While everyone is still turning it over, a new scene appears on the light screen.
The moment they see it, pupils tighten all across Konoha.
On a narrow path, five people walk at an easy pace: three half-grown kids, an old man, and a middle-aged man.
It is Team 7 on their first C-rank mission—escorting a bridge builder.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, their teacher Kakashi, and the man they are meant to protect.
The instant Naruto’s group appears on the screen, the Third’s pupils contract.
“Move! Send every jonin we have! Get Naruto and the others out of there—*now*!”
To him, Naruto is not just another genin.
He is the Fourth’s son.
A jinchūriki.
A boy the Third treats like his own grandson.
That is why, when Naruto asked for a mission, the Third had indulged him with a C-rank—and why he sent Kakashi along.
Guidance on the road.
Protection if something went wrong.
The mission was never a secret.
So how does an organization no one has ever heard of know about it?
And how did they put this in front of the team without anyone noticing?
Kakashi is supposed to be the kind of man who can hold his own against anyone.
**Iwagakure**
Ōnoki watches the screen and murmurs,
“Kakashi? This thing appeared in front of him and he never noticed. Stranger and stranger.”
Beside him, Kurotsuchi stares at Kakashi, shocked.
How is he on this screen at all?
And he felt *nothing*?
Is the Plague Doctor from the file about to hit Kakashi’s team?
After a stretch of walking, Kakashi and the others reach a small port.
On the shore stands a tall figure in a black robe, back turned.
Footsteps.
The figure turns.
The ninja world draws a sharp breath as one.
Bird-beak mask.
Black robe.
Height.
The Plague Doctor from the file.
Does this thing actually exist?
Then are the abilities on the screen real as well?
“Damn. The bird-beak guy is *real*?”
“If the file is right, Kakashi’s team is finished.”
“Kakashi’s a jonin. You think he can’t fight back?”
“He’s a jonin, sure. Naruto and the others are genin—and Naruto’s already hurt his hand.”
**Konoha**
The Third sucks in a breath and wheels on the aide behind him.
“Faster! Get the Anbu moving!”
Naruto’s group draws closer.
All he can do is pray the Plague Doctor does nothing to them.
On the shore, the team is just as startled by the outfit.
Before any of them can speak, the Plague Doctor greets them first.
“Hello there.”
He turns, points at the small boat behind him, and adds,
“Ah—I don’t know how to row. Do any of you?”
They answer politely.
A boat.
They need to cross to the Land of Waves.
When they learn the Plague Doctor is headed there too, they climb in with him.
The ninja world erupts.
“They’re on the *same boat*? The mood’s that friendly?”
“Maybe he’s actually decent, and the file was nonsense?”
“He didn’t even take a swing at Kakashi.”
**Konoha**
The Third watches them chatting on the water.
Question marks might as well be floating over his head.
“Uh… Hokage-sama. Should we call the Anbu back?”
The aide only asks because of what he’s seeing.
The Third punches him in the head.
A lump rises at once.
“Call them *back*? How do you know that thing isn’t pretending?”