CH 24

Nagasawa reminded Kusagakure’s Kage: “Since we rejected Root’s cooperation. They might hate us and take revenge on us. We have to be careful.”

The leader smiled confidently: “Although we’re just a small village, we won’t be outdone by a single organization in Konoha.”

Seeing that the leader was so confident, Nagasawa did not say anything else. His goal was to instill caution in the Kage’s heart. That way, when the operation was executed, the Kage would immediately suspect Danzo and Root without him saying anything because he already had the information that Root might cause trouble.

The Kage looked at Nagasawa’s proposal and commented. “Although it can’t be called perfect, it’s clever enough.”

In the proposal, Nagasawa would send someone to pretend to be a friend of the four missing Kusagakure Shinobis to attract the attention of Konoha’s spies in the village.

On the way to investigate the Shinobi, Nagasawa would throw out more clues little by little that would lead the spy to where the intel was kept.

Aside from the intel of the four missing Shinobis, the rest of the intel was unimportant and fake. Nagasawa even stationed a few guards outside that room to make the idea more realistic.

Hearing the Kage praising him, Nagasawa only faintly smiled as he came up with this “clever” plan in minutes.

After leaving the Kage’s office, Nagasawa began to execute the plan in an orderly manner.

Sending the fake friend, setting up the fake intel, and everything else was arranged properly.

A Kusagakure Anbu praised, “Morishita-sama is really amazing. The Konoha Shinobis must have thought that they were skilled enough to steal the information. Little did they know that it was all part of our plan.”

“Yeah, that’s all the Five Great Shinobi Country Shinobi could do in the end.”

Nagasawa only smiled as he heard their conversation.

They thought that it was Konoha’s Shinobis that fell for their scheme when it was actually them falling for the plan of Konoha’s Shinobi.

…

………………………………..

…

Early in the morning, Kakashi walked out of the inn as usual.

Today, he had one more task: ensuring Uzumaki Hanabira’s safety.

Although he had another task to disguise himself as an Iwagakure Shinobi to wreak havoc on Kusagakure, it was not time yet, and all kinds of arrangements needed time.

At this stage, he did not need to make a move. It was enough with Ensui and Midori Inuzuka to just go around telling Kusagakure Shinobis that Konoha Shinobis were there.

Because he had run all over Kusagakure in the past few days, he was very familiar with Kusagakure’s route. He also knew the route to go to the Kusagakure Hospital.

Strictly speaking, the two of them were strangers, so Kakashi secretly followed Uzumaki Hanabira to avoid scaring her.

If a Shinobi suddenly said that he wanted to protect her. No matter how he thought about it, it was bizarre. 

Kakashi hid on the top of the house, observing the streets while looking for the red-haired figure in a hurry.

It had to be said that her rare hair color made it very convenient for Kakashi to find her. Not long after, Kakashi found her in the crowd, but this time, she seemed to be a little anxious. She was running, and her hair was a little messy. She did not look as energetic as he had seen yesterday. Did she wake up late?

“It’s over. I’m going to be scolded by Inoue-sama again.” Uzumaki Hanabira was a little upset.

Because she was too tired after cleaning the hospital for the whole day yesterday, so she got up late.

She hurried to the hospital before she could take care of her hair, but because she lived in the corner of the village, far away from the hospital, Hanabira felt that it was inevitable to be late.

“Are you in a hurry?”

At this time, Hanabira suddenly felt a familiar aura, the Shinobi who had helped her before.

Perhaps feeling that arriving late was inevitable, Hanabira stopped and forced a smile at Kakashi: “Nothing, I’m going to be late for work, that’s all. Kakashi-sama, what a coincidence, we meet again.”

Hearing his name being blurted out, Kakashi regretted his decision once again.

Now, after the mission, he had to bring Hanabira back to Konoha. Eventually, everyone would know that Kakashi used his real name during a mission, and he could already imagine how much Midori Inuzuka laughed at him.

But only Inuzuka would laugh. Squad Leader Nagasawa and Ensui were so reliable that they might not laugh. Kakashi tried to console himself.

“Shinobi-sama?” Looking at the somewhat absent-minded Kakashi, Hanabira called out.

“Well, I also want to go to the hospital. Do you want me to take you there?” Kakashi, who had snapped back to his senses, asked with an expressionless face.

“There’s no need to go that far for me. It will be bad if you are late too because of me.” Hanabira subconsciously refused.

“It’s no biggie. I also have something to do at the hospital, so it’s not a trouble, really.” Kakashi said calmly.

Yes, he did have something to do at the hospital. But that was to protect Uzumaki Hanabira. 

Hanabira hesitated for a while and finally nodded.

She could feel that Kakashi was different from the other Shinobis. He had no malice or desire toward her, only pure kindness.

“Get on my back, I will carry you.” Kakashi thought for a moment and said.

He couldn’t use Flying Thunder God Technique, so he had to carry Uzumaki Hanabira on her back and then use Soru.

Hanabira had also seen how fast a Shinobi could be, so she immediately knew Kakashi would get her to the hospital in time.

This was a new experience for her.

Once Hanabira got on his back, Kakashi immediately rushed at breakneck speed, picking a path that no one took to the hospital.

Feeling the relaxing wind on her ear and the buildings that went past her, Hanabira’s thoughts drifted far away.

Normally, she would not let a stranger who had only met her twice carry her.

Perhaps the situation in Kusagakure gave her too much pressure, and Kakashi’s unique kindness made her relax somehow.

Kakashi, as Jonin, was naturally fast. Before Hanabira could react, she had already found herself near the Kusagakure Hospital.

Hanabira quickly got off Kakashi’s back and thanked him: “Thank you very much. I will treat you to a meal when I have the chance.”

After that, she said goodbye to Kakashi and dashed to the hospital.

Shortly after Hanabira entered the hospital, Kakashi also sneaked in from another place.

He had to protect what he was in charge of.