Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

After nearly another half hour—

Only a short distance remained between him and the Land of Waves.

The streak of lightning finally dispersed.

Kakashi collapsed flat onto his back.

Even after hitting the ground, he forced himself to bite his finger, form a hand seal, and painfully roll onto his stomach before slamming his palm onto the earth.

"Sum...moning... Jutsu..."

His voice was weak and hollow.

Poof!

Pakkun appeared.

The ninja hound instinctively looked upward.

Not seeing Kakashi anywhere.

Then he looked down.

Kakashi was lying face-first in the dirt.

One arm stretched out.

Palm pressed against the ground.

Blood from his bitten finger flowed across the summoning array.

For some reason, Pakkun felt this scene was completely normal.

Yet also somehow incredibly embarrassing for Kakashi.

Walking over, he grabbed Kakashi's collar and tugged.

Kakashi cooperatively lifted his face out of the dirt.

"Good thing you still had enough chakra left to summon me."

"Your calculations were pretty precise."

Kakashi managed a helpless smile.

"When you're poor, it's easier to count your money."

"I don't have much chakra to begin with."

"So calculating exactly how much I can spend is pretty simple."

"The rescue team already saved them."

Pakkun glanced at him.

"Want me to drag you into the shade somewhere?"

"No need."

"You can head back."

"Suit yourself."

Poof!

Pakkun dismissed himself.

Whoosh!

Almost immediately afterward—

Footsteps sounded.

Naruto appeared first.

Bringing Sakura, Mei, and Sasuke one after another.

Everyone paused upon seeing Kakashi sprawled on the ground.

But Kakashi forced himself upright first.

"Sakura."

"From here, can you still identify the direction of the Land of Waves?"

"I-I think so..."

"I was navigating mostly from memory..."

"The route should be correct."

"It should still be that way..."

Kakashi nodded.

"Good."

"This teacher of yours is going to continue lying here and resting."

Sakura hurriedly examined the surroundings.

After orienting herself, her eyes widened in shock.

They were already extremely close to the Land of Waves.

The journey that had taken her and Kiba days of desperate travel—

Had somehow been compressed into less than four hours.

She still had no idea how she'd gotten here.

But before she could process it—

Sasuke was already preparing himself.

Despite appearances, Sasuke wasn't completely indifferent.

The moment he arrived, he had first checked Kakashi's condition.

Only after confirming his teacher wasn't in immediate danger did he begin forming hand seals.

Lightning chakra spread across his body.

Crackling softly.

Lightning Release: Lightning Flash.

The same technique Kakashi had used earlier.

Though Sasuke's chakra control wasn't yet as refined.

Occasional sparks escaped his body.

The leakage wasn't enough to affect the technique.

Still, Sasuke frowned slightly.

Looking toward Sakura.

"There'll be some electrical numbness."

"Endure it."

"I-I understand."

Sakura immediately nodded.

Earlier, Sasuke had already explained the plan to her.

For once, she actually understood what everyone was talking about.

Sasuke crouched down.

Sakura climbed onto his back.

The instant she made contact—

Intense numbness surged through her body.

Tiny currents danced across her skin.

Whatever faint embarrassment she'd felt about being carried vanished instantly.

Gritting her teeth, she endured both pain and numbness.

Then signaled she was ready.

After securing her, Sasuke looked toward Naruto.

"Ten minutes."

Naruto nodded.

"Got it."

BOOM!

Lightning erupted.

Sasuke transformed into a streak of electricity and shot forward.

"I'll stay behind and look after your teacher."

Mei casually walked over.

Pulling a small pouch from her belongings.

Inside were Kirigakure's secret recovery medicines.

"...I'm not sure I trust that."

Kakashi sighed.

"What?"

"You think I'd poison you?"

Poison isn't what worries me.

I'm worried you'll mind-control me into assassinating the Fourth Mizukage.

Ever since Jiraiya had discovered the puppet-control curse seal hidden inside him—

Kakashi had become considerably more cautious.

Of course, he kept those thoughts to himself.

After all, Mei probably wouldn't do such a thing.

And regardless of whether he accompanied her or not, she'd returned peacefully from the Wind Country alongside Naruto's team.

She shouldn't be that extreme.

Still—

Kakashi remembered Mei's plans.

And that memory made him uneasy.

Having known her for years, he understood one thing very well.

Terumī Mei had a slight tendency toward obsession.

Sometimes the things she said jokingly—

Weren't jokes.

"I can send both of you back to the village first..."

Naruto suggested worriedly.

Looking at Kakashi's exhausted condition.

Kakashi shook his head.

"No need."

"I'll rest here."

"We're already close to the Land of Waves."

"Saving chakra still matters."

"Maybe not for you..."

"But it does for everyone else."

"And besides, I won't be much help for a while."

"There's no point wasting your chakra transporting me."

"And with her here..."

"I won't be in any danger."

Having completely exhausted himself, Kakashi could only helplessly allow Mei to place his head onto her lap.

Under normal circumstances—

Kakashi might have appreciated such special treatment.

But right now, guilt occupied most of his thoughts.

As the team's jōnin leader—

He should have completed the entire run himself.

Then charged into battle and rescued everyone personally.

Instead—

His limited chakra reserves had forced him to rely on his students.

Once again.

"Alright..."

Naruto finally nodded.

It was nearly time for the next checkpoint anyway.

His figure vanished.

Earlier, when Sasuke had said "ten minutes," he meant exactly this.

Every ten minutes, Sasuke would stop long enough for Sakura to confirm the direction.

Naruto would then use Flying Thunder God to catch up instantly.

Ensuring Sasuke wouldn't be delayed by unexpected enemies.

This was one of the high-speed travel tactics Team Seven had developed during their journey.

The technique Naruto had named—

Relay Run.

The name was simple.

But the tactic itself was extraordinary.

When Naruto had first proposed it, both Kakashi and Mei had immediately realized something.

This wasn't merely a travel method.

It was a tactical weapon.

A system designed for rapid deployment and surprise assaults.

They had already brainstormed multiple variations.

Thanks to Team Seven's coordination—

A journey from Konoha to the Land of Waves that should have required several days even for ninja—

Had been compressed into merely three to four hours.

Of course—

For pure return travel, Flying Thunder God remained unmatched.

But for rescue operations, Relay Run was currently their fastest option.

Meanwhile—

Back at the resting spot—

Mei had already opened her medicine bottle.

She looked down at the obediently reclining Kakashi.

Smiling sweetly.

Kakashi's instincts had been correct.

Mei absolutely had ulterior motives.

And they definitely weren't something she could say in front of his students.

"Ahem."

Kakashi cleared his throat.

"How about I tell you what I've been doing recently?"

He attempted to change the subject.

"Take your medicine first."

"I have information about the Fourth Mizukage."

"Oh?"

"Then take your medicine first, and I'll listen."

"...Aren't you curious about what's happening with Zabuza in the Land of Waves?"

"Of course I am."

Mei smiled.

"But Naruto will probably come back to pick us up once he arrives."

"We can discuss it then."

"Take your medicine first."

"..."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

Something definitely felt wrong.

Even intelligence regarding the Fourth Mizukage couldn't distract her?

She wasn't actually planning to drug him, was she?

What Kakashi didn't know—

Was that Mei's true thoughts were far simpler.

At long last...

I finally have a chance to pull off that mask and see what his face actually looks like.

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