Hokage's Office
In the warm room, the scent of tea mingled with fresh ink and aged wood. At the center stood a large crystal orb, reflecting dim light across the space.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood before it, eyes focused deeply into the orb. His brows furrowed, pipe smoke curling gently from his lips. On the other side, Kushina sat cross-legged on the floor, chin resting in her hand, eyes full of excitement.
"Kakashi…" Hiruzen muttered, stroking his beard. "He's reckless as ever."
Inside the crystal ball, they watched as Kakashi swiftly knocked out two ROOT guards and dashed into the underground tunnel without hesitation.
Kushina grinned broadly, eyes sparkling. "Fufufu~ That Minato's student really has the rebel ninja vibe. But still cool."
Hiruzen could only shake his head slowly, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"He's giving me a headache. At this rate, the elders will scold me for letting an ANBU break into Root…"
He sighed, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Looks like I'll have to intervene personally. Otherwise, today might turn into a diplomatic disaster between official Konoha units and the shadow group."
He then turned to Kushina.
"Well then, Kushina. Want to come along to Root's base?"
Kushina's eyes widened, lips curling into a mischievous smile.
"Can I? Of course! Just give the order, Gramps!" she cried as she jumped up, full of fiery energy.
She raised a small fist to the air, her red hair swaying slightly. "Let's teach that Danzo a lesson. I've always wanted to see what his little cave looks like!"
Hiruzen suppressed a laugh. "Calm down. We're not burning it down, just saving someone…"
"But if it accidentally catches fire, well… that's just an accident, right?" Kushina said with a grin.
Hiruzen looked at her with a tired but affectionate gaze.
He returned his gaze to the crystal ball. Kakashi had stopped briefly in the corridor, glancing around as if he sensed something.
"Hmm." Hiruzen's expression hardened. "He knows. He can feel my telescope technique."
Kushina raised a brow. "Seriously? He can tell from that far?"
Hiruzen nodded slightly. "His perception is sharper than most senior ninja. Honestly… I don't know how strong Kakashi's become."
He tapped the pipe gently against the desk.
"Time marches on… and those children grow so fast. Sometimes, I forget just how far they've come."
Kushina tilted her head, looking at the old man's face with a soft gaze.
"That's why you need help, right?" she said gently. "If you're too slow, Kakashi might've already trashed Danzo's lair. And we'll only hear about it from a written report."
"A report full of explosions and kunai stuck in the walls, probably," she added with a chuckle.
Hiruzen finally smiled again. He stood, then calmly draped the Hokage cloak over his shoulders.
"Well then… let's make tonight an educational one for ROOT."
Kushina clenched her fists. "Yosh! Let's go, Grandpa. Let's rescue Kinoe… and maybe, just maybe, catch a rare sight—Danzo's panicked face!"
With blazing spirit, they stepped out of the Hokage's office, leaving behind the crystal ball still glowing with Kakashi's shadow moving through the underground corridor.
The rescue mission had begun.
And in the darkness of Konoha…
…a small light began to break through, carrying a storm that would shake the roots of old power.
ROOT Corridors
Darkness reigned, lit only by faint chakra lamps. Kakashi sprinted through the narrow hallway, every step echoing. He knew the route—not fully, but enough to make educated guesses. As an ANBU commander, he had access to basic Root maps, though many areas remained secret.
"Sealing chamber… should be on the eastern side," he muttered.
Minutes later, he arrived at a thick stone gate carved with ancient sealing marks.
He didn't hesitate.
CHIDORI!
Thunder roared. The stone shattered into rubble, dust filled the air. Kakashi shielded his eyes with an arm, then stepped forward once the dust cleared.
Inside the chamber…
A young man's body was bound atop a metal altar. Sealing symbols glowed faintly around him. His face was pale, body limp. But Kakashi recognized him instantly.
"Kinoe…"
Relief crossed Kakashi's face. He jumped forward and quickly released the bindings.
"Kinoe! Wake up! It's me—Kakashi!"
The young man's eyelids fluttered open. His vision blurred, then gradually focused on the face before him.
"…Kakashi?" his voice raspy, barely audible.
"Let's go. This isn't a sightseeing tour."
Kinoe smiled weakly. "You… came to save me?"
"Well, I didn't come here for ramen. Move!"
"…Thank you," Kinoe whispered.
"No time for small talk. We're not safe yet."
Together, they ran out of the sealing room.
Root Command Chamber
A panicked Root ninja burst into Danzo's quarters.
"L-Lord Danzo! Hatake Kakashi has infiltrated the base!"
Danzo's lone eye narrowed sharply.
"…What?"
He rose slowly, cane in hand, robes rustling.
"That brat dares…"
"Deploy the entire unit—capture him alive."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Main Hall – ROOT Exit
Kakashi and Kinoe raced forward. But Kakashi suddenly slowed.
"…Stop."
"Huh?"
"Someone's waiting for us."
And sure enough—
As they neared the final corridor to the exit…
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed slowly. From the shadows emerged Danzo, flanked by dozens of armed Root ninja.
Kinoe's breath hitched.
"Danzo-sama…!?"
Danzo's eye studied them like a snake measuring its prey.
"Kakashi… You dare infiltrate my base, steal my subordinate… Are you rebelling?"
Kakashi drew his chakra blade, eyes sharp.
"The 'traitor' hat doesn't fit you, Lord Danzo. I didn't break in—I was told you weren't home. Guess you were just hiding in the dark."
Danzo growled. "Insolent!"
He raised his cane.
"Seize them! Do not kill. I want Kakashi alive!"
"Danzo-sama! Wait!" Kinoe cried, stepping forward.
Slam!
A pulse of chakra silenced him. "How dare you speak to me! I'll deal with you later!"
Kinoe froze, trembling.
The Root ninja charged. Kakashi stood firmly before Kinoe, his Sharingan glowing crimson.
"This is… such a pain."
He exhaled, gripping his blade tightly.
"Lord Third… hurry up… or I might not hold back from killing someone."