"Sharingan Kakashi!"
"Unexpectedly, it was you leading the team!"
Kimimaro looked at Kakashi with surprise.
Konoha's Kakashi has several titles, such as Copy Ninja Kakashi or Cold-Blooded Kakashi, but the one that best summarizes his ability is Sharingan Kakashi.
"I didn't realize my name was so well-known!"
Kakashi said casually, but he tightly gripped a kunai in his hand.
"Being able to fight against Sharingan Kakashi is a fitting challenge before death!" Kimimaro said freely, then drew a bone blade from his left arm and pointed it at Kakashi.
Hearing Kimimaro talk about a challenge before death, Kakashi mistakenly thought Kimimaro was considering surrender, which is why he spoke that way, and Kakashi relaxed considerably.
However, he didn't know...
After Kimimaro activated the Cursed Seal of Earth, his strength was definitely not inferior to Kakashi's!
It's worth remembering that when the Fourth Kazekage was killed, Kimimaro played a significant role!
Hah!
Ninja combat often starts with Taijutsu!
The figures of the two constantly darted through the woods, the fierce clash of kunai against bone echoing continuously.
Even the experienced Kakashi couldn't help but frown. This young man, more than ten years his junior, wasn't lacking in combat experience.
It was incredible!
For Kimimaro, this level of fierce fighting was commonplace.
As a rare member of the Kaguya Clan, he had been treated as a living shield and weapon since childhood. When the Kaguya Clan attacked Kirigakure, he was only five or six years old but still participated in the battle, ultimately surviving thanks to his Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse).
Later, after meeting Orochimaru, who became his mentor and the object of his devotion, he was trained as a vessel, constantly fighting against various ninja captured by Lord Orochimaru. He was always the one left standing!
For him, fighting was a kind of fun, a kind of enjoyment.
...
Meanwhile,
Shikamaru was arranging the team's positions to guard against enemy attacks.
"We'll advance in a column formation. Kiba will be responsible for scouting!"
"Next is me, as team leader, ready to command based on the situation."
"The core of the team is Naruto. With his explosive power, he can provide support anywhere."
"Fourth is Chōji, and last is Neji, responsible for the difficult task of guarding the rear!"
Naruto, Kiba, and the others listened to Shikamaru's arrangement and finally understood why Kakashi-sensei had assigned Shikamaru as the team leader.
With his clever mind, retrieving Sasuke truly seemed possible!
"Alright! Let's move out at full speed!"
The five immediately formed up as Shikamaru instructed and moved forward rapidly.
Ahead,
Kidōmaru laid out spider silk threads and other traps along the path to monitor the pursuers' position.
Suddenly, he alerted the other three:
"Someone's catching up!"
Tayuya's expression changed drastically. "Impossible!" she said in shock. "Kimimaro-sama couldn't have been defeated so quickly!"
Fear of Kimimaro had been deeply implanted in their minds!
Back then, the four of them had emerged victorious from dozens of candidates, receiving the power of Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, and their confidence had swelled immensely.
But when Kimimaro easily defeated them, they learned the hard way that there was always someone stronger.
Kidōmaru clarified: "There are only five of them!"
"And their speed isn't that fast. It must be those five Konoha brats!"
Sakon smiled slyly, "Perhaps we should have some fun with them?"
Jirōbō frowned and advised, "Let's keep moving. If Orochimaru-sama finds out we delayed, we'll definitely be punished!"
"Fine, then!" Sakon said regretfully.
The four Sound Ninja continued leaping through the forest, but their pace was noticeably slower than before, as if deliberately waiting for Naruto and the others.
...
On the Konoha Village square,
"I don't acknowledge ninja like that in Konoha!"
"Why are they allowed to act freely in Konoha's name?"
"Surely the Anbu is sufficient. Are they supposed to be a level above the Anbu?"
In the footage being shown, the arrogance and coldness of the Root members stirred dissatisfaction among many Konoha ninja.
Shimura Danzō couldn't refute the fact—the Root organization was never meant to be exposed to the public eye.
He couldn't believe the accursed screen would broadcast such a thing.
Just as he finished cursing inwardly, the image on the screen changed again, showing something Danzō recognized instantly.
[In the picture, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, and two other ninja are fleeing. Judging from their expressions, they have been running for a long time without rest.]
["We're surrounded!" Danzō said, helplessness in his eyes.]
["There are at least thirty enemies! We can't escape!" another ninja stated, equally pessimistic.]
[At that moment, Uchiha Kagami addressed the three: "I have an idea!"]
[Danzō was overjoyed. "What is it?" he asked.]
[Uchiha Kagami was completely calm. "I'll act as a decoy. You three use the chance to escape!"]
["No!" Danzō immediately retorted.]
["I am the most capable among us and can buy you the most time. Trust me. I'll catch up after I lose them!" Uchiha Kagami said firmly.]
[At this time, Danzō's heart struggled with anguish.]
[He remembered the scene where his teacher, the Second Hokage, intercepted Kinkaku and Ginkaku alone to let them escape.]
[Back then, he hated himself for not being brave enough. Now, faced with a similar opportunity, why did he hesitate to step forward? Was he afraid of death? It seemed so.]
[Before Danzō could decide, Uchiha Kagami resolutely turned and ran towards the enemy. Persuaded by the other two, Danzō escaped.]
...