Chapter 18: The Third Shinobi World War Approaches
Konoha Year 44.
Following the Second Shinobi World War, tensions had simmered along the borders, with constant but minor skirmishes. But this time was different.
Large numbers of Sunagakure ninja had crossed the border, infiltrating the edges of the Land of Fire, causing heavy losses among civilians and shinobi alike.
---
In the borderlands, a man dressed as a wanderer walked alone through the forested mountains. His silver-white hair stood out against the trees—it was Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake.
Although he had left the village, he couldn't ignore the chaos along the border, silently lending aid to Konoha's shinobi. Those he saved had all chosen not to report his presence to their superiors.
In fact, Orochimaru, the current commander at the border, was already aware of Sakumo's activities. They had a mutual, unspoken understanding.
Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the air, and Sakumo stopped, dodging the unknown attack. He looked toward the source, seeing a few senbon needles embedded in a tree, emitting a faint, poisonous smoke.
Poisoned senbon—it was likely a puppet master from Sunagakure.
Senbon were normally too risky for most shinobi to use with poison since they could end up poisoning themselves. Generally, only Sunagakure's puppet masters used poisoned senbon.
Sakumo rested a hand on the hilt of his tanto, scanning the surroundings for possible hiding spots. At the sound of footsteps, a red-haired boy emerged from the shadows, his face expressionless and voice devoid of emotion—almost like a puppet.
"White Fang… finally found you…" the red-haired boy said in a flat tone.
"Scorpion of the Red Sand… Sunagakure's prodigy puppet master…" Sakumo frowned slightly. He knew this boy—Sunagakure's most talented puppet master, and grandson of their advisor, Chiyo.
More importantly…
His parents had died by Sakumo's hand.
"You've come for revenge, then?"
The boy, Sasori, nodded, then shook his head.
"I've come to make you a piece of eternal art…"
"…I'm no longer a Konoha shinobi. Letting you live is the greatest mercy I can offer," Sakumo said coldly.
If he were still a Konoha ninja, a prodigy like Sasori would need to be killed without hesitation, or captured alive for questioning. Sakumo wasn't the type to simply lay down and accept revenge. Allowing Sasori to leave was his way of showing pity for the boy who'd lost his parents.
"Such arrogance, White Fang."
Sasori extended his hands, shattering the ground as a massive pit opened, and dozens of puppets flew out, releasing a rain of poisoned senbon like a deadly storm.
He can control this many puppets…
You've already surpassed your parents…
Silver light flashed, and with a few slashes, Sakumo cut all the chakra threads.
With a series of metallic clinks, every senbon shattered, deflected in pieces. Sakumo's gaze grew cold as he moved toward Sasori.
"If Chiyo had been more responsible, she would have told you…"
"Puppet masters will never defeat me!"
Sakumo lacked large-area ninjutsu, and his chakra reserves weren't as high as some of his peers. But…
As long as his opponent was human, Sakumo could find a way to kill them.
Puppet masters, with their fragile real bodies, were especially vulnerable.
Even as dozens of his puppets were destroyed, Sasori remained unfazed. It was expected from a man known as Konoha's White Fang.
"Chiyo already told me."
"That's why… I'm no longer just a puppet master."
The scythe on Sasori's back tore open his cloak, revealing a puppetized body, with chains extending from his abdomen like serpents.
Sakumo's eyes narrowed, voice low. "You've… completely lost your humanity…"
"No matter how many times it breaks, I can repair it. No limit to my lifespan. Immortal art…"
"Isn't it beautiful?!"
"You've gone down a twisted path!" Sakumo raised his tanto, but realized his normally fluid movements were delayed.
This feeling… could it be?
In that moment of hesitation, a metal spear slashed across his arm.
With a deafening crash, a massive metal pillar crashed down, raising a cloud of dust.
Sakumo glimpsed the figure standing on the metal column…
No, not a person—a human puppet.
"Third Kazekage!"
Why was the Third Kazekage here?
Why was he made into a puppet?!
"Konoha's White Fang… to kill you, I assassinated the Third Kazekage…"
Sasori's calm face twisted into a mad grin.
"Come on! Let's be immortal together!"
Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Order
Black iron tendrils spread across the sky like roots, blanketing the heavens.
A bead of cold sweat slid down Sakumo's face.
This… was trouble…
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Konoha Border Command Post
Inside the temporary headquarters of commander Orochimaru.
"Jiraiya sent you three... Truly a powerful reinforcement."
With his black hair, golden vertical pupils, purple eye-shadow extending to his nose, and pale skin, Orochimaru seemed cold and detached. At this point, he hadn't yet fallen into darkness, but his presence was always somewhat unsettling.
Scratching his head, Minato Namikaze laughed, "Sorry about that, Orochimaru-sama. The other border lines are stretched thin, so the teacher could only send us."
Orochimaru shook his head. "No need to apologize, Minato-kun. With your team's abilities, you really are a powerful reinforcement."
"After all, you're the youngest Jonin, and have mastered the Flying Thunder God technique…"
His gaze shifted to the two behind Minato, smiling.
"And Uchiha's most talented young shinobi, who advanced to Chunin on his first day as a ninja."
"And then there's Kakashi, son of Konoha's White Fang, and together with Kagami, one of Konoha's Twin Stars."
"Such enviable talent…"
After another year of medicinal baths, Kagami's height had reached nearly 1.6 meters. His youthful face had matured, giving him the appearance of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old.
Eight-year-old Kakashi, still shorter and not yet fully grown, stood beside him.
"Twin Stars? That's outdated," Kagami said coolly. "Does Kakashi even deserve to be compared to me?"
"Ah, right, right. I could never compare to Kagami-sama. I'll go beat up anyone who says that."
Kakashi's deadpan response dripped with sarcasm.
Kagami couldn't understand it. Back at the Academy, just a few words used to rile Kakashi up. When did his attitude get so… snide?
Minato turned and patted both of their shoulders. "Show some respect! Now, apologize to Orochimaru-sama!"
After passing Jiraiya's test, Kakashi had become Minato's disciple alongside Kagami. Now, the three of them weren't just in the same squad—they were as close as brothers.
Just like Hiruzen and Danzo.
Despite Kakashi's original status as Minato's disciple, he was now technically Kagami's junior.
"No need, Minato-kun." Orochimaru waved a hand. "The situation is urgent. Let's get straight to your mission."
"Twelve miles west of here, a Sunagakure unit has been spotted, led by someone particularly challenging."
"Pakura of Sunagakure, a rare kekkei genkai user…" Orochimaru's gaze settled on Kagami.
In this group, only Kagami possessed a kekkei genkai.
There was a hierarchy even among kekkei genkai. Those gained through training were generally inferior to those inherited through bloodlines.
Among bloodline-inherited abilities, dojutsu users held a special status.
To put it simply, kekkei genkai users often looked down on ordinary shinobi, while dojutsu users looked down on other kekkei genkai users.
Those eyes…
A kekkei genkai that no amount of training could grant…
Unknowingly, a glint of envy appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.
…
"Out of respect for Jiraiya-sensei…" Kagami suddenly spoke, his Sharingan glowing red.
"Look at me with that gaze again, and I'll take your eyes out."
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