Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

The Land of Birds lay quiet under the soft glow of the moonlight, its dense forests rustling with a whispering breeze. For three long days, Kakashi, Shisui, Itachi, and Guy had trailed their targets: Kaizo, the treacherous younger brother of the Fire Daimyo, and his secret contact. The meeting was set in a secluded clearing deep within the forest, hidden from prying eyes. Here, the conspirators planned their betrayal—a plot to overthrow the Daimyo and seize control of the Fire Nation.

Kakashi crouched low behind the thick foliage, his Sharingan glowing faintly beneath his forehead protector. Beside him, Shisui's keen gaze flickered across the clearing, scanning the dimly lit figures. Itachi, only eight years old but already displaying an unnerving calmness, lingered in the shadows just behind them. Further away, hidden among the branches, Guy lay in wait, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike when the moment was right.

"We need to confirm the contact's identity before we act," Kakashi murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "If he's from the Land of Iron, he'll be carrying a chakra-forged weapon. That will be our confirmation."

Shisui nodded, his fingers twitching slightly in anticipation. "I'll use genjutsu to delay them if things turn messy. But if it goes south, we strike fast and hard."

Soft footsteps interrupted their conversation. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the clearing where Kaizo waited. The two men exchanged curt nods before the contact spoke, his voice smooth but laced with urgency.

"The preparations are nearly complete," the contact said. "The Feudal Lord grows impatient. The Daimyo must die soon."

Kaizo sneered, his hands resting on the hilt of his ornate sword. "The moment my brother is dead, I will take his place. And your master—"

"—Will become the Supreme Lord," the contact finished with a nod.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. As the hooded figure adjusted his cloak, a gleaming dagger was revealed on his belt. Its edges shimmered faintly with chakra—a clear mark of craftsmanship from the Land of Iron. But it was more than that. That dagger was a symbol of a Feudal Lord's position.

"He's a Feudal Lord," Kakashi muttered under his breath.

Shisui's hand hovered over his kunai pouch. "Time to move?"

Kakashi's gaze sharpened. "Guy will handle the Feudal Lord. We take Kaizo and the messenger."

Kaizo suddenly stiffened, his instincts flaring. "Wait—"

Too late.

In a blur of speed, Shisui vanished from Kakashi's side, reappearing directly behind the messenger. His kunai slashed downward, aiming for a quick and precise incapacitation. But the contact reacted instantly, twisting away and parrying with his chakra dagger. Sparks flew as metal met metal, the force of the impact pushing both fighters back.

Kaizo barely had time to draw his sword before Kakashi was upon him. The silver-haired shinobi moved like a ghost, his Sharingan predicting Kaizo's every motion before he even made them. With a sharp twist, Kakashi's kunai pressed against Kaizo's throat, forcing him still.

Meanwhile, Guy exploded from the treetops, his body spinning midair before he delivered a devastating kick. His target—the Feudal Lord—barely managed to raise his arms before Guy's foot connected with his chest. The impact sent the man hurtling into a tree, the trunk shattering upon contact. He groaned, coughing as he staggered to his feet.

"You're strong," the Feudal Lord admitted, wiping blood from his mouth. "But do you think I rose to power without strength?"

He let out a sharp whistle. The rustling of leaves was followed by the emergence of five armored bodyguards, each brandishing weapons infused with chakra.

Guy cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "More opponents? Now this is getting interesting!"

Shisui dodged another strike from the contact, then retaliated with a flurry of rapid kunai slashes. The contact deflected most but grunted as one cut into his side. Shisui saw his opening and activated his genjutsu—the air shimmered as the enemy's vision distorted, and suddenly, he was surrounded by a murder of flaming crows.

The contact's breath hitched as the illusion took hold. His body stiffened for just an instant—but that was all Shisui needed. With a precise strike, his blade sank into the man's shoulder, rendering his sword arm useless.

Kaizo struggled against Kakashi's grip, his eyes wild with desperation. "You don't understand! My brother is weak! The Fire Nation needs a leader with true power!"

Kakashi's expression remained cold and unreadable. "And you think betraying your own blood makes you fit to rule?"

Kaizo snarled, attempting to wrench free, but Kakashi was faster. With a swift chop to the neck, Kaizo's body went limp, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

Across the battlefield, Guy had already downed two of the bodyguards. His movements were a blur—each strike carrying the force of a hammer, each dodge fluid like water. One opponent lunged at him, blade glowing with chakra, but Guy leaned back just enough for it to miss, then countered with a thunderous uppercut that sent the man flying.

The Feudal Lord, breathing heavily, watched as his men fell one by one. His fingers twitched toward his belt, where a secondary weapon was hidden—a chakra-infused short sword.

But before he could draw it, Itachi stepped into the moonlight.

"You should surrender," the boy said quietly.

The Feudal Lord froze. There was something in those young eyes—something ancient, something terrifying. The weight of Itachi's gaze alone was enough to make him hesitate.

It was a fatal mistake.

Guy took advantage of the opening, delivering a final, devastating kick to the Feudal Lord's stomach. The man crumpled to the ground, wheezing.

The battlefield fell silent. The mission was over.

Shisui flicked the blood from his blade before sheathing it. "That was almost fun."

Kakashi exhaled and glanced at the unconscious Kaizo. "We take him back to the Daimyo. The Feudal Lord's schemes end here."

Itachi nodded, his gaze lingering on the fallen enemies. "This was the right path."

Guy stretched, his joints popping. "A little too easy, don't you think?"

Kakashi smirked beneath his mask. "That's because we were prepared."

Without another word, the four shinobi vanished into the night, leaving behind nothing but the whisper of the wind and the remnants of a battle fought in silence.