善狐・ZENKO

６章・Chapter 6

CLANG.

Instead of the warm squelch of flesh, something metallic had instead clashed with your blade.

Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, you followed the curve of your tantō, to the grey metal of the kunai currently pushing against it, to the fair hands holding them, to the dark navy sleeves and green flak jacket, to the dark fuming gaze of your superior.

"And what exactly do you think you're doing?" Kakashi exerted more pressure into his kunai, causing you to take a step back at the force.

"That should be my question, sir." You raised your eyebrows unimpressed, "Finished with the delivery already? Why not shop around for a souvenir instead?"

"Your orders were to only apprehend the target." He said instead, "Not kill him."

"So you knew."

"Of course I did. Just as your true mission is to investigate this target, mine was to ensure that you wouldn't do anything rash." With a flick of his wrist, he easily disarmed you. Your tantō flung out of your hands, landing on the floor with a clatter.

Kakashi stepped closer to you, chest puffed out and eye glimmering dangerously. "There are rumours that your bloodline has a history of hunting down and killing your own kind if they defect from the clan. Tell me, how many of your family members have you slain already?"

You clicked your tongue against the roof of your mouth, turning your head away. "I haven't killed any of them yet. Uncle is the first person from our clan who I've seen since the Kyūbi attack twelve years ago. But this is grandmother's will, and since she is unable to carry out this task, she has entrusted me with it."

"So Lady Tamamo has convinced you to do this?" The jōnin placed a hand on your shoulder, grip tight. "Listen to me. Whatever she's been drilling into your head—she's wrong. There's something strange about this whole thing, and I'm not just talking about your... practice, but this entire mission in general. I can't say for sure what yet, but for now let's just do things by the book. You can worry about whatever else later, but killing this man—your family, is not the answer."

"What are you talking about... And what do you mean, grandmother's wrong?" You furrowed your eyebrows in indignation. What right did he have to make that judgement? "She's not wrong. She can't be wrong because..."

Because that would mean your whole life up until now would be 'wrong'.

"Hey, like I said. You can worry about this later. For now, let's just take things one step at a time. And the first step is to only apprehend the target—"

"Do you really think I'll just lie here and get caught by you?!" Yūtako cried, scrambling to his feet, "I'd rather die than go back to that shitty hellhole! Fire Release: Concealing Ash jutsu!"

Instantly, large fumes of ash and dust enveloped the area Yūtako had been standing in.

"A smokescreen! He's getting away!" Kakashi cursed, kicking down the door of the hut to escape the thick clouds of smoke. Quickly grabbing your fallen tantō, you followed hot on his heels while keeping a keen eye out for any glimpse of Yūtako.

"Over there!" You signalled to the alleyways, catching sight of his feet just before they disappeared behind the stone walls. Your superior nodded, the two of you quickly chasing after the man through the narrow passageway.

Emerging from the other end of the alley, Yūtako burst into the bustling market strip, movements wild and eyes frantic. Passerbyers let out startled shouts at his sudden appearance, watching as he scrambled into the streets, searching frantically for something—anything. And as if the gods had answered his prayers, he had found it. An opportunity, in the form of three unsuspecting genin.