Naruto: Kakashi, the Ultimate Shinobi

Kakashi ignored Genma Shiranui's muttered complaint, his one visible eye narrowing as he stood atop a high branch, gazing at the distant outline of a tall watchtower looming beyond the treetops.

That was one of Konoha's primary border defense outposts—an early warning system built on the edge of the Land of Fire, near its border with the Land of Lightning. Dozens of shinobi were permanently stationed there, assigned to monitor potential enemy movements and transmit intelligence to the village immediately. If Kumogakure or any hostile force launched an incursion, the defenders here would alert the Konoha council before the enemy reached the interior.

The duty was unglamorous and often dull, and so the personnel stationed here rotated on a one-year cycle. Too long on such high-alert posts could fray even a seasoned ninja's mind. The shift duration struck a balance between readiness and psychological endurance.

This time, however, Kakashi's team hadn't come to rotate the post or replace anyone.

They were here on a logistics and intelligence handoff mission: deliver essential supplies and retrieve encoded information too sensitive to send via standard courier ninjutsu like summoning hawks. For critical physical documents, or encrypted scrolls with chakra-sealed data, Anbu-level security was warranted.

"It looks like we've arrived," Kakashi said, his voice calm but alert.

The others nodded in agreement.

"This is my first time at this tower," murmured Leitong, adjusting the dragon-patterned half-mask on his face. "I heard this watchtower was constructed after the Third Shinobi World War, around ten years ago."

"It was," Genma replied. "Built using reinforced chakra wood. Can withstand a Bijū shockwave, allegedly."

"Let's move. The sooner we complete the mission, the sooner we can return," said Xuanjian.

"Understood."

The four-man Anbu squad accelerated forward in unison, flickering across the terrain in silent bursts of speed, their steps synchronized and controlled. Trained to remain unseen, they made no more sound than falling leaves.

The watchtower loomed closer—an imposing fifty-meter-tall structure supported by hardened foundations and chakra-sealed frames. It was constructed to allow long-distance visibility and endure both weather and jutsu-based assaults.

They arrived at its base in minutes.

"Identify yourselves!" came a sharp voice from above.

Three shinobi emerged, dropping down from elevated platforms surrounding the structure. Though Kakashi's team wore standard Anbu gear, masks included, in the post-war period—especially after incidents like the Kumo-Hyūga affair—even Anbu credentials were scrutinized. The era of blind trust had ended.

Genma stepped forward wordlessly and pulled out a wooden command token, chakra-inscribed with the personal seal of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The engraved symbol of fire pulsed softly under chakra flow.

"This is a Hokage-issued command arrow," he declared, his tone firm but respectful. "We're under direct orders from Sandaime-sama to retrieve classified field intelligence and deliver a three-month supply of rations, gear, and scrolls."

With a flick of his wrist, Genma tossed down a scroll belt lined with ten storage scrolls. Each was filled with tightly sealed packages of ration pills, preserved food, uniform pieces, repair kits, and paper bombs—all catalogued and prepped for the tower's extended deployment.

The three guards, visibly relieved, inspected the scrolls while one carefully examined the Hokage seal, tracing it with his chakra to confirm its authenticity.

"We've been low on supplies for over a week," one murmured. "We almost had to start foraging."

Even so, none of them let down their guard. Only after verifying the seal and inspecting each member's chakra signature through sensor tags embedded in the doorway did the lead ninja exhale.

"Apologies for the caution. Welcome to the Northern Watchtower. Please, follow us inside."

He returned the command arrow to Genma and gestured toward the entrance.

The group exchanged quick glances. Though Xuanjian was the team leader for this mission, Kakashi, as an elite jōnin with wartime command experience, would override him in emergencies. But this wasn't one.

"All clear," Xuanjian said.

No one objected. They entered.

The interior of the watchtower was surprisingly spacious, a remnant of its wartime function. The central hall alone could hold a thousand men, outfitted with both command stations and defensive wards.

During the Third Great Ninja War, this place had been a forward operations base. The reinforced construction, hardened walls, and wide internal layout reflected that legacy.

Kakashi scanned the surroundings silently, eyes catching every potential ambush point, escape route, and chakra anomaly. His expression remained unreadable beneath his dog-faced mask. Leitong, trailing behind, tried to match Kakashi's sharp presence, but the comparison was laughable. Even now, Kakashi's presence was razor-edged.

Masks were standard for Anbu. They served not just to hide identity but to suppress emotion, to create a uniform, unshakeable presence. An Anbu unit didn't operate as individuals—they moved like a single entity. A wrong expression in the middle of a mission could cost lives.

That's why unstable personalities were never allowed into the Black Ops. In the darkness of the world, one crack could shatter the entire team.

Soon, they were led into a side chamber—an operations briefing room reinforced with chakra barriers. Around a large table sat over a dozen shinobi in flak jackets.

Kakashi's gaze paused at one figure whose presence stood out.

The man seated at the head of the table had the unmistakable eyes of the Hyūga clan: white, blank, and all-seeing.

But this wasn't a main family elder. The chakra flow, body posture, and forehead protector placement revealed he was from the branch house.

A wise choice, Kakashi thought. The Byakugan's near-360° field of vision was invaluable for surveillance and enemy detection—but the main family rarely exposed themselves to frontline danger.

If Kumogakure ever launched an attack, this tower would be the first to fall. And the Hyūga clan wasn't about to risk their direct heirs.

"This is Hyūga Tobiu," the guard from earlier said, gesturing toward the seated man. "He's the unit captain here. The data scrolls are under his protection."

Xuanjian stepped forward.

"Hyūga-sama," he greeted with a bow. "Under orders from Hokage-sama, we've come to deliver these supplies and retrieve your latest border surveillance records for secure return to the village."

Hyūga Tobiu studied the team silently, his eyes scanning each of them in an instant. Their youth was apparent, even beneath the masks. Kakashi, the oldest, was barely sixteen.

"The Third sent you?" Tobiu asked, somewhat skeptical. "You're... young."

"Yes, sir," Xuanjian replied, maintaining composure despite the subtle sting of doubt.

Tobiu frowned. "This information includes confirmed movements from the Cloud-nin. Jōnin-level discretion and protection are required. It's not that I doubt your abilities—but should something go wrong…"

He trailed off, then turned to the large man seated beside him.

"I propose we send two additional jōnin with you. As backup."

The large man wore the standard Konoha flak jacket over a deep crimson robe, his figure massive and powerful. On his coat's shoulder was the unmistakable symbol of the Akimichi clan.

Xuanjian's jaw clenched slightly. He didn't raise his voice, but there was steel in his tone.

"With all due respect, Hyūga-sama, our orders were clear. We are more than capable of returning safely. If you require proof, we're willing to demonstrate it."

Tobiu raised an eyebrow, mildly amused.

"Very well," he said. "If you can defeat Akimichi Gouda here in a spar, I'll permit your team to proceed alone."

Genma and Leitong both looked toward the towering Akimichi shinobi, who slowly stood, casting a long shadow across the chamber floor.

The trial had begun.