This was a direct order from Konoha's higher-ups, delivered through the Anbu.
Along with the order, two additional squads—comprising six elite Anbu members—were dispatched. Together with Kakashi, they formed an assault team tasked with disrupting the supply lines from the Land of Wind.
"You all understand the mission objective and the risks involved, right?"
Kakashi's voice was cold and emotionless, as if spoken by the grim reaper himself.
The difficulty of this mission was obvious. Striking the enemy's supply lines while at a disadvantage and then retreating from deep within enemy territory was almost a suicide mission.
But Kakashi showed no hesitation.
After the death of his father, Sakumo Hatake, the loss of Obito Uchiha, and the heart-wrenching moment when he had to kill Rin Nohara with his own hands, Kakashi's heart had long since died.
He had become a machine—a ninja who only knew how to execute missions. Completing them had become his purpose, the sole reason he felt he existed in this world.
For him, staking his life on a mission was preferable to dying in disgrace, like his father.
As for the six Anbu members, they had been mentally prepared long before being sent here. They were the best of the best, willing to face even certain-death missions without hesitation.
"Understood!"
With their uniform response, Kakashi nodded and signaled with his hand.
"Move out!"
Seven figures disappeared into the night, heading in the opposite direction from the retreating forces—straight toward the border.
Since this was a sudden offensive, both Sunagakure and Kumogakure had brought only their most elite units. The supplies needed to occupy Kikyo Town and sustain their campaign were being transported gradually from the Land of Wind's border.
This created an opportunity for Kakashi's team.
If they could disrupt the enemy's supply lines through an ambush, they could slow the allied forces' advance and buy critical time for reinforcements to arrive.
Reaching the designated ambush point, the team quickly set up.
Before long, a Hyūga ninja in the group, utilizing their Byakugan, spotted the enemy supply convoy three kilometers away.
Then, seven shadows suddenly emerged, launching a devastating surprise attack on the Sunagakure logistics unit.
Among the seven, three—including Kakashi—were jonin, while the remaining four were special jonin skilled in unique techniques.
The team began with large-scale ninjutsu to provide cover, after which Kakashi led the faster members in a swift, surgical strike, eliminating key targets.
Within moments, the twenty-man logistics team was left leaderless and plunged into chaos, allowing Kakashi's squad to easily wipe them out.
Once the battle was over, the seven didn't rest. Swallowing a few ration pills, they immediately set off toward the next battlefield.
---
The news of Kakashi's sudden disappearance soon reached Danzo's ears.
"Reckless! Utterly reckless!"
Danzo slammed the table in fury.
It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened—someone had clearly bypassed him to give Kakashi a direct order.
And that order was undoubtedly a suicide mission!
Given the current situation, the only person in the village with the authority to bypass him and directly order Kakashi was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
"That old monkey, Hiruzen, is completely out of control!"
Danzo was so furious he was nearly ready to storm into the Hokage's office and yell at him.
It wasn't that the strategy of disrupting the enemy's logistics was wrong—it was a sound plan. But it all depended on who was carrying out the mission!
If the ones executing it were legends like Sakumo Hatake or Minato Namikaze, Danzo would have wholeheartedly supported the decision.
But this was Kakashi!
Given his current state, Kakashi was nowhere near capable of infiltrating deep into enemy lines. Sending him on this mission was as good as sentencing him to death!
Not to mention that Kumogakure's infamous "A-B Combination" was present on the battlefield. With their speed, there was no way they would allow Kakashi to continue his operation unchallenged.
In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's order was essentially sending Kakashi and his team to their deaths, using their lives to merely delay the advance of Kumogakure's forces.
"That old fool doesn't understand the principle of 'if you preserve the people, you preserve both the people and the land; but if you only try to preserve the land and lose the people, you lose everything!'"
Danzo vented his frustration about the Third Hokage, his tirade filling the room. Standing to the side, Nara Shikai remained silent and submissive, not daring to speak.
This was a matter between the Hokage and the Hokage's advisors. Shikai, a minor figure, would never dare to get involved.
"What about Uchiha Shisui? Why didn't he stop Kakashi?"
After his outburst, Danzo turned to Shikai for an answer.
Shikai hesitated, struggling to find the words, before finally delivering a piece of news that made Danzo's vision go dark.
"Uchiha Shisui chased after Kakashi to stop him, but… he went too."
"What did you just say?!"
Danzo was stunned.
Were all of Konoha's geniuses just throwing their lives away?
Seeing Shikai still cowering in silence, Danzo slammed the table again. "If there's anything else, say it now!"
Shikai took a deep breath and gave another piece of grim news.
"Elder Mitokado Homura, sent a force of a thousand shinobi to attack the coalition's forward base. After failing, they were surrounded by the enemy in Red Valley."
Danzo didn't even feel like responding anymore. He was mentally drained.
The enemy hadn't even begun their encirclement, yet Homura's forces had already fallen into a trap?
Instead of supporting the defense of Kikyo Town or trying to delay the enemy's advance, Homura had taken the initiative to "strike from behind" and completely failed.
But then again, considering that Mitokado Homura was the one in charge, Danzo found it understandable.
"Where are they now?" Danzo asked while rubbing his temples.
Shikai quickly located the corresponding position.
"They're trapped in Red Valley. Kakashi's squad is also nearby."
Danzo stared intently at the red marker on the map and asked, "How long will it take to get there?"
The question startled Shikai, and he quickly protested, "Lord Danzo, the risk is too great!"
Ignoring his warning, Danzo sternly repeated, "I asked for the time!"
Shikai hesitated before reluctantly answering, "A large force would take two days. A small, rapid-response team could make it in one day."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "And how long until Kumogakure and Sunagakure reach Kikyo Town?"
This was a scenario Shikai had simulated countless times, so he confidently replied, "Their forces are larger, so it will take them about a day and a half to reach Kikyo Town."
Danzo closed his eyes, seemingly calculating something.
"With Kikyo Town's fortifications, how long can it hold without me?"
Danzo already had an idea.
In the original timeline, Kikyo Town managed to hold out until Minato Namikaze arrived as reinforcements, even without his intervention. Though by then, Kikyo Town was nearly destroyed.
Now, with all the resources he had poured into strengthening its defenses and bolstering the garrison, holding for half a day should not be an issue.
Shikai agreed. "Half a day shouldn't be a problem."
However, he still voiced his concerns. "But Lord Danzo, can you really rescue the surrounded forces in such a short time? And even if you can, what about your safety?"
Currently, Danzo was the cornerstone of Kikyo Town's defense. If anything happened to him, it would be catastrophic for the entire town.
"Shikai, with our current forces, can we hold Kikyo Town?" Danzo suddenly asked.
Shikai hesitated before shaking his head. "No, but we can delay the enemy and create opportunities for reinforcements."
Danzo shook his head. "That's not the result I want."
"Before I arrived, Kikyo Town was on the verge of falling."
"After I arrived, Kikyo Town is still on the verge of falling."
"Then what was the point of me coming here?"
__
This Danzo Is Weird 100 advanced chapters: (5-10 ch updates everyday)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can also read:
1. 210 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto
2. 540 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Complete)