Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

Chapter 9 Kakashi encounters Hollowfication ahead of time

"No wonder we were chosen for this mission; I didn't expect the people on both sides to be from Kirigakure and Konoha respectively."

The next day, after setting off, Kisame Hoshigaki sensed a chakra fluctuation ahead in the woods, seemingly engaged in battle. He used Water Release to sneak over and investigate before returning to inform the two of the situation.

"It seems that Itachi, your younger brother, is among them."

Kisame added.

"Sasuke?"

Itachi Uchiha glanced at Bai Mo.

It's speculated that Bai Mo might have known beforehand that he would encounter Sasuke on this trip, which is why he told him those things beforehand.

The reason given for excluding Itachi and Kisame during Bai Mo's meeting with the Akatsuki organization some time ago was to have them gather intelligence on Konoha.

Itachi went back and took a look, and saw Sasuke, who had already graduated and become a genin.

What he didn't expect was that Sasuke, who had only recently become a genin, would receive a mission of this level.

Itachi certainly considered forcing Sasuke to grow up, and not treating him like a hothouse flower.

But he also knew that too much of a good thing can be bad, especially when it comes to matters of life and death.

According to Kisame's description, two Chunin appeared at the beginning of the mission, which clearly indicates that the mission has reached Rank B.

There will likely be more enemies ahead, possibly even Jonin-level enemies, making the mission difficulty A-rank.

A genin going on an A-rank mission?

The opposing Jonin won't hold back.

That was truly a life-or-death battle.

The only good news was that Kisame recognized their team leader, Kakashi Hatake.

With this person around, at least the safety of the group is largely guaranteed.

Kisame thought so too: "With Kakashi Hatake there, Sasuke Uchiha should be safe. Should we follow them, or bypass them and go straight to the Land of Waves?"

"Do you really trust the ninja world's internet celebrity, Hatake Gouwukai, that much?"

Bai Mo countered with a question.

"...When I was still in Konoha, I went on a mission with Kakashi in the Anbu. Kakashi's strength is quite good."

Itachi Uchiha was puzzled as to why Bai Mo would say that.

"Alright, let's split into two groups. Itachi, you go to the Land of Waves first to meet with the mission target and gather some intelligence."

Kisame and I stayed here and followed them.

Bai Mo didn't explain much.

"...Sure, but with Kakashi Hatake's strength and experience, it will be very difficult for you to follow him without being detected."

"Who said we were going to hide and follow you? Kisame, let's go."

Bai Mo waved to Kisame and walked over.

"what?"

Kisame was stunned for a moment, then looked at Itachi and found that Itachi had already turned into a crow and left, so he hurriedly followed Bai Mo.

~

Kakashi's team.

After a "episode" battle, Naruto Uzumaki, who was paralyzed with fear and had just pierced his palm with a kunai, vowed to change things.

Then Kakashi warned him that he would die if the bleeding wasn't stopped, and he was instantly terrified and cried for help.

It was supposed to be a relaxed scene, with everyone at ease.

But the next second, Kakashi's eyes, which had been smiling, suddenly turned serious as he looked at the figure that had appeared in the direction of the woods.

Two figures, one in front and one behind.

Kakashi didn't recognize the young man in front of him.

But the one after that...

The mark of a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, with a slash on his forehead.

And that big sword behind him...

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?

Kakashi immediately thought of the two Chunin Demon Brothers he had just defeated, who were also rogue ninjas from Kirigakure.

"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, you need to get here right now..."

"They're the enemy, right? Kakashi-sensei, I'm going!"

Before Kakashi could finish speaking, Naruto, who had just made his vow, decided to immediately fulfill it and charged towards Bai Mo without hesitation.

"Idiot Naruto!"

Seeing this, Sasuke had no choice but to throw his shuriken to block Kisame's path.

At least prevent Naruto from facing two people at the same time, especially the latter one who looks even more formidable.

Kakashi acted immediately as well.

Facing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who are at the Jonin level, Kakashi couldn't leisurely read erotic novels while trying to teach them, just like he did with the Demon Brothers.

Kakashi's target is also Bai Mo.

In just one glance, Kakashi realized that, regardless of Bai Mo's strength, his status was definitely above that of the ninja swordsman behind him.

Controlling the one in front is not only the best option to ensure Naruto's safety, but also the best choice.

however……

Naruto slid in and landed on the ground looking completely bewildered.

Kakashi appeared where Bai Mo had been standing, holding a kunai in his hand, and was also taken aback for a moment.

What about people?

"Kisame, look, I told you guys have too much of a filter on ninja world influencers. You can't even tell friend from foe before you launch an attack."

Bai Mo's voice came from the other side.

Naruto and Kakashi looked over at the sound and found that Bai Mo had appeared beside Tazuna, the target of their mission, at some point.

Sakura was the only one guarding Tazuna, and when she suddenly saw Bai Mo appear, the little girl was completely stunned.

Just as Sakura was about to make a move and raised her fist, Bai Mo grabbed her wrist, rendering her unable to move.

"You mean you have no hostility towards us?"

Kakashi's expression turned completely serious.

Even after he came to his senses, he still couldn't figure out how Bai Mo had appeared behind them.

Doppelgangers and clones will always leave traces.

Bai Mo's disappearance and reappearance left no trace whatsoever.

There wasn't even a trace of it in my memory.

Kakashi discovered that he didn't even remember exactly when Bai Mo disappeared.

So after hearing what Bai Mo said, Kakashi immediately followed up on what Bai Mo had said.

First, calm the other party down.

"That's right, one of our mission objectives is to ensure that the old man who built the bridge can reach the Land of Waves."

Bai Mo released Sakura's wrist and pointed to Tazuna next to him.

"Mr. Tazuna, not only did you conceal the difficulty of the mission, but you also issued the same mission to multiple parties?!"

Kakashi turned his gaze to Tazuna, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

After they dealt with the Demon Brothers, they asked Tazuna why he had concealed the difficulty of the mission.

The mission they received was a C-rank, which was an exception made by the Third Hokage because there was a Jonin leading the team.

Unexpectedly, a ninja appeared during the mission, reaching rank B.

Tazner's reason was that they were too poor to afford the bounty for a B-rank mission.

Now, another group of people have appeared to take on the task.

Is this what you call being poor? Can't afford it?

Tazner was also dumbfounded. Although he had lied and used moral blackmail, he really didn't know about this.

He was about to explain when his eyes lit up and he changed his story: "I really didn't know about this. Maybe the other people in the village were worried that a C-rank ninja wouldn't be able to protect me, so they sold some other things and hired them..."

"Waaaaah, we're suffering so much."

As Tazna spoke, he burst into tears, tears streaming down his face.

Clearly, Old Biden had figured out that those low-ranking ninjas were easily morally blackmailed and was preparing to use the same old trick again.