Chapter 385: Kisame Was Secretly Dispatched! 

"Kakashi, regarding this mission, I have something I need you to do in secret."

In the Hokage's office, Namikaze Minato left Kakashi alone after Naruto, the others, and Tazuna departed.

"Just as I thought." Hearing Minato's words, Kakashi showed no surprise. He had already guessed that this mission wouldn't be simple. It was unlikely for the Hokage himself to be involved in assigning a mere C-rank mission. His suspicions were now confirmed.

"Sensei Minato, what is the mission?"

Kakashi nodded and asked. However, it wasn't Namikaze Minato who answered him, but Shikaku Nara, who stood beside him. Shikaku picked up a scroll from Minato's desk, walked around it, handed the scroll to Kakashi, and said:

"Kakashi, the person recorded here is named Kado, a major businessman who controls all the seaports in the Land of Waves.

"However, this man isn't a legitimate businessman. He's involved in human trafficking, smuggling contraband, and has taken countless lives."

"Your mission is to eliminate him and his organization completely."

Though Shikaku Nara's tone was calm, the murderous intent behind his words was unmistakable.

"Assassination." Kakashi nodded, not questioning anything. He took the scroll from Shikaku, quickly memorized the target's appearance and details, and tucked the scroll away. As a ninja, his duty was to eliminate whoever his superiors ordered him to. The reasons were irrelevant.

"Understood."

Kakashi bowed to Minato and placed the scroll in his pocket.

"Hey, Kakashi, aren't you curious why your teacher is sending you to kill this man?"

At that moment, Raiden, who had been sitting on the sofa, spoke. He leaned forward slightly, looking at Kakashi with interest.

"I'm a Konoha ninja. If it's something I need to know, my teacher will tell me."

"If I don't need to know, there's no reason to ask."

"And hasn't the reason already been given? The target has committed countless crimes—it's only natural to eliminate him for the sake of the people."

Kakashi glanced back at Raiden before lowering his gaze and responding.

"Aren't you curious why Konoha needs to be the one to take action against the Land of Waves?"

Seeing Kakashi's composed demeanor, Raiden couldn't help but ask.

"Not curious," Kakashi replied without hesitation.

"Kakashi, you're now a Jonin, and even among Jonin, you're an elite."

"You're no longer the same as before. When carrying out missions, you should ask questions if there's something you don't understand."

Before Raiden could speak again, Namikaze Minato interjected. Seeing Kakashi's puzzled expression, Minato continued:

"The village's development has reached a bottleneck. To break through it, Konoha requires substantial external funding."

"The Land of Fire's Daimyo used to provide significant support to Konoha because of the 'Demons,' but as the Demons disappeared over the years, that financial support has drastically decreased."

"If we want the village to continue growing, we need a new source of funding."

"After careful discussion, we've decided on maritime trade."

Minato explained, but the confusion on Kakashi's face didn't subside. He didn't understand why Minato was telling him this. Village development strategies were matters for higher-ups, not a Jonin like himself. His job was to execute missions, not to be involved in strategic planning.

"Kakashi, I have high hopes for you. Don't let me down."

Minato added this statement at the end, further confusing Kakashi. He wasn't sure why Minato suddenly said that. It almost felt as though Minato was trying to groom him as a successor. But wasn't it too early for that?

"Sensei, is something wrong?" Kakashi asked, sensing that something was amiss.

"It's nothing. I just hope you can grow quickly and take up Konoha's mantle in the future."

Minato didn't elaborate further and dismissed Kakashi, instructing him to prepare for the mission. After Kakashi left, Minato leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, deep in thought.

"Raiden, is it true that the man sealed in the mountain behind your yard belongs to an organization?"

Minato's eyes were filled with concern. Now that Kakashi and the others had left, he couldn't help but confirm it once again.

Before they arrived, Raiden had been informing him about the enemy who attacked Konoha months ago. From what he had learned, there was a massive organization behind the assailant—one that aimed to overthrow the ninja world itself. Every member of this organization was extraordinarily powerful, to the point where even Uchiha Madara paled in comparison.

Though Raiden didn't disclose many details, the information Minato had gathered was already troubling enough. That was why he had seemed so solemn when speaking to Kakashi. The village's strength was insufficient. The previous generation of ninjas, like Jiraiya, was aging.

Many of Minato's own generation had died in battle. With growing threats looming, only Raiden and Uchiha Fugaku were strong enough to support him.

Minato felt the village's combat power was lacking, which left him uneasy.

"It's definitely an organization. I don't know when they'll act again, but one thing is certain—when they do, it won't be as easy as last time."

"We need to train the younger generation quickly. By then, they'll be the ones standing on the battlefield."

Raiden nodded in response. After conversing with Minato for a while, he got up and left the Hokage's office.

By the time Raiden returned to his own office after wandering around, it was already noon.

"Kisame, I need you to take care of something."

Standing in front of the window of the Ninja Academy's principal's office, Raiden gazed in the direction of the village entrance and spoke softly.

"Swish!"

As soon as Raiden's words fell, a tall figure suddenly appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee.

"Follow Kakashi and his team. During their mission, they will encounter two missing-nin from the Mist Village. Bring them back to Konoha."

Raiden turned his head slightly, glancing at Kisame Hoshigaki, who had suddenly appeared behind him, and gave his order.

"Lord Raiden, should I ensure they remain intact?" Kisame grinned and asked.

"It's fine if they suffer minor injuries—I need them alive."

Raiden tapped his fingers lightly on the windowsill.

"Should I stay hidden from Kakashi and the others?" Kisame asked.

"Do as you see fit. It doesn't matter."

"Understood."

Kisame nodded upon hearing Raiden's response and swiftly disappeared. Watching him leave, Raiden walked to his seat, leaned back, and closed his eyes, lost in thought.

At the entrance of Konoha Village, Team 7 had finally assembled and set off toward the Land of Waves. Naruto carried a small bag, walking beside the group. At the front was their leader, Jonin Hatake Kakashi, while in the middle was their mission target, Tazuna.

The team set out in the afternoon, and after several days of travel, they crossed the border.

Naruto was thrilled. This was his first mission outside the village. Even when he had sneaked out before, he had never traveled this far.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, how much longer until we reach the Land of Waves?"

Naruto walked with his hands behind his head, enjoying the autumn sun. Since they were an escort team, they moved at a moderate pace. With no unexpected events so far, Naruto had completely lowered his guard.

Just then, Kakashi's expression shifted as they passed a puddle. He glanced at the surrounding forest.

"Not much longer," he replied. "We'll be there in a few days."

At that moment, a sudden disturbance erupted, and the sound of rapidly rattling chains filled the air.

"What?!"

In the next second, Hatake Kakashi, who was leading the team, was swiftly ensnared by chains and, before the stunned eyes of Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin, was torn apart by the force of the iron bindings.

"Mr. Kakashi!" Naruto shouted in horror, rushing forward without noticing the figure that slowly emerged from the puddle they had just passed. The attacker wielded a sickle-like weapon and lunged toward Naruto.

Fufufufu.

A chilling sound rang in Naruto's ears as the gleaming tip of the scythe rapidly enlarged in his vision. Just as the enemy's weapon was about to strike, Naruto instinctively ducked at an unnatural angle, effortlessly evading the attack.

In his hand, a Rasengan was already forming.

"I saw you coming a long time ago!"

"Rasengan!"

The terrified expression that had been on Naruto's face vanished, replaced by exhilaration. This was his first battle against a ninja outside the village, and he hadn't expected to be ambushed during his very first mission.

"This brat?!"

The enemy realized too late that Naruto had dodged his attack mid-stride. He was now too close to escape. With no time to react, he could only gasp in shock before Naruto's Rasengan struck him directly in the abdomen. The powerful impact sent him flying into the bushes, where he landed in silence—his fate unknown.

Just then, two more figures appeared from opposite sides of the team, lunging at Tazuna in the center. Their sudden attack elicited a startled cry from Karin. However, Karin was no ordinary person. Though briefly shocked, she quickly steadied herself.

She clasped her hands together.

In an instant, tall trees sprouted from the ground, encasing herself and Tazuna in a protective barrier.

Thunk! Thunk!

Two soft impacts echoed as the enemies' blades struck the trees, leaving deep gashes.

"What the hell is this?!"

The unexpected appearance of Wood Release stunned the remaining two attackers. They had never seen anything like it before. Realizing their attack had failed, they instinctively tried to retreat, but the moment they moved, an overwhelming force of restraint gripped their bodies.

"W-What's happening?!"

They struggled, but the more they resisted, the tighter the hold became.

"Don't bother struggling. You can't break free."

At that moment, Uchiha Sasuke strode toward them. With a simple flick of his right hand, the two attackers were yanked together. Only then did they realize that their bodies were tightly bound by thin wires.

To their horror, they hadn't noticed the wires at all until now.

"When you attacked Mr. Tazuna, my attack had already landed. You were just too slow to realize it."

"Now, tell me—who are you? Who sent you?"

Then Sasuke turned his gaze elsewhere.

"Mr. Kakashi, stop pretending. Come out—I know you're fine."

The enemy's ambush had been effortlessly neutralized by Team 7. Of the three attackers, one was incapacitated, while two were captured by Sasuke.

As Sasuke spoke, the trees encasing Karin and Tazuna slowly sank back into the ground. Nearby, a puff of white smoke rose, revealing Kakashi, who scratched his head and smirked.

"I didn't expect you all to handle it this quickly."

"You exceeded my expectations!"

Kakashi glanced toward the bushes where Naruto had sent the first attacker flying. Then he turned his attention to Karin and Sasuke, a proud smile forming on his face.

For their first real battle outside the Academy, his three students had performed remarkably well. Even after witnessing their Jonin leader seemingly being killed, they had reacted with precision and confidence, countering the attack flawlessly. He hadn't anticipated them handling it this efficiently.

Most people could only use a fraction of their abilities under fear and pressure—perhaps 30 to 40 percent at best. But neither Naruto nor Sasuke had shown any signs of hesitation. Their techniques remained sharp and controlled.

Kakashi couldn't help but be impressed.

"These three must have undergone significant combat training already."

He then turned his attention to the two captured attackers before finally looking at Tazuna.

"Mr. Tazuna, is there something you need to tell us?"

Tazuna averted his gaze momentarily but quickly returned to his usual expression. With a hint of feigned confusion, he asked:

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke exchanged glances, equally confused by Kakashi's sudden line of questioning.

"You're hiding something from us, aren't you?"

"This was supposed to be a simple escort mission. Why would ninjas target you?"

"Don't try to deny it—these men were clearly here to kill you!"

"Konoha's mission assessment classified this as a C-rank mission, meaning it shouldn't involve combat with enemy shinobi."

"But the moment a mission involves enemy ninjas, the classification is raised to B-rank or higher."

"Mr. Tazuna, considering the discrepancies between the mission details and reality, we have the right to abandon this mission."

(End of Chapter)