CHAPTER 107

Returning to the village and reporting their findings, the mission was considered complete. The reward wasn't bad either. However, for Fenghuo—who already earned steady income from his contributions to the village newspaper—it wasn't anything impressive.

Afterward, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the two of them to discuss the events that had occurred during their mission in the Land of Rain.

"So you're saying the information broker is the most likely suspect to leak your intel to Sunagakure," Hiruzen muttered, shaking his head. "But if he really were a spy, why give you that information with so little resistance? That doesn't add up."

The conclusion: someone must have instructed the broker to hand over that intel. The manipulator behind the scenes was either Danzo… or someone from the Uchiha clan. But Hiruzen didn't seem inclined to pursue the matter any further.

"By the way, Hokage-sama, we encountered someone calling himself 'Scorpion' while being hunted by Sunagakure shinobi," Fenghuo added suddenly.

"Scorpion?" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly. "You mean… Chiyo's grandson?"

Fenghuo nodded solemnly.

Hiruzen turned to Kakashi, who was standing beside Fenghuo. "Did he attack you?"

Kakashi glanced at Fenghuo before shaking his head. "No. He didn't react at all."

"A vendetta like that should burn hot," Hiruzen murmured, frowning. "It's strange. If you really are the son of the White Fang—the man who killed his parents—his indifference is unnerving."

Fenghuo had brought this up precisely for that reason. People with mentalities that differ dramatically from the norm often possess power outside the norm as well.

But Hiruzen only nodded thoughtfully and dismissed them shortly after with a few more instructions.

Outside the Hokage's office, Kakashi sighed.

"Keep my return quiet," he said seriously.

Fenghuo raised an eyebrow. "Even from Kai?"

"Especially from him."

"Oh no," Fenghuo said with mock concern. "Did you two… break up?"

Kakashi's eye twitched.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato arrived in the Hokage's office.

"Hokage-sama," he greeted with a nod.

Truthfully, during the mission to the Land of Rain, both Hatake Sakumo and Yuhi Makoto had expressed concern about sending the young pair out alone. Hiruzen had shared their unease and had quietly ordered Minato to shadow them from afar. He had been nearby the whole time—never interfering, even when Fenghuo and Kakashi were being pursued by a dozen Sand shinobi. He only maintained his position… until the arrival of Sasori of the Red Sand.

"He sensed me," Minato reported gravely. "That's why he didn't engage Kakashi. He noticed I was there."

Hiruzen exhaled, a trace of relief and worry mixing in his features. "That brat Sasori… not easy to deal with."

"If he continues growing unchecked, he'll be a serious threat," Minato agreed. "His behavior is already concerning."

He remembered clearly: Sasori had killed a fellow Sunagakure special jōnin with a single strike through the throat—calmly, emotionlessly. Minato frowned at the memory.

"Have the ANBU gather more intelligence on Sasori," Hiruzen ordered.

After reviewing the written report, Hiruzen sighed and muttered, "The Land of Wind is getting ambitious. Sunagakure has been sending more shinobi into the Land of Rain lately. It's likely they've struck some deal with Hanzo. And Iwagakure's not staying idle either. Hanzo's playing with fire."

"The harsh conditions of the Wind Country forge tough ninja," Minato said. "Sunagakure may not match us financially or militarily, but they're relentless. If they decide to go to war with us, we can't ignore them."

"What about Kumogakure and Kirigakure?" Hiruzen asked.

"Kiri is isolated, and intel from there is limited," Minato said. "But Kumogakure has two rising stars. One is the Third Raikage's son. The other… is Killer Bee, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails."

Minato's expression darkened.

He was familiar with the struggles of a Jinchūriki—his own fiancée, Kushina Uzumaki, hosted the Nine-Tails, and struggled constantly with its unwillingness to cooperate. If it weren't for the powerful Uzumaki sealing techniques, the beast would've broken free long ago.

But Kirabi was different. According to reports, he had befriended the Eight-Tails. If he truly mastered that power, no one could predict just how much of a force he would become.

"The Tailed Beast Jinchūriki are the ultimate trump cards of every village," Hiruzen said, puffing thoughtfully on his pipe. "But even if Kirabi does gain full control over the Hachibi, he likely won't leave Kumogakure's borders anytime soon."

"I hope you're right."

"In light of the current instability, I'm placing a strict order," Hiruzen announced. "No genin is allowed to leave the village unaccompanied. Even D-rank missions within the Land of Fire must be undertaken in teams of three or more."

The decision caused immediate backlash from some Chūnin. Danzo was quick to interject—more for political gain than genuine concern. While not technically part of ANBU, Danzo's information network rivaled theirs, and he had already gauged the growing tension between the villages. If war came, he intended to seize the opportunity.

Fenghuo, meanwhile, found himself overwhelmed.

Training in the Eight Gates required constant physical torture and endurance. Chakra refinement took hours every day. Add in studying ninjutsu, genjutsu, and sealing techniques, and it was clear—

He didn't have enough time.

To ease the burden, he went to Yuhi Makoto and asked to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Learning it wasn't the problem. His real limitation was chakra reserves.

Unlike Naruto—who could casually make dozens of clones because he housed the Nine-Tails—Fenghuo's chakra was more on par with an elite Chūnin. One or two clones and he was drained. They couldn't even last half a day.

So, he had no choice but to delay genjutsu and sealing studies and focus on taijutsu and chakra control.

As for Kai…

Well, avoiding him didn't work. No matter where he hid, Kai found him—and challenged him to another passionate youth showdown.

At first, Fenghuo was baffled.

How did Kai always find him?

Then the truth hit him.

Kakashi.

That traitor had betrayed him just to avoid being targeted himself.

Kakashi had summoned his ninken—those ninja hounds—and let them track Fenghuo down for Kai's sake.

"Kakashi, you bastard!!"

Fenghuo was furious. What made it worse? Kai didn't even bother Kakashi anymore!

"Kakashi was seriously injured during the Land of Rain mission," Kai had said, solemnly. "He's still recovering."

Fenghuo was speechless.

Injured? My ass!

He was faking it—completely pretending! So underhanded!

Fenghuo rolled his eyes. "Seriously… Could you be any more obvious about playing sick?!"

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