Chapter 22: Trap

Kakashi finally arrived at the Iwa-nin defensive area in the latter half of the night. He carefully controlled his breathing and movements, hiding in the forest as he observed the Iwa-nin.

Kakashi understood the importance of this mission and the consequences of volunteering for it.

Death. It was terrifying, but not as much as he thought. His close friend Obito had faced death with calm, so why couldn't he?

Although Obito had entrusted him with protecting Rin, and although he had Minato Namikaze's guidance, wanting to see the future with Obito's eye, the guilt in his heart and Kai's presence gave him a resolution. Obito was killed by Iwa-nin, and Kakashi naturally wanted revenge.

Moreover, Kai had saved Kakashi and the others. Although it was ultimately his teacher who resolved the situation, the fact that Kai was a left a strong impression on Kakashi.

They were from the same class, and although Kakashi only had a vague memory of Kai, he remembered him as neither a top student nor a weakling.

On the battlefield, Kai had performed adequately, but surviving until now indicated his competence.

Most importantly, Kai had now awakened the Sharingan. With someone like him protecting Rin, Kakashi felt assured.

For added safety, he had even given Minato's special kunai to Kai!

With these assurances, Kakashi believed that if he could hold off the Iwa-nin and create an opportunity for his team, they would infiltrate enemy lines and complete the mission without harm to Rin.

"Obito, maybe soon I'll join you," Kakashi thought, taking a deep breath. He then created four shadow clones, transforming them and spreading them out.

These clones each took a portion of his chakra, causing discomfort, but making them indistinguishable from the real him.

The slight burst of chakra immediately caught the Iwa-nin's attention. Kakashi didn't mind; his goal was to attract them.

However, being discovered so quickly meant the Iwa-nin had many skilled ninjas, just as Kakashi had anticipated.

Soon, Kakashi noticed an Iwa-nin using a summoning technique, probably to relay information.

"Summoning reinforcements?" Kakashi thought, but the next moment his face turned pale as a sharp whistling sound reached his ears, and a kunai pierced him.

"It's over, brat!" a voice said from behind, though no one was visible. "Don't worry, your friends will join you soon."

The voice was cruel, and as the kunai was withdrawn from Kakashi, his body turned into a puff of smoke.

"A substitution? When?" the voice's owner was taken aback, but as he heard another whistling sound behind him, he instinctively retreated and blocked with a kunai.

This ninja was experienced, though Kakashi, with his Sharingan, saw through the defense easily. Kakashi's attack, however, only left a scratch on the ninja's chest due to his quick retreat.

"Damn brat," the ninja muttered, appearing from his camouflage and examining his wound. "A Sharingan? I see, that's how you saw through my camouflage technique. An unexpected prize, a Sharingan."

Kakashi frowned, recognizing the technique. One of the ninjas who killed Obito had used it.

Breathing deeply, Kakashi gripped his kunai, ready to fight. But his expression darkened as he sensed his shadow clones had been defeated.

Several Iwa-nin emerged, surrounding him. Kakashi hadn't expected his clones to fail so quickly. These ninjas were incredibly strong.

He had no time to think, with his chakra severely depleted from the shadow clones. Kakashi now had to find a way to stall them, preventing them from relaying information.

"Naive brat," one Iwa-nin sneered. "You think we didn't anticipate your tricks? I wondered who you'd send as bait. Never thought it'd be you, Hatake Kakashi."

Kakashi stayed silent, focusing on recovering his chakra.

"Your team must be trying to break through elsewhere. Sorry, but our reinforcements have already been alerted. We spotted several figures in another area," the Iwa-nin continued, smirking. "Recovering chakra? Pointless. Your fate is sealed, as is your team's."

"Let's see what you're capable of, and what your plan is," the Iwa-nin said, and the four of them attacked.

Kakashi leaped to avoid the first strike but was troubled. His sacrifice seemed meaningless. Iwa-nin's open scheme had forced his hand. Now he had to stall and hope to escape.

His enemies seemed to want him alive, giving him some hope. Otherwise, Kakashi doubted he'd last long against these powerful foes.

With less chakra, Kakashi could only try to delay them, even if it was a futile effort.

Taking a deep breath, Kakashi steeled himself. If all else failed, he would destroy his left eye. Obito's eye would never fall into their hands.

(Chapter end)