Author's Message: This is for making you wait for a long time. Another chapter. As promised, it will be a chapter that is shorter than the first three.

Thanks for continuously reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

The Irony of Being a Ninja

Chapter 4 – Struggling Wills

"So, you're from Iwagakure as well?" Asuma started to ask questions to the group of ninjas that were assaulted by their fellows some hours ago.

As per Kakashi's orders, they started moving back towards Konoha, with Asuma and Shizune not knowing the reason why the silver-haired jounin wanted to take the ninjas back to the village immediately. It was indeed standard procedure to bring prisoners to the village for interrogation, but the suddenness was surprising for their part. After all, the scene that had just happened lately wasn't even entailed in the mission parameters. Kakashi's rush decisions were really questionable – in comparison on how he worked in his prime years of an ANBU.

"Hai," the silver-haired teen answered softly. As Kakashi and his teammates had noticed, the teen seemed to be acting as the spokesperson of the group. What was more intriguing was the expression that the Iwagakure ninjas wore – it seemed that they were lax and unworried that they were captured as prisoners for Konoha.

"Do you have any idea why were you attacked by your fellow Iwagakure ninjas?" Asuma continued probing. While he did the talking, it was Kakashi who was listening with increased vigor. Kakashi had already decided that he would talk to the Iwa ninjas once they set foot in Konoha, where he could have the chance to have a more private talk with those people. For now, he succumbed to the choice to remain silent. Even though he was a ninja trained to keep his mouth shut, Kakashi wasn't taking the chances that he could say an unintended word to them.

"We don't," the answer was stern and emotionless. "We even didn't know why we were sent here in the first place." The silver-haired teen paused for a while, and then approached the oldest one in their group, the bandaged man who seemed to rely on others to walk. "Although," he continued as he tugged the other ones clothes, "I have a feeling," He suddenly shot an eye far across Asuma towards Kakashi. A small smile formed in the teen's lips, but dissipated in the moment Asuma spoke again.

"A feeling?"

"Ninja-san, I don't want to make an impression of imprudence towards you," the teen responded. "But I would like to invoke you for us to bring us with you. And we'd answer your questions once we reached Konoha." He said, with his tone full of confidence and certainty.

"Hey, hey," Asuma suddenly spoke. "You're still a young ninja, but you speak like you're not a prisoner. You're showing arrogance, don't you think?"

"Ninja-san, discretion is one thing a ninja does when it comes to missions," the teen replied. "But I think you do know so well that arrogance is what a ninja needs when survival is of the essence. A ninja needs to fight, but then he needs arrogance to do so." He said, while smiling as he saw the Konoha ninja's expression changed from calm into vexed. Just like what their superiors said back in Iwa, you just need to push the right buttons and you can turn Konoha's ninjas into human torches.

"You sound so confident, kid." Asuma replied. "You're tongue has got some stinginess in it. Is that what they teach you back in Iwa? To use words against the enemy? You seem more like little kids throwing teases!"

"And why not the confidence? Do you think what I'm saying is pathetic?" The teen replied with no visible emotion in his face, yet he seemed to sound like challenging Asuma. "One thing is for sure, ninja-san; you'll not be able to hurt me even though how strong you are now."

"You disrespectful prick," Asuma was sure that he was going to hit the young man. Even though he was younger than he was, he had no qualms to teach the boy a little lesson. Impertinence was one of the things that Asuma hated, and it really pissed him off if it came from ninjas that were non-aligned to Konoha. Already fisting his hands, Asuma launched himself to give the boy one lesson of a lifetime.

"Asuma, you will not lay a finger against them," Kakashi spoke coldly, quickly stopping Asuma in his attack. What stopped him wasn't the order from the team leader of the particular mission – no, it was greater than that. It was so long ago that he'd heard Kakashi spoke in that way – a manner that could even topple a kage because of the sheer gravity of the voice. It was Kakashi's way of expressing his killing intent in some of his missions back then, and Asuma didn't like it much when the silver-haired jounin would turn back in that way. It seemed Kakashi's temper was spiking at a huge fraction, which was never good.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi; I just lost my patience." Asuma quickly answered, pulling back his hand away from the teen. He turned back and walked away; he didn't even know how much the boy could talk, and Asuma didn't want to lose his temper for another time. It was better for him to go away, rather than to invoke Kakashi's anger. Damn, there really was something going on in Kakashi's head.

"I told you; even though how strong you are, you will not be able to hurt me," the teen made sure that the older Konoha ninja heard that. Asuma shuddered when he heard him – he even felt that his chakra flared when his breaking point was suddenly shattered by merely one second. But since Kakashi had already made his move regarding the safety of the prisoners, Asuma had no choice but to stand-by. He sighed and got his cigarette from his vest. He lit it and used its calming taste to compose himself.

"You got a sharp tongue," Kakashi approached the teen, his lazy stature beginning to take prominence of his whole personality. "What's the name?"

"Nebi," the teen answered. "You must be the infamous Hatake Kakashi," Nebi spoke and tried to bow to him. "Hajimemashite, sensei."

"Sensei?" Kakashi replied, his lone eye gazing curiously at the younger one.

"My senpai back in Iwagakure told us that even though an enemy, we must always pay respect to ninjas well-known because of their skills." Nebi answered, as he looked back at his teammates. "We believe that we must always give respect to our enemies, and, fortunately, you're one ninja that our senpai very well knows."

"Your senpai, huh?" Kakashi took the opportunity to send a questioning gaze back at Nebi. Naruto?

"Hai," Nebi replied, with the small smile returning to his lips. "A student just like us – formerly." With the simple statement, no doubt that Nebi was talking about the very person Kakashi was delighted to know about. Yes, sensei, your beloved student.

"I must commend your senpai, then," Kakashi responded. "He knows very well that battle does not only show extreme courage and strength. It involves another aspect such as respect. If you do not give value to your adversary, you'd surely face consequences."

"Value your adversay?" Nebi replied. "Sensei, I must be hearing wrong. Shouldn't you first value your own ally?"

"That's already a given,"

"Really? Then why is it that some team always does not last long? For example, a certain squad leader leaving his subordinate to death?" Nebi flashed an eye disappointment towards Kakashi. "Perhaps it was the reason why our senpai had taken the belief to respect your enemies; perhaps because you don't really respect your allies – that's why you're giving it to your enemies instead. Pitiful. You know, I've heard some stories regarding the loss of some member be––"

Nebi wasn't able to finish his words when Kakashi's fist met up with his face. The force was enough to make the teen tumble down to the ground, his body falling helplessly to the dirty earth. Nebi's teammate quickly aided him and helped him recover from the surprise attack. After the encounter and after Nebi had stood back up, the teen looked with disgust back at Kakashi. Believing that he had said enough, Nebi had decided to recoil into silence to prevent any more injury more than he could sustain. Damn, he thought as he massaged his cheek, that punch hurts!

Asuma almost dropped his cigarette after seeing the whole interaction with his own eyes. Taken by surprise, Asuma wasn't able to say anything at first. He knew that Kakashi was still human because he had a temper just like all of them. But it was already widely known in the jounin ranks of Konoha that Kakashi had one of the highest patience in the village – it was very rare for Kakashi to lose his tolerance in a snap. But at the moment, Asuma knew that the boy had just broken the record for annoying Kakashi at his critical point. "Oi! Kakashi! What did you just do?" He quickly exclaimed after recovering himself.

Shizune wore the same expression as Asuma did. The female member of the group, the one she was tending to, quickly ran towards Nebi, the one who was hit by Kakashi. Being left at her spot, Shizune was also taken by deep astonishment because of Kakashi's reaction. She was hearing the conversation between the two, but she knew that there wasn't really something in their statements. It was really natural for ninjas to strike a conversation to their prisoners, since it was the opening grounds for interrogation. But from the looks of it, even Kakashi had lost his cool just by talking with the teen, just like what happened with Asuma lately. Already calmed down, Shizune continued to observe what was going to happen next and prepared if she needed to intervene as necessary.

"Kakashi, speak to me!" Asuma spoke to Kakashi, his gestures showing that he was fretful already. The Konoha-nin could see the burning anger flashing all over Kakashi's lone eye, and it was directed to Nebi who just stood up after being hit by Kakashi. Asuma felt the danger when seeing Kakashi that way – there really wasn't any simple way to anger Kakashi that easily! "Stop now, before everything goes over out of control."

"Asuma may not be able to hurt you, but you failed to realize that I can," Kakashi spoke as he turned back away from Nebi, trying to compose himself after his sudden assault to the teen. "You indeed got a sharp tongue, but, next time, try to make it a little blunt."

"Nebi, are you fine?" The female Iwa-nin quickly checked the silver-haired teen.

"I'm fine, Sumi -chan." Nebi answered. "A little painful, but I'll live."

"I can't believe that you are even challenging the people who have saved us." Sumi responded to him. "You should even be grateful to them."

"Sumi-chan, they are our captors now; there is now way in this world should we even be thankful for them." Nebi said, flashing his angry eyes towards Kakashi. "Even the sensei wanted me hurt,"

"That's because you overdid it," Sumi replied.

"Damn Kakumo for sending us here,"

As what the Tsuchikage had clarified a week ago, the latest mission involving Team Obsidian was requested by none other but the Intelligence Division of Iwagakure itself. The mission strictures of the whole assignment were restricted even to Ōnoki himself, but since the latter trusted the office greater than anything else inside the village, the mission was approved without too much questions asked. The Intelligence Division was, of course, grateful to the unending trust being given to them by the Tsuchikage, and was already focused upon the special mission they asked permission upon.

But, as always, there would always be moments that what had been planned would not go as planned.

Obito had finally got hand of the latest information that Team Obsidian was attacked by their fellow Iwagakure ninjas once they'd reached the territoriality of Kusagakure. It was really surprising Iwa-nins to be randomly attacking their allies, but it just went on as planned by the mind of the mission's progenitor. He sat alone on his chair inside his small residence in one of the tower structures of Iwagakure, pondering at the news he recently received. He could still not forget how the Tsuchikage had reminded him of who really he was in the military structure of Iwagakure, and Obito was so worried about the possible implications of the sudden loss of temperance in Ōnoki's side. Brooding wasn't really one part of him, but Obito could not stop himself to think.

He created the plan more than one month ago, just after the war Takigakure ended. He'd certainly told Kakashi that they would see each other again, and it wasn't just because he'd missed Kakashi that's was why he wanted to see him. No, his reasons wouldn't go as petty as that. Yes, he wanted to see Kakashi because he was already a friend to him, but there were other things that were more important to him. After all, he promised himself that he would be Kakashi's pain.

Obito wasn't oblivious of the fact that Iwagakure was sending official letters to Konohagakure just to affirm that their actions over Takigakure wasn't a really big thing to be worried about. As a hidden officer of Iwa, he really highly encouraged the village to continue sending letters as such, just to preserved whatever relationship that held Iwa and Konoha together. He'd even thought of writing one, and from there was the concept of a mission that was going to take place at the present time.

"Ōnoki-jiji," Obito whined as he took a sit on the chair that was just in front of the Tsuchikage's table. "You really are a lazy kage, you know?" He commented as he wrote a letter that would later be sent to Konoha's office again. Obito was the third person who the Tsuchikage had asked to create a letter of explanation to their neighboring ninja villages and it seemed that Ōnoki was planning to get more people working on it.

"I'm not lazy, Obito," The Tsuchikage replied. "I just got too many things to do aside from that. After all, inter-village communication isn't at the top of my priorities." He continued to work on reading and signing some documents, not minding if Obito was taking some space on his table.

"Ōnoki-jiji, you know, even though I approve sending these types of letters to different kages of the different ninja villages, I still believe that it does not do anything good for our side." Obito remarked as he wrote legibly on the delicate paper handed to him lately by his kage. "It seems that this type of communication is already taken for granted." He shared his thoughts to the Tsuchikage.

"It's the norm," Ōnoki replied. "It's really better to stick to the standards, and give them the impression that we are not doing things out of the ordinary."

"But taking over another ninja village is out of the ordinary," Obito smirked.

"I really doubt where your loyalties lie, Obito." The Tsuchikage answered in a nonchalant tone.

"Of course it's to Iwagakure," he answered unconsciously. Ōnoki suddenly stopped what he was doing and observed how intently Obito was making the letter. The latter's eyebrows were already furrowing, perhaps due to the intricacies of making a formal letter. In those types of letters, the technicalities being used were always subjected to scrutiny, since one misunderstanding could ultimately lead into something uncontrollable. It was therefore crucial that one wrote in a manner of ultimate consideration to prevent misinterpretation.

But what made the Tsuchikage look at the younger ninja was his previous answer. "You're loyal to Iwagakure?"

"What's the matter, Ōnoki-jiji? You're not happy with my answer?" Obito asked, with his somehow childish look gazed to the old kage in a slight pout.

"You're answer is most ideal, Obito." The Tsuchikage replied with monotony. "Of course, every ninja believes that they must be loyal with their own ninja village, for it is their home. It is where their love ones live and it must be protected at all costs." Ōnoki looked away from Obito observing the door from the distance. "But coming from you…"

"I know, Ōnoki-jiji…" The younger one paused and put his pen down. He noticed that the Tsuchikage was looking far away from him and tried to look at the spot where his kage was looking. "You, of all people, must have the most rightful claim for me not to be trusted. After all, I did not come from Iwagakure." He contemplated for a while. He couldn't still get over as to how some ninjas in Iwagakure looked at him with contempt – especially those who knew his origin. It pained him, really, that he was still distrusted among the ranks. He sighed and then proceeded in making the letter.

"Obito, I don't doubt your loyalty to the village." Ōnoki answered. "I'm just surprised that you didn't refer to me, the kage." The Tsuchikage told him.

"The kage is the vital part of the village," Obito replied. "He's almost the heart and the brain of a ninja village – his importance cannot be neglected." The younger ninja looked at the eyes of Ōnoki, his eyes that were always full of optimism and hope. Eyes that Ōnoki had admired from the time that he had captured Obito, eyes that always told him something important from the beginning. "I couldn't deny you, Ōnoki-jiji, but there is always one thing I want to tell you." He stood up from his seat and left his letter-making for a while. "You are the strongest ninja in this village, and that's the reason to believe that I should not be working beside you."

It surprised the Tsuchikage, but he held himself for a while. He knew that Obito was going to say more.

"You're strong; you don't need me anymore to protect you. What I have in mind is to serve the people – the citizens – of Iwa. It is them that need most of the help, right?" Obito smiled towards Ōnoki. "If the kage is the heart and the mind of the village, then its citizens are the soul that makes it alive. Forgive me for my bluntness, Ōnoki-jiji, but I'm more focused on making the village stay alive than making it function."

For another time, Ōnoki didn't have any other choice but to smile and be amazed with Obito's answer. The young ninja that he captured a long time ago was a void of unexpected things. He'd always felt that there was something in Obito, and now he seemed to uncover him slowly. Obito was a key for change – he'd believed it since his first answer to him. And he knew he would be continuing to nurture the young man who had grown into a formidable adult. The new generation never failed to amaze him.

The letter that he was making that time was the very product of his hopes and optimisms. The Tsuchikage had helped him a little while he made the words, and Obito was proud that he was able to make a letter that seemed devoid of any real information. After all, as he made the letter, he had hopes that Kakashi would be able to read it – notwithstanding the fact that even the famous Copycat would not always had the chance to look at documents such as the one that he made. He just risked writing the letter – that was all.

But, as he himself lied for being the Intelligence Chief, he also created a vicious misinformation from that very letter.

Naruto really didn't have any gifts for Kakashi.

Due to the fact that Naruto seemed to avoid Team Obsidian, Obito had made use of that fact to contract the said team into his plan. He had asked for the Tsuchikage to send Team Obsidian for a mission that was even unknown to his kage. His real purpose – to use Team Obsidian for reconnaissance inside Konoha and to make Kakashi suffer as well.

Team Obsidian was sent with the most discreet goal – investigate – but the whole constraints of the mission were not divulged. They were accompanied by Iwagakure ninjas that were to attack them when they reach Kusagakure, but with the strict order not to kill them. At the same moment, it was already expected that Kakashi had read the coded message and was at the same location as well. Kakashi, through the use of hypothetical psychology, was predicated to save Team Obsidian. Obito knew that sooner or later, Kakashi would know that it was the gift the letter was referring to.

That was the plan so that Team Obsidian could enter Konoha without too much difficulty.

But what Obito's real goal was far from that – to make Kakashi suffer.

Since Team Obsidian was Naruto's favorite team and at the same time the people that he was close to, Kakashi would try to protect them as much as possible while inside Konoha. Obito knew that the Copycat ninja would try his best just to look after the people who were close to Naruto. From then on, it would begin Kakashi's trial of endurance, the test Obito was willing to see. He'd like to know how Kakashi would suffer just trying to defend Team Obsidian for Naruto's sake. He'd like to hear how Kakashi would be suspected for trying to cover up for the Iwagakure ninjas they captured. He wanted to know how Kakashi would function as a ninja while being crushed by two villages whose eyes were hot on him. Kakashi would suffer, just like as promised.

Obito actually didn't mind if Team Obsidian would not survive their stay in Konoha because Kakashi wasn't able to protect them. If they die, then the blame would mostly go to Kakashi, since he left his responsibility of protecting the people that Naruto cared for. Either way, what events that would happen later could eventually lead to Kakashi's anguish – just as Obito wanted him in pain for what he did to Naruto. If Team Obsidian dies, Naruto would blame Kakashi – the ultimate whip to pain Kakashi. For Naruto, Obito would sacrifice Team Obsidian to make Kakashi endure torment.

But there seemed something different to what he had planned.

According to the latest reports to him, Team Obsidian was with another unknown ninja – a bandaged man who was supposed to be not included in the mission. There was a breach in the plans, and he still didn't know how it happened.

I'm sorry, Naruto, Obito thought as he felt remorseful for Team Obsidian.

"Sir, the scenario we expected happened at Kusagakure," a ninja reported in front of his superior, reading the words that were written in a piece of paper. "Team Obsidian was really expected to be captured by the Konohagakure ninjas."

"Hmm," the superior hummed in curiosity. "And?"

"We assume that the nature as to why Team Obsidian was captured was because they were discretely briefed to perform a reconnaissance and espionage in Konoha." The ninja reported. "But we still don't know why Team Obsidian was the team that was sent."

"Alright, you are dismissed for a while. Report to me if something happens to Team Obsidian or if the Intelligence Division does something." The superior told the ninja, just before the latter disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"Obito, just what are you planning to Team Obsidian, letting them perform a mission that is S-class of nature?" The man asked himself.

The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Ōnoki, stood from his seat and revealed a scroll that was stolen from the Intelligence Division itself. He remembered the time when Obito was finding that scroll, and when he inquired, the younger ninja answered that 'it was of great importance for the intelligence division.' Of course, just like any humans, Ōnoki also felt curious as to why the scroll was very important to him.

Soon afterwards, Ōnoki knew about the content of the mission that Intelligence Division had requested him some weeks ago.

"Tsuchikage-sama… a-are you serious a-about this?" Akatsuchi was at total disbelief after Ōnoki revealed him information that came directly from the intelligence division. The big guard of the Tsuchikage was shaking because of disbelief, a feat that never occurred to the ninja.

"There is no doubt that it is Obito's plan." The Tsuchikage answered.

"But! Obito-san will never do this!"

"Akatsuchi, you have a long way to run." Ōnoki told him. "You still have the time to learn about the simple truths in our village." The Tsuchikage started to write something on an official paper already signed by him. "I admire Obito because of his ideals, but you must also know that there are times that a ninja must take risks. Even though it's even hard for me to believe that Obito could make these decisions, I must accept that he's doing this for the sake of our village."

"B-but, it's Team Obsidian we're talking about here!" Akatsuchi replied, not minding if it was the kage he was speaking to. "Naruto didn't know about this."

"And we will keep this from Naruto," the Tsuchikage answered. "Naruto doesn't know a thing. Naruto doesn't even know that his Kakumo-ojisan is the Intelligence Chief. Just what do you think will happen if he knows everything?" Ōnoki presented Akatsuchi a viable scenario that could possible happen in the future.

"I-I understand, Ōnoki-sama. I'm sorry for my disrespectful attitude." The guard apologized to his kage.

"Don't worry, I will make sure that Team Obsidian will make through the mission Obito gave them," Ōnoki told Akatsuchi. "Here," he raised the paper towards the guard, "bring me Uchiha Sasuke in this office."

"Why, sir?"

"We'll be sending him together with Team Obsidian, for him to protect them. Make sure that Obito will not be informed of this action that we will make. I don't want him knowing that I'm investigating something." The Tsuchikage explained, and made Akatsuchi hurry to find Sasuke.

It was then he realized that he still needed to understand Obito. After all those years, Obito suddenly became the ninja that everyone aspired – an intelligent ninja and a powerful one. Obito was clearly an epitome of deception – a ninja capable of pulling acts that always worked for him and always ended up in success. He was kind and caring for his allies, but he was cruel and unforgiving to his enemies. Obito was the very image of a ninja that was only loyal to the people, and would do anything for the people.

But he was the very irony of the words that he would always answer. He'd always said things that enlightened the mind of the Tsuchikage, but it was clear that he was also that one that broke those very statements. Ōnoki was worried for Obito…

"And that is how Sasuke ended in the mission Team Obsidian was sent for…" The Tsuchikage whispered to himself.

That time, he was sure that he was the one of the right track.

- End of Chapter -

Every people has a different side.

Does everyone know here that I hate Kakashi? :p

Thanks for reading and may you have a good day!