Danzo deliberately misleads Hanzo, telling him that the Akatsuki are attempting to sabotage the peace talks between the Hidden Rain and Stone. Believing his story, Hanzo sets up a trap to crush the Akatsuki for the sake of his people.

Kakashi becomes part of the ANBU Black Ops, an elite team of shinobi who are under the direct command of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Although he is highly regarded by his peers, Kakashi's ruthless way of killing the enemy has earned him the nickname "Cold-blooded Kakashi."