Chapter 23: Unfortunate Guy

"Kakashi has already made his move, but he was discovered very quickly."

In a forest, some distance from Kakashi, Aya was carefully observing the situation.

While observing, she was also trying to recover her chakra. Even soldier pills have side effects.

Although soldier pills don't restore much chakra and have minimal side effects, small amounts add up over time, and these side effects will inevitably manifest in the future.

Not only her but Kai and Kenta were also trying to recover their chakra as much as possible. Given the time to recover, they preferred not to rely too much on drugs.

Of course, in extreme situations where survival is uncertain, they wouldn't care about side effects.

Kai slightly opened his eyes. Although he had the Sharingan, he could never match the observation skills of those with Byakugan for long-distance observation.

"What's the current situation?" Kai asked after some thought. "Did you find out how they're transmitting information?"

"Summoning technique," Aya quickly replied. "They're using summoning techniques to transmit information. I think we'll soon be discovered on the other side too."

"Our plan worked, Captain," Kenta said with a smile, scratching his head. "Since Kakashi is surrounded by Iwa-nin, why don't we just go over?"

"No way! That's—" Rin Nohara couldn't help but interject, but was quickly cut off by Aya. "It's worth considering. Hatake Jonin has already prepared himself for this."

"But... but he's our companion!"

"Don't forget what mission we're executing, Nohara Chunin. Do you want Kakashi to watch you follow his father's path?"

Watching the two women argue, Kai felt a bit annoyed. Aya's suggestion was good, but would the enemy really be that stupid?

There might only be four people defending this area, but charging in recklessly would undoubtedly cause trouble.

However, Kai was also unwilling to give up. As Aya mentioned, this mission was crucial.

If Kakashi could truly hold them off and they were lucky enough to get through, everything would be simpler.

As he pondered, Aya suddenly fell silent, her face pale and grim.

Rin Nohara and Kenta also showed similar reactions. Kai didn't feel anything, but he could guess what had happened.

Sure enough, soon Kai received some information in his mind. One of their clone teams had failed; except for the one Kai himself dispelled, the others had been 'killed.'

"It seems we can't hesitate," Kai sighed. "What's Kakashi's situation?"

"Hmph, he's almost done for," Aya snorted. "This guy, what's with his chakra consumption? Even with shadow clones, it shouldn't be this bad."

"Shut up. Looks like we have no choice," Kai said decisively. He wouldn't tell Aya it was because of the Sharingan. "Move quickly, we're going to support Kakashi and break through before others arrive."

"Damn it!" Aya cursed but had no choice.

Kai ignored her complaints, and Kenta stayed silent, knowing he might be dealt with by his own teammates if they didn't act.

Taking a deep breath, Kai charged forward, with Aya and Kenta following closely behind.

Rin Nohara came last, understanding her role as a medical ninja. The four of them sprinted, covering the distance of several hundred meters in an instant.

Kai activated his Sharingan during the charge, and everything seemed to slow down for him.

It was an indescribable experience. Previously, Kai had felt this but never dared to use it openly due to caution.

But with Minato's 'help,' Kai now had what he wanted, so he wouldn't hold back anymore.

Their surprise attack caught the Iwa-nin off guard, and Kai could clearly see the shock on their faces through his Sharingan.

But Kai wouldn't give them time to react. When they were about a few dozen meters away, Kai's chakra burst forth.

With a kunai in one hand and his fingers raised in the other, Kai vanished, reappearing right in front of the Iwa-nin!

"So fast!"

The Iwa-nin was already startled by Kai's sudden burst of speed, turning pale.

Though the other Iwa-nin recovered from their shock quickly, it was too late to help.

The targeted Iwa-nin showed a crazed expression, charging at Kai's kunai!

But Kai had seen through his tricks. With the Sharingan, every move was clear.

Kai swiftly sidestepped, thrusting his kunai into mid-air, completely ignoring the enemy in front of him.

As his kunai struck, Kai used the Body Flicker Technique to move away, allowing Kakashi to retreat to his side.

"Why... why are you here?" Kakashi asked weakly. "Did you find something?"

"Yes, we did," Kai replied, watching blood drip from his kunai that had hit the invisible Iwa-nin. "No time to explain. Use your soldier pills and recover your chakra. We need to finish this quickly."

As he spoke, the kunai revealed an Iwa-nin using the camouflage technique.

These unlucky Iwa-nin used techniques that were highly effective on any battlefield but unfortunately encountered Kakashi and Kai.

The same technique had been defeated by Obito's Sharingan before.

At that moment, Aya and Kenta arrived.

Facing the three remaining Iwa-nin, Kai took a deep breath. "Nohara Chunin, take care of Kakashi. Aya, Kenta, let's deal with them."

(Chapter end)