Return to the Land of Fire? Go back to Konoha? No way I'm going back to Konoha, not in this lifetime. Kakashi thought wryly. Kirigakure is hunting me down. My only option now is to escape the Land of Water first and figure things out later.
Being around the Yellow Flash is like being under constant surveillance. It's much better here in the Land of Water, even if I'm being hunted. Besides, Terumi Mei is quite talented, and she speaks well… I almost want her to become the Fifth Mizukage.
Kakashi tried his best to persuade Minato Namikaze to leave and let him go.
"Sensei, please go back. There's no way I'm returning to Konoha."
Minato simply shook his head. Obito Uchiha, watching nearby, wanted to laugh but held back, fearing the silver-haired youth would drag him out for a beating.
"No matter what, you are still my student," Minato said firmly. "We are in the midst of a great war. Your words and actions could easily make enemies for Konoha. Right now, the other four great nations don't need much reason to attack Konoha; they're just missing a fuse."
"That's true," Kakashi countered, "but as you just said, two of the four nations have already declared war on Konoha. It's only a matter of time before the Land of Water declares war again. As for Suna, they're tangled up with the Land of Earth and don't have the resources to start another conflict right now. The Land of Earth is fighting on three fronts themselves; their situation isn't much better than the Land of Fire's. And I have no intention of running off to the desert to provoke Suna."
"Still, no," Minato insisted.
The four of them talked as they walked. If Kakashi weren't acutely aware of the Hiraishin marker already placed on him, he would have tried to slip away long ago. With the Yellow Flash leading the team, personal safety wasn't even a concern – such was the overwhelming sense of security provided by Minato's blinding speed and power.
Even Kakashi had to concede defeat for now and start thinking of alternative plans. Terumi Mei hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. As someone not from Konoha, she didn't know how to join the conversation. Her small hand reached out from behind, tentatively tugging at the silver-haired boy's clothes.
Seeing her timid demeanor, Kakashi found it hard to imagine how she would develop her future famously strong and assertive 'big sister' personality. He simply took her hand to reassure her.
"What do they say about me in the Land of Water?" Minato suddenly asked Mei.
"There aren't many details," Mei replied softly. "The most common descriptions are that you're very fast, very tall, very ugly, and… you like to eat children…"
Minato looked slightly taken aback, apparently unaware his reputation abroad was so dreadful. He saw a shadow of Kushina in Mei – recalling a time when Kushina, too, was gentle and lovely, unlike her current explosive temper… Feeling a pang of perhaps relatable experience, he patted Kakashi's shoulder like a knowing elder.
"Good luck with that," he offered cryptically.
"???" Kakashi was bewildered. Minato's tendency to go off on tangents was almost as famous as his unique ability to name ninjutsu.
"Is there a city nearby?" Minato asked, changing the subject.
"Yes," Mei confirmed. "The Land of Water's capital is over that way."
"Let's head there and get you two some new clothes," Minato decided. "You're too easily recognizable dressed like that."
Indeed, both Kakashi's and Mei's clothes were tattered from battle. Kakashi had even given his only outer jacket to the orange-haired girl to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions.
"There are guards outside the city," Mei noted, "but I know the easiest way in."
Following Mei's lead, the group bypassed the main defenses, stealthily leaping over the walls at the weakest point. They quickly found a tailor shop, bought two sets of clothes, avoided patrolling ninja, and settled into a tea house, ordering food to replenish their energy.
The Land of Water's specialties were mostly seafood: sashimi, grilled saury, tempura. Once the table was laden with oceanic delights, Obito, who had a particular fondness for seafood, dug in enthusiastically.
"The other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, plus several more Jōnin, have tracked us into the city," Kakashi reported quietly, having extended his senses. "There's one with massive chakra reserves."
"That must be the reinforcement ninja," Mei added.
Kakashi focused his perception, silently gauging the enemy ninja's chakra. At least over 120 units, he estimated grimly. I'm so jealous...
His need for larger chakra reserves felt increasingly urgent. It was the biggest obstacle limiting his growth right now. He had to complete the System's tasks quickly, or he'd soon fall behind the curve.
"Sensei."
"Hmm?" Minato replied, mouth full of tempura, showing no sign of tension despite the imminent arrival of numerous powerful enemies.
"The Land of Lightning is also at war with the Land of Fire," Kakashi began. "You're going to become Hokage, right?"
"What about it?"
"I want to go to the Land of Lightning. Issue me a mission. I'll go disrupt their supply lines and rear guard. If they have to waste personnel searching for me, the pressure on Konoha will decrease. If the Third Hokage asks, you can say I'm atoning for my actions."
Minato put down his chopsticks. He, Obito, and Mei all turned to look at Kakashi.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Minato asked seriously.
"Of course."
"Setting aside the fact I'm not Hokage yet," Minato countered, "a mission like that is far beyond S-rank. The Land of Lightning isn't the Land of Water. The Third Raikage is a legend of long standing; even Lord Third Hokage might not be able to defeat him. In terms of Jōnin numbers, Kumo has several times more than Kiri. Their military strength is arguably among the top two of the five nations, and they have the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
"I know," Kakashi affirmed.
"I don't approve."
"If I return to Konoha, the consequence is imprisonment and investigation," Kakashi argued persistently. "I'd likely be barred from any future missions. Most importantly, if the Land of Lightning diverts forces against Konoha, and you aren't there, Sensei, what are Konoha's chances of winning?" He paused, then added, "Besides, you will become Hokage, Sensei. And you still have your Hiraishin marker on me. What's there to worry about?"
This line of reasoning made Minato hesitate. Kakashi's plan, admittedly, was entirely focused on benefiting Konoha, potentially reducing casualties and the war's burden. With Kakashi's abilities, perhaps he really could make the Land of Lightning wary, forcing them to act cautiously. After the incident in the Land of Water, they wouldn't be able to confirm which hidden village was responsible for the attacks.
"If you accept this mission," Minato said gravely, "you will truly become a missing-nin from then on. Even after the war ends, Konoha might never be able to officially accept you back."
"I already am a missing-nin," Kakashi stated simply. A faint smile touched his lips, unnoticed by the others. If he could convince Minato, the rest wouldn't matter.
"If you deviate from this mission, or harbor other intentions," Minato warned, his gaze sharp, "I will personally bring you back."
Ultimately, considering that Kakashi couldn't remove the Hiraishin marker, Minato agreed. Explaining it to the Third Hokage became a secondary concern. Once he became Hokage himself, he could slowly find a way to change Kakashi's status and bring him back to the village.
"I'm going too," Mei declared suddenly.
"You're too weak. Why would you go?" Kakashi retorted instinctively, then paused to think. Mei really didn't have anywhere safe to go right now. The Land of Water was far too dangerous for her, and sending her to Konoha might mean she'd end up in Root. Staying by his side was probably her safest option. "...Alright, fine."
"They're here," Minato announced calmly. "Give me your hands."
Just as the pursuing Kirigakure ninja burst into the restaurant, all they found was a table covered in leftover food and a few coins left for the bill.
"We've been tricked!" the lead Kiri ninja roared in frustration. "Were there any Jōnin left guarding the ship?! Immediately notify all squads on the islands along the coast!"
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