Chapter 5
Time passes and Kakashi quickly rises through the ranks of the ANBU. He also becomes more infamous and more notorious.
Ideally , ANBU agents are supposed to be a super-secret organization where the masked agents' personal identities are only known to the ANBU Commander and the Village Kage.
Ideally they should all be anonymous. They should go completely unnoticed so that no one knows which Village you come from.
Ideally speaking, this is how things should be. But it isn't.
There are cases where anonymity fails for various reasons and Kakashi, to no one's surprise, is one of those "not-so-secret secret agent" cases.
Everyone knows he's an ANBU. Kakashi doesn't make a point of hiding it because it would be a waste of time and effort.
Kakashi was the youngest ANBU in the Village so far – appointed at 12/13 years old and this became a conversation among the ninjas.
To Kakashi's surprise, no one was surprised that he was recruited into Black Ops.
Kakashi was the only one who was surprised by the appointment
Kakashi never had a low profile. First, he was the known son of White Fang (a beloved hero who later fell from grace);
He was the youngest rising genius in the Leaf, and was openly acknowledged as such. Expectations for him were high;
He was also a student of another notorious genius, the Yellow Flash, who was a student of the Sannin Jiraiya - who later became Hokage;
He was the only surviving student of the Yondaime Hokage;
He had a Sharingan even though he was not an Uchiha by blood; – (and this was the biggest political nightmare of the village and of his life at that time. The gossip and speculation persists to this day)
He was also known at that time as Kakashi the Friend Killer.
Your profile was very public, very difficult to hide, coupled with his very distinctive signature jutsu and silver hair – it was almost impossible for Kakashi to simply disappear into the shadows of the ANBU.
So it came as no surprise to him that his updated Bingo Book page exposed his ANBU status and codename.
Frankly speaking, the ANBU fails miserably at hiding the identities of its agents.
Starting with the most obvious mistake: their uniforms. Anonymity is destroyed right away when you see the type of uniform worn by an ANBU agent.
No matter how hard you try, your uniform will always tell you which village you're from. And if you have any obvious markers (whether it's a signature jutsu, a kekkei genkai or clan technique, tattoos or unusual hair), then be prepared because you'll be recognized. It's only a matter of time.
That's why Kakashi doesn't worry about the bingo book.
Agent Hound is at ANBU HQ when his tattoo burns from the Hokage's summons. Judging by the reactions of several other agents, Hound is not the only one summoned.
They all materialize in the Hokage's office. The place is filled with ANBU kneeling before their Kage and Hound is surprised behind his mask to see Lord Hizuren in his battle armor.
This is not common.
Hound immediately tenses up and becomes alert, knowing that whatever is happening must be serious and dangerous enough to require the Hokage's presence.
"We have a situation," the Hokage says, and he looks even older than he did yesterday. "It seems that the Sannin Orochimaru is committing crimes against the Village."
What? Hound thinks in shock. He's not the only one holding his breath at the news.
It doesn't make sense. Orochimaru-sama is basically the perfect representation of what a Konoha shinobi should be. He's loyal (where the other Sannins fell short). He's lethal. He's strong. He's pragmatic. A genius on par with the Nidaime Hokage himself, Tobirama Senju.
Orochimaru may not be very approachable or social with anyone, but Kakashi remembers him. A little. They've interacted several times before.
When Kakashi was a child, his father tended to interact with Orochimaru-sama more often. Apparently Sakumo was friends (?) with the three Sannins before they even became known as the Legendary Three.
Kakashi had heard that Sakumo tried to socialize Orochimaru almost as much as he tried to socialize Kakashi.
(His father had never had success with either of them.)
When Sakumo fell from grace and everyone else abandoned him or turned their backs on him, Orochimaru was one of the very few who still spoke normally to Sakumo. (The other was Maito Dai)
But Orochimaru was always too busy with a thousand different things and didn't visit them often. After his father fell into depression he also didn't want to look for the other man anymore. (Too embarrassed by his ruined reputation. Too affected by the malicious comments)
Years later, after all the tragedies in Kakashi's life happened and the many infamous titles and malicious rumors placed upon him, Orochimaru-sama was the only one to treat Kakashi normally. Not like the ticking time bomb everyone thinks he is.
Perhaps it's because Snake Sannin himself has also always had to deal with something similar: his own rather fickle fame ranging from having people praising him for his admired genius, and then at a different time people whispering about him being the evil mad scientist.
Now, the implication of betrayal is... a shocker.
It's an absolute political nightmare, considering Orochimaru is deeply involved in every department in Konoha, including the ANBU. He had ( has ) access to practically everything.
This explains why the Hokage is so rigid and serious. (sad; resigned)
Kakashi wonders if the Hokage ever suspected his own student.
Orochimaru has always been highly favored. He was once a strong contender for the title of Hokage, and if Minato weren't a rapidly rising genius; a war hero, a pupil of Master Jiraiya, and well-connected politically – he probably wouldn't stand a chance against Orochimaru, who had the full support of Hiruzen and the Council.
The Hokage relays his orders and instructions before they all march off to Orochimaru's private labs.
At first they find nothing criminal. But that only spurred them to dig deeper. They find suspicious documents giving permission to conduct experiments that the Hokage claims he did not authorize. They found more doctored documents giving authorization to use unauthorized funds. They find a secret passage in one of the labs that leads to other underground labs.
They find very incriminating evidence in the form of large, empty cylinders that have certainly been used recently.
They found bodies, several bodies of children of various ages and sizes in the underground morgue. They found body parts – brains, hearts, eyes – stored in glass jars on shelves in another room.
The strong smell of chemicals and sterilants will forever haunt your sense of smell.
This whole place is creepy as hell, but from what Kakashi could gather, Konoha had sanctioned human experimentation before in the past, using mostly prisoners of war and willing volunteers. All of this, obviously, to serve Konoha's interests in reviving the legendary kekkei genkai of the first Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
In the confines of his thoughts, Kakashi wonders if Tsunade agreed or even if she knew about these plans to revive the Mokuton.
( Projects , they call them. To Kakashi it sounds more like state-sanctioned bloodline theft. But he would never dare say that out loud.)
One of the documents found contains super sensitive information about the study of the Sharingan.
Oh yeah. This is going to be an absolute political nightmare.
Kakashi doesn't know how the hell he got himself into this situation. One moment he's ransacking Orochimaru's labs while the Hokage himself goes to confront said man, and the next moment Kakashi is chasing the traitorous Sannin alone. Why the hell is he alone? He had an entire squad right by his side and now they're gone.
Chasing Orochimaru is folly, Kakashi knows, but it is his duty as ANBU to neutralize threats, and Orochimaru is a threat now.
"Oh, it's just you, Kakasshi -kun," Orochimaru chuckles. His posture is relaxed, unconcerned. Kakashi immediately tenses and becomes alert.
"It's been a while. You've grown a lot since then. I also heard about your rapid rise in the ANBU ranks, congratulations by the way." Orochimaru acts as if they've just casually bumped into each other, making casual conversation as if Kakashi isn't there to arrest him.
"Orochimaru. You're under arrest for -"
"Seriously, Kakashi-kun? You're going to arrest me? How unfair, I was just following orders." Orochimaru sneered disdainfully. His calm demeanor from before had changed. He was starting to leak killing intent.
"Tsk. If you're serious, then I'll have to act serious too."
Kakashi knows he has no chance. But once again he has a duty.
The Chidori trembles in his hand.
"Ah, I see," Orochimaru laments falsely, still with a smile on his face. "You are determined to face me. How foolish of you. Tsk. So be it."
Quick and deadly like the snake he so associates with, Orochimaru strikes fast, hard, and with determination. Kakashi can only defend himself. Orochimaru is clearly toying with him. The man laughs and makes occasional comments as if he is teaching him tricks.
He hits and cuts Kakashi with a simple kunai. In a matter of minutes, Kakashi loses the Hound mask and is dominated.
"Aah, what a shame. You didn't last long. I expected more from an acclaimed genius like you" – Orochimaru approaches him, slowly and smiling. With malicious intent. His instincts scream danger danger danger -
"Maybe in a few more years you'll improve more. Who knows? I'm sure you'll live up to your father's lineage one day," he says with a hand caressing his head. Kakashi shivers and sounds cold, but he can't move away at all. The paralysis jutsu mixed with the strong killing intent keeps Kakashi trembling on the ground.
"You know, Kakasshi -kun. I never got a chance to take a closer look at your eye transplant," Orochimaru says casually and Kakashi feels his heart skip a beat.
Oh no. No no no
A hand glowing green comes toward his face.
Kakashi can feel panic taking hold of him – because he’s going to lose his Sharingan. Obito’s Sharingan. Orochimaru is going to steal it and Kakashi is powerless to stop him.
“NO! Get your hand off me -” he growls frantically.
"Calm down Kakasshi-kun. This won't hurt," Orochimaru says and then covers his eye with his hand and soon after everything goes dark.
Kakashi wakes up quite confused in the hospital.
He's groggy; lethargic, a little confused about how he ended up in the hospital – classic symptoms of a concussion, perhaps, mixed with sleeping pills since Kakashi didn't wake up with a start and doesn't remember dreaming.
Ah, a dreamless sleep. Good medicine.
The nurse comes in. "Oh! Hatake-san! You're awake. How are you feeling?" she asks.
"Mmm,'kay. Sleepy," he replies.
"I can imagine. You were completely knocked out and wouldn't wake up even with our team using our specialized jutsus," she adjusts the IV drip.
"What. Happened? To me?" he asks.
Silence. "You don't remember?"
"No. I don't know. My thoughts are clouded. I was... hunting, I guess," he tries to remember and fight the fog of sleep in his mind. Kakashi only knew that Hound was hunting.
"I see. Your confusion will pass. We didn't detect any real injuries on your head. You were found unconscious by an ANBU team and brought here. I don't know anything else," she says, a little nervous with all the ANBU commotion around the Village.
She doesn't really know what's going on. No one's saying anything, yet. But word is already getting out that the Hokage himself has been seen leaving his tower in combat gear.
She's dying to know what's going on, but she's not crazy enough to ask the ninja in the bed - (or anyone else, really. She's just a chunin, and the hospital rules clearly emphasize that no one without proper authorization is allowed to question ninjas about their missions. Only higher-ups are allowed to do that.)
"Well, it looks like you're physically fine, Hatake-san. I'll inform a superior that you've woken up," she leaves.
Kakashi is left alone, and he may or may not have dozed off again and dreamed about Orochimaru – oh shit. It wasn't a dream.
Kakashi wakes up with a start, raising his fingers to his eye, terrified to discover an empty socket where his – no. Not empty – Sharingan eye, presumably still there.
He sighs with great relief
Noises behind the door attract his attention. "Ah, look! He's awake," Master Jiraiya ( when did he come back?) says and enters accompanied by the Hokage and Councilor Shimura.
"Kakashi-kun, I'm glad to see you're awake," the Hokage says. He looks even older than he did yesterday.
"Hokage-Sama," Kakashi greets.
"Alright! Well, let's not waste any more time on formalities than we already have. With each passing hour, the trail of Orochimaru grows colder and—"
"Jiraiya! Please. There's no point in burdening Kakashi-kun now. I have the best trackers looking for Orochimaru right now," the Hokage scolds his other student.
"It's been three days and nothing!" Jiraiya exclaims.
Three days . Kakashi thinks. Orochimaru must be out of the country by now.
"Then let's be practical and objective," says Councilor Shimura and addresses Kakashi:
"Kakashi-kun, you were probably the last person to see Orochimaru. What happened during your confrontation?"
"I chased him through the western part of the village. I arrested him, but he refused and so we engaged in combat. I lost," just like that. Kakashi never stood a chance.
"And what else? Did he say anything?" Jiraiya asks.
"No. He showed interest in my Sharingan. He tried to...take..." Kakashi fails to stop his own hand, which rises to cover his covered eye.
Weak, weak, weak! You are weak! You almost lost Obito's Sharingan, his mind screams at him.
The three men look at his hand covering (protecting) his Sharingan.
The Hokage sighs wearily. "Orochimaru has always had a lot of scientific curiosity about the formation and emergence of Lineage Limits", he confesses.
"Clearly this interest was never well received by many and I always advised him to put these interests aside because the political problems were not worth it."
"Bloodline boundaries are a sensitive subject in many places, and Konoha has very serious laws regarding them." Jiraiya says completely seriously
"Yes. I tried to contain the scandal and keep it to the ANBU only, but the loud explosions in Orochimaru's private and clandestine labs have drawn attention. People are starting to ask questions, and some already know that these are Orochimaru's labs. Soon the truth about his crimes will come to light."
"Our clans are unhappy about this. There may be more... tensions," Jiraya says carefully, and Councilor Shimura intervenes.
"We'll deal with this as needed, okay, Hiruzen?" he asks. "Right now, we need to focus on the bigger issues here. The most important thing right now is to beef up our security and get ahead of the situation. Having a Legendary Sannin go rogue will be a blow to Konoha's image and reputation. Not to mention the internal repercussions."
Hiruzen sighs. "You're right. We should move forward to control the situation."
Then the Hokage looks at him. "Rest now, Kakashi-kun. We have much to do and ANBU Hound will be needed very soon."
"Hai, Hokage-Sama," Kakashi places his arm with a closed fist over his chest. An ANBU gesture of respect for his Kage.
The Hokage and Councilor Shimura leave, but Master Jiraiya remains.
… "So, how long are you going to keep your hand over your eye?", Jiraiya asks and Kakashi only now realizes that he still has his palm over his eye.
He slowly lowers his hand and Jiraiya snorts. "It's still there. You know. Your eye. The Sharingan, I mean."
"Maa. Good to know."
What else could Kakashi say? He really is relieved that his eye wasn't stolen.
"Humph. Smartass." Jiraiya walks over to the bedroom window and stands there, silently observing the view.
... "I'm relieved Orochimaru didn't hurt you," he says suddenly, his back still turned.
"Me too," Kakashi is more relieved than Jiraiya could have imagined.
Silence reigns again, this time making the atmosphere strange and awkward.
Jiraiya turns to look at him. "You're not much of a talker, are you?"
"No."
The last time Kakashi had tried to talk to Jiraiya, the man had dismissed him as a nuisance.
"I see."
… "I heard from Hiruzen-sensei that you're rising quickly in the ANBU. That's... cool, I guess."
"Oh, yeah," what a strange and awkward conversation. Kakashi is embarrassed.
"Minato and Sakumo were like that too, you know? Quite advanced geniuses. Hahaha," Jiraya laughs awkwardly.
Kakashi is silent.
Oh, shit. Jiraiya thinks. Looks like he stepped on a landmine here. What does he do now? Ah! I know!
"Here," he pulls an orange book from his robes. "Consider it a gift for your success!"
Kakashi takes it and looks dubiously at the cover.
Jiraya takes offense: "What? Don't judge by the cover!"
"Is this... pornography?" Of course it is. There's a big seal indicating it on the cover.
Jiraiya clicks his tongue and crosses his arms. "Eeeh, you're probably old enough for this kind of reading, right? Plus, it's really good. Sensei liked it and it's selling well too! It's great for you to, hmm , pass the time. I heard you work too much."
..."Thanks, I guess," Kakashi says awkwardly.
"You're welcome."
"So how long are you going to be here? In Konoha, I mean," he asks just to not let the awkward silence creep in again.
"I don't know. Until the dust settles from this mess, I guess. Sensei wants my help in figuring out some strange seals Orochimaru made."
"Ah."
…
"Then I guess I'll be going. See you around, kid! Oh, don't overdo it! Bye," he then disappears in a blur of shunshin
"See you later," he replies to the void.
Hours later, Kakashi is bored and sleepless, so he picks up his new book "Icha Icha Paradise", reads a few pages and immediately feels enchanted by the story.
Honestly! It's really good! It's not just porn. It has a very engaging real plot.
The fantasy and adventurous romance of the protagonists keeps your attention and the description of the sex scenes is very hot and makes Kakashi sigh and squirm.
His imagination runs wild, stirring up his hormones and he imagines all the scenes so vividly in his mind that –
( Ugh, hospital, remember? No privacy here )
Kakashi will definitely reread it all again when he is all alone.
He might even start collecting.