News spread rapidly across the ninja world.
Konoha's famed technician, the Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake, had lost his Sharingan—stolen by the Hidden Mist rogue ninja known as the Demon of the Mist, Momochi Zabuza.
"As expected of someone who once attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage and still escaped alive."
Across the shinobi world, people marveled at Zabuza's strength. Based on the power he had demonstrated, he might not be at the level of a Kage, but defeating him would not be easy even for one.
Compared to outsiders who only heard rumors, Konoha's higher-ups were even more wary.
After examining Kakashi Hatake's wounds and those of the deceased ANBU, investigators discovered a disturbing similarity.
Both injuries appeared to be sudden attacks directed straight at the heart.
Judging from the wounds, they resembled punctures caused by a kunai.
Kakashi Hatake lay in a hospital bed in Konoha.
Naruto Uzumaki had skipped class just to visit him.
Naruto was deeply worried, yet he didn't know what to say. It would feel strange to say something like, "I'm glad you're okay."
Because Kakashi Hatake clearly was not okay.
He lay there weak and pale, barely conscious. One of his eyes was gone.
The man once known as the Copy Ninja Kakashi had now become the one-eyed Kakashi.
"Naruto, don't worry. I'll be discharged before long."
"And remember what I told you. Besides ninjutsu, theoretical knowledge is important too. A ninja's battles aren't decided by techniques alone. You have to think."
Kakashi Hatake spoke seriously, though the injury to his heart made his voice sound faint and heavy.
Naruto nodded obediently before leaving reluctantly.
Under Kakashi Hatake's guidance, Naruto's academic performance had slowly begun to improve.
Kakashi Hatake was a true genius. Once he decided to teach someone, he taught them thoroughly in every aspect.
After Naruto left, Kakashi Hatake let out a long sigh.
Staring at the ceiling, he clenched his fist tightly.
"That eye… was Obito Uchiha's gift to me."
"No matter what, I will take it back."
The desire to grow stronger resurfaced in his heart.
Taking care of Naruto and later serving as the future leader of a squad for Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Uchiha Fujie had helped Kakashi regain some motivation.
But at this moment, his determination to become stronger had never been firmer.
Such was the world of Naruto.
Such was the power of bonds.
"I need to relearn the Hatake sword style."
Kakashi Hatake recalled the battle with Momochi Zabuza.
Zabuza possessed an ability that allowed him to rapidly regenerate his injuries. Kakashi suspected it was some kind of secret technique.
Zabuza had relied on that ability to recover before using another mysterious technique that gravely wounded Kakashi and killed an ANBU.
Afterward, likely due to heavy exhaustion, Zabuza had seized the Sharingan and immediately retreated.
Kakashi Hatake did not know the cost of Zabuza's secret techniques or their weaknesses.
But he believed that if he could sever Zabuza's head with lightning-fast swordsmanship, even Zabuza would not survive.
That was why he needed to master the Hatake blade style once again.
Inside the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grim.
Not only had they failed to eliminate Zabuza—his reputation had grown even greater.
Among Konoha's current shinobi, the only one likely stronger than Kakashi Hatake was Might Guy.
As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well about Might Dai's legendary feat, so he fully understood the terrifying power of the Eight Gates.
However, Zabuza's abilities were far too strange.
Although Might Guy was powerful, he lacked the tactical cunning necessary to deal with such an opponent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help reminiscing about the past.
Back then, he had Sakumo Hatake.
He had the Legendary Sannin.
He had Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha.
Any one of those individuals could have dealt with Zabuza without difficulty.
But now, Itachi Uchiha was undercover.
Jiraiya was the only one who still somewhat listened to him.
The rest were either dead, defected, or had left the village. Even those who remained would not obey his orders freely.
"It seems the only option is to overwhelm him with numbers."
"Zabuza may be powerful, but according to Kakashi and the others, he isn't strong enough to face many elite jonin alone."
"With enough manpower, he will fall."
Thinking of expendable forces, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately thought of Danzo Shimura and his Root organization.
After a brief moment of thought, he made his decision.
One squad of ANBU.
Three squads from Root.
Sixteen shinobi in total.
That would be enough.
Unlike most people, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the truth.
Within Danzo Shimura's Root were many shinobi from secret technique clans.
He did not even bother consulting Danzo Shimura.
Instead, he directly issued the order in the name of the Hokage and had the ANBU deliver the message.
When Danzo Shimura received the order, his expression darkened immediately.
Even without Hiruzen Sarutobi appearing in person, the meaning behind the command was clear.
It was the same phrase Hiruzen loved to repeat.
"I am the Hokage."
"Hmph. Hiruzen… you won't stay smug for long."
Danzo Shimura made his decision swiftly.
He immediately dispatched the Root version of the Ino–Shika–Cho formation.
Alongside them, he sent several powerful jonin.
Over the years, Danzo Shimura had recruited members from nearly every secret technique clan in Konoha.
The only exception was the Hyuga clan, whose bloodline made them far more difficult to infiltrate.
"This is an opportunity," Danzo Shimura murmured quietly.
He was extremely interested in Zabuza's mysterious techniques.
And the Sharingan that once belonged to Kakashi Hatake—
He wanted that eye.
In Sunagakure, Rasa was not particularly interested in the Sharingan.
More importantly, unless he personally took action—or Elder Chiyo did—Rasa believed that even sending ten jonin would not be enough to reclaim it.
Meanwhile, the exhausted Kazekage continued refining gold dust to sustain the village's economy.
From time to time, he also had to suppress the One-Tail's jinchuriki.
That jinchuriki happened to be his own son.
Sometimes, Rasa truly felt that being Kazekage was a miserable position.
In Kirigakure, the truth had finally been uncovered.
Ao had discovered that the Fourth Mizukage had been under mind control.
With the help of several others, the illusion had finally been broken.
The Fourth Mizukage now wished for death.
But the others stopped him.
The Hidden Mist Village had grown far too weak.
"Perhaps we should seize that Sharingan."
"If the Mizukage installs it, he will never be controlled by another Sharingan again."
The leaders of Kirigakure began to consider the idea.
Rather than allowing the Mizukage to die, it would be better for him to live and atone.
The Hidden Mist could no longer afford further turmoil.
Their village had already been greatly weakened by the Bloody Mist policy.
If not for Kirigakure's harsh geographical environment, enemy forces might have already invaded.
Even so, despite its current decline, Kirigakure was still somewhat stronger than Sunagakure.
In Kumogakure, the Sharingan was not especially valued.
Compared to the Sharingan, the Fourth Raikage, A, desired the Byakugan far more.
Part of the reason was that A did not fully understand the terrifying power of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Darui, I'll leave this to you."
"Your safety comes first. Seizing the Sharingan isn't the priority."
The Fourth Raikage issued his command.
He valued Darui greatly.
Sending him on this mission was partly meant as training.
After all, Zabuza would make an excellent opponent.
In Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki—who had once witnessed the terror of Uchiha Madara—knew better than most how powerful the Sharingan could be.
Unfortunately, this was only a three-tomoe Sharingan.
Not the legendary Mangekyo.
It was not worth mobilizing large forces.
Instead, Onoki dispatched his son, Kitsuchi.
His instructions were similar to those given by the Raikage.
Meanwhile, Zabuza had finally caught the attention of the Akatsuki.
Previously, the organization had never attempted to recruit him.
With White Zetsu gathering intelligence, Nagato already knew that Zabuza had not been strong enough to qualify.
But now things were different.
Zabuza had defeated the Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake and three ANBU.
That alone barely qualified him for consideration.
Whether he would be accepted, however, would depend on Pain's judgment.
After Orochimaru's defection and Kakuzu's death, the Akatsuki had suddenly lost two members.
Their ranks were dangerously thin.
Obito Uchiha was furious.
Hidden within the Kamui dimension, he roared in anger.
"Useless Kakashi. As useless as ever."
"You couldn't even protect my eye."
He began considering whether to retrieve the Sharingan himself.
If he reclaimed that eye, his strength would increase dramatically.
At the very least, he would regain access to Susanoo.
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