In barely three seconds, only Kai ‘s head remained above the swamp.
Yet the hidden attacker still didn’t appear.
Then, just as the swamp completely swallowed Kai — Poof!
A cloud of white smoke burst forth.
The “Kai ” trapped in the swamp transformed into a log.
“Heh… the Substitution Technique, huh?” “You’ve really mastered the practical application of basic techniques.” It turned out Kai had used the Substitution Technique to evade the Earth Release attack.
Meanwhile, his real body had already reappeared over ten meters away.
But he wasn’t relaxed in the slightest.
His expression remained grave as he stared toward the attacker’s direction.
“This guy is way too strong.
I’m no match for him at all.” “But who is he?” “I shouldn’t have any enemies…” “I barely even know anyone in the village.
So why is someone trying to kill me?” Kai felt irritated.
Every attack just now had clearly been aimed to force him into a deadly situation.
What kind of grudge was this?
He couldn’t remember ever offending someone this powerful.
Just as Kai ‘s thoughts were racing, trying to figure out the attacker’s identity, a figure slowly emerged from the dark forest.
“Not bad.
Not bad at all.” “It seems you already possess Chūnin-level strength.” The moment Kai saw him, his vigilance rose even higher.
The area was too dark, and the man’s face was concealed beneath a mask, making him impossible to identify.
But the pressure he exuded was terrifying.
Far stronger than Dōichi Kimoto —several times stronger, in fact.
“If this guy really wanted to kill me, there’s no way I’d still be standing here.” “But what exactly does he want?” “This is Konoha.
Would someone really dare murder someone openly in the village?” Although ninja frequently carried out assassinations, Konoha still had laws and order.
Even ninja couldn’t casually kill people in the streets.
Besides, with this person’s strength, killing Kai would have been effortless.
Kai understood that clearly.
The man could kill him instantly if he wished.
While Kai was still thinking, the masked man had already walked up to him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever offended you,” Kai said cautiously.
He still didn’t attack.
He wanted to know who this person was.
The attacker glanced at him and spoke calmly.
“Come with me.” Then he turned and began walking away without another word.
For a brief moment, Kai seriously considered turning around and running.
But after thinking about the enormous gap in strength between them, he gave up.
“He probably doesn’t intend to kill me.
Otherwise, I’d already be dead.” “But what’s his objective?” Unable to figure it out, Kai hesitated only briefly before following him.
He had no choice.
This person could kill him effortlessly.
Resistance was meaningless.
And Kai also wanted to know who he was and what he wanted.
Under the darkness of night, the two walked one after another, maintaining a distance of over ten meters between them.
Eventually, they arrived at Konoha’s back mountain.
Originally, Kai hadn’t intended to follow the man this far.
But in the end, he still came.
By now, he was certain the man had no intention of killing him.
Soon, they arrived beside the very lake Team 11 had cleaned the previous day.
Under the moonlight, the man’s white hair caught Kai ‘s attention immediately.
“…Don’t tell me this guy is Kakashi Hatake?” Kai carefully examined him.
The more he looked, the more convinced he became.
“No way… I don’t think I’ve ever offended him.” “Could it be that Sensei did something to him back during their ANBU days?” “So now he’s taking it out on me to warn Sensei?” After guessing the man’s identity, Kai immediately concluded that Kakashi was probably retaliating because of some old conflict with Dōichi Kimoto from their ANBU days.
Still, if this really was Kakashi, then Kai was certain he wasn’t in any danger.
And in truth— The masked man really was Kakashi.
Earlier that day, Kakashi had been accompanying Naruto and Sasuke on missions.
Well… “accompanying” was generous.
Naruto and Sasuke did the actual work while Kakashi sat nearby reading one of Jiraiya’s novels.
Kakashi removed his mask as he stood by the lake.
Kai quietly sighed in relief.
“Thank god… it really is Kakashi.” Now fully confirming his identity, Kai remained silent.
He wanted to know exactly what grudge existed between Kakashi and his teacher.
Those attacks earlier would have turned an ordinary Genin into a corpse already.
Still, Kai didn’t resent Kakashi.
Since this was Kakashi, and since the attack was probably connected to Dōichi Kimoto , then Kakashi must already know roughly how strong Kai was.
Otherwise, with Kakashi’s personality, he would never attack recklessly.
Kakashi wasn’t some villain.
Honestly, Kai was more curious than angry.
He really wanted to know what kind of history existed between his teacher and Kakashi during their ANBU days.
For a long while, neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere became increasingly awkward.
Finally, Kakashi broke the silence first.
“Kai Kagefumi .
Your performance just now was pretty impressive.” Kai said nothing.
He simply watched Kakashi standing by the lake trying to look profound.
And when Kakashi failed to receive the reaction he expected, even he felt a little awkward.
Still, as an elite Jōnin, he quickly regained composure.
“You’re probably wondering why I attacked you, aren’t you?” Kai nodded.
“I doubt Kakashi-sensei attacked me just because you were bored and wanted to mess with me.” Kakashi became even more awkward.
Kai didn’t seem particularly curious about his motives at all.
Compared to the tension he showed during the battle earlier, he now appeared extremely calm.
Calmer even than Kakashi himself.
Even Sasuke wouldn’t react like this.
Sasuke’s usual cold demeanor mostly came from pride and stubbornness.
But Kai ‘s calmness gave off the impression that everything remained within his expectations.
In reality, Kai didn’t know anything.
The only reason he was this calm was because this man was Kakashi.
And if it was Kakashi, then Kai knew he wasn’t in danger.
His understanding of Kakashi’s character allowed him to feel completely at ease now.
Besides, he was convinced Kakashi’s attack had something to do with Dōichi Kimoto .
After all, Kai himself had almost no connection with Kakashi beforehand.
But his teacher had once been an ANBU ninja.
Surely Kakashi and Dōichi Kimoto must have had some old conflict.
Seeing that he wasn’t getting the reaction he wanted, Kakashi felt slightly disappointed.
Still, he hadn’t forgotten his objective.
Turning around slowly, his silver-white hair gleamed beneath the moonlight.
“The attacks I used earlier would’ve been impossible for an ordinary Chūnin to defend against,” Kakashi said calmly.
“That means your strength already surpasses the average Chūnin.” “But only to that extent.” “If I had increased the intensity any further, you would’ve lost immediately.” Kai nodded honestly.
“That’s true.
Kakashi-sensei is a Jōnin.
I could tell from the beginning that you could’ve defeated me anytime you wanted.” “In front of you, I don’t have the slightest ability to resist.” “I’m very aware of that.” There wasn’t even the slightest doubt in Kai ‘s tone.
In fact, he understood perfectly well that if Kakashi truly wanted to capture him, he wouldn’t have had any chance to fight back.
Although Chūnin and Jōnin were only separated by a single rank— The difference in actual combat ability was enormous.
During the Land of Waves mission, the two Chūnin assassins had looked like complete clowns in front of Kakashi.
He had toyed with them briefly before killing them instantly.
Kai wasn’t arrogant enough to think that just because Kakashi praised him as having Chūnin-level strength, he could actually challenge Kakashi himself.
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