"And you'll love them all," Kakashi says. He returns the squeeze and continues walking. Sometime, when they're not on a mission, and not trying to hold Madness at bay, he'll try to make sure Gai knows he won't neglect him for dogs, even if he does always want more of them.

Kakashi nods in agreement with the assessment of their surroundings. He is not exactly eager to enter into unnecessary battles, and the center route did sound the most promising. Hand in hand with Gai, he walks down the tunnel.

As they approach the end of the pathway, the sounds of a battle become apparent. The emitter chamber, filled with kishin eggs. Some of their fellow weapons and meisters have already arrived and engaged the kishin in battle. These Kishin are disturbingly ghoul-like, and Kakashi can feel a heavy buzz of Madness in the room. He tightens his hold on Gai's hand and prepares for a fight.