Chapter 268: The Trap
Kakashi’s gaze swept over the black-cloaked figure before moving away.
To him, this was merely another component added to the team. Their name and appearance didn’t matter.
Rin remained frozen in place.
That unmistakable head of spiky silver hair was far too familiar.
But the ANBU uniform, the gray armor, the animal mask, and the icy aura that rejected everyone around him made her hesitate.
Was this... really Kakashi?
Kitahara Kaede approached with Kakashi and gestured toward the silver-haired youth.
"This is Kakashi," Kaede said evenly. "I requested his assistance from Minato-sama for this operation."
Kakashi.
The name entered Rin’s ears, making her breath catch sharply.
It truly was him.
But where had the proud genius who always spoke about rules and looked down on everyone gone?
Rin had heard what kind of place the ANBU was.
It erased emotions and turned people into cold machines that lived solely for missions.
How had he become like this?
Was it because of her "death"?
A mixture of guilt and heartache surged within Rin. She instinctively stepped half a pace forward.
Her lips parted, and the name "Kakashi" nearly escaped.
"Ahem."
Kaede gave a light cough and cast her a warning glance.
Rin immediately came to her senses.
His earlier warning echoed in her mind.
If Kakashi learns that you’re alive, the situation will become extremely troublesome.
She bit her lip hard and forcibly swallowed the call.
Then she lowered her head, hiding her face completely within the shadow of her hood, too afraid to look at him again.
Kakashi showed no reaction, as though the two people before him were merely moving patches of air.
After confirming Rin had steadied her emotions, Kaede spoke.
"Let’s go."
The three departed Konoha and traveled toward the Land of Water.
After crossing the border of the Land of Fire, dim sunlight filtered through the mottled shadows of the forest.
Rin deliberately slowed and remained at the back of the group.
From that distance, she could keep watching Kakashi’s back.
Every landing and leap through the branches was stripped of unnecessary movement. There wasn’t even the slightest trace of life in him.
Rin’s heart ached as she watched.
No matter how arrogant Kakashi had once been, he still argued with Obito. There had been light in his eye.
Now the only visible eye contained nothing at all.
Kakashi noticed the gaze behind him.
It had clung to his back since they left the village and refused to disappear.
He pushed off a tree trunk and leapt upward, irritation rising within him.
Was the stranger assessing his strength?
It didn’t matter.
As long as it didn’t interfere with the mission, he couldn’t be bothered to care.
Several days later, they reached the waters of the Land of Water.
Dense mist pressed down upon the sea, turning everything into a field of white.
The passenger ship cut through the waves. Water struck its hull with heavy, rhythmic thuds.
The vessel gradually slowed, and the outline of a harbor appeared and vanished within the fog.
The entire harbor had been cleared. Not a single unrelated person was in sight.
A woman stood at the far end of the pier.
The sea breeze pressed her pale-blue dress tightly against her body, outlining breathtaking curves.
She stared without moving at the slowly approaching ship.
Kaede stood on deck and recognized her immediately.
Terumi Mei.
The hull had barely struck the wooden post with a dull thump when the figure on the pier moved.
Before Kaede could step off the ship, Mei became a blur, crossed the gangplank in several strides, and rushed directly toward him.
Like a cat, she threw herself into his arms. Both hands wrapped tightly around his right arm, her warm body pressing against him without the slightest restraint.
Rin, who had been following behind, was so startled by the spectacle that she retreated half a step.
Kakashi stood on the other side without lifting an eyelid.
Mei completely ignored the two of them.
She raised her face, her green eyes fixed on Kaede with thick resentment.
"Why did you take so long to come?"
She tightened her hold, nearly hanging from his arm.
"What use are letters? I can’t see you on paper or touch your hand. I’ve missed you so badly every day I thought I would die."
Kaede had long since become immune to this approach.
He allowed her to cling to him for a moment, then raised his left hand and lightly patted the back of hers twice.
"Enough. Other people are here."
Mei frowned unhappily.
Still, she understood the implied message. Serious business came first. Private matters could wait.
Only then did she reluctantly release him.
The instant she straightened, the girlish grievance vanished from her face, replaced by her usual sharpness and authority.
She turned and began examining the two people Kaede had brought.
Both wore masks.
The one on the left had spiky silver hair.
Mei had seen that identifying feature in Konoha’s intelligence records.
Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf.
Her gaze lingered for two extra seconds on the smaller figure wrapped in black on the right.
A woman.
The thought appeared in Mei’s mind.
Why had Kaede brought a woman to Kirigakure?
She didn’t ask.
Kaede had his reasons for everything he did. Too many questions would only irritate him.
Besides, this was Kirigakure—her territory.
An unknown woman couldn’t create any trouble here.
Mei withdrew her gaze and nodded.
"Let’s return to the village first."
She turned and led the way.
Rin followed behind. When Mei looked at her earlier, a layer of sweat had formed across her back.
That gaze had been so sharp it felt capable of seeing through the mask.
And this woman’s behavior toward Kitahara-senpai... had been far too intimate.
Rin couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at Kaede.
He walked with complete composure, nothing visible on his face.
Kakashi remained equally lifeless, silently following at the rear.
The four climbed the stone steps from the harbor.
Mei’s voice came from ahead, now addressing serious business.
"Your timing is perfect."
She turned her head toward Kaede.
"Last night, my patrols discovered fresh signs of reconnaissance around the village’s outer perimeter."
Kaede asked, "Can you confirm they’re targeting the Jinchuriki?"
"Almost certainly."
Mei’s smile disappeared.
"Their work is clean. They left almost no clues. But I’ve secretly set a trap for them."
Kaede’s curiosity was piqued.
"What kind of trap?"
"One they’ll have no choice but to enter, even if they realize it’s waiting for them."
A confident smile returned to Mei’s lips.
"I can’t tell you here. I’ll explain the exact arrangements once we reach my office."
Kaede nodded.