Chapter 7

-[Kaito]-

Taking the appearance of Tatsumi from a certain gory anime series, he carefully strolled through the streets of Konoha, pushing down the frustration that threatened to explode.

Unlike what he thought, the exit wasn't just a straight path. He made a wrong turn at first before quickly correcting himself and going back to the correct one.

He was also convinced that there was another exit. He planned on going to the Hokage office but he could sense and see the root ANBU that were actively searching for him.

Danzo seemed to have anticipated that possibility and was trying to stop him before he could get to her.

With [Mind's Eye of the Kagura], he could feel them all around him. Even as he acted nonchalantly in front of a store, he could feel them moving around.

He wasn't confident in his [Stealth] level so his only option was to move as fast as he could…which was very fast.

There were still many of them around the Hokage building so he didn't make his move, opting to wait until they lowered their guard around the entrance.

If they didn't, he'd just have to try the window and hope Tsunade's own ANBU didn't kill him.

[Stealth has leveled up]

It wasn't the first time it was leveling up. With the amount of ANBU currently searching for him, it was no wonder the skill was growing quickly.

He had been using [Chakra Suppression] to lower the chances of getting caught and it was only a matter of time before that would happen.

Just when he turned to make his way to the hokage building, his eyes widened as he quickly jumped back, discreetly pulling out a tag from behind his back.

"It seems you're the one they're all looking for." An elderly voice said, causing his eyes to widen as his eyes landed on who was in front of him.

A tall and well built man with waist length white spiky hair tied in a ponytail and two shoulder-length bangs framing his face. If that didn't help Kaito recognize him, the red lines under his eyes and the forehead protector with the kanji for 'oil' did.

'Jiraiya…how didn't I notice him until he got so close.' Kaito thought, only mildly surprised when he thought it through.

The man who had a large spy network had to have high levels of stealth to do his job.

"So you recognize me." The man's tone turned serious as his eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

Instead of answering, Kaito let the [Transformation Jutsu] end in a puff of smoke, returning to his normal appearance. As the smoke disappeared, he let the tag vanish into his inventory, raising both hands in surrender.

"I need your help." He said, surprising the Sannin but the man didn't let his guard down. Kaito wasn't stupid enough to try and fight Jiraiya. His chances of reaching Tsunade were now increased significantly.

Before the surprised Jiraiya could speak, a fireball shot down from above towards Kaito. Immediately pulling out a tag from his inventory, he raised it just in time for it to suck the jutsu into itself.

By the time it finished, five root ANBU landed between Jiraiya and Kaito, three facing the man and the other two facing Kaito.

"Hey, what's going on here?!" Jiraiya demanded but they remained silent as the two rushed towards Kaito.

With a flick of his wrist, Kaito sent a kunai flying towards one of the ninjas who easily dodged it as they got close to him.

Kaito rolled backwards, avoiding a lethal swipe from a tanto. 'Aren't they supposed to capture me, not kill me?' He wondered as he tilted his body out of the way of another slash.

He jumped back to put some space between him and them, not remotely surprised when they jumped after him. He smirked as he held up a hand seal, disappearing from view and appearing where his kunai had struck the ground.

The ninja was never his target when he threw the kunai earlier, he only wanted to get closer to Jiraiya. Turning to the Sannin who had already knocked the three ninjas unconscious, he saw the look of shock on the man's face.

"Is that…?" He muttered as the other two ANBU were now headed towards them.

Kaito raised the tag from earlier, holding up a hand seal as the fireball from earlier shot out of the tag at the same speed it was shot earlier.

It seems they were prepared this time as one of them went through hand seals, spitting out a decent volume of water, blocking the fireball and causing steam to rise.

Kaito's eyes widened as he sensed Jiraiya's rushing towards them at high speed in the midst of the steam.

A gust of wind blew the steam away, revealing Jiraiya standing over their unconscious bodies. The man walked towards Kaito, towering over him.

"You're coming with me." He said sternly.

"Not so fast, Jiraiya." A familiar voice said as Danzo walked into the scene. "This matter doesn't concern you."

Kaito's eyes narrowed as he gripped his kunai firmly, something that Jiraiya noticed.

"Danzo, what is going on here?" Jiraiya questioned.

"Like I just said, this isn't your business. This is merely me disciplining a rebellious subordinate. Stay out of it." Danzo said forcefully.

"It seems a bit more serious than that. It's my village as well so it's also my business." Jiraiya countered, Danzo frowning before turning to Kaito.

"Kanoe, stop this childish rebellion and return at once." Danzo ordered, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I refuse. Go and find someone else to capture the nine tails, I want no part in it." Kaito said, a devious glint in his eyes.

He had to give it to Danzo, even as Jiraiya's expression darkened, Danzo's didn't so much as shift.

"Danzo, explain yourself!" Jiraiya demanded.

"There is nothing to explain. If you readily believe the words of a confused traitor then I worry for the veracity of your reports." Danzo said in a condescending manner.

"It's not a matter of whether or not I believe him, it's the fact that it's something you would encourage." Jiraiya shot back as he now stood in front of Kaito.

Kaito slowly walked up to Jiraiya. He was aware that even as the man was busy with Danzo, his attention hadn't left him.

He was careful to make sure he didn't look like he was attacking, instead, standing on his toes to whisper something into the sannin's ear.

Whatever he said seemed to calm him down as Jiraiya seemingly loosened up. Danzo looked surprised as well, seeing the change in posture.

"I'm taking him to Tsunade , she'll settle this. I advise you not to try and stop me." Jiraiya said as he picked Kaito up by his collar, surprising the boy himself as he flickered away.

-[Danzo]-

'What did that boy tell him?' He thought in frustration as he watched them flicker away.

He forcibly calmed himself as he made his way to the Hokage tower. 'Other than his mission, the boy doesn't know anything important. Tsunade is as soft as Hiruzen, if not worse. I can still salvage this.' He thought confidently as he continued walking.