"We can't afford to get stuck here."
At that moment, Neji stepped forward and lowered his voice. "Jonin Kakashi, I suggest splitting into two groups here. Tenten, Sakura, and I will hold him off. You and Sasuke keep moving forward to find the Aurora Order's base and the Kazekage!"
"No, too dangerous!"
Kakashi rejected the idea immediately. He turned to Hidan and said in a serious tone, "I'll stay here. You all keep going!"
"But—"
Neji started to argue.
Kakashi cut him off coldly. "I'm the team leader. Follow my orders. Neji, you lead the team forward from here."
"Huh? What the hell is that white-haired bastard talking about?"
Hidan heard the voice. Holding his exaggerated scythe, he sneered, "With me here, not a single one of you is getting away!"
Clang!
With a clear ringing sound, Kakashi drew his short blade, his eyes sharp and fierce. "I'll be your opponent. That's enough."
"I'll tear your mouth apart first!" Hidan's temper flared. His body instantly melted into the shadows, planning to use his old trick again.
But just as he emerged from the shadows, Kakashi seemed to have anticipated it. He gripped his blade's hilt, stepped forward, and swung upward.
The blade's edge traced a perfect line along Hidan's right ribs, across to his left shoulder, a faint thread of light flashing through the air.
Shhhhk!
The next moment, Hidan, who had just been so arrogant, was suddenly cut in two by a single slash.
Blood sprayed out like a fountain, and the arrogance frozen on Hidan's face turned into a ridiculous clownish expression.
"That's the White Fang Sword Technique, the secret art passed down in the Hatake clan!" Hyuga Neji's pupils shrank sharply, a hint of shock showing on his face.
"As rumored, Kakashi-sensei has truly surpassed his father White Fang — especially with his swordsmanship!"
To prevent any explosion, Kakashi withdrew immediately after the slash.
Blood dripped from the blade like raindrops falling.
The inherited White Fang short sword, after being reforged and polished, was as smooth as a mirror and could cut through iron like mud!
"You say your codename in the Aurora Order is 'Z,' right?"
Kakashi's eyes grew cold and sharp. Holding the White Fang short sword, he said in a cold voice, "What a coincidence. Let me see who is stronger — you or 'Mr. A.'"
"You bastard! How dare you cut me in half!"
Hidan was furious now. His body recovered again, and his eyes filled with fierce bloodshot veins. "I will kill you! I'll cut your head off!"
Despite Hidan's provocation, Kakashi remained calm. He glanced sideways at Hyuga Neji. "Go quickly. Leave this guy to me."
"Kakashi-sensei," Haruno Sakura said anxiously, clenching her fists. "Maybe I should stay behind?"
"No. You're a medical ninja. You have to go with them!"
Kakashi's voice was stern as he refused. Then his expression softened a little. "Don't worry. I know this guy's abilities very well. And don't forget, I'm Hatake Kakashi!"
After a half-second pause, Hyuga Neji decisively turned to the others. "Let's go. I'm the team leader now!"
In a cave in the Land of Rivers, Uchiha Itachi sneered as he looked at the frustrated Black Zetsu. "Looks like the people you sent out are useless."
Black Zetsu was embarrassed. He had thought the Third Kazekage could at least slow down the Leaf ninja team.
But in the end, the Third Kazekage only managed to hold back one person.
"Holy Son, this was an accident." Black Zetsu still wanted to defend himself. "It's all that damn Akatsuki, interfering in our business!"
"Akatsuki, huh."
Uchiha Itachi smiled meaningfully and said, "What Akatsuki? Behind the scenes, it should be 'those guys' causing trouble."
"You mean—" Black Zetsu was about to say the name, but found he couldn't make a sound.
"Shh~ don't say it."
Itachi pressed his index finger to his lips, signaling silence. "Under no circumstances should you mention that organization's name anywhere, understand?"
Realizing this, Black Zetsu broke out in cold sweat, nodding in fear.
He almost forgot that organization's name was taboo!
Whoever spoke it would be detected immediately!
"Pardon me for speaking frankly, Holy Son, even Hidan was stopped by the other side," Black Zetsu said worriedly. "Is it possible to get help from others?"
"No."
Itachi stood up calmly, but beneath his calm face hid a terrifying madness.
In his spinning Sharingan eyes, Black Zetsu was reflected, and a grim smile curled at the corner of Itachi's lips.
"Black Zetsu, as a partner, you need to at least be useful. Otherwise, I don't think this cooperation should continue. What do you say?"
Caught in Itachi's gaze, Black Zetsu felt a chill through his body, like death tightening around his throat.
"Then, goodbye~"
Itachi turned away, waved his hand, and said, "Good luck, Mr. Black Zetsu."
As his voice fell, Itachi cut off the communication and vanished instantly into the cave.
Only then did Black Zetsu break free from his fear, his pupils narrowing to tiny dots, trembling slightly. He knew very well Itachi wasn't joking!
If he truly became useless, Itachi would kill him without hesitation!
"Konoha! Konoha! Konoha!"
Black Zetsu gritted his teeth, furious as his life was threatened.
"You're the ones forcing me into this. There's no choice now—only one path left!"
Pushed to the brink, Black Zetsu had to act ahead of schedule.
Using the ring device with a sinister glint, his figure instantly appeared thousands of miles away, inside a secret chamber in Iwagakure.
"Onoki, we have to move up our plan!"
Suppressing his fear, Black Zetsu spoke in a low voice, "The people of Konoha are closing in. I need your help to hold them back."
"Black Zetsu, this wasn't part of our agreement."
In the darkness, Onoki floated midair, his eyes cold and ruthless.
"Besides, I have no reason to help you. What's the point of risking exposure to stall Konoha? Give me one good reason."
"Without me, your entire plan will fail, Onoki!"
Unfazed by the threat, Black Zetsu's voice turned icy. "Right now, I need your support to delay Konoha's forces."
After a brief silence, Onoki sneered, "Fine. As you wish. Let the Fourth Great Ninja War begin."
*******
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