Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

It was night already. Kakashi, sitting atop the Daimyo's palace, flipped through the documents detailing mission allocations from both factions. Kaizo, the Daimyo's brother, wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was funneling missions to the samurai of the Land of Iron. This wasn't particularly useful information, as Kakashi had already deduced that Kaizo was being supported by them. However, when he turned to the noble faction's records, something more intriguing caught his eye.

Most of their missions, aside from the ones given to their own personal shinobi, were handed off to an organization called "The Golden Shore." According to the files, this group appeared to be a subsidiary of the noble faction. Yet, what stood out the most was that the names of the shinobi completing these missions were never mentioned.

Just as Kakashi was contemplating this, he stoped and said, "Did you find anything?".

A familiar voice spoke from behind him.

"Yes, Senpai," Shisui answered, stepping out from the darkness and taking a seat beside Kakashi. He proceeded to report everything he had uncovered.

Kakashi considered the information carefully. "So now we know the two factions aren't working together. Kaizo is backed by the Land of Iron, and his goal of usurping the throne is obvious. We just need to find his contact and solid proof—then it's over. But the noble faction... they're more cautious. Unlike Kaizo, they have no legitimacy to claim the throne, so their plan must be something else entirely."

Shisui nodded. "The tunnel... I think it's meant to smuggle something into the capital. Maybe an army to control the Daimyo rather than kill him outright."

"That makes sense," Kakashi agreed. "Now that they know we're aware of the tunnel, they'll likely alter their plans."

Shisui looked down. "I'm sorry, Senpai. I should have held back."

Kakashi waved him off. "Nah, don't worry about it. You did the right thing. I would have done the same."

He paused before giving his next order. "Now that route is closed off, follow The Golden Shore. I want to know everything—who their shinobi are, where they come from, and how their missions operate. Track them from the moment they receive an assignment to when it's completed. Gather as much intel as possible. But remember, your mission is strictly reconnaissance. Don't engage—save your energy. I have a feeling we'll need it soon."

"Understood, Senpai," Shisui affirmed.

As the sun rose, Kakashi remained on the palace rooftop, opening his eyes as the sunlight washed over him. Sleep had been hard to come by lately, and he really needed to fix that habit. Stretching slightly, he flickered away, appearing near of Kaizo's estate. Today, he would try a different approach.

Closing his eyes, he focused. A few seconds later, when he reopened them, his dark pupils flashed with a faint glow. His normally spiky silver hair smoothed out and fell over his forehead. Entering Sage Mode, he prepared to observe from afar.

A few moments later, Kaizo stepped out, as expected, flanked by his usual group of samurai bodyguards. But something felt off. Kakashi's heightened senses immediately picked up on it—Kaizo had never left the house this early before. That meant...

"A fake," Kakashi muttered to himself. A transformation jutsu. Normally, he could spot such a technique instantly if it was performed in front of him. But this time, he was watching from a few hundred meters away. It was only thanks to his sage-enhanced senses that he could discern the deception.

He quickly formed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

A second Kakashi appeared beside him.

"Tail them," the original ordered.

The clone nodded and set off after the fake Kaizo.

Kakashi waited for a few more minutes before sensing another presence entering the estate from the opposite side—a secluded garden hidden behind a small forest. Someone was being careful.

Reaching into his pouch, Kakashi pulled out a small, high-quality camera. If he wanted to take down Kaizo properly, he needed irrefutable proof.

Slipping into the shadows, Kakashi infiltrated the estate with ease. No one sensed him as he moved swiftly through the corridors. His footsteps were silent, his chakra completely suppressed. He positioned himself near an open window where he had a clear vantage point of the meeting taking place inside.

Kaizo and the unknown contact were seated across from each other. Kakashi pressed the camera's record button.

"Waiting is no longer an option," Kaizo said, his voice carrying an edge of frustration. "The longer we delay, the more opportunities we give my brother to secure his position. We must move now. Assassinate the Daimyo directly."

The contact leaned back, smirking. "I see. I won't say I disagree—my lord has also been considering a more... direct approach. However, he wishes to meet with you in person next week to finalize the terms of the deal. Once that's done, we'll act."

Kakashi's camera captured everything. He had his proof.

A small smile played on his lips, but he didn't let his guard down. This changed things. The original plan had been to catch Kaizo in the act and hold the Land of Iron accountable for supporting him. However, this contact—whoever he was—clearly wasn't from the Land of Iron. If Kakashi acted now, the samurai nation could simply deny everything and escape the consequences.

No, this required a new strategy. Kakashi began formulating a plan.

The night air was crisp as Kakashi lingered in the shadows of the estate. His mind worked quickly, assessing every angle. The unknown contact's mention of "his lord" indicated someone even higher in the hierarchy, possibly a noble of considerable influence. That meant if Kakashi played this right, he could uncover an even greater conspiracy.

But he needed more information.

Kaizo's expression had darkened. "A week, then. I'll be ready."

The contact nodded. "Good. Until then, keep a low profile. My lord doesn't appreciate surprises."

Kakashi watched as the meeting concluded. The contact stood, pulling his cloak tighter around himself before slipping out through the same hidden garden entrance. Kaizo, on the other hand, remained seated for a moment, deep in thought, before exhaling sharply and calling for a servant.

Kakashi flickered away, returning to the rooftops, watching as the estate settled into silence once more. He had the proof, but the real game was only just beginning.