Dosuke stared at Kakashi's outstretched hands, surprised. He never expected Kakashi to show such a soft side.
The warmth in Kakashi's usually cold expression felt oddly charming.
"Why don't you all rest here? I'll scout the village and gather information before we plan," Dosuke suggested.
Kakashi nodded. Gaining intelligence was the priority. * Know yourself, know your enemy, and you'll always win * , he thought.
Even if they weren't here to fight, more information was better.
As Dosuke prepared to leave, a sharp sound cut through the air.
Whoosh.
A kunai shot from the darkness.
Clang.
Dosuke swiftly drew his own kunai, deflecting the attack.
Kakashi vanished in a blur.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
A flurry of shuriken flew toward the group.
Dosuke leaped in front of Obito and Rin, hands flashing through seals. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Water poured from his mouth, guided by chakra, forming a seamless barrier around them. The shuriken struck the water and stopped.
"Ambush!"
"Over here!"
"Alert the village!"
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Sounds of combat echoed. The water wall fell, and silence followed.
Thud. Thud.
Kakashi tossed several Takigakure ninjas, their forehead protectors glinting, in front of the group.
"Whoa, Kakashi, you didn't kill them, did you?" Obito asked, eyeing the ninjas and scattered shuriken.
"No, just knocked them out," Kakashi said, sheathing his dagger.
"No need to scout now," Dosuke said, crouching to check the unconscious ninjas. "These Takigakure ninjas look young, probably just patrol guards." He sighed in relief. They only had minor cuts.
Dosuke stood and faced Kakashi. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Kakashi said, stretching to show he was unharmed. "Wait here. More Takigakure ninjas will come soon."
Kakashi had let some attackers escape on purpose.
Since they were exposed, and this wasn't an invasion mission, there was no need to hide.
Soon, a rustling sound surrounded them.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
A dozen Takigakure ninjas appeared, their forehead protectors gleaming.
"Who are you? Why are you invading our village?" a middle-aged ninja demanded, wearing a bamboo hat marked with "Taki."
"We're from Konoha, and we mean no harm," Kakashi said, stepping forward. He tilted his head to show his Konoha forehead protector in the firelight.
"No harm? Then why sneak into our village?"
"Look, they attacked our ninjas!"
"We should arrest them!"
The Takigakure ninjas shouted before their leader could respond. To them, Dosuke's group were enemy invaders.
"Enough!" the leader barked, silencing the crowd.
"Konoha ninjas, why are you here? Why attack our people?"
"They're not dead, just unconscious," Dosuke said. He slapped the ground, and a gentle stream of water flowed, carrying the stunned ninjas a short distance away.
Several cloaked Takigakure ninjas leaped forward, checked their comrades, and nodded. "They're alive, just out cold."
They hoisted the unconscious ninjas onto their backs and rushed toward the village.
"I'll explain our mission, but I need to speak with your village leader," Dosuke said. A matter involving a jinchuriki's safety required direct talks with the top authority.
The lead ninja paused. "I am Takikage, leader of Takigakure. Speak."
"Takikage?" Dosuke and Kakashi exchanged a glance.
* Is he really the leader? * Dosuke thought. He pulled a pendant from his pocket and tossed it to the ninja.
The man caught it, examined it closely, and gasped.
He looked up, studying the group. His eyes lingered on Fu, strapped to Dosuke's chest, and he froze briefly.
"I understand why you're here. Follow me," he said.
"Disperse," he ordered a ninja wearing a breathing mask.
"Yes, Lord Takikage," the masked ninja replied, signaling the others to leave.
Only the masked ninja remained with Takikage. The rest vanished.
"Come," Takikage said, turning to lead the way.
Dosuke and Kakashi shared a look. Dosuke waved to Obito and Rin.
The group followed Takikage in silence.
As they walked, Kakashi slipped something into Dosuke's hand.
Dosuke touched it discreetly. A scroll.
* Minato's summoning scroll * , Dosuke realized, catching Kakashi's subtle glance, like they were back at the ninja academy.
If this "Takikage" was a threat, Fu and the scroll were their lifeline. A jinchuriki's death would kill the tailed beast temporarily, but it would revive years later. Fu's safety could decide their survival.
Kakashi passing the scroll meant he'd sacrifice himself to buy time if needed. Facing a self-proclaimed Kage put them on edge.
Takikage noticed their subtle exchange and smiled faintly. He didn't know what the scroll was, but he was impressed.
* These kids, barely ten, defeated our patrols instantly * , he thought. * Even facing me and my ninjas, they stay calm and plan ahead. Konoha's strength isn't just in its elites. *
"You don't need to be so tense," Takikage said. "The pendant and Fu told me why you're here. As Takigakure's leader, I won't let our tailed beast be lost."
He paused. "And as a father, I won't let my daughter die before my eyes."
Dosuke, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin froze, stunned.
* Fu's his daughter? * Dosuke thought. That explained why the chunin insisted on sending her to Takigakure. She wasn't just the Seven-Tails jinchuriki.
Takikage continued walking.
They reached a small house. "Rest here tonight. I'll take the pendant for now," Takikage said, pausing. "Fu, you stay with them. Mizusuke, make arrangements."
"Yes, Lord Takikage," said Mizusuke, the masked ninja, leading the group to the house.
"Rest here," Mizusuke said, then vanished.