THE CONVERGENT PATHS.

The remaining ninjas must have arrived shortly after the five minutes had elapsed since they had witnessed this phenomenon in the starless sky.

The main reason for Konoha's early discovery of the presences that would clash on the outskirts of the barrier was the same unknown that intrigued individuals from the past.

Whatever caused that bright starry explosion in the sky, which with a shockwave swept through the clouds of the continents in a matter of seconds, brought with it a disturbance in Chakra-based energy.

In other words, the shock wave displaced the Chakra it encountered in its path. This included seals, barriers, and the life energy of human beings themselves. The force of the unknown that had been released seemed to point toward something far more complex than a natural disaster.

This explosive event fractured the barrier that protected Konoha from its root. Almost like jelly, the barrier was engulfed in the massive thrust and intertwined with any nearby traces of existence, including them.

Although they could not confirm it in their current circumstances, they were certain that this phenomenon would have given Konoha a clue as to the whereabouts of Akatsuki members who sought to endanger the well-being of their people.

Even with only a few minutes, Ro didn't think they needed more to realize that he and Hinoko were together with Akatsuki.

The barrier was in total chaos, and Hinoko could feel how it seemed to stagger towards them. He wouldn't be surprised if even the ninjas in the village arrived earlier.

However, given their current circumstances, receiving support from Konoha did not benefit them at all.

At this moment, all the work of almost a week, about eight or nine days since his arrival in the past, had vanished like the soap particles of an exploded bubble.

Perhaps it would have been possible to throw the two members of Akatsuki off with the arrival of ninjas from Konoha.

After all, one of them had recognized Ro and Hinoko's masks as those of the Anbu of Konoha. If they managed to get away with Himawari even before the ninjas arrived, they could buy time to come up with another strategy and avoid being discovered so soon.

But they had their reasons for not carrying out such a risky move.

The main reason was Kakkei Sumire and the children.

The barrier was in chaos, which meant that it would be evident that the Anbu Chakras had been detected.

Even if they were away from Konoha for a while, they would be recognized if they returned to discuss things with Sumire (who for nothing in the world had to leave Konoha, on Shikamaru's orders).

If they were discovered at that point and at the same time discovered the truth about Sumire, they would lose credibility and be taken as a threat.

Ro had taken Hinoko's words very seriously.

Someone close to the Hokage is leaking information. Hokage herself may not be fully aware of reality and could act rashly, even executing them right here.

They had to play their cards cunningly. Sometimes, inaction and letting oneself be defeated was a powerful strategy to overthrow those who are considered invincible for possessing valuable information.

"Getting out of here seems to be a disadvantage now." Ro ponders to himself, while Hinoko protects little Uzumaki.

The tall, tall and built man analyzes Akatsuki's partner under his Anbu mask.

"They could follow us and make things worse... or, in the worst case, we could trigger an unnecessary confrontation while Konoha arrives. We can't fight, that's taboo."

Although it wasn't obvious to those present, Hinoko and Ro exchange meaningful glances under their masks.

Their main reason for avoiding combat was the taboo they had discussed in their hideout, and which Hinoko had insisted on explaining to Sumire and the children.

They were not to meddle in the problems of the past if there was no direct interference from the future. Although the butterfly effect could affect people unpredictably, they couldn't get involved, even now that Akatsuki was planning a surprise attack.

There was no need to ask who they were or what their intentions were when they appeared from the shadows.

Just the thought of that answer made Hinoko instinctively reach back with his hand, as if seeking to protect Himawari by any means necessary.

The question of why the girl was off-limits persisted, but it wasn't relevant at the time.

The threat was in front of them, ready to strike. However, instead of answering questions or exchanging blows, they prolonged the confrontation with defiant looks. Because of that, Hinoko intentionally missed her first Chakra shot when Himawari was released.

Akatsuki's defeat depended on the past, not the future.

It was frustrating for Hinoko to simply scare away such dangerous people instead of confronting them directly. But even hitman-level assassins were subject to its strict limits in the past. This forced them not to harm them.

That is, the more "important" the enemies of the past were, the more they had to protect them.

Hinoko and Ro were over sixteen years old, so their actions had consequences. Unlike Sumire, whose waves of change were like those of a swimming pool, theirs, as adults of the future, were like those of a vast ocean. Any harm caused by them would reverberate on others.

Although many would enjoy that power, being from the future meant having an advantage in this cosmic game. However, the Anbu could not afford to live bathed in the blood of innocents.

"They..."

At Himawari's warning, Hinoko took another step back with her, while Ro advanced only one, keeping an eye out for the man with the scythe.

He dropped the tip of his weapon to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt. The heaviness and power of his weapon were evident, and Himawari couldn't take his eyes off the metal edge, as if he could see the blood spilled on him.

"They're looking for a fight." Ro murmured in a barely audible voice under the piercing gazes of the Akatsuki. 

"They didn't bother to be cautious." Hinoko added, her voice full of frustration. 

She turned to Ro, hoping that his unwelcome catchphrase hadn't revealed her mood too soon. Ro didn't reprimand her, though, noting how she protected the daughter of the Seventh Hokage.

"Do you know anything about them?" Hinoko asked. 

"Enough to know that it's not a good idea to confront them." Ro replied in an urgent whisper. "This is very dangerous... Facing them is not a game."

"In what sense?" Hinoko asked, hoping to get some answer about his inability to intervene in past problems. 

Ro stood firm as he analyzed aloud. He wanted Hinoko and Himawari to hear him clearly.

"The one with the scythe is a ninja who hails from the Hot Springs village. Not long before Shikamaru-san became the face of the seventh, we saw someone with similar characteristics."

The revelation didn't surprise Hinoko, but she took a moment to observe the man mentioned by Ro and dig up the memories associated with him. It only took him a few seconds to realize who it was.

"The madman who was defeated by Shikamaru's student. That person is your inspiration." Ro clarified with a wise tone in his voice. 

"That old man." Himawari murmured, confused by Hinoko's words.

Although she understood most of the conversation, Akatsuki's name was still a mystery to her.

"Even dead, it continues to cause problems."

"The irony is just funny." Ro said, as if he had recovered his apparent ignorance. "We can't face them. That would only put us in danger."

"Since we're in trouble anyway, you know." Hinoko replied with resignation, using his characteristic catchphrase. 

"Charlatans! Hidan shouted from across the stone road, toward one of the village's four gates." "Have you finished planning your strategy? I'm falling asleep waiting for them to start right away!"

The shout shook Himawari's nerves. The lavender-haired girl spread her feet apart, preparing to run or defend herself if necessary, though she hesitated.

There was something about these men that disturbed her deeply; something I had never experienced before. He had never faced people with that level of evil before, and he felt how he clashed with the good that should prevail in the world.

A bloodlust seemed to emanate from those two men. Even without the Byakugan, Himawari could feel the density of the Chakra around them, as well as their insatiable desire to kill.

He witnessed those cravings, and he knew that no one who didn't know how to face them would be safe from becoming another victim of Akatsuki's demented partner.

Kakuzu's silence was perceived as a threat.

His intense gaze was fixed on them, scrutinizing every detail of their clothes and even the slightest scars on their bodies. The atmosphere became oppressive, as if they were trapped in an aura of terror emanating from the gloomy ninja.

"Enough is enough." Kakuzu's voice rang out, and it seemed that the earth itself trembled with his presence. 

His tone was like the whisper of hell, enveloping them in a swirl of spilled blood. Although he hadn't made any moves yet, dread gripped Himawari to the core. She felt the icy cold of death approaching, but she was so paralyzed with fear that she could barely move.

When Kakuzu took a single step forward, Himawari instinctively backed away, clinging tighter to Hinoko's waist.

But what happened next was too fast for an Academy student like her to fully understand. First he saw a rain of Kunais, then he heard a bang and the insults of the religious man, and suddenly everything became a blur as the world began to spin.

When the confusion dissipated, Himawari found herself in Hinoko's arms, held like a princess as her feet and arms swayed in the air on a tree branch. Ro stood beside them, making sure not to stray too far from them. Although danger still lurked around her, at least she felt a little safer in Hinoko's arms.

The situation became more somber with each ninja that joined the scene, as if they were being drowned by a dense fog of tear gas.

Despite the overwhelming presence of at least five or even ten more ninjas, the main leader seemed to not need his help. In fact, the other Konoha Chunin present seemed to be rather a distant support, with strict orders not to intervene.

With Hinoko's mask almost brushing his cheek, Himawari struggled to remain calm and observe the situation with precision and serenity. However, his nerves were at their peak, and his thoughts were entangled with each other.

Konoha Shinobis... Village ninjas.

They should not see them, they should not know of the existence of Himawari and the Anbu. But she had been neglected.

She had dragged them into a problem that didn't belong to them, and although she didn't fully understand the situation, she knew that the two Anbu had their reasons for not running away with her at that moment.

That left them with the difficult choice of staying where they were, in plain sight, and facing the consequences like the adults they were.

They had to formulate a quick plan to protect Sumire. It was all his fault. For wanting to be useful for herself, for not having thought clearly before venturing out without thinking about the possibility of being attacked on the outskirts of Konoha.

Those two men weren't a game, and Himawari knew it from the moment they mentioned his father.

Neither Ro-san nor Hinoko-san needed to sit her down and explain things to her. Himawari, while not knowing exactly who they were, knew both the whereabouts and the identity of the Nine-Tails.

Anyone would doubt if they knew that she knew perfectly well the young man who was involuntarily guarding him. But this was only a half-truth. She had lived her entire childhood with that beast and the man who protected her.

Kurama; the Nine-Tailed Fox. and Uzumaki Naruto; the seventh Hokage, his father. Those men were looking for him. They planned to enter by force to take him away.

How old would your father be now? Whatever the age, Himawari was sure that her father was now a child. And it wasn't until now that he stopped to think about it; the whereabouts of his parents, his family. That was another reason to feel even more miserable.

He had made a mistake, and he hadn't just exposed Hinoko and Ro. He had also endangered the lives of his loved ones, who now wouldn't even think of having anything to do with them. She had been inconsiderate without equal. Who in their right mind would lose to a girl hiding food in the woods?

Now, Hinoko and Ro, two renowned Anbu, were hiding with her in a tree, watching the situation unfold from her meddling, without the slightest intention of meddling themselves.

However, Himawari could sense one thing. And doing so did not make her retract her previous thoughts.

Himawari knew from his parents and the teachers at the Academy that being an Anbu was pretty hard.

That forced them to be strong and to risk their lives to the maximum. It was even said that it was worse than being a Ninja, because as Anbu you don't get the credit you deserve, and of your death you will only be remembered by those who knew your true occupation.

The identity of an Anbu was considered taboo, even for her father, who always distracted her with fun games or topics when she asked about it.

Therefore, feeling Hinoko tense as he wrapped his arms around her only disturbed her even more. Her back rested half on Hinoko's lap, but she was more attentive to the events unfolding on land. Ro, for his part, was not indifferent. He seemed even more determined not to back down.

Going back was not an option. If they resisted, they could kill them all. But if they escaped, the stain would already be made and it would be almost impossible for them to trust them in the future.

There, Himawari noticed something. A truth that, although she did not know it, Sumire herself was completely unaware of.

Anbu themselves, Hinoko, and Ro, were waiting for the right moment to reveal that secret. The Anbu's unwillingness to retreat, but their refusal to fight back seeing who was leading the Konoha Ninjas, gave Himawari a clue as to what might be going through the Anbu's mind.

The person in question was nothing less than a man. But even to say it like that, "just one man," might have brought Himawari to the brink of madness if he had seen the exploits he had heard about that individual.

Her spiky white hair looked rather silver under the light of a sleeping moon. His Chunin vest was definitely very different from what Himawari remembered. He was more armed, and this time, he could discern in the darkness Konoha's diadem with its twinkling metal.

The mask covered his left eye, and a shadow almost as dark as the shadows hid everything that had to do with his nose up to his neck. The girl's sight seemed to light up in those milliseconds, enough to recognize only that figure from behind her.

"Kakashi-sens—"

Almost immediately, Ro ran an arm across Hinoko's front and covered Himawari's mouth with his hand. Hinoko saw this as impossible, considering that he was carrying Himawari in his arms and could barely think clearly.

Ro, unlike his recent actions, seemed to want to keep control of the situation for the sake of both. He didn't even seem to care about himself.

Himawari's voice was muffled by Ro's hand. It was large enough to cover his entire face or even hold her by the head.

Yet Ro was steadfast in his duty as an adult and protector: he would never use such force when someone vulnerable like Himawari was in his hands. Despite the fact that her mouth was covered, she perceived a tumult of unconscious emotions, but with the same goal: to protect and comply.

However, those emotions were tinged with fear, helplessness and an unwavering determination.

Now they were between a rock and a hard place. They couldn't do anything, because Himawari was here. She decided to look at it differently, now that she had recognized the person hiding behind the mask and proudly wearing Konoha's uniform.

Ro and Hinoko, two Anbu with the goal of protecting Konoha, were not half as strong as Hatake Kakashi himself. Therefore, avoiding winning him over as an enemy was rather a very clever move.

Kakashi was no longer Hokage; I didn't have the power to do what I wanted. Himawari had heard from his own father that not even the Hokage enjoyed the freedom to do what he wanted, implying that Kakashi's power was not really his.

He would end up being used by someone with a lot more power, whether it was the current Hokage or whoever took his place if the butterfly effect worked against him.

They didn't want to cause any more stir. It was better to let the small waves calm down, even if that might cause them to look down on them or, in the worst case, as enemies to be eliminated at the root.

A funny snort was heard near the center of attention of the three people from the future.

Although Kakashi could not compete with Kakuzu in stature and physical scariness, Himawari could unashamedly say that the current Kakashi imposed a very different strength than he remembered.

He didn't need a dagger to prove that he could cut something alive in half, nor did he need to push the opponent to get some reaction out of him, as if he were playing with a mouse.

Kakashi was incomparable. Although many classmates said that his father could defeat him in a serious battle, his father always said that Kakashi would always be Kakashi.

Now I could understand what he meant.

"Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan, right? What a pleasant surprise for us."

"Recognizing me in an instant almost seems like a compliment."

"Is that so? Then you haven't had the opportunity to face a good opponent. It's all too easy to earn the respect of the weak if you only beat mere weaklings."

Kakuzu exchanged those words with Kakashi-san carefully. Despite having taken Himawari without any care and with the intention of killing her without question, he showed a certain caution in the face of a ninja that, at first glance, could be defeated with a good strategy and the proper use of techniques.

Even Hidan refrained from making the first move. Himawari decided to put aside her concern about being seen by the other ninja and entrust that duty to the Anbu who were taking care of her. Right now, he didn't want to miss any interaction between the two madmen and the one who would one day be the Sixth Hokage.

It wasn't every day that I could see Kakashi Hatake himself in action, and I was curious why everyone was afraid of having him as an enemy. Even Hinoko-san and Ro-san, who served said Hokage loyally until their retirement, stood motionless under their masks, watching and listening intently to the interaction.

Kakashi didn't seem ready to fight, but Himawari wouldn't say so freely. She herself had seen her father fight seriously, and on that occasion, both her brothers and she were close enough to be in the middle of her father's attacks.

Seeing the straight and almost simple manner in which he stood, he guessed that even the Kakashi-san of today did not seek to involve the companions who followed him.

He did not adopt a fighting position so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. No matter how small the gap was, he didn't like to give him clues about his intentions. All so that, in case of attacking or defending, his teammates would not be involved.

Himawari's heart skipped a beat. A sadly nostalgic feeling at the sight of Kakashi-sensei's back... had appeared.

"I never forget the high numbers; In my life I would forget about you, Kakashi of the Sharingan." Kakuzu said with a touch of irony. 

"So that's the way it is." Kakashi pointed out in a low voice, his brow furrowed. The voice that characterized him was no longer present in Himawari's memories. Instead, serenity and alertness glimpsed his very presence. " Can you know what they are doing here? I doubt that they came only from my head!"

Kakuzu, while being watched by a carefree Hidan, let out something akin to a chuckle. But Himawari didn't think the man was capable of laughing.

"As far as I'm concerned," Kakuzu said. "Both you and any ninja with a head know the reason why we are here, right? I don't like to waste saliva on explanations that are not worth it."

The white-haired man, still serene, seemed to tense for a moment when he heard those words. While it was true that many, if not all, knew the real reason for the unexpected visit, only a couple of people were really close to the individual who starred in that "why": Uzumaki Naruto, the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

After giving up on finding any trace of nervousness in the Anbu's masks, Himawari could only tense more tightly in place in Hinoko's arms. Watching Kakashi intently, almost poking her head out, she herself seemed to sweat at the thought.

" So I wasn't wrong. They come for my dad."

The sound of metal crashing into each other was like an alert to everyone present. Although it wasn't even an attack, the move only made Hinoko and Ro more attached, and Himawari instinctively hugged Hinoko more.

Hidan had lifted his scythe from the ground and rested it on his shoulder while holding it in one of his hands.

The religious man did not show a hint of fear or anxiety. It seemed as if the struggle was already in his blood; a daily activity to which he had become accustomed. Just seeing his nonchalance made Himawari feel nauseous.

So there really were people like that. Even when Dad and the others were alive, they still existed, and they couldn't handle them all. The hatred and the desire to fight did not adapt to the times; they still existed.

But Hidan was only one. That man gave Himawari a chill every time his eyes met him. While he had lost all his interest apparently, he couldn't be overconfident. At this point, anything could be expected from a madman.

"Well?" Hidan said in a completely nonchalant tone. He even seemed tired from his partner's interaction with Kakashi. "Are you going to get out of the way so we can get that damn Jinchūriki out of the way, or are you going to stand there like a mere idiot? Uh?!"

Kakashi did not like these statements at all. After all, he wasn't the type to give in easily to an enemy. Much less if it was strong. Kakashi looked at both members of Akatsuki with divided attention. He analyzed them in silence, as quietly as if the lives of his comrades depended on it.

He knew their names. I had heard them from Tsunade-sama, shortly after the good Asuma died. Shikamaru, his grieving ward, had written the report of the failed mission himself, and detailed the two men who had to do with Sarutobi's murder.

Judging by the characteristics and personalities, the one who walks around half-naked is Hidan, and the one with the mouth covered is Kakuzu. Hidan had his head sewn to his body thanks to his companion, because Asuma had managed to tear it off with a cut from his blades.

Whereas, for his part, Kakuzu seemed more interested in the money and value of the people he was up against.

Asuma had died near a trading point, where those who managed to eliminate powerful people were rewarded, among which was an old companion of Asuma's, who had been one of the last rewards claimed. And Kakuzu was responsible for that claim. He was the one who was in charge of that type of work.

And having someone as insane as Hidan was doubly beneficial to him, for he didn't have to expose his own abilities, and besides, Hidan was immortal.

At the moment, Kakashi knew very little about Kakuzu's abilities. Shikamaru only witnessed a couple of them and was overcome by exhaustion before he could fully understand them.

Then, a feeling seemed to take over Kakashi's aura. And apparently, only Himawari was able to discern it with the naked eye, even without the Byakugan.

The mere mention of "taking" Naruto seemed to strike a chord with him. As if just the thought of seeing them enter through the village gates made her hair, already resembling wires enough, stand up even more with inner rage.

The fear that arose among his fellow Shinobi was spontaneous. No one wanted to get close to him, although clearly the intention to kill was not directed exclusively at them.

Kakashi was Naruto's master, after all, and his duty was to protect him with his life. Perhaps he was using Naruto's role as Genin as an excuse to protect him?

Maybe that was the case, but that didn't matter now. Not even the higher-ups, who detested Naruto's freedom, would allow the boy to be forcibly taken away by Akatsuki. Nor would that child allow himself to be protected by his comrades, forcing two sides to fight each other within the village walls.

Kakashi believed he could put an end to this before that confrontation even began. He only hoped that the information about Akatsuki's presence in Konoha would not reach Naruto's ears.

Before Himawari could realize it, Hidan didn't hesitate to launch himself in the direction of Hatake Kakashi. The scythe whistled in the air whenever it was moved violently in all directions, seeking to catch the masked man in a clean cut. The way Hidan handled the weapon gave a glimpse of his long experience in killing.

His expression was more mocking as Kakashi dodged the weapon, ducking or jumping. Hidan insisted, showing no fear of being hurt in the confrontation.

He didn't sweat when he got close enough to Kakashi, and whenever he saw the opportunity, he would quickly readjust the scythe in his hands and cut through the air again.

Just that brief confrontation was enough for a rain of Kunais to hit the ground cleanly. Ro took Hinoko by the shoulders, as she continued to carry Himawari in her arms.

"Jump!" Ro exclaimed.

Hinoko did not hesitate to follow his companion's warning, and backed away along with him and the Uzumaki girl when a detonation broke out that pushed the air enough to blow a person away and leave nearby trees in bad shape. A smokescreen engulfed the road, forcing Hidan to stop his attacks on instinct.

"Kakuzu!"

"I'm fine!" His companion replied from the other side of the smokescreen. "Don't let your guard down, Hidan!"

"What do you think I am, an idiot?" Hidan spat. His eyes furrowed as he tried to discern any shape through the rarefied air. "It doesn't take a smart person to realize that we're being torn apart..."

"..."

An inexplicable silence filled the air as the smoke cleared. Both members of Akatsuki remained alert to any sound or even scent that might betray the presence of their enemies.

Every second that passed was used to deceive their opponents with their immobility, as their power levels were so high that even their presences could be almost undetectable to an ordinary ninja.

In a few moments, Kakuzu caught a glimpse of a faint ray of light, as faint as the moonbeams filtering through a window. Without warning, he jumped to dodge an approaching Kunai, and Hidan, confident in his immunity to attack, followed suit in a matter of seconds.

"Damn..." Hidan muttered as he noticed his own distraction. His eyes scanned the surroundings. "What are these useless people up to...?"

A part of Hidan reacted to the presence hidden beneath his feet. The Hot Springs Ninja immediately backed away as the ground in front of him cracked and fell apart.

A hand emerged swiftly from the ground, followed by a full arm, until finally the full figure became visible before his eyes.

Although his attempt had been thwarted and he had failed to catch up with Hidan in his attack through the ground, he did not allow himself to be defeated. He wouldn't do it as Hidan enjoyed a few seconds of advantage and could see the malevolent smile forming on his face.

With Hatake Kakashi suspended in the air, Hidan responded with a quick but powerful kick to Kakashi's side. The moment his foot hit the man hard, he emitted a shout of victory and mockery, as if the situation was purely entertainment for him.

Kakashi slipped onto his feet as he recovered. Behind him, a pair of ninja guarded his rear, while the rest scattered in strategic locations around the Akatsuki members.

The ninjas behind him were chatting with each other.

"How many are there? How many of Akatsuki came?"

"Yamanaka-san said only two." A voice answered. After a brief pause, he continued. "However, the presence of more enemies is not ruled out..."

"More?!" The other voice exclaimed in surprise. "Then the other doors...?"

"It can't be! That is exactly what Yamanaka-san informed us." The only traces of enemies are in these gates.

"But, if there are more enemies..." The voice interrupted earlier continued, with a tone more anxious than fearful. "It's absurd to attack through the same door... Could Yamanaka-san have been wrong?"

"No way...!"

Kakashi was known for his keen senses. Although he kept his attention on the main target, he was aware of the other nearby presences, including the conversations of the ninjas behind him, absorbing every detail meticulously.

A new explosion of paper bombs exploded nearby, causing Kakashi to squint.

Some Konoha ninja had tried to blind Kakuzu as a strategy to gain the upper hand, but to no avail. Their cries of defeat echoed and Kakashi could only make out silhouettes moving frantically between the curtain of smoke and dust in the air.

Meanwhile, Hidan wasted no time and brandished his scythe once more. He seemed to have gotten emotional during his brief confrontation with Hatake and now had him in his sights.

"Remember what Hokage-sama said!" Kakashi shouted firmly. "Don't let him drink his blood!"

"Hai!"

Hidan's scythe cut through the air with ferocity, splitting everything in its path into two parts. Although Kakashi was his main target, Hidan did not let the attacks of the other two ninjas go through.

Despite being like mosquitoes around him, Hidan handled his weapon masterfully, forcing the ninja to retreat whenever they tried to surprise him. The confrontation reached its climax as Hidan uttered incongruities and sang to himself.

Suddenly, a group of ninjas lunged at Kakashi and his two subordinates, pushing them back.

Where Kakuzu once faced the horde of ninjas, now only a small crater of smoke remained. In other words, Kakuzu's defense had cleared the smoke, leaving him in the middle without any of Kakashi's companions attacking him.

Some ninja who managed to articulate their states were just a few meters inside the forest. Kakashi's companions muttered in alarm that they could not see Kakuzu's attack, while Kakashi frowned at the Akatsuki.

As Hidan prepared for another attack with his scythe and licked his lips in anticipation, Kakashi gestured to his two companions. Without the need to exchange glances, they showed that they understood the signal.

"If that sky didn't work against me..." Kakashi thought to himself as the two ninjas next to him completed the attack formation and faced Hidan. "There were more people around here... at most, two adults, highly experienced, given how difficult it was to detect them. His chakra was very well hidden... Could it be that why Inoichi-san was slow to give us a conclusion?"

Before one of the ninja supporting him could finish his sentence, he was thrown into the air with a bang coming from the ground, just after a Kunai sank into him. Kakashi, with his keen eyesight, identified the Kunai as one coming from Konoha, taken by Kakuzu from one of the fallen ninja and launched as an attack.

With this attack, there were now only two left: Kakashi and the other man, who was not much older than him.

"Oh my God..." the ninja muttered helplessly as he saw what was left of his companion in the distance. 

Faced with the sudden attack and the cruel fate of his partner, he and Kakashi stood back to back, confronting the two Akatsuki.

"That man has finished off the others in just minutes... He's strong! I definitely can't handle it!" Lamented his companion. 

"I understand your perplexity and lack of confidence, but this is not the time to retract now." Kakashi replied almost with a snort, showing signs of tiredness, but not giving up. "Have you found any gaps?"

His companion squirmed in his position bitterly.

"Negative, sir." He replied in a military tone. Kakashi knew at once that this was a young Chunin, not much older than Shikamaru or Neji. "They're very confident... Is it possible that the sky has done something in Konoha to make them act with such confidence?"

Kakashi didn't respond immediately, but his gaze burned with anger and determination as he made his way toward the religious Akatsushi. Hidan, for his part, rested his scythe on his shoulders with an almost insolent nonchalance.

Hidan let out a mocking laugh that echoed like a maniacal bellow. Kakashi looked at him with contempt, undeterred.

"Oh, the spectacle in the sky. I love how Konoha's are so ingenious. Did they have to set off fireworks to try to scare us, Hatake?" Hidan sneered. 

Kakashi remained calm and replied directly:

"We don't need fireworks to deal with people like you. If you had been paying attention instead of clowning around, you would have noticed that we are not responsible."

Hidan, unable to grasp Kakashi's point, was provoked and shouted:

"Well, well, it seems that the Konoha people are brave in rhetoric! Maybe they want a little of our attention? I have no problem bringing your friends from the masks for the party! I'm going to finish you all off one by one! Good heavens! Jashin-sama will be so pleased...!"

An eerie silence descended upon the battlefield as Kakashi, without taking his disdainful look away from the religious fanatic before him, plunged into a whirlwind of thoughts.

The event in heaven, an event that defied explanation, remained a mystery. How did this fit into the puzzle of the portals that had appeared in Konoha's bowels? It was an enigma that defied his understanding, and Kakashi longed to unravel their complex connection.

The memory of his conversation with the king of Trozani emerged in his mind. The pleading voice of the monarch, the despair in his eyes, all suggested an undercurrent of terror. The king had spoken of people from the future transported into the present, an idea that seemed to transcend the laws of logic and time.

Could it be true that individuals from the future had been thrown into their present, a present that, until now, they had always known?

Hidan's words, particularly his reference to a "masked companion," added a new layer of uncertainty.

If, in fact, those masked companions were the Anbu of Konoha, how had they arrived before Kakashi to the confrontation with Akatsuki? Had they arrived even before Inoichi-san declared the presence of enemies on the outskirts of Konoha, right at the time of the event in the sky?

The Anbu were authorized to act with lethality if the situation required it, even without direct orders from the Hokage.

However, this situation did not fit with any that Kakashi, as a former member Anbu, had experienced before. He was sure he had seen and felt two adult figures when he arrived... Were they really Anbu from Konoha?

I hadn't seen any Anbu approaching. And if they had, I would have felt it. Even if those Anbu had arrived earlier for their benefit, where were they now? Hidan's words hinted that they were still alive. Then...

Where are those Anbu from Konoha, if they really are?

The Hokage had recently issued a search warrant for people from the future who might have survived the portals, but they were unaware of the presence of these mysterious protectors.

Not when the Anbu were supposed to be primarily responsible for searching for suspects. If they were really hanging around, why hadn't they reported on Akatsuki?

Was there a traitor among them?

It was unthinkable. The Anbu were obligated to remain loyal. No... it was more than that. They were loyal to their Hokage, to their nation. A traitor among the Anbu was inconceivable; the punishment would be exile from the land.

Kakashi was caught in a deadly dance, in the middle of a merciless battle. As the steel slammed into the steel and the Jutsus launched into furious bursts, his mind was torn between the reality he had always known and the strange puzzle that was beginning to assemble around him.

The obsession with unraveling the truth behind the darkened sky and the inexplicable appearance of people from the future propelled him to new limits.

His fight against Hidan was a dance of intensity, every movement calculated, every blow aimed at incapacitating without causing mortal damage, for Hidan was immortal.

This fanatic took advantage of Kakashi's weaknesses, strategically approaching his partner fighting Kakuzu, preventing Kakashi from using dangerous Jutsus and forcing him into hand-to-hand combat where his abilities became vulnerable.

As Kakashi faced this fierce fight, his mind continued to work in the background, like a shadow obscuring his thoughts.

I felt the uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong, that something was unfolding in the shadows. His partner, who was fighting Kakuzu, was showing signs of fatigue and was slowly being overcome.

In the midst of this whirlwind of thoughts, the King of Trozani's idea of portals, the people of the future, and the mysterious event in the sky took shape, weaving an even deeper mystery into his mind and into the very fabric of reality.

But their confrontation did not end there. Hidan used every second to exploit Kakashi's greatest weakness: his teammates.

Hidan, though insane and seemingly dysfunctional, remained close to Kakashi's companion, who, despite his limited strength, fought valiantly against Kakuzu. Kakashi couldn't use his Raikiri, it would be a waste of Chakra considering Hidan's immortality.

He also couldn't cast long-range Jutsus like Fire or Lightning, at least to buy time and attack directly, as his enemy refused to move away from his position behind Kakashi's partner.

The young fighter was using his agility to dodge Kakuzu's attacks, but his stamina was waning.

Hidan was smiling maliciously. It was clear that he would not allow Kakashi to reach him from afar. He had learned some lessons from Asuma, that was clear. He was like an absurd animal with a conscience, not particularly intelligent, but capable of learning from his mistakes.

Kakashi forced himself to think quickly. He needed to lure Hidan in some way, diverting his attention from his companion before it was too late.

Following his instinct and tapping into his keen perception, Kakashi lunged toward Hidan with determination.

The speed generated by his movement managed to destabilize Jashin's fan as he dodged his scythe and countered his attack with a Kunai. Although it was a small advantage, it was enough for Kakashi to gain control of the situation.

With deft movements, Kakashi managed to drive a wedge between them and disarm Hidan, pinning down his dangerous scythe. In one swift move, Kakashi kicked him away, depriving him of his deadliest weapon.

However, a muffled cry interrupted his triumph. Turning around, Kakashi was met with the shocking scene of his young companion suspended in mid-air, impaled by Kakuzu's blackened arm. Blood splattered around him as the boy desperately fought for his life.

Kakashi froze for a moment, unable to react to the brutality of the scene. Kakuzu's eyes showed no human emotion as he clenched his blood- and guts-soaked fist around the young man's body.

Despite the boy's feeble attempts to break free, Kakuzu moved forward with determination, directing his other hand toward his head.

A faint groan escaped the young man's lips, as he struggled with all his might to free himself from Kakuzu's deadly embrace. But in an instant, the sound of meat giving way echoed through the air, indicating the fatal outcome of the unequal struggle.

The macabre sight of young Chunin torn and bloodied under Kakuzu's cruel grip was etched into Kakashi's mind like an indelible image.

Blood flowed freely, dyeing his Chunin uniform black in the moonlight, as his body lay motionless, a victim of the Akatsuki's brutality.

Horror seized Kakashi as he witnessed the ruthless act, feeling a mixture of revulsion and despair at seeing the young man's life, so ruthlessly taken away. It was not the fear of his own death that invaded him, but the helplessness in the face of the loss of a young and innocent life.

While trying to process the scene in front of him, Kakashi was surprised by the defiant bellow of Hidan, who brandished a sharp weapon with which he threatened the Konoha ninja. Despite the distressing situation, Kakashi prepared for combat, aware that he had to face the fanatic with all his ingenuity and skill.

However, in the midst of his determination, the image of Saturo, the monarch of Trozani, emerged in his mind. He remembered the promise he had made to the king to seek out the people of the future and protect them from the danger that lurked in the present.

A responsibility that now became more urgent than ever, witnessing the brutality with which Kakuzu had cut down the life of the young Chunin.

Kakashi silently swore that he would not allow any more innocent lives to be sacrificed. His commitment to protecting those in danger was strengthened, fueling his determination to stand up to Akatsuki and stop them at any cost.

He knew that he could no longer afford to be a mere spectator in this battle. A hell had broken loose, but he was determined to fight it, with all the strength and skill he possessed.

Parchment. Whitewash. Use the Ninjas to be sacrificed without knowing anything about the Scroll. You become strong, they use you... you see your companions die, or you perish.

He definitely didn't want that path. Not for him, nor for any of his teammates.

The sky had cleared when the explosion that was seen in it came to his mind, taking even the stars. When the thought had come to him, like a shooting star that was quickly leaving, that he would find the answer, his body had reacted to Hidan's attack.

He raised his Kunai to the height of his head, and molded his Chakra to use.

Without a partner, I had no more worries. He only hoped not to harm the body to give it a dignified burial.

However, the beast that had rushed at him ceased any movement.

"Damn... Damn it...! Kakuzu...!"

"Shut your mouth, Hidan!"

Kakashi noticed Hidan gnashing his teeth. His body was absorbed in time, unable to move, with his arms out to his side.

Apparently, he wanted to embed Kakashi's scythe from a blind spot, taking advantage of the darkness.

Kakuzu, on the other hand, still had the Young Man's body through his left arm, but already touching the ground. The technique that had caught them did not give him time to get rid of the corpse to realize it.

Breathing heavily, Kakashi scanned his surroundings, as Hidan's insults were heard.

"That damn one again...!" He said. To which Kakashi quickly turned his gaze to the ground. —

Two Shadows stretched from the Akatsuki's feet and across the blood-soaked ground to the forest on the side of the road. Shadows could be seen now that Kakashi felt that the threats had been appeased, and he felt less burdened than before.

Two people came out from behind a tree. One of them was feminine, while the other was masculine and larger than its opposite. The ash-haired girl trembled with hesitation, almost as if forcing herself to stand with her head held high at such a scene.

And the boy next to her, although he was physically fearful, his appearance was even more fearful than the girl's.

In turn, from the bush that separated them, a groan could be heard. A ponytail was clearly visible to Kakashi, and he knew it was all right when the voice, which was striving to maintain its Jutsu, spoke with abhorrence, and antipathy in its sharp, vengeance-thirsty gaze.

"Kageshibari no Jutsu... Completed."