Chapter 45: Konoha's Pride

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Zabuza looked up at Kakashi and sneered, "Don't worry about it!"

Without wasting a moment, Zabuza quickly formed a series of hand seals, causing a thick fog to envelop the area.

Kakashi immediately removed his eye mask, swiftly forming his own hand seals. A similar dense mist arose.

'"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"'

Kakashi knew he couldn't let Zabuza escape. The mere presence of a rogue ninja like Zabuza in Konoha had far-reaching consequences.

First, the assassination of a high-ranking Konoha official by an enemy ninja would bring shame to the village. Second, the fact that Zabuza, a rogue ninja from the Mist Village, managed to infiltrate Konoha meant there had to be an accomplice aiding him—likely in the assassination of Mitokado Homura!

Zabuza's intention was clear: use the spreading fog to disorient Kakashi and make his escape. However, Kakashi wasn't going to let him get away that easily.

The response of Konoha's Anbu was swift. Four members rushed to the scene, one of them a Hyūga with the Byakugan.

Upon activating the Byakugan, the Anbu immediately pinpointed Zabuza's location—his red chakra standing out in the white fog.

But suddenly, Zabuza's chakra vanished!

"Impossible!" Kakashi muttered in disbelief.

A cold, eerie voice whispered in Kakashi's ear, "Nothing is impossible."

The Hyūga Anbu quickly shouted, "Blue chakra detected near Kakashi!"

Kakashi's heart raced as he quickly turned around, kunai in hand, and stabbed at the figure behind him—only to hit nothing.

His pupils dilated in shock as he recognized the figure. "It's you!"

It was the same person responsible for releasing the Nine-Tails and causing the death of Konoha's Fourth Hokage—his own sensei.

The person standing before him was none other than Obito Uchiha, a former comrade and now a bitter enemy.

Kakashi attacked Obito relentlessly, using a combination of Lightning Style, Water Style, and Earth Style techniques. But nothing worked. Each attack phased through Obito as if he were a ghost.

Obito, his single exposed Sharingan glowing ominously, looked at Kakashi with a mix of pity and disdain. "Kakashi, you're so weak now."

With that, Obito's form twisted and vanished into thin air, leaving Kakashi frozen in place, his mind reeling. The voice had sounded so familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

Moments later, the Third Hokage arrived on the scene. As the mist began to clear, he took a long drag from his pipe before speaking in a grave tone. "Who's dead?"

"Advisor Mitokado Homura," one of the Anbu responded solemnly.

The Third Hokage's face darkened as he crushed the pipe in his hand. A rogue ninja had infiltrated Konoha and assassinated one of its senior advisors—this was a direct insult, a blow to Konoha's pride.

"Launch a thorough investigation!" the Hokage commanded.

The Anbu members exchanged uneasy glances. How were they supposed to investigate? There were no leads, no tangible evidence to follow, only the knowledge that Zabuza was the assassin and that he had help—likely from someone within the Uchiha clan.

The mere thought sent a chill through Kakashi. Could the Uchiha be harboring ambitions beyond what anyone imagined? If so, Konoha might be powerless to stop them.

The Uchiha clan had Sasuke, a ten-year-old prodigy with extraordinary potential.

Then there was Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, and Uchiha Itachi, both of whom possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kakashi knew firsthand the terrifying power of the Mangekyō, having one of Obito's eyes himself. But two? The thought was chilling.

And there was Uchiha Shisui, a former Konoha shinobi who had defected but was rumored to still be in contact with the Uchiha clan.

His involvement with the Akatsuki, an organization of S-rank criminals, only added to the growing sense of dread.

As more members of the other clans arrived at the scene, the gravity of the situation became clear. The death of a Hokage advisor was not something to be taken lightly.

Nara Shikaku approached the Third Hokage and whispered, "Hokage-sama, I suspect the Uchiha. Their ambitions might be greater than we realize."

The Third Hokage remained silent, awaiting the arrival of the Konoha Police Force, led by the Uchiha.

If this incident could be used to strip the Uchiha of their power within the village, then Mitokado Homura's death would not have been in vain.

Finally, the Uchiha arrived, led by Fugaku. Their faces were flushed as if they had been drinking.

Fugaku burped and addressed the Hokage, "Hmm? Third Hokage-sama, what's going on?"

The Third Hokage's anger flared. "What's going on? You dare ask! A senior Konoha advisor has been assassinated, and where were your Uchiha guards?!"

Fugaku blinked, surprised. "Mitokado Homura is dead? Who would do such a thing?"

"The Hokage advisor was murdered while your clan was celebrating. What kind of leadership is this, Fugaku?" the Third Hokage demanded.

Fugaku, still slightly intoxicated, replied, "Hokage-sama, it's our rest period. The guards are off duty between midnight and 2 a.m."

The Third Hokage was momentarily speechless. Technically, Fugaku was correct.

The attack had taken place during the guards' off hours—a mistake within the rules that left the Hokage with little recourse.

Mitokado Homura's death had created no advantage for Konoha, only embarrassment. But for the Uchiha, one more obstacle had been removed from their path.

Meanwhile, in the Kamui dimension, Obito stood before Zabuza, his expression cold and menacing.

"You idiot," Obito hissed, "What kind of assassin picks a fight after completing their mission?"

Zabuza, feeling the oppressive presence of the Gedo Statue behind Obito, bowed his head in silence.

He knew better than to argue with the man who had orchestrated so many of the world's darkest events.