Did it have anything to do with the Mist's movements? It was hard to tell just by guessing.
But looking at Roshi's attitude, he clearly held hostility toward Konoha ninjas.
"Given the current state of things, when Stone and Leaf ninjas meet, peaceful coexistence isn't exactly an option."
"Besides, it's not just you who finds me familiar. I believe I know who you are as well... The 'White Yaksha' of the Leaf?"
The man actually knew his identity? Hagoromo's expression shifted slightly under his mask.
Was the Hidden Stone deploying a Jinchuriki for a specific, targeted operation?
It seemed a battle was unavoidable.
"To think the Four-Tails Jinchuriki has heard of my name... I'm truly honored."
His identity being exposed meant his abilities were likely known as well—a definite disadvantage in combat.
Honored? Hagoromo would be a ghost if he were actually honored.
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