Not many in Konoha are fully aware of Kakashi’s capability for speed. Yes he has the skills and capability of an Anbu captain, and as such few would consider him slow, but still his ability for high speed movement was often overshadowed by his extreme skill in all manner of ninjustu.

But one does not spend years besides the fastest ninja to have ever lived and not learn a thing or two about speed. It was these secrets, overlooked by many and forgotten by some, which was allowing Kakashi to catch up to his quarry. As he was no longer relying only on scent, as he found the start of trail that Airi had left as well as the tracks of the kidnappers.

He could tell he didn’t have much time, as the trail that Airi had left was not one that could be hidden easily, nor was it one that simple to cause. The time until her plan was discovered was likely measured in minutes at best. It was only moments later that he heard yelling from deeper in the forest, but it was hearing Airi’s pain filled scream that made him realize that he had only seconds. 

But he knew where she was now, seconds was more than enough time.

In the next heartbeat he arrived above a scene from his nightmares, Airi pinned down and moments away from death. If he were dreaming he would never be able to make it in time, but he wasn’t dreaming and the four below him had no chance of living past the next few moments. Not after what they had done, knowingly or not.

There was no warning for the slavers of what was about to happen, no spike of killing intent, no threats to stall them or to make himself known. Thus the two men holding her arms died before anyone realized it, kunai lodged firmly in their throats. The leader was launched in to a nearby tree by a powerful strike with kunai and shuriken pinning him to the tree hardly a moment later, and the one holding Airi’s legs was crushed in to the ground by a lethal heel strike to the skull.

There was one still missing, but that could be dealt with in a moment. Airi was first priority; the next was the other captives. The leader was still alive, and could be taken back to the T&I division to root out the who’s, how’s and why’s. Everything else was irrelevant at the moment.

Giving one more look to the surroundings to make sure they were clear Kakashi finally turned to Airi “You okay?” He was quiet and his tone seemed even, but it was simply an act in case the fifth member was out there watching.