Naruto: Konoha Silver Wolf - Chapter 71
Boom!
As Kakashi executed the Hatake clan’s Instant Cut, a fierce, blade-like aura erupted from him. He met Kaede’s attack head-on with his blade, moving at a speed almost matching Kaede’s.
Slash!
Kakashi’s sword struck precisely, deflecting Kaede’s blade. Kaede’s attack faltered as Kakashi’s assault continued, exploiting the opening. Kaede’s movement was restricted by his own “Tempest Slash.”
“Impossible…”
Kaede’s eyes widened in disbelief as his supposed killing blow was countered. His strongest technique had been cut through, and now Kakashi’s blade was closing in.
Slash!
Kakashi’s lightning-fast strike cut across Kaede’s shoulder, spraying blood into the air.
Whoosh!
Without pausing to assess the damage, Kakashi immediately dashed away.
“Damn it, I almost had him!”
“I’m nearly out of chakra. I need to escape while I can!”
As he fled, Kakashi’s thoughts raced. He realised his final attack had only managed to wound Kaede’s shoulder. Without a chance to finish him off, retreat was his only option.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kakashi’s form blurred as he sped away, distancing himself from Kaede. After about twenty meters, Kaede finally turned, glaring at Kakashi’s retreating figure.
“Think you can escape so easily? You dared to wound me—I’ll kill you!”
Kaede gritted his teeth against the pain in his shoulder, vowing vengeance.
“Lucky my speed let me avoid a worse injury. That technique—what kind of swordsmanship is that? It’s incredibly powerful!”
Kaede reflected, still shaken by the near-fatal strike from Kakashi.
“Hmm?”
As Kaede was about to pursue Kakashi, he sensed a presence to his left. His senses, heightened by his wind-based kekkei genkai, detected a slight movement. It was human.
“An ally of his?”
Kaede hesitated, realising the new presence was likely a ninja with Jonin-level strength. He couldn’t risk pursuing Kakashi.
“Damn it, I’ll deal with this later.”
With one last furious glance at Kakashi’s vanishing form, Kaede retreated to the village.
Whoosh!
Kaede disappeared quickly. Moments later, an ANBU member stepped out from behind a large tree. He watched Kaede’s retreat with keen eyes.
“He sensed my presence with just a slight movement?”
The ANBU member murmured, “But this works out. I didn’t need to reveal myself to save ‘Wolf’.”
“Danzo sent me to see if ‘Wolf’ has the potential to become a Kage. Based on what I’ve seen, it’s unnecessary. Despite his skills, he lacks the chakra reserves to become a Kage. This mission itself may be beyond him.”
The ANBU member sighed and looked in the direction Kakashi had fled, his expression showing disdain for his capabilities.
Whoosh!
Kakashi, leaning against a tree, breathed heavily, ignoring his bleeding wounds. His eyes were determined.
“Seems I was right. An ANBU must have been following me. Their skills are superior to mine, which is why I never noticed.”
Based on the mission’s difficulty, Kakashi had suspected someone would be shadowing him. He surmised that Danzo had an ulterior motive but couldn’t determine what. Knowing someone was watching, he dared to escape, though escape had been his only option.
He took out the medical kit Rin had given him, treating his wounds and wrapping the more severe ones. Finally, he consumed a soldier pill to restore his energy and blood.
Gulp!
As the pill took effect, Kakashi felt his strength returning. The soldier pill was remarkably effective, like a miracle drug.
“The ANBU following me won’t show themselves. Even when I was nearly killed, they stayed hidden. They clearly won’t help me complete this mission.”
“What should I do? Should I continue with this difficult mission?”
Recovering under the tree, Kakashi pondered his next move. After the encounter with Kaede, he doubted he could complete the mission. If he re-entered Den Village, he might kill a few more ninjas, but once Kaede arrived, along with the other ninjas, escape would be impossible.
As long as Kaede lived, the mission seemed unattainable. Even the Hatake clan’s techniques hadn’t been enough against him.
His successful strike had been due to Kaede’s overconfidence and a lapse in chakra flow during his “Tempest Slash.”
Kakashi realised that Kaede would likely avoid such a mistake in another encounter, using his speed to wear him down. The Hatake techniques, formidable as they were, posed no threat to someone with Kaede’s speed.
“What was that with his blade? My strike was weakened when it touched his sword. That’s why I couldn’t kill him.”
Kakashi frowned, recalling Kaede’s enhanced blade. It seemed empowered by Wind Release, greatly increasing its power. Kakashi had ideas but needed time to develop them.
“What’s this…”
Kakashi noticed the sky darkening, clouds gathering ominously. As someone familiar with weather patterns, he knew a storm was imminent.
The sky’s changing mood mirrored Kakashi’s turmoil.
His eyes gleamed with determination.
“I must return and finish this.”
“No matter what, I will complete this mission.”
After a long moment, Kakashi resolved to go back. The thought of leaving in defeat was unacceptable. He had a new plan forming in his mind.
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.
