Come, Fate!

How strange!

Why had the Third Hokage summoned us at a time like this? Konoha was short on manpower right now. Even Asuma and the others had been stationed at key posts in the Defense Force since the beginning of spring. Clearly, a sizable group had been transferred out of the Defense Force before spring began, undoubtedly to reinforce the front lines.

And if the front lines needed reinforcements, it meant fighting had broken out again and Konoha had fallen into a disadvantageous position, forcing them to draw a large number of personnel from the Defense Force. So many, in fact, that Asuma and the others had to man important Defense Force posts.

Combined with the plot I knew, the only matter that needed resolving now, no matter how I thought about it, was the Kannabi Bridge mission.

In other words, cutting off Iwa's supply route and forcing Iwa to retreat or fall into a disadvantageous position.

But Kakashi and the others had already been assigned to it. According to the plot, Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were the ones meant to carry out the mission. The three of us should have had nothing to do with it!

Moreover, the Third Hokage had not summoned Asuma, Ebisu, Genma Shiranui, or Might Guy. He had called only Kakashi and the others. That alone was enough to prove that history was moving in the direction of the original story.

After all, Kakashi's group of three, as well as Hirohiko, had also been carrying out missions at important posts during this period.

Glancing at the Anbu Ninja leading the way ahead, Chiba, Hirohiko, and Yukina raced through the quiet nighttime streets toward the Hokage Building.

Besides, Hirohiko had been assigned missions throughout this time, while I had received no notice at all.