The night sky hung high above the cliff.
By a small fire, two young men and women sat facing each other.
"Hagi Kakashi, how is your recovery?" asked Terumi Mei.
"Ah, not bad. Basically, there's no problem," Kakashi replied.
Kakashi's condition was mainly due to the effects of a curse technique, and although he had suffered burns, his back injury was not serious.
Jiraiya's defensive ninjutsu, Needle Jizō, had proven highly effective.
Even if Kakashi hadn't managed to unleash its full power earlier, it still blocked most of the damage from the enemy's flames.
The rest of the injuries, while appearing severe, were actually superficial wounds.
Kakashi's basic medical ninjutsu was enough to treat them.
"In that case, let's get out of here," Terumi suggested.
"No problem."
Kakashi rose to his feet. The torn clothes he had been wearing were already replaced by a fresh set drawn from his sealing scroll.
Biting his right thumb lightly, Kakashi quickly formed hand seals.
Summoning Technique!
With a puff of smoke, a ninja dog wearing a Konoha forehead protector appeared before them.
"Pakkun, find Uchiha Shisui's location," Kakashi instructed.
"Got it, no problem," Pakkun replied, wagging his tail.
"Kakashi, your summoned beast is really cute," Terumi Mei couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing Pakkun's appearance.
"Thanks for the compliment," Kakashi responded calmly.
It seemed he either didn't catch the hint of teasing in Terumi Mei's tone or simply chose to ignore it, directly expressing his gratitude.
Terumi Mei pursed her lips, feeling it was a little boring when he didn't react.
Suddenly, the fur on Pakkun's body bristled.
Upon noticing, Kakashi immediately asked, "What's wrong, Pakkun?"
"It's coming!" Pakkun barked.
"Who?"
Before Pakkun could respond, a deep voice echoed abruptly through the air.
"Humans, I have found you."
Both Kakashi and Terumi Mei were startled.
With a loud bang, a giant figure landed before them.
It was the three-headed dog from earlier that day!
Its black body, razor-sharp fangs, and three massive heads radiated an intense, terrifying aura.
Kakashi quickly stepped in front of Terumi Mei and said, "Ah, it's you, the three-headed dog. I didn't expect you to track us down so soon."
"Hmph, humans," the beast growled. "I didn't expect you to survive my Flame Bomb. Impressive resilience."
"Thanks for the compliment," Kakashi replied lightly, "but I won't be thanking you truly."
"Hmph, enough talk. Today, you will die."
As the three-headed dog prepared to attack, Kakashi quickly interjected, "Wait a second!"
"Any last words to say before I tear you apart?" the beast sneered.
"I'm just curious," Kakashi said calmly. "Why do you hate us so much? As a summoned beast, why aren't you in your own territory? Why are you here, stranded on this island?"
The three-headed dog's eyes gleamed with fury.
"Humans, you dare ask? It's because you destroyed the homeland of my Hellhound Clan! You slaughtered my kin until none remained! Now I am left homeless. Where else could I go?"
Kakashi and Terumi Mei were both stunned.
Someone wiped out the Hellhound Clan?
How was that possible? A creature this powerful — if it had many kin — should have been nearly invincible.
Was there truly such overwhelming power somewhere in the shinobi world?
Terumi Mei felt lost in thought, but Kakashi's mind raced as he recalled a terrifying figure.
Nagato.
The Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain could summon all kinds of monstrous creatures, including a multi-headed dog very similar to this one — but with a strange ability to split apart when damaged.
If his guess was right, this three-headed dog's kin must have been the Hellhound Clan.
And the culprits behind their slaughter were none other than the Six Paths of Pain!
Only Pain's collective strength, with Nagato's Rinnegan abilities behind them, could exterminate such mighty creatures.
"Three-headed dog," Kakashi asked cautiously, "were the ones who killed your clan six humans wearing black cloaks with red clouds? And did they all have strange, ripple-like eyes?"
The three-headed dog's expression changed dramatically.
"You… you know those six humans! Damn it, you must be their ally! Die!!"
"Fire Release: Hellfire Blast!"
As the beast unleashed a storm of flames, Kakashi's speculation was confirmed.
It was Pain.
Nagato must have sought powerful summons for his Animal Path, stumbled across the Hellhound Clan, and massacred them to turn their corpses into his own tools.
After all, the Animal Path didn't require a summon's consent; even a corpse could be manipulated as a puppet summon.
This three-headed dog must have once had a relative — and that relative now lived as the Split Dog, controlled by Pain.
As the fiery attack roared toward them, Kakashi didn't hesitate. He scooped up Pakkun and evaded swiftly.
The spot where they had just stood was immediately reduced to a scorched wasteland.
Seeing the excited gleam in the three-headed dog's eyes, Kakashi realized that no words would reach it now.
If he wanted a chance to explain, he would have to defeat it first.
"Kakashi, this big guy is really strong," Pakkun muttered nervously.
"Yeah, I know. I've fought it before," Kakashi replied grimly. "Pakkun, it's dangerous here. You should go back."
"No way," Pakkun insisted. "I want to stay. I trust you. I won't get in your way."
Kakashi was surprised. After all, Pakkun wasn't a battle-type summon; normally, retreating was the wiser move.
But seeing Pakkun's determination, he didn't argue further.
"Alright, then stay close and out of danger. I'll deal with the three-headed dog."
"Got it!"
Kakashi placed Pakkun carefully on the thick branch of a nearby tree, then instantly flashed to Terumi Mei's side.
"Terumi Mei, I have a plan. I'll need your help."
"What plan?" she asked, curious.
It amazed her that Kakashi could formulate a strategy so quickly.
His mind really was quick.
"Look at the dog's abdomen. See the dried black blood? It's already injured. If we can target and deepen that wound, we might be able to bring it down."
Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes. Sure enough, there was a long scabbed-over wound.
"But how do you plan to get close? Its body is dangerous."
Kakashi grinned under his mask.
"You just need to distract it. Leave the rest to me. I can get close enough."
Terumi Mei nodded. Kakashi's speed was indeed remarkable. If the beast's attention was diverted, it was possible.
"Alright. I'll cooperate."
"Thanks. Let's begin."
"Okay."
The two of them reached an agreement and simultaneously turned their gaze toward the restless three-headed dog.
"Humans! Today, I will avenge my people!" the beast roared, all three heads bellowing their grief and rage into the night sky.
In the distance, Uchiha Shisui, carrying Ao on his back, heard the roar.
"That's… the three-headed dog's cry? From that direction? That's where the crow led me earlier. Could it be that Senior Kakashi is fighting it again?"
Shisui's mind raced as he hastened his steps, heading toward the looming battle.
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