"Minato-sensei, is there a new mission?"
Kakashi, who used Flying Thunder God to blink straight into the Hokage's office, tilted his head with curiosity.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi."
"Because I'm seriously short of manpower at the moment, and this mission happens to be very important, I can only disturb your rest."
Minato-sensei's tone carried genuine apology.
"Teacher, don't make it sound like you're pulling me out of a hot spring. It's my job. What's the mission?"
If it was something even other Anbu Jōnin couldn't handle, and Minato had to call in the "Silver-Haired Wonder" himself, it probably wasn't escorting groceries.
"It's like this — this morning we received a commission from the King of the Land of Snow."
"He fears for his life and hopes Konoha can send a ninja ahead to escort his daughter to a friend in the Land of Iron."
Minato handed over the mission scroll.
Daughter of the Snow Country's king?Kakashi's brain clicked.
Oh, great. Princess Koyuki Kazahana. Future famous actress, future poster child for travel brochures, and currently a trouble magnet.
He remembered the "original timeline" version of events — young Kakashi had eaten humble pie at the hands of the Snow Ninja during a similar escort. This time? Revenge was on the menu.
But more importantly… this was a perfect chance to set some bait.
"Minato-sensei, I suggest we assign this mission to Obito," Kakashi said.
"Then we leak the news that Obito's leaving the village alone on an international mission. Make sure the whispers reach all the wrong ears."
"Oh? You mean..."
"Exactly," Kakashi smirked under his mask. "Let's lure the big rat that's been nesting in Konoha's shadows. If we keep sitting around waiting for a move, we'll grow moss like an unused toad oil jar."
Minato frowned. "Risky. This man has plenty of elite operatives. If Obito can't handle it, that's a big loss."
Translation: If Obito gets snatched, we don't just lose the bait — we lose the fishing rod too.
"Relax," Kakashi replied. "Shisui and I will each leave a clone in the village, and our real bodies will hide in Kamui space."
"If nothing happens, fine. But if Danzo — I mean, the 'rat' — shows up, we bag him on the spot. Maybe mount his cane on a wall for decoration."
With two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan and Sage Mode, Kakashi figured it'd be embarrassing if they didn't manage to end it.
Minato thought it over, then nodded. "Alright. But if anything goes wrong, pull Obito back instantly. I'll step in personally."
"Understood," Kakashi said, already sensing Obito's chakra signature.
The next moment, he appeared in the Uchiha clan's training ground.
"Kakashi(-senpai), why are you here?"
Obito and Shisui's surprise was obvious — they'd been in the middle of teaching young Itachi.
"Hello, Kakashi-nii."
Itachi stood straighter, almost instinctively guarding himself. Understandable — he'd never forgotten the "childhood trauma" of Kakashi's… unique ways of interacting with toddlers.
Oh, his memory was sharp. Kid's barely over one year old and already remembers to armor his personal space. Classic Uchiha mental fortitude.
Suppressing a smirk, Kakashi refocused. "Obito, Shisui — send Itachi home. I need to talk to you both."
"No need, Kakashi-nii," Itachi said quickly. "I can walk myself back."
"Really? Impressive. Then go on, and don't keep your parents waiting."
Kakashi ruffled the boy's hair — thoroughly wrecking the neat bangs.
Itachi froze, resisting the urge to swat that hand. The memory of that evil hand won today.
"Alright, you two — with me."
Once they were out of sight, Kakashi teleported them straight into the Hokage's office.
After he laid out the plan, Obito's fists tightened. "We have to take him down this time!"
Memories of Danzo's attempt to recruit him — and replace Rin as Three Tails' jinchūriki — still burned.
"I agree," Shisui said gravely.
He'd connected enough dots between Minato's hints, Kakashi's advice, and clan head Fugaku's quiet warnings to realize the truth: Danzo's obsession with Uchiha wasn't politics — it was theft.
If the rumors about his grandfather's death were true, then this mission was also about revenge.
They all understood.
Two Shadow Clones remained in the village while Obito's clone was seen leaving the gates.
The real Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito hid in Kamui's silent void, waiting.
And soon enough… Root reported the "intel" straight to Danzo.
To be continued....
Note: Guys, if you're enjoying the story, please support it by leaving a review and dropping Power Stones. Your support really means a lot