Naruto: Kakashi of the spider sage

The forest was alive with the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. The group moved with practiced efficiency, carrying the unconscious bodies of Kaizo and the Feudal Lord. Their journey back to the capital was significantly shorter this time, taking only a single day as they pushed forward at full speed. The tension of the mission still lingered, but the sight of the towering walls of the Fire Capital in the distance brought a sense of relief—however fleeting it was.

Something felt off.

The atmosphere had shifted, thick with an unspoken danger. Kakashi felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise, his instincts screaming at him. He wasn't alone in this. Shisui slowed his pace slightly, his sharp gaze scanning the treetops. Guy cracked his knuckles absentmindedly, while Itachi, the youngest but no less perceptive, placed a hand on his kunai pouch.

Then, it happened.

A sharp whistling sound cut through the silence, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Before anyone could react, a shuriken embedded itself into Shisui's chest. The impact sent him staggering back before he crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

For a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

The group didn't react. They didn't scream, didn't lunge forward in a reckless attack. They merely stood there, their expressions unreadable. Then, from the surrounding darkness, figures emerged one by one. Dozens of ninja, clad in dark gear, their movements eerily coordinated as they formed a tight encirclement.

And at the center of it all stood a single man.

His presence alone demanded attention. His face was a patchwork of old burns and scars, a permanent reminder of battles lost. Yet, despite the disfigurement, there was an undeniable air of confidence in his stance. His lips curled into a smirk as he gazed down at Shisui's lifeless body.

"So this is the great Shisui of the Body Flicker?" His voice was laced with mockery, carrying effortlessly through the still night air. "The 'flee on sight' order must have been a joke after all. To think, Konoha's prodigy falls to a single shuriken."

Guy frowned slightly, tilting his head as he took in their opponent. "Kakashi, do you know this guy? His face looks like it's been through hell."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the man before them. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but he couldn't quite place it. "I don't know, but I feel like I've seen him before."

Itachi, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Senpai, I believe I know who he is." His voice was calm, analytical. "His name is Nobaku. If I recall correctly, he's listed on the 34th page of the Bingo Book."

Kakashi flipped open his book, quickly skimming the names and faces until he landed on the one Itachi mentioned. His eyes darkened slightly at what he read. A bounty of 46 million ryo—an exorbitant price even for a Jōnin.

Itachi continued, his tone betraying the faintest hint of admiration. "Nobaku is the grandson of the Second Tsuchikage. During the last ninja war, he led Iwagakure's forces against us. Shisui-senpai personally orchestrated numerous assassinations in his camp, dismantling their plans piece by piece. After that, Nobaku lost his command and all the prestige he once held. That's when Iwa put the 'flee on sight' order on Shisui-senpai."

The way Itachi spoke about Shisui made it obvious—despite his usual composed demeanor, he looked up to his senpai with great respect.

Nobaku's fingers twitched at his sides. He had expected fear, desperation—anything but this casual discussion of his past. These brats weren't taking him seriously.

"You insolent little—" His fury erupted as he roared, "Kill them all!"

At his command, his men surged forward. The air filled with the sound of blades being drawn, footsteps rustling through the grass, and the faint hum of chakra-charged weapons.

Guy sighed, rolling his shoulders. "I was hoping for a decent fight… but who knew Shisui-kun was this terrifying?"

Before the enemy could even reach them, bodies began dropping one by one. Silent, precise, and efficient. There was no struggle, no drawn-out battle. It was over before it even started.

Nobaku barely had time to register what had happened before he felt something—an unbearable pain blooming in his back.

"Oh, I remember you." A voice whispered from behind him.

His breath hitched. His body stiffened in disbelief. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head.

Shisui was standing there, completely unharmed, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Impossible… I just killed you!" Nobaku gasped, his voice cracking with the weight of his disbelief.

Shisui tilted his head slightly, his expression almost amused. "They don't call me 'Shisui of the Body Flicker' for nothing. Catching me off guard? That's not something you could ever achieve."

Nobaku's gaze snapped toward the 'corpse' he had felled earlier, only to find a simple wooden log in its place.

"A substitution…" The words left his lips in a breathy whisper.

His vision blurred. The pain in his back intensified. Blood poured from the wound, soaking into his already battle-worn clothes. His legs trembled beneath him, his body finally giving in as he collapsed to one knee.

But he wasn't done yet.

Summoning the last vestiges of his chakra, he recalled the words of his grandfather—the creator of one of the most powerful Kekkei Tōta. The one technique he had never been able to master, no matter how much he trained. But now, with death looming over him, he had one final chance.

A desperate grin stretched across his face. "I'll show you…"

He forced his body to move, channeling his remaining chakra. "Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!"

A cube of pure destruction formed between his hands, the air around it warping with raw energy.

Kakashi's eyes widened in alarm. "Everyone, move!"

The devastating technique exploded outward. Trees disintegrated into dust. The ground quaked beneath the sheer force of it. The world was consumed in blinding white light.

Then—silence.

As the dust settled, Kakashi forced himself upright, his body aching from the aftermath. His senses flared, searching desperately for signs of life. He felt two life forces.

Shisui stood in the center of the devastation, surrounded by a glowing green energy. His Mangekyō Sharingan spun wildly, blood streaming from his eyes. He barely clung to consciousness.

Nobaku, still floating for a brief moment, let out a weak, bitter laugh. He had finally done it—mastered the technique he had spent a lifetime chasing. But fate was cruel. He had met the worst possible opponent to test it on.

His chakra exhausted, he plummeted to the ground, unconscious before impact.

Shisui deactivated his Mangekyō, his legs giving out beneath him. Before he could collapse, Kakashi caught him.

"We don't have a medic, do we?" he asked.

Itachi and Guy both shook their heads.

Kakashi considered his options and found only one viable solution—activating his Sage Mode to channel nature energy into Shisui. However, balancing it with Shisui's chakra was tricky; with how little chakra he had left, Kakashi could only infuse a limited amount of nature energy without overwhelming him. Fortunately, Shisui's injuries, while severe, weren't fatal. It should be enough. 

Turning to Nobaku, Kakashi weighed their advantage. With someone of his caliber captured alive, there was no need for elaborate schemes to hold the noble faction accountable. Moreover, Nobaku's survival would serve as leverage against Iwagakure as well. Kakashi carefully infused nature energy into him—unlike Shisui, Nobaku still had a decent reserve of chakra, allowing him to withstand a greater amount. 

After a few tense minutes, both had stabilized. With their objective secured, the group resumed their march toward the capital.