Naruto: Wait, I'm Not Kakashi the Fifty-Fifty!

Chapter 18: Reconnaissance Mission

"Fourth Squad, you're in charge of…" "Fifth Squad, your area is…" "Ninth Squad, handle…"

Before long, Sarutobi Mōki stood at the front and began assigning each Anbu squad their specific reconnaissance zones.

Since the outbreak of the Shinobi World War, every village had begun placing even greater emphasis on localized intelligence. Especially now—Sunagakure was effectively engaged on two fronts, simultaneously at war with both Iwagakure and Kirigakure. While none of the three had yet committed their main forces, with frontline units numbering only in the low thousands, even minor skirmishes could have major ramifications across the ninja world.

From Konoha's perspective, if Sunagakure were to suffer a devastating blow, then the village could at least rest easy along its eastern borders for the next year or two. The same logic applied to both Iwagakure and Kirigakure as well.

The key was simple: Konoha needed to assess the scale and outcome of this emerging conflict so it could adjust its own strategy accordingly. From the viewpoint of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the higher-ups, the ideal outcome was for the other four Great Nations to tear each other apart while Konoha sat back and watched.

Of course, that was wishful thinking.

Not only had the three nations not yet clashed in full-scale warfare, but even Kirigakure—despite participating—was continuing its pressure along the Fire Country's borders. This could very well be a smokescreen meant to lure Konoha into lowering its guard.

That's where Kakashi and the other Anbu came in—to gather wide-ranging and accurate intelligence. This included the most critical question of all: the whereabouts of the Third Kazekage.

Was he truly dead, or merely missing? And if so—who was responsible?

"All squads, remember your assignments," Sarutobi Mōki said in a low, grave voice. "You must report back with actionable intelligence within the given timeframe. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

The Anbu operatives, including Kakashi, gave a synchronized reply.

With a wave of Mōki's hand—

Swish

Swish

Swish

Swish

—over twenty Anbu operatives disappeared into the wind, crossing the border and darting toward various directions inside the Land of Wind.

Each team had its own target area and goals. Kakashi's squad was assigned to the southern coastal regions of Wind Country, near the borders of the Land of Tea and Land of Spring. Their mission: track the movements of the Kirigakure forces.

More than the conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Konoha's primary concern was the intentions of the Mist.

Especially considering the implications surrounding the missing Kazekage. Excluding Konoha itself, the most likely suspect in the Kazekage's disappearance—at least from the Leaf's perspective—was Kirigakure.

After all, the Mist had long since earned a reputation for madness and unpredictability since the First Shinobi World War. No matter how outrageous the act, it was always plausible when it came to them.

And in recent years, relations between the Mist and the Sand had deteriorated even further. Bloody clashes had broken out repeatedly along the southern coastal trade routes and strategic resources. Kirigakure had every reason to strike at Sunagakure.

Even within the Sand, despite their claims that any nation could be behind the attack, all eyes remained fixed on the Mist—who they saw as the primary suspect.

Unless this mystery was unraveled—and unless the Mist's true strategic focus was made clear—Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders would remain on edge. No one could predict what the Mist would do next.

Kakashi's squad moved swiftly southward, traveling for nearly two full days before they finally reached the coastal regions of Wind Country.

Anyone who kills regularly knows—taking a life is one thing. But disposing of all evidence? That's where the real difficulty lies. Unless you're an elite professional, there are always traces left behind. A drop of blood. A lingering scent. A disrupted terrain.

And Anbu operatives? They're the best of the best.

Even Kakashi—despite being a recent recruit—had already begun to show remarkable progress in this area, thanks to two intense weeks of rigorous training and observation.

Whether it was residual chakra, blood, or shredded remains—Kakashi was now quicker and more precise at identifying the subtle signs of battle.

So it was no surprise that as soon as they arrived in the coastal zone, they discovered traces of a recent battle.

The area had been hastily cleaned up. To the untrained eye, it looked undisturbed. But to Kakashi, Black Hawk, Foxhound, and Phosphor, the signs were unmistakable.

"Captain," said Phosphor—the burliest squad member, wearing a fox-themed mask—"I can confirm that over thirty shinobi passed through here. There are heavy traces of Water Release usage. Initial assessment: a small Suna patrol unit was ambushed and completely wiped out by a large Mist force. The enemy likely continued moving northwest."

Hearing this, Foxhound's eyes narrowed. "So the Mist is already operating this deep into the Land of Wind… Looks like they're preparing for a full-scale invasion."

"Captain," Kakashi asked, "shall we pursue this group?"

Their mission was, after all, to gather detailed intelligence on the battlefront dynamics between Mist and Sand—particularly the number of troops committed to the conflict. That data was absolutely critical.

If both sides had only dispatched a few hundred soldiers each, it meant this was still a small-scale engagement—one that could fizzle out anytime.

But if they discovered that thousands had been mobilized on both sides for an all-out clash?

That would be a perfect scenario for Konoha, allowing them to stand down and bide their time.

Which is why this task carried such weight—and such danger.

After all, they were now deep inside enemy territory. Running into a small scouting unit was one thing. But if they stumbled into a full battalion—or worse, a trap—they'd all be dead before they could blink.

Tracking a large Mist force was undeniably risky.

Yet Black Hawk only paused for a brief moment before nodding solemnly.

"We can't afford to let this trail go cold. We follow them."