Minato had a daring plan: two of his students would divert the attention of the border patrolling ninjas from the Iwagakure. Meanwhile, he seized the opportunity to infiltrate the heart of the enemy forces and disrupt the crucial military rations supply route - the Kannabi Bridge.
Minato's mission was unquestionably riskier than that of Kakashi and Obito. Considering the current abilities of Kakashi and Obito, the threat of death was ever-present. Thus, Minato's order was clear: there was no need for Obito and Kakashi to engage the enemy in direct combat. Their sole objective was to divert attention, buying Minato the time needed to reach the Kannabi Bridge undetected.
However, the reality proved to be far from straightforward. After being spotted by Rock Shinobi's vigilant border guards, Kakashi and Obito found themselves pursued by the enemy.
"Earth Style·Rock Waterfall!"
Confronted with Kakashi and Obito, they fled beneath a massive rock. One of the pursuing elite Jōnin from Iwagakure cruelly grinned and slammed his hands onto the ground.
Boom!
In an instant, Kakashi and Obito looked up to see the rock above them transformed into a nightmare of endless spiky protrusions, shattering and crashing down upon them.
"Oops—"
Kakashi's expression contorted in dismay, but it was too late for any meaningful response.
"Kakashi, be careful!"
At the last moment, Obito lunged towards Kakashi with lightning speed. His body moved faster than his mind, and he shoved Kakashi aside.
Rumbling—
To the trailing team of Rock Shinobi, the entire mountainside crumbled entirely, burying the very spot where Kakashi and Obito had stood.
"The two kids are finished; let's move on and find their leader."
Taiseki from the Rock Shinobi remarked, "No, hold on."
Kakkō too objected, "That white-haired kid is probably related to Konoha's renowned Black and White Fangs. Taking his head back with us will certainly damage Konoha's morale."
"Black and White Fangs?"
Hearing those names, the expressions of Mahiru and Taiseki suddenly shifted. After a brief reflection, it became evident that this was the case.
"In that case, let's retrieve the body."
Rock Shinobi Jōnin Kakkō instructed. "No, the Jutsu we just used didn't guarantee his death. If the boy survived and we helped him escape these problems, he might find a chance to slip away."
After a few moments of thought, Kakko decided, "Leave me and Taiseki here. The rest of you can return. After a day and a night, even if the kid's still alive, he'll be weakened from lack of water and food. He'll come out on his own eventually."
Mahiru and the other Rock Shinobi had no objections to the leader's proposal. They left the duo behind and headed back towards the Land of Earth's border.
Whether it was luck or some unseen hand manipulating events from behind the scenes, the rock that had fallen moments ago didn't crush Kakashi and Obito to their demise. Instead, it created a small space, allowing Kakashi, knocked away by Obito, to narrowly escape. In contrast, Obito was pinned beneath the boulder from the right side.
"Obito!!!"
Kakashi's horrified cry echoed through the chamber.
"Ahem!"
Obito coughed, blood staining his lips. His face was pallid, but he managed a reluctant smile. "We're still alive, aren't we? It's luck, sheer luck."
"It's all my fault..."
Kakashi knelt before Obito, trembling, tears streaming down his face.
Crack~
The sound of grinding rocks reverberated above their heads once more.
"Kakashi, it's collapsing; hurry, run!"
Obito gasped.
"Obito—"
Kakashi tried to speak, but Obito cut him off, urgency in his eyes. "I'll stay behind. Promise me one thing!"
Kakashi felt a lump in his throat but managed to croak out a weak "yes."
"Promise me... Protect Rin... I trust you. Goodbye."
Obito's words hung heavy in the air.
"I promise," Kakashi choked out.
Boom—
As the rock above them crumbled, Obito shouted, "Go now, it's falling!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth and scanned the surroundings, searching for the thinnest gap in the rock walls, employing his master's unperfected technique—
Chidori!
In the final moment before the cave collapsed entirely, Kakashi transformed into a streak of blue light, escaping through the rock wall with his Chidori.
Yet, in the next heartbeat, the cave collapsed entirely.
"I didn't expect to end up friends with Kakashi after all... But I wish I could see you again, Rin."
Obito whispered to himself.
...
...
Crack! Splash!
The teacup shattered as it hit the ground.
Tatsuya, Nara Shikaku, and Koharu in the camp turned, their eyes landing on the source of the noise. Nohara Rin bent down, hurriedly trying to clean up the mess.
"I'm sorry, Master Tatsuya, the tea slipped from my hands..."
"Don't worry; Someone else will handle it. Koharu clean it up later," Tatsuya ordered.
"What did you say?" Utatane Koharu's expression twisted with anger.
Not only Utatane Koharu, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and Mitokado Homura looked equally displeased.
Having stationed Sakumo, the Hyuga brothers, and others in the north, Tatsuya led the Ino-Shika-Chō family and 2,000 soldiers south to reinforce Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Is there a problem?" Nawaki smirked. "Do you think I should be doing this kind of thing instead?"
"Damn!" Utatane Koharu seethed, her glare fierce.
"As Hokage's senior consultant, this is beneath me!" she protested.
"Well, you won't be Hokage's consultant for long; you might as well get accustomed to it," Nawaki retorted with a smirk.
"Nawaki, Koharu is still a consultant," Hiruzen intervened, his voice laden with authority.
"Tsk," Nawaki clicked his tongue in disdain and muttered under his breath, "Let her enjoy her position for a while."
"Rin, no need to clean," Tatsuya beckoned Rin toward him. He glanced at the map on the table, his lips curving into a sneer. "Kirigakure thought they could defeat us so easily."
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