Chapter 147: The Spy
After a long journey, Kakashi finally arrived at the designated rendezvous point.
He surveyed the surroundings and could only reach one conclusion.
This was both an incredibly ordinary grove and an impossibly difficult place to find.
Ordinary because there was absolutely nothing remarkable about it.
Even around Konoha, there were probably hundreds or thousands of similar-looking woods.
Difficult because it was truly in the middle of nowhere.
There wasn't a single town nearby.
Not even a lone household could be seen.
If not for the map's directions, even Kakashi—who had spent most of his life in the Land of Fire—would never have known such a place existed.
Throughout the trip, his mind had remained anything but calm.
Because the Third Hokage's order had been classified at the highest level.
Strictly speaking, it was information only a Kage should know.
Even a jōnin like himself was not authorized to receive it.
Yet Hiruzen had come directly to him.
"Akatsuki has a spy from Konoha."
"...Not Uchiha Shisui?"
"No."
"And if Naruto hadn't captured that Akatsuki member, this person most likely wouldn't have contacted me."
"It's very likely that your recent operation created some internal problems within Akatsuki, giving them an opportunity to pass information out."
"Normally I would handle this personally."
"But under the current circumstances..."
"Kakashi, I need you to go to this location immediately."
Even without being told outright, Kakashi had already guessed who it was.
Uchiha Itachi.
That realization was exactly why he couldn't remain calm.
Because it inevitably made him think of Sasuke.
His student.
The boy who was almost like a son to him.
He had no idea how Sasuke would react if he ever learned the truth.
Kakashi genuinely liked the young Uchiha.
Though completely different in personality from Obito, Sasuke often reminded him of his former teammate.
Hardworking.
Loyal to his comrades.
Calm on the surface, yet carrying an undeniable passion inside.
Kakashi had always wanted to help him.
Even after receiving this classified mission, he still made arrangements for Mei to oversee Sasuke's training so that he wouldn't push himself too far.
That thought led him back to his previous encounter with Itachi.
During that battle, Mei had occupied Jūzō Biwa while Kakashi fought Itachi at close range.
The truth was simple.
Without the Sharingan's unparalleled visual perception, Itachi would have died during Kakashi's initial assault.
After drawing Kakashi away from the others, Itachi had attempted to use his dōjutsu.
But Kakashi, having survived countless battlefields, immediately sensed the subtle change in Itachi's eye pattern.
The instant it happened—
He closed his eyes.
And continued fighting.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Without any noticeable loss of effectiveness.
The sight had nearly left Itachi speechless.
A swordsman capable of fighting blind was something he had never encountered before.
Had one of Konoha's older generations witnessed the battle, they would have immediately recognized the style.
The swordsmanship of the White Fang of Konoha.
Sakumo Hatake.
A shinobi who had once illuminated an entire era.
Despite possessing no bloodline limit whatsoever, Sakumo had reached heights rivaling and perhaps even surpassing the Legendary Sannin.
In the realm of swordsmanship and taijutsu, he had stood at the pinnacle.
Among Sakumo's surviving records were numerous notes regarding combat against dōjutsu users from within Konoha itself.
Even without those records, Kakashi had another source of inspiration.
A certain idiot who could fight effectively without looking at his opponent.
Sometimes even with his eyes completely closed.
And Kakashi had experienced that firsthand.
During his darker years, after losing everything he cherished, Kakashi had fallen into despair.
Later, after rediscovering things worth protecting, he found himself limited by Obito's transplanted Sharingan.
The eye constantly drained his chakra, making further progress in ninjutsu difficult.
So he returned to his father's teachings.
Day after day.
Night after night.
Swing after swing.
As he trained, it often felt as though Sakumo's spirit stood beside him.
Guiding him.
Teaching him.
Showing him what true inheritance meant.
Why should the blade of the Hatake be inferior to the eyes of the Uchiha?
What Kakashi didn't know was that Itachi had been equally frustrated during that battle.
His original plan had been straightforward.
Delay Kakashi.
Allow Mei to defeat Jūzō.
Then, under sufficient pressure, activate the Mangekyō Sharingan and drag Kakashi into Tsukuyomi.
Within the illusion, he could secretly relay information about Akatsuki.
The reason was simple.
Zetsu's surveillance capabilities were terrifying.
Itachi could never be certain when he was being watched.
Therefore, if he used Tsukuyomi, he would also have to severely injure Kakashi within the illusion afterward.
No mistakes.
No traces.
No evidence.
Mei's timely arrival would then provide a believable excuse for letting Kakashi escape.
Otherwise, there would be no justification for sparing him.
His cover absolutely could not be compromised.
Not while the Fourth Hokage's true plan remained unfinished.
Not while he still had a role to play.
Unfortunately—
Reality had other ideas.
Without relying on his Mangekyō abilities, Itachi simply couldn't survive long enough.
The Kakashi standing before him was completely different from the former ANBU captain he remembered.
Gone was the cautious, assassination-oriented combat style.
Instead, Kakashi launched straight into close-quarters combat without hesitation.
Lightning Release enhanced his speed.
His swordsmanship was precise and relentless.
More than a Konoha shinobi, he resembled a Raikage from Kumogakure.
And using techniques like Amaterasu or Susanoo carried no real benefit.
Even if he did reveal those trump cards—
Could they actually stop Kakashi?
With Kakashi's current speed?
Unlikely.
They would only expose valuable secrets.
In the end, Itachi had no choice but to retreat while appearing injured, relying on hostages to justify his escape.
Everything he later reported to Akatsuki was technically true.
He had encountered Kakashi.
He had been wounded.
He had fought seriously.
He had escaped using hostages.
No lies.
Because he didn't need any.
The opportunity to act as a spy had never even presented itself before he was forced to flee.
Even if the Sage of Six Paths himself came down to investigate, nothing in his report would appear suspicious.
And that was precisely why, when Itachi learned that Kakashi had once again targeted Akatsuki members—
He immediately realized:
His chance had finally arrived.
Though Kisame shadowed him almost constantly, Itachi still possessed one hidden card.
A crow.
The crow containing Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and the power of Kotoamatsukami.
Unlike his other crows, he had never summoned this one in front of Akatsuki.
Because it had originally belonged to Shisui.
To ensure Kotoamatsukami remained hidden, Itachi kept the crow separate from the rest of his flock.
Then, during the latest Akatsuki gathering, something unusual happened.
Shisui never appeared.
Every previous time Itachi attended, Shisui had been present.
This absence immediately alerted him.
Something had changed.
Something was wrong.
And so, for the very first time, Itachi passed information directly to the Third Hokage.
He did not trust Hiruzen.
Not after Danzō.
Not after everything that had happened.
Most importantly, the person Itachi truly wished to serve now was the Fourth Hokage.
Therefore, the message he sent contained only a single line:
"Send Hatake Kakashi."
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