In Konoha: Starting Out by Slapping White Fang

Kumogakure, having not participated in the Second Shinobi World War, was at the height of its military strength. It was hardly surprising that they dared to be the first to start a war.

But choosing the Land of Wind as their target was fucking ridiculous.

Anyone who gave it a little thought could figure it out.

Instead of attacking the rich, nearby Land of Fire, they were attacking the distant, impoverished Land of Wind.

The Raikage of every generation might have been freaks with muscles for brains, but they could not possibly be that stupid.

"So, Kumogakure is ostensibly attacking Sunagakure, but once Leaf Village sends reinforcements and shifts all its attention to the Land of Wind, they'll launch a surprise attack from the North!?"

Yūhi Kurenai suddenly understood. "Then we need to notify Lord Hokage immediately!"

"There's even less need for that."

Genetsu pressed down on Yūhi Kurenai's little head, stopping her.

"W-why?"

Yūhi Kurenai asked, her large crimson eyes brimming with confusion.

"If we don't let our Lord Hokage make a few more mistakes, how will your teacher Tsunade get to sit in the Hokage's seat?"

Genetsu smiled maliciously.

Simply helping Leaf Village win the Third Great Ninja War would not be difficult.

Once people like himself, Hatake Sakumo, and Tsunade—who had not participated in the Third Great Ninja War at all in the original story—entered the battlefield, they could immediately rewrite the course of the war.

But victory alone was not enough. Or rather, returning with a decisive victory would be even worse.

It would only turn out like the previous Ninja War.

The people on the front lines fought desperately while Elder Council F4 drank tea and got their hair done in the rear.

They had to find a way to trip up Hiruzen Sarutobi.

They had to make him step down.

And now, failing to see through Kumogakure's surprise attack plan would be his first mistake.

Mikoto Uchiha, listening from the side, was completely dumbfounded.

Her husband had also coveted the position of Hokage for a long time.

But because he lacked strength, he had always been powerless to act.

Only after hearing Genetsu's plan today did she fully understand.

What her husband lacked was not merely power, but schemes as well.

Genetsu's single move alone could completely pin Hiruzen Sarutobi down.

Powerful people were not necessarily frightening, but someone powerful who could also scheme until not even your bones remained...

That was someone you could only avoid.

"Mikoto, once you go back, you should know what you should and shouldn't say."

Nawaki suddenly spoke, reminding his old classmate.

"I-I won't say anything!"

Mikoto Uchiha shuddered violently in fright.

After bowing, she quickly left. She had been scared so badly—hopefully it had not disturbed the baby...

"We're finally setting out!"

The next day, at Konoha's main gate.

Obito, standing behind his teacher Minato Namikaze, said excitedly.

"You actually aren't late. What a miracle."

Kakashi shot Obito a sideways glance filled with contempt.

Of course, he knew why this perpetually late idiot had arrived so early today.

It was because Lady Tsunade, as the Medical Department's highest-ranking official, would be heading to the Land of Wind battlefield with them.

And Tsunade's three disciples, including Nohara Rin, would naturally be going along as well.

He would finally get to carry out missions with his goddess.

That guy Obito had been so excited that he had not slept at all last night. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought he was going on a picnic.

"Oh! They're here! They're here!"

Obito's eyes suddenly lit up as he waved and called out.

"Rin! Over here! Over here!"

Four graceful figures slowly approached, including Obito's goddess, Nohara Rin.

"Lady Tsunade, we'll be troubling you again this time."

Minato Namikaze lowered his head in greeting.

"It would be better for you if I didn't come, wouldn't it? Then I wouldn't be competing with you for credit."

Tsunade's tone was barbed.

"No, no, I absolutely don't mean that."

Minato Namikaze hurriedly waved his hands.

Tsunade did not continue mocking him. The only reason her attitude toward Minato Namikaze was not very good was that he was too close to that old man Sarutobi, and that displeased her.

"Hehe, Rin, we'll be carrying out missions together from now on."

Obito grinned foolishly.

Nohara Rin responded with her usual smile.

"Disgusting."

Kakashi mocked from the side.

"Here, Obito."

Nohara Rin took a white medical kit from behind her and handed it to Obito.

"F-for me?"

Obito's face turned slightly red.

Nohara Rin hesitated for two seconds, then gently nodded.

Just as Obito felt as though he were basking in a spring breeze, Rin's next words struck him like a bolt from the blue.

"Yes, it's for you and Kakashi. Do your best."

"Lord Genetsu."

At that moment, Minato Namikaze and the others noticed Genetsu strolling over leisurely with a sake flask swinging from his hand. They immediately stood at attention and called out.

"Why be so polite? I'm just a genin here to see you off."

The moment Genetsu said "genin," a drop of cold sweat appeared on everyone's forehead.

That actually seemed to be true...

"Um, Rin, what did you mean when you said to do our best?"

Obito asked in confusion.

"Sorry, I won't be acting with you this time. I'll be staying in the village with Lord Genetsu."

Nohara Rin clasped her hands together and apologized to Obito.

Obito instantly turned to stone.

His devotion had been wasted after all!

"Uncle, what is this..."

A trace of confusion appeared on Kakashi's face as he frowned at Genetsu.

"The reason is complicated. I'll tell you when I get the chance."

Genetsu answered vaguely.

He could not exactly say it was to prevent Madara Uchiha from killing this girl.

That he was keeping her by his side so it would be easier to save her life, right?

No one would believe him if he said it, and they would only think he was crazy.

Genetsu still could not bear to watch a gentle little girl like Nohara Rin become Madara Uchiha's pawn.

That was why he had made this choice.

Still, Genetsu was a little curious.

If Rin didn't die, how would Obito even turn evil?

"Then, Kakashi, Obito, and also Kurenai and Shizune, be careful on the battlefield."

After waving farewell to her classmates one last time, Nohara Rin closely followed Genetsu as he left.

Obito stared longingly at the back of his goddess following behind Genetsu, muttering under his breath without pause.

"Why keep Rin and not someone else? C-could it be that Mr. Genetsu also likes Rin..."

"You're overthinking this way too much, idiot."

Kakashi's mouth twitched.

He was even on guard against his own uncle now. There was a twenty-year age gap between them—no way that was possible, right?

Then Kakashi suddenly noticed the jealousy written all over Yūhi Kurenai's expression beside him, and could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

It seemed... maybe it was not impossible after all.

After Genetsu's group and Tsunade's group split up and departed in different directions.

About three minutes later, White Zetsu's head, with only the left half of its face, quietly poked out from a corner of Konoha's walls.

Gazing from afar at the backs of Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito, who had already walked so far away that they were no bigger than sesame seeds, White Zetsu muttered to itself in distress.

"Ahh~ Things aren't going very smoothly. I should go back and report to Madara..."

Several days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who remained in the rear, received word.

The Leaf Reinforcements led by Minato Namikaze and Tsunade had successfully arrived at Sunagakure's military camp in the northern Land of Wind.

And upon arrival, they had immediately joined forces with Sunagakure and fought Kumogakure.

However, the result left him stunned.

Minato Namikaze, in whom he had placed great hopes and had even privately chosen as the Fourth Hokage, had actually been defeated by the Third Raikage.

"Should we send reinforcements, Lord Hokage?"

Military advisor Nara Shikaku asked for instructions.

"...No need."

The astonishment on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face quickly faded as he said calmly.

"We have already done everything we can by providing this number of reinforcements. There is no need to commit too much of our strength for Sunagakure."

Although they had established an alliance with Sunagakure.