The shadows

ch63

Yurei was waiting outside of Konoha in a training ground he knew would be empty. He was waiting for a special friend. He didn't have to wait for long. He was here. Yurei got on his knees and scratched Tora's head.

"Hello there, old friend. It's been a while. How are you doing." Yurei said with a small smile hidden behind his mask.

"Meow, meow, meow," Tora said with a smug smile, swinging his tail lazily.

Yurei let out a chuckle. "I see. Still terrorizing the genin. Well, I have a job for you. You know Kakashi right? The one with dog summons who smells like wolves?" Yurei said.

Tora took a moment to think before nodding. "Excellent. I can feel his chakra in training ground 3 near the memorial stone. Can you give this to him and have him follow you to the valley of the end?" Yurei said.

"Meow," Tora said.

"Don't worry, I have all the fish I owe you in the sealing scroll. It is fish from Uzushio, so it should be a new treat." Yurei said, and when Tora nodded, he tied a necklace around his neck. It was from the set he gifted his friends all those years ago.

He knew that Kakashi would notice it immediately since he also had one. Yurei then gave Tora the scroll with the fish. He gave Tora one last scratch behind the ears before going to his next destination to wait.

He was sitting on top of Madara's head. How the tables have turned. He didn't have to wait for long. He felt when Tora approached Kakashi and then when Kakashi started following him. Yurei unsealed his weapon.

There was going to be a fight. Yurei didn't like to admit it, but he had a knack for drama. He had his long hair in a spiky ponytail, which had black beads woven into it. He was wearing his mask and outfit, and his Katana was completely black.

Overall, it was an outfit made for hiding in the shadows. Perfect for the fight that was going to happen now. It was dusk after all. He had his blade drawn and ready. As soon as Kakashi got close enough, a barrier was activated near them.

He couldn't have anyone interrupting the fight. Kakashi was on guard immediately. "What do you want?" Kakashi asked. Yurei knew he wasn't in the mood to play since he didn't ask for his identity or why Tora had that necklace.

Yurei stayed silent, tilting his head to the side. In the next instant, they charged at each other. Kakashi had a standard tanto, and they clashed. They jumped back again to assess each other. They exchanged a couple of more hits.

Yurei was on the offensive. Yurei was using his speed and agility, but Kakashi was not slacking off during the years. He matched him blow for blow. Yurei had to take another approach. The next time he jumped back, he sent wind bullets towards Kakashi.

Kakashi dodged and used a lightning technique towards him. Yurei countered with an earth wall. The next moment, he had to jump away since Kakashi emerged from the ground just where he had been seconds ago.

Yurei threw out a smoke bomb. It only distracted Kakashi for a moment to close his eye and rely on his sensing. Yurei used that moment to create a clone and have him throw weapons at Kakashi. Kakashi blocked or dodged them all.

Yurei used the opportunity to get into close quarters. They resumed a combination of Taijutsu and Kenjutsu battle. Yurei needed a good hit. He aimed a spinning kick toward Kakashi's head, but Kakashi jumped back and avoided it narrowly.

Yurei's clone used the opportunity to engage Kakashi in a fight, and the real Yurei attacked from the back. Kakashi substituted himself with a log just in time and finished the water clone. No need to use shadow clones and trigger Konoha.