"Send word. Call Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy. I want them here, immediately."
The Third Hokage's order had barely left his lips before a figure appeared silently in the corner of the office. The shinobi bowed deeply, nodded, and vanished into the night.
Moments later, Kakashi and Might Guy entered the Hokage's office.
Being summoned so suddenly at this hour, both men wore grim expressions. They knew such urgency could only mean something grave.
"Lord Third Hokage, what has happened?" Kakashi asked.
Might Guy stood silently, listening, though his brows were furrowed with concern.
Hiruzen Sarutobi kept his head lowered, saying nothing for a long moment. Finally, his weary eyes lifted and settled on Kakashi, staring so intently that the silver-haired jōnin grew uneasy.
"Lord Hokage… do you have an order for us?" Kakashi pressed.
"Kakashi, Guy—Konoha needs you."
"Needs us?" Kakashi echoed.
"What's wrong, Lord Hokage?" Guy asked urgently. Hiruzen's solemn face made it impossible for him to stand still. "Has something terrible happened?"
"Yes," Hiruzen exhaled heavily, his voice weighted with sorrow. "Something very serious."
The tension in the room thickened. Kakashi and Guy leaned forward, urging him silently to continue.
"...Naruto's identity," Hiruzen finally said.
Both men nodded immediately.
"I don't need to explain what a Jinchūriki means to the great villages. Naruto was attacked."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
The Nine-Tails.
The Jinchūriki.
A living weapon, as dangerous as a nuclear bomb—attacked within their own walls.
"This is no trivial matter," Hiruzen said darkly.
"Who was the enemy?" Kakashi asked sharply. "Was another village using the Chūnin Exams as a cover to steal Konoha's Jinchūriki?"
It was a logical guess.
But Hiruzen shook his head. "No. Not someone from outside Konoha."
The office fell silent.
Guy scratched his head, baffled. If not another village… then who?
Kakashi's sharp gaze narrowed. He stared hard at Hiruzen, dread forming in his chest. "…Lord Hokage. Do you mean… him?"
Hiruzen's eyes closed briefly. "…Yes."
The weight of the confirmation made Kakashi's stomach sink.
"Then, Lord Hokage… what is your intent?" Kakashi asked.
"I suspect there may be an attempt during the Chūnin Exams. That is why I am giving the two of you a special mission."
At the mention of a mission, Guy's confusion gave way to resolve. He stepped forward, posture rigid and voice fierce. "Lord Hokage! Whatever mission you give us, I will see it done—even if it costs me my life!"
Hiruzen's lips softened at Guy's earnest declaration.
Kakashi, too, met his gaze with quiet determination.
Hiruzen studied the two of them, deeply satisfied. He knew Kakashi's strength well—enough to rival a Hokage's. And Might Guy, though limited to taijutsu, possessed the Eight Inner Gates. At full power, even a Kage could fall before him.
Yes. With these two, the mission had a chance of success… more certain than if he went himself.
For the briefest moment, a dangerous light flickered in Hiruzen's eyes—the old warlord's instinct, the lion baring its fangs once more.
As they left the office, Guy clenched his fists with enthusiasm.
"Kakashi, this mission is the perfect chance for the two of us to fight side by side again! You'd better not slack off!"
"Hmph," Kakashi gave a faint smile. "Don't worry. I'll be the one protecting you."
"Protect me? Ha! Don't forget—I'm the Blue Beast of Konoha! I'll be the one protecting you."
Kakashi looked at Guy's carefree grin but said nothing. His thoughts weighed heavily.
He didn't know the full nature of Hiruzen's relationship with Danzō, but tonight's orders left him uneasy.
The Third Hokage—once revered as the Professor, the compassionate leader of Konoha—had personally ordered the elimination of his own comrade.
The thought sent a chill down Kakashi's spine.
This was no longer the kindly elder he had known. This was the true Third Hokage—a hardened shinobi who would not hesitate when the village was at stake.
Looking up at the night sky, Kakashi felt the wind of Konoha turn colder than ever.
Meanwhile, within the Hyūga compound…
Hinata lay curled beneath her blankets, clutching a wreath she had woven from weeds. Her wide eyes peeked from under the covers, her mind racing.
What was his name again?
Elsewhere in the branch house, Neji trained alone in the courtyard, his fists striking the wooden post with relentless precision. Sweat poured down his face, but he did not stop.
Another branch house member leaned against the wall, watching him. "Neji, why are you training so hard? You don't have a single rival among the Genin."
"No rivals?" Neji smirked bitterly. "No. There is one. His strength surpasses mine. I intend to defeat him in the Chūnin Exams."
The other Hyūga frowned, unconvinced.
Stronger than Neji? Impossible.
The Byakugan, combined with the Gentle Fist—against ordinary Genin, it was an overwhelming advantage.
"Are you serious, Neji? Who could possibly match you? Those Sand brats aren't worth mentioning."
"I'm not talking about the Sand shinobi."
"…Then you mean one of Konoha's Genin? Don't tell me you're worried about Uchiha Sasuke? He only just graduated—he can't be your opponent."
Neji paused his training and turned, his pale eyes gleaming. "No. The one I'm talking about is Nagano Yuichi… a civilian ninja."
The man blinked in disbelief. "A civilian ninja? You mean to say the proud Hyūga should fear an ordinary Genin?"