Kakashi stared coldly at Orochimaru hiding inside the *Suiten Heki (Water Formation Wall)*, ready to force it open—when a figure flashed in. "*Suiton: Suirō no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique)!*" Zabuza appeared beside Orochimaru, one hand thrust through the water wall; the protective curtain curled into a spherical prison, trapping Orochimaru within.
Kakashi raised a brow. "Didn't expect that, Zabuza. Nice timing."
"Heh. You think I'm soft?" Zabuza smirked. "Kakashi, go check on your old man." Kakashi turned; *Sandaime* lay bound by raging wood.
"*Ōgi: Kōga Mizukiri (Hard Whirlpool Water Blade)!*" The *Nidaime*'s seals snapped into place; above *Sandaime* a massive water blade formed, its core spinning at high speed, warping the air as it smashed down. Kakashi's heart clenched. *Even a fraction of the Second's true power inspires dread. If that hits, even if he lives, he's finished.*
*Boom—!* The blade obliterated the wooden cage. The rooftop shattered—no *Sandaime* in sight.
Then Kakashi spotted him: a battered old man and a towering simian stood not far away. Relief washed through him. *Sandaime* had burned everything to summon his mighty pact-beast, Enma. "Enma, *hayaku*, transform into the *Kongōnyoi (Adamantine Staff)*!" At his call, Enma twisted into an indestructible staff. *Sandaime* swung; *boom*—the First's surging trees blocked, but shattered under the impact.
The *Nidaime*'s hands formed seals. "*Genjutsu: Kokuangyō (Bringer-of-Darkness Technique)!*" A black fog rushed *Sandaime*. Sight fell away—pitch black. *Wham*—the First's trees slapped him from his feet. Blood sprayed—but the Hokage stood again, grim and unbowed.
Kakashi blurred to the *Nidaime*. "Time to end this. *Sharingan—Genjutsu!*"
The *Nidaime*'s vision flickered to black—caught in his own art. *Sandaime*'s sight snapped back. "Well done, Kakashi!"
The Adamantine Staff crashed down; the First backpedaled—too late. A massive arm sprouted from the staff, Enma's arm, and clamped around the First's throat. "Enma—seal him!" *Sandaime* roared.
"*Gyakuten Fūin (Reverse Seal)!*" Enma's grip crushed tight. The First's body spun counterclockwise, then collapsed—ashen husk sloughing away to reveal the sacrificed vessel beneath.
"This jutsu is monstrous," *Sandaime* rasped. "It uses the living as containers for souls."
Kakashi planted a palm to the *Nidaime*'s chest. "Try my original seal—*Fūrai In (Seal of Thunder)!*" *Chiii—* Lightning wrapped the *Nidaime*; in an instant he too unraveled, the corpse beneath revealed. *Sandaime* stared, stunned. *He's already become this strong…*
Seeing the Hokage safe, Kakashi shot back to Zabuza—only to find Zabuza down and Orochimaru gone. The barrier had vanished; the four wardens were nowhere to be seen.
*Sandaime* approached. "Kakashi—why are you with this fugitive?"
Kakashi thought fast. "*Hokage-sama*, what he did in the past may not have been his will. He says he was framed. We became… allies. I called him to help." *Sandaime* nodded once. He knew it was a stretch—Zabuza hardly the framed type—but Kakashi *had* saved him and the village; he let it pass. In truth, the two resurrected Hokage had been far weaker than their living primes—Orochimaru's miscalculation, never expecting Kakashi to erupt onto the stage.
Far away, Orochimaru fled with his subordinates toward the Sound Village. He glanced at the bespectacled man at his side. "Kabuto, the Konoha Crush failed—because of that Kakashi. We'll need to remove him."
Kabuto blinked. "Orochimaru-sama, didn't you say Kakashi's strength was about the same as mine?"
Orochimaru's eyes chilled. "Now? Before him, you would be erased in a heartbeat." Kabuto held his tongue, doubts gnawing, and kept pace.
Kakashi hauled Zabuza to Haku. "Haku, check him." She hurried over, worry etched on her face, then looked up. "It's not serious—snake venom. With Zabuza-sama's constitution, he'll wake soon."
Kakashi exhaled. *If he died here, that'd sit wrong.* Still, a question pricked him. *Why didn't Orochimaru kill him?* "Was it inhaled toxin or contact?" Haku stiffened. "A bite—on the neck."
Kakashi lifted the cloth and felt the mark. A slow breath. "As expected of Orochimaru—he left chakra embedded. Without the *Sharingan*, I'd never notice." Haku's voice tightened. "Kakashi-dono, does that mean he can watch us anytime?"
Kakashi nodded. "And more. He took a beating from me today; he wants payback. Zabuza's clearly with me; rather than strike me outright, he planted a handle on Zabuza." Haku clenched her fists. "I'll kill him. Being watched feels… rotten."
Kakashi sighed. "Orochimaru is troublesome—hard to kill, and if you slip, your body becomes his puppet. His direct offense isn't the worst—but he chills the blood. We can't handle him head-on yet, and he's stockpiling power; his pieces are all elites. For now, I'll purge Zabuza's mark."
He pressed a palm to Zabuza's neck—*hiss*—violet smoke curled away. "Done. Lay low in Konoha—and don't start trouble." "Understood, Kakashi-dono," Haku said, bowing.
Soon after, *Sandaime* summoned Kakashi to the office. He puffed his pipe, smoke curling. "Kakashi, I called you for an important mission."
"Leave it to me, *Hokage-sama*."
"I plan to retire." Kakashi blinked. "Retire?"
"The Fifth Hokage has been chosen."
Kakashi's eye curved. "*Hokage-sama*, I'm not suited for it—not yet."
"You don't want it? In strength and in mind, you surpass me. You're ideal," *Sandaime* pressed.
Kakashi scratched his head. "I still want to sharpen myself. Drowning in paperwork isn't my style." The old Hokage sighed. "I understand you. But I am old."
"I have a candidate," Kakashi said. "Like Orochimaru—one of the *Densetsu no Sannin (Legendary Sannin).*"
"Jiraiya can't shoulder it now," *Sandaime* shook his head.
Kakashi wagged a finger. "Not Jiraiya-sama. The other one."
*Hokage-sama*'s eyes lit, then dimmed. "You mean the Shodai's granddaughter—Tsunade-hime. She's been missing for years."
Kakashi's eye smiled. "After a disaster like this, Tsunade-hime will show near the village. Jiraiya-sama's already back, right?"
*Hokage-sama* exhaled. "So you truly refuse the hat. Fine. Bring Tsunade back within a week, or the burden falls to you." He waved Kakashi out before he could object.
Kakashi could only shrug—and head beyond the village gates to begin the search.
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