Chapter 221: The Locked Needles of War

When the Sixth Hokage ordered "locking needles" to be administered to the captured shinobi of Amegakure, Kakashi saw it all with his own eyes. In truth, because of his status as an overseer, even his confinement was unusual. There were no chains. No restraints. Only a single massive pane of one-way coated glass. Kakashi could see everything outside. But no one could see him.

From behind that glass, he watched one prisoner after another being fitted with suppression needles. And it would not have been wrong to say, he saw it all. He had expected it would be his turn soon.

But a day passed. Then another. No one came for him. No needles. No guards locking his cell. No water. No food. Nothing. Just silence beyond the glass.

And yet, this was not "torture," not in the strict sense. There were no daily beatings. Kakashi understood this kind of treatment. Konoha had always done the same with prisoners of war. Break resistance first. Instill fear. Control becomes easier than mercy. It was human psychology. A necessary lesson in shinobi interrogation studies. He understood it.

But what he did not understand was why he was placed here. No. Not even "placed." Why he was forced to watch.

One corpse after another was carried away. The survivors of that day became fewer with every passing hour. And still, the punishments continued. When one executioner grew tired, another replaced him. Endless. Relentless.

Kakashi did not want to look. But the screams never stopped. Even with his eyes closed, the sound drilled into his mind.

And then, he understood. So that's it. Why only the others had suppression needles. Why I alone had none. Why was I placed here? Why did Sasuke come a day before the invasion with false intelligence? Everything, everything had been arranged.

Kakashi stepped out of what could barely be called a cell. A masked ANBU stood at the door, perfectly straight. "I want to see Danzo."

And strangely, that ANBU was someone familiar. "Long time no see, senpai." The man in the patterned mask spoke calmly.

Kakashi sighed. "It's you. I understand now. Can you stop it first?" The man nodded. He signaled once. Another ANBU vanished instantly.

A moment later, the screams stopped. Silence. Kakashi's chest tightened painfully. Whether it was from dehydration or lack of food, he could no longer tell. His steps faltered the moment he moved. He nearly collapsed. Only the masked man caught him.

"Senpai, are you alright?" There was genuine concern in his voice.

Kakashi shook his head weakly. He leaned on the man's shoulder to steady himself. "Tenzo, I need a favor." His voice was barely audible. "Please, just give them water first." "They've been injured. Without water, they'll die."

The man nodded immediately. "Don't worry. It's already prepared." "Danzo-sama only said you had to meet him first, but I understand."

Kakashi's throat tightened. He nodded slowly. "Take me to the Sixth Hokage." "Yes, sir."

Danzo had not left. He remained in Amegakure's administrative building, seated where Konan once sat. He was reviewing classified documents, both Amegakure intelligence and Akatsuki records.

When Kakashi entered, the ANBU withdrew. Now only the two of them remained.

"Water. Food. Do not mistreat prisoners, Sixth Hokage." Kakashi's voice was weak.

Danzo looked up briefly from the documents. Then he gave a single order. "Bring it."

Soon after, water and food arrived. Prepared in advance. Kakashi did not hesitate. He ate and drank everything. Danzo said nothing. He continued reading.

When Kakashi finished, he spoke again. "Water. Food. Do not mistreat prisoners, Sixth Hokage."

Danzo finally closed the file. "What do you have to offer in return?"

Kakashi frowned slightly, still struggling to think clearly. I should not have eaten all of that at once. I should have saved some. He forced the words out. "Anything."

Danzo raised his head. His single visible eye studied him. "How did you come back to life?" "The Rinnegan governs the gate of life and death. Pain revived me." "Where are your Sharingan?" "I returned them to Obito." "I am asking about the Uchiha clan's original eyes." "Obito took them to the other world. For emergency use of Izanagi."

Danzo nodded. He accepted the answer. Then he lowered his gaze again. "Why didn't you leave?" "I promised Obito I would wait here." "That is the one promise I intend to keep." "I see."

Danzo's voice turned distant. He stopped turning the pages. He stood up and walked toward the large window. Outside, rain fell endlessly. But it could not extinguish the flames. A cremation site burned in the distance. A temporary facility built during the war. Bodies of fallen Amegakure shinobi were being burned. The Allied Shinobi dead, however, were already taken away by their comrades.

Danzo stared into the firelight. And said nothing more.

"You don't need to blame Sasuke. He truly intended to let you go. I feel the same way as well. You've fulfilled your loyalty and duty to Konoha, and you are one of Hiruzen's right-hand men. I'm willing to give you a way out. As long as you don't betray Konoha, I'll let you wait for him to return."

Under the mask, the man's smile was bitter. Kakashi was holding himself together so tightly it felt like he might break. His eyes stung, his nose burned with sour pressure, and the discomfort was overwhelming.

"Thank you for your kindness, could you at least give them wound medicine?" "You're not leaving?"

Kakashi shook his head. After a long silence, Danzo let out a sigh. "So be it. Have it your way, Kakashi. Have you heard of the Jofuku Flower?" "I have." "Don't think about asking anyone for help, and don't try to save them one by one yourself. Jofuku Flower has an antidote only in the hands of its user. It's expensive, but the new Daimyo of the Land of Fire is not stingy. If you behave, they will live. Understand?" "I understand."

Danzo nodded, then added, "Kankuro of Sunagakure. As quickly as possible."

Kakashi fell silent. He didn't move. After a moment, he asked, "Konoha and Sunagakure are allied nations. Why eliminate the older brother of the Fifth Kazekage? If this is exposed, it won't benefit Konoha." "Are you really a man of Konoha?" Kakashi had no answer.

Danzo took a sip of water and said flatly, "Go." "Fine. The medicine, water, food, release everyone." "Do things one at a time, Kakashi. Don't be greedy."

Kakashi pulled his mask back up and turned toward the exit. "Be careful. If you fail, they won't receive the next round of antidotes." 

"Yes."