It was about understanding why they must insist on continuing the mission.
nma still couldn't believe Kakashi Hatake was truly the passionate and righteous man others described. Those words — passion and justice — felt incompatible with what it ant to be a shinobi. Wasn't it absurd to talk about justice in a profession built upon deception, battle, and bloodshed?
He rembered how, in the original story of this world, when Nagato (Pain) invaded Konoha and subdued Naruto, their conversation revealed the true nature of shinobi and the system that governed them.
The three Great Ninja Wars were real.
The suffering of smaller nations was not fiction — it was history carved in blood.
Kakashi Hatake, a veteran ninja with countless lives on his conscience, was certainly no saint. So, there had to be a deeper reason why he was determined to continue this mission in the Land of Waves.
It might not seem like a pressing issue, but nma wanted to know. He needed to understand — otherwise, it would gnaw at him.
However, Sasuke had already taken the opportunity to speak with Kakashi privately, leaving nma to wait.
The night was still young, and there would be ti.
Kakashi and Sasuke left quickly and returned just as fast. On the surface, Sasuke looked calm — expression unreadable.
It was likely Kakashi had told him the truth about the past; it wasn't sothing worth concealing.
"Hey, nma, do you have any questions for ?"
Before nma could speak, Kakashi — hands tucked casually into his pockets — smiled faintly and spoke first.
"Uh? Yes, Kakashi-sensei. If you don't mind explaining, I'd like to ask sothing."
After a brief pause, nma replied earnestly.
"Well then, let's take a walk."
Kakashi nodded and motioned toward the door. nma stood and followed.
Naruto and Sakura watched curiously as the two left.
"Eh? nma has questions too? Hey, Sasuke, what did you ask Kakashi?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.
"Nothing," Sasuke answered bluntly. He turned away, sitting on the windowsill, arms crossed, unwilling to elaborate further.
Naruto frowned but didn't press it, muttering under his breath, "Man, what a cold guy…"
⸻
Outside, the night air was crisp. Kakashi and nma stopped near the rocky shore overlooking the sea beside Tazuna's house.
"If I'm not mistaken, you want to ask why I insisted on continuing this mission, right, nma?"
Kakashi's single visible eye t nma's calmly, voice asured yet serious.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei," nma said. "I won't go into the small details, but from the appearance of that Mist-nin jōnin, it's clear this mission has deeper implications. It's understandable for Naruto to act on passion, but you… you're different. You wouldn't take such risks without reason."
Kakashi's expression softened beneath his mask. "You're sharp as always. The reason is simple, nma — the Land of Waves lies too close to the Land of Fire. The first attacker being a Mist-nin isn't a coincidence.
With your intelligence, I'm sure you understand what that implies."
nma paused, eyes narrowing in thought. "…Strategic location, right?"
Exactly.
The Land of Waves was small — its population barely tens of thousands — but its location made it vital. After the fall of Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki Clan, the Land of Waves had beco the most critical bridgehead for any potential Mist Village expansion into Fire Country.
If the Hidden Mist established control here, it could serve as a gateway, an invasion route into Konoha's territory.
That was sothing the Hidden Leaf could never allow.
As a central power in the shinobi world, Konoha already bore heavy defense burdens. Allowing another threat to erge so close would only worsen its position.
Before this, nma's thoughts had been narrow — he hadn't considered this political layer. Now, hearing Kakashi's explanation, it made sense.
Kakashi sighed, his voice calm. "That's exactly it. I ca here to confirm things myself. Still, I didn't expect to encounter a rogue of Zabuza Momochi's caliber. That… was a miscalculation."
He tilted his head slightly, his tone more reflective.
It was true — Kakashi had believed he could manage everything and use the mission to give his genin team real combat experience. But if he had known they'd face a forr mber of the Seven Ninja Swordsn of the Mist, he would've reconsidered. Training was one thing; unnecessary risk was another.
"Rebel ninja, huh? So, that ans he no longer has ties to the Hidden Mist?" nma asked.
"For now, that's the case," Kakashi said, his tone cautious. "But we can't be certain yet. That's why we'll stay here a bit longer — to complete the bridge and observe."
"Then why not go directly to the source?" nma said, his eyes gleaming.
"Hm? The source?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"Yes," nma replied. "The man pulling the strings — Gato, the so-called businessman trying to control the Land of Waves. If we interrogate him, we'll get the truth."
Kakashi blinked, slightly surprised, then chuckled. "Heh, that's actually a good idea."
Gato — the rchant leader of the Gato Company. A man whose greed and corruption had rotted the entire country.
Kakashi hadn't initially connected him to their mission beyond surface details, but nma's insight made sense. Soone like Gato always had ties — to criminals, missing-nin, and even foreign powers.
nma's mind drifted to the world he once knew. In every world, money and power were two sides of the sa coin. This one was no different.
Kakashi crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Alright then, nma. How do you plan to find him?"
There was a test in his voice, subtle but clear.
nma grinned. "Simple. As long as Gato's goal remains unchanged, he'll expose himself. A man like that always has eyes and ears in the towns he controls. We'll find one of his associates — and then, we'll have him."
Kakashi's visible eye curved in amusent. "Heh, sounds like you already have a plan. Fine — I'll leave the investigation to you, nma. Think you can handle it?"
nma straightened, his confidence unwavering. "Of course, Kakashi-sensei. He's just a man — I'll make sure we uncover everything. Just wait for my good news."
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask — the kind of smile that mixed approval with curiosity. nma Uzumaki was no ordinary genin. His strategic thinking reminded Kakashi of both Minato and Itachi — calm, deliberate, and always seeing beneath the surface.
The night wind brushed the coast, and the waves shimred faintly beneath the moonlight a quiet calm before the storm that was soon to co.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 30 CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE FOR LIFETI ACCESS!
I UPLOAD 3 CHAPTERS EVERY 2 DAYS.
👉 Patreon/HACKDWORLD
User Comments
0 comments from readers