After leaving Jiraiya's room, Kakashi returned to his house. He hadn't expected that a simple visit would net him a powerful and practical defensive ninjutsu.
Jiraiya's generosity caught Kakashi a bit off guard. Still, it was a good sign—at least Jiraiya didn't seem averse to teaching him his personal jutsu. If things continued this way, perhaps even learning Senjutsu from him one day wouldn't be out of the question. That could save a lot of effort down the line.
For now, however, Senjutsu was something he had to put aside. The problem wasn't interest—it was chakra. Even though the restrictions caused by the Sharingan were gone, Kakashi's chakra reserves still weren't anywhere near what was needed for Sage Mode.
By Kakashi's estimation, using Sage Mode required chakra reserves on par with or above the Kage level, and Kakashi was still short of that threshold.
Setting aside his thoughts on Senjutsu, Kakashi pulled out the scroll Jiraiya gave him. The sealing techniques recorded on it were still only partially understood. Much of it would take careful, patient study. Rushing would only lead to failure.
His goal was complete mastery of sealing jutsu—specifically to gain full control over the Sharingan. To activate it at will, to seal it away when not needed. Essentially, to use it like any born Uchiha would.
But achieving that would demand not only precision chakra control but also flawless command of advanced sealing arts.
Neither skill could be perfected overnight.
What concerned Kakashi more now, however, was Orochimaru's looming defection. With Yamato's identity and origins now exposed, the chain of events leading to Orochimaru's departure had clearly begun. The Third Hokage likely already had his eyes on Orochimaru's activities.
Once Orochimaru defected, Jiraiya would eventually follow him out of Konoha. Combined with the eventual Uchiha massacre, this period marked one of the darkest declines in Konoha's history.
Yet even at its lowest, Konoha remained formidable—its power comparable to the other great ninja villages. That sheer strength had deterred any attempts to destroy it outright. Without it, the other villages might've taken advantage long ago.
As for Orochimaru himself, Kakashi held no particular hatred, nor admiration. To him, Orochimaru was a scientist—brilliant but unhinged. A man whose ethics had long since frayed.
His research pushed past the boundaries of morality, especially in human experimentation. Such acts were intolerable within the bright surface of Konoha—but they suited the hidden, darker underbelly like Root just fine.
Unfortunately, Danzo viewed Orochimaru only as a former student of the Third, and that connection was precisely why Orochimaru had to go. From Danzo's perspective, there could be no middle ground. Orochimaru's continued presence threatened the village's political stability.
But Orochimaru never intended to stay. With his strength, knowledge, and ambition, he could go anywhere in the world. There was no reason to remain bound to Konoha.
If there was anything left holding him here, it would be the Third, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. But Orochimaru was not someone who could be restrained by sentiment.
To Kakashi, his defection was only a matter of time.
For now, Kakashi ignored the turmoil brewing in the village and focused on deciphering the scroll in front of him. He hadn't seriously considered fighting Orochimaru.
After all, few people in the shinobi world were harder to kill.
Kakashi had no desire to take on such an opponent. Not only was it dangerous, but frankly, Kakashi wasn't confident he could win—not against a legendary Sannin. A pointless fight would only end badly.
But reality rarely aligned with Kakashi's plans.
The next night, he received a summons from the Third Hokage.
Outside the Hokage's office, numerous masked ANBU assembled. Kakashi was among them, dressed in full ANBU gear with an expressionless mask concealing his face.
The Third Hokage emerged from his office wearing his ceremonial robes and addressed them solemnly. "Orochimaru has officially defected from Konoha. He is now recognized as an S-rank missing-nin. Your mission is to locate and retrieve him. Orochimaru possesses a vast amount of classified information. If he escapes, the consequences for Konoha could be disastrous. Understood?"
The ANBU were stunned. One of the legendary Sannin—a cornerstone of the village—had defected?
Still, orders were orders. The shinobi way was to follow the mission, no matter the cost. As one, they responded: "Yes, Lord Third!"
In a flash, the ANBU vanished into the night, scattering into the surrounding forests.
Kakashi darted silently through the trees, but his heart wasn't in it. The Third was surely aware that sending standard ANBU after Orochimaru was little more than symbolic. Anyone truly capable of stopping him—Danzo, the Third himself, Jiraiya, or Tsunade—either wouldn't or couldn't take action.
Jiraiya, in particular, wouldn't go all-out against his old teammate. Much like Naruto with Sasuke, Jiraiya still harbored hope. Hope would hold him back, and Orochimaru would exploit that.
This entire pursuit was just a performance—a gesture to preserve face after the failure to stop Orochimaru sooner. If the Third had truly intended to eliminate him, he would've done so in the lab.
Kakashi understood that. So he didn't rush.
"Senior Kakashi!"
A voice called from behind.
Turning, he saw a figure with violet hair and an ANBU mask—Uzuki Yugao.
"Yugao, what is it?"
"Sir, I heard Lord Orochimaru has defected. I've come to help in the pursuit."
"You?" Kakashi gave her a quick glance. He hadn't expected someone like her to join the mission.
"Don't underestimate me, sir! I'm strong, too."
Seeing Kakashi's reaction, Yugao bristled slightly.
Kakashi chuckled faintly beneath his mask. "Alright. Come along. It might be good to have backup."
"Yes, sir!" she replied, thrilled.
Performing a mission alongside the famous Copy Ninja was no small opportunity. She was determined to prove herself.
Kakashi didn't reply. Instead, he silently surged forward at increased speed. With a teammate following him, he couldn't afford to coast through the mission anymore. He had to at least make an effort, if only to set an example.
"This is Senior Kakashi for you…" Yugao thought to herself as she accelerated, doing her best to keep pace.