"Looks like it's all taken care of."
In the forest, Natsuhiko watched as Kakashi walked over slowly, dragging an Iwa ninja behind him. A faint smile appeared on his face.
During the battle, he and Kakashi had split up, so he hadn't seen what happened on the other side.
But he could sense Kakashi's condition—and the sharp, piercing cry of Chidori had made it clear enough.
Kakashi had absolutely no trouble dealing with them.
As for Natsuhiko himself, there was even less to say.
Not a single jōnin among them.
At most, they were special jōnin level.
Facing a veteran ANBU like Natsuhiko—five years of experience—the threat they posed was limited.
Especially since none of them had anyone capable of countering his speed.
Speed was always the most terrifying weapon.
In the original story, when Rock Lee fought Sasuke, he used sheer speed to the point that Sasuke could see him—but his body couldn't react in time.
That was someone with the Sharingan.
These people didn't even have that.
And Natsuhiko was far faster than Rock Lee.
Even Lee without his ankle weights would not be his match.
That was how terrifying the boost from the foundational attribute fruit was.
Although it had severely backfired on Natsuhiko over the years—and the side effects still lingered—
The changes it brought him were undeniable.
"Yes, Captain."
Kakashi calmly threw a half-dead ninja in front of Natsuhiko, then glanced around before asking,
"What about the others?"
"They were badly injured. I told them to head back," Natsuhiko replied with a slight smile. "There are medical ninja at the base. Their condition couldn't wait for us to escort them."
Those wounded shinobi weren't in any state to remain here.
After the battle ended, Natsuhiko had immediately sent them away.
They understood well enough that there was no arguing with ANBU—and besides, they were deeply grateful.
If not for the timely arrival of these two ANBU, they would already be dead.
These two were their saviors.
Moreover, they truly couldn't stay any longer.
If they delayed any further, they would have gone into shock from blood loss.
So, assisted by the least injured among them, they had already begun heading back toward the base.
After a brief explanation, Natsuhiko shifted his gaze to the two surviving "Iwa ninja."
He walked over slowly, pulling out a kunai.
"Now that only you two are left, I'll give you a choice."
His voice was calm—almost gentle.
But for some reason, Kakashi shivered slightly when he heard it.
He had a bad feeling about this.
And sure enough, Natsuhiko casually tossed the kunai onto the ground beside the two ninja before continuing:
"I don't intend to torture you for intelligence. Too troublesome.
Nor do I plan to bring both of you back. That would waste time.
Only one of you needs to remain.
The one who survives will come with us to Konoha.
Interrogation is painful, yes—but at least you'll have a chance to live.
And if you cooperate sufficiently, you can avoid much of that pain.
All right.
Choose."
Choose?
What kind of absurd choice was that?!
Out of the corner of his eye, Kakashi glanced at Natsuhiko.
In the end, he said nothing.
He'd let Natsuhiko handle it.
After all, these weren't ANBU.
If they were, extracting information wouldn't be this simple.
ANBU ninja carry out missions fully prepared to self-destruct if necessary.
They even carry techniques on their bodies that can completely dissolve them.
Kakashi, who had only recently joined ANBU, had such measures—let alone someone like Natsuhiko, who had served in ANBU for many years.
Because Kakashi understood the nature of ANBU, after defeating his opponent he had deliberately checked the body. Only after confirming the man was not ANBU did he relax slightly.
But in the very next second, Kakashi's expression shifted subtly.
Without drawing attention, he heightened his guard.
Because he had clearly seen Natsuhiko discreetly make a hand signal toward him.
It meant: "Enemy attack. Stay alert."
More enemies?
Reinforcements for these men, perhaps?
"I actually already guessed who you really are—even if you didn't say anything."
Natsuhiko spoke as though nothing were amiss, his tone still gentle and calm.
"You're Suna ninja. Must've been quite the effort disguising yourselves as Iwa ninja. Unlucky for you, though—you didn't expect to be discovered by us, did you?"
"You—"
One of the Suna ninja instinctively looked up at Natsuhiko. His mouth opened slightly, but he didn't finish his sentence.
A cold sneer appeared on his face instead, as if dismissing Natsuhiko's words.
In his eyes, this Konoha ANBU was just fishing for information.
"Surprised?" Natsuhiko shook his head slightly.
"Truth is, we've been tracking your movements from the start. Why else do you think we're here? Did you really think Suna's little operation was a secret? If you do as I say, at least one of you walks away from this."
His tone remained composed and steady, as though Konoha had complete control over their intelligence.
Even Kakashi began to believe that Konoha had already obtained solid information.
But in truth—
Natsuhiko was bluffing.
As a squad captain, he did have access to ANBU intelligence—but this information had actually come from the Land of Grass.
When great nations go to war, small nations suffer.
The Land of Grass had once been the primary battlefield between Konoha and Iwagakure. It was impossible for it not to have surveillance arrangements.
Konoha had grown weaker in recent years.
Although they still maintained Root and ANBU placements in the major villages, activity levels had been reduced to avoid unnecessary conflict.
But small nations were not part of that restraint.
Operations there continued as before.
After all, not every small nation was like the Land of Rain, producing someone like Hanzo of the Salamander.
And not every small nation was like Takigakure—possessing the Seven-Tails despite not being one of the Five Great Nations.
If a large number of foreign ninja suddenly appeared, there was no way it wouldn't attract Konoha's attention.
Even if their origin wasn't immediately clear, their intentions could be guessed.
However, these two Suna ninja clearly didn't know any of this.
Natsuhiko's words had left them confused.
Could it be—
That their mission had already been exposed within Sunagakure itself?
Was that why Konoha's ANBU had been dispatched to intercept them?
"Seems like you still haven't made your decision."
After waiting for a moment and seeing no movement, Natsuhiko let out a light chuckle.
"Then I'll help you decide."
"We'll start with you."
The moment his words fell—
Natsuhiko's figure vanished.
In the next instant, violent tremors erupted in the distance.