Rescue

Kakashi moved forward quickly, arriving at a hidden spot in the Konoha Forest.

There was a barely noticeable hole in the ground.

After surveying the area, Kakashi jumped down.

Moments later, another person, short and seemingly quite young, jumped down as well. This person was dressed in ANBU attire and wearing a cat-faced mask.

Soon, the sounds of a commotion echoed from below.

Yamaki walked to the entrance of the hole, stroking his chin.

The one who just went down seemed to be Yamato. Oh, he's called Tenzo now.

Is Danzo still sending him out to take Kakashi's eye?

Does Danzo have that much confidence, or is he just not thinking straight?

Or does he just have blind faith in Yamato's Wood Release?

Suddenly, Yamaki sensed something and leaped into a tree.

Swish, swish, swish, three Root members arrived at the hole.

Two of them concealed themselves, and the other jumped down.

No wonder Danzo had backup plans, monitoring, and substitutes. If Tenzo didn't complete the task, there were others.

...

"A mission isn't everything. If the mission requires killing a comrade, then it's a wrong mission."

"Kakashi, who harmed his comrades, deserves to be called that, but I didn't... I didn't want to kill Rin!

"I failed to protect my comrade, that's why Rin died. I couldn't protect her with my Chidori, I couldn't protect her..."

"Tenzo, give up on the Root mission."

"People in Root seem to be indoctrinated to abandon all emotions."

"Not just emotions, they abandon names, past, and future, living only to complete missions."

"I am your enemy, so it's natural not to save you."

...

Yamaki waited a while, pretending to be waiting for Tenzo as the Root members emerged first.

After a while, Tenzo jumped out.

Tenzo took out an eyeball soaked in a jar, and they exchanged a few words.

Yamaki was familiar with this part of the plot. Kakashi had already convinced Tenzo, who had faked a Sharingan to bring back to Danzo.

Later, Kakashi and the Third Hokage forcibly removed Tenzo from Root and renamed him Yamato. He eventually adopted the codename "Yamato" for missions.

"You dare to fake it!"

A loud shout brought Yamaki's thoughts back. How was it discovered to be fake here?

"Attack!" The other three Root members jumped out.

"It seems Lord Danzo didn't trust me after all," Tenzo muttered.

Tenzo didn't resist, allowing one of them to bind him, while the other three jumped into the hole, probably to find Kakashi.

"Tenzo, why did you fake it?"

Tenzo's expressionless eyes showed a hint of sadness as he asked, "Why did you abandon the mission?"

"Root members are taught to abandon all emotions."

"Kakashi is also a Konoha ninja, a comrade. Is it really okay to kill a comrade?"

"You should remember, the only comrades you have are us, members of Root!"

"Isn't Root supposed to be on Konoha's side?"

"Root is the unseen underground, silently supporting the tree of Konoha. Just like a tree is divided into above and below ground, Root exists independently."

"A Root ninja has no name, no emotions, no past or future, only missions."

Tenzo struggled violently, "No! I am a Konoha ninja! Not just Root, with branches and leaves, all Konoha ninjas are my comrades!"

"Who has confused you!? I'll take you back for re-education from Lord Danzo!"

"Oh, of course, Danzo confused him!"

A leisurely voice came over.

"Who!" Yi was shocked; someone had approached without noticing.

"Ugh!" Before Yi could turn, he felt pain in his head and lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground.

"Get up." Yamaki untied Tenzo.

"Who are you?" Tenzo didn't recognize Yamaki but recognized him as a Uchiha based on his attire.

"I am Uchiha Yamaki," Yamaki said calmly, considering whether to save Kakashi.

Or should he let Root take his Sharingan?

"You're the deputy leader of the Uchiha clan!? Why did you save me?"

"I just like opposing Danzo. Who you are doesn't matter."

"But…"

Yamaki smirked, "I do know you."

"Know me how?"

"You're one of the sixty infants Danzo stole back then, right?"

"What!?" Tenzo was shocked!

"Lord Danzo stole us!?"

Yamaki nodded, "Yes, Danzo stole you, and Orochimaru performed human experiments on you. Now, it seems only one remains."

"Do you have proof!?"

"I have my sources. I have no intention of proving anything to you. Believe it or not."

"Danzo has been recruiting various people under the pretense of protecting Konoha, just to fulfill his ambitions."

"This..." Tenzo was shaken. Was this the person he was loyal to?

The sound of Chidori echoed from the hole.

"Damn it! Kakashi!" Tenzo remembered his brother Kakashi was still down there.

He stood up and headed for the hole.

Yamaki blocked him, "No need, he'll be up soon."

Just as he finished, Kakashi jumped out of the hole.

Yamaki noticed Kakashi's Sharingan was intact; though he was injured, he seemed okay.

Tch, Yamaki clicked his tongue. Danzo's Root members were useless; they were three against one and still got killed.

Kakashi jumped out and saw Uchiha Yamaki at the entrance.

He quickly fought, "Lord Yamaki, why are you here!?"

Unfortunately, Yamaki didn't intend to take Kakashi's Sharingan himself.

"You better find the Third Hokage quickly, Danzo's men will be here soon."

Yamaki didn't answer Kakashi, casually saying a sentence before disappearing from the scene.

"Kakashi! Are you okay!?" Tenzo rushed to check on Kakashi.

Kakashi staggered, "I'm fine. Why is Yamaki here?"

Tenzo helped Kakashi up, "This place isn't safe. Let's go find the Third Hokage and talk on the way."