ANBU Mission Room, Kirigakure
The moment Ye Liangnai stepped into the mission room, Haruha Yuya (Eagle) and Natsuka Rin (White Wolf) arrived, their faces set with the grim focus of ANBU operatives. Sky Armor wasted no time. "Let's move," he barked, and the team set out, their footsteps echoing in the misty corridors.
On the road, Sky Armor briefed them, his voice steady but clipped. "This mission's straightforward: eliminate a pirate stronghold near the Land of Water. Compared to your last assignment, it's a walk in the park."
Ye Liangnai's mind eased slightly, a wry thought flickering through. This is more like it. Chasing rogue ninja was way out of our league. The Land of Fire had its bandits, but the island-strewn Land of Water bred pirates—thugs who posed little challenge to a team of ANBU. The mission was a clean sweep, the stronghold reduced to ash and bodies with minimal effort.
Returning to Kirigakure, their path crossed with another team—Ringo Ameyuri, Hozuki Suigetsu, and Shima Isshin, their faces flushed with exertion from their own mission. Ameyuri's eyes locked onto Ye Liangnai, her gaze a storm of resentment. "Get ready, Ye Liangnai," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Soon, I'll repay the humiliation you dealt me—double."
Suigetsu and Isshin flanked her, their stares sharp and predatory, their intent clear. Ye Liangnai met their glares with a lazy smile, his tone laced with confidence. "I'll be waiting. Just make sure your blades are sharp enough, or you'll only embarrass yourselves."
His words were a spark to kindling, Ameyuri's anger flaring hotter at his dismissive arrogance. The trio's resentment was palpable, fueled by Ye Liangnai's unflinching superiority. Their brewing rivalry didn't go unnoticed, drawing curious glances from nearby shinobi.
"Ha, who's gonna win that showdown? Can't wait to see!" one Mist ninja chuckled, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"Young blood, full of fire," another added, grinning. "Keeps the village lively!"
Later, at Home
"Ringo Ameyuri, huh? Talk about pressure," Ye Liangnai muttered, his casual bravado gone now that he was alone. Despite his outward confidence, he wasn't reckless. Strategically, dismiss the enemy; tactically, respect them. Pride led to stagnation, a trap he refused to fall into. Ameyuri and her team were no pushovers, and he'd need to stay sharp to keep his edge.
The next day, a summons yanked him from his training. Sky Armor's voice was urgent, brooking no delay. "Emergency mission: we're heading to the Land of Fire to rescue Land of Water spies. Move fast, no time to prep."
Ye Liangnai barely had time to grab his gear before they were off, joined by additional ANBU teams—a sign this mission was far from routine. The air was thick with tension, the kind that preceded a storm. As they paused for a brief rest, Sky Armor's words cut through the silence, his tone grave. "Chill, Eagle, White Wolf—prepare yourselves for death. Among your enemies is the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi."
"What? Kakashi?!" Ye Liangnai's stomach lurched, his scalp prickling. This is beyond overkill! In the original story, Kakashi's fights often seemed balanced, but that was against elite Jonin or higher. To Ye Liangnai's team, he was a nightmare—a near-Elite Jonin at minimum, backed by Konoha's ANBU, all at least Chunin-level. Prepare to die? Yeah, no kidding.
The team's faces darkened, the weight of Kakashi's name pressing down like a blade. Fifteen minutes later, they resumed, boarding a ship that cut through the Lands of Waves and Tides before landing in the Land of Whirlpools. From there, they raced toward the southern border of the Land of Fire, their target zone.
Land of Fire, Dense Forest
"Damn Konoha ninja, relentless bastards!" one of two Mist spies cursed, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. Huddled in a forest clearing, their clothes torn and faces gaunt, they were cornered prey, hunted by Konoha's finest.
"Hope the village got our distress signal," the other muttered, his eyes darting through the trees. "If not, we're down to the last resort." The last resort was grim—killing each other to ensure Konoha gleaned no secrets. A Blood Mist shinobi's final duty.
Whoosh!
A kunai, trailing an explosive tag, streaked through the air. "Scatter!" the spies shouted, diving aside as the tag detonated, a fireball blooming in their wake. Before they could recover, dark figures—Konoha ANBU—flashed past, their blades gleaming.
Shlck! Shlck!
Screams tore from the spies as steel bit flesh, scarlet wounds blooming across their bodies. They collapsed, blood pooling beneath them, their strength fading.
A figure stepped forward, his single visible eye cold and unyielding—Hatake Kakashi, not yet the beloved mentor of legend but a ruthless killing machine. "It's over," he said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Hand over the Konoha intel, and I'll grant you a clean death."
The left spy grinned, blood staining his teeth, his expression defiant. "You think we'd give up that easily, Copy Ninja? This medical intel's too valuable for you to touch."
The right spy mirrored his resolve. "We're Blood Mist shinobi. Death's just another day. We were ready to die the moment we took this mission."
Kakashi's eye narrowed, his short blade glinting as he stepped forward. "A shame."
But before he could strike, a roar split the air. "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!" A massive water dragon surged through the trees, forcing Kakashi and his ANBU to scatter. The spies blinked, hope flickering as a new group emerged from the dissipating dragon—Kirigakure's ANBU.
"Sorry, Kakashi," Sky Armor said, his voice steady as he stepped forward. "Mist shinobi don't belong to you."
Kakashi tilted his head, his eye glinting with amusement. "You're quick, Mist ninja. But taking Konoha's intel won't be that easy. Let's dance."
In a flash, Kakashi lunged at Sky Armor, their short blades clashing with a piercing clang. Ye Liangnai, watching from the sidelines, saw Sky Armor in action for the first time, his movements precise and fierce. "I may not match you, Kakashi," Sky Armor growled, "but beating me won't be a cakewalk."
They broke apart, then collided again, their blades a whirlwind of steel. Sky Armor barked orders, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Quick and clean! Save the spies, priority one! Don't get bogged down—we're outnumbered!"
As he spoke, a Konoha ANBU slipped behind Ye Liangnai, who stood momentarily frozen, caught off-guard by the battle's intensity. The enemy's blade flashed, severing Ye Liangnai's head in a single stroke. "Pathetic," the Konoha ninja sneered. "Mist's so desperate they're sending trash like this?"
He turned to engage another target, but froze as Yuya and Natsuka stared at him, their faces a mix of shock and… amusement? A chill ran down his spine. Something was very, very wrong.