Deep in the dense forest, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin followed closely behind Minato Namikaze.
At first, Obito was very excited about the rare B-Rank Mission and kept bragging to Rin about how he was about to show off his skills.
"Lin, I'm sure I can complete the mission perfectly!"
"Yes, Obito, I believe in you!"
"..."
The two chatted back and forth, quite relaxed.
Kakashi, however, remained silent, maintaining his vigilance throughout.
Those dead fish eyes scanned the surroundings sharply, sensing that this "urgency" was somewhat unusual.
While Minato-sensei does assign unexpected missions, he usually provides more detailed information rather than being vague like he is now.
" Minato-sensei."
Kakashi finally couldn't help but speak up.
"Regarding the specific movements of the remnants of Iwagakure, are there any more detailed maps or intelligence sharing available?"
Their size, characteristics..."
"You'll know when you reach your destination."
' Minato ' didn't turn around, his tone still gentle, but with an undeniable interruption.
"The mission is of a very high level, and the details must be kept confidential. Trust me."
Kakashi frowned slightly, but ultimately didn't press the matter further.
perhaps...
Was this truly a top-secret order directly issued by the Hokage?
He glanced at Obito and Rin beside him; although they were slightly uneasy, they still trusted their teacher completely.
However, just as they ventured deep into a foggy canyon at the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
Minato Namikaze suddenly paused, then turned his head, his face showing just the right amount of seriousness.
"An unusual chakra fluctuation has been detected ahead; I need to investigate first."
Please wait here, remain vigilant, and do not act without authorization.
Before the three could respond.
" Minato " transformed into a Golden Flash Body Flicker, its speed astonishing.
"Wait, Minato-sensei!"
Obito called out, but the person had already disappeared.
The canyon was shrouded in mist, and the surroundings were eerily silent, save for the occasional dripping of water and the whistling of the wind through the cracks in the rocks.
" Minato-sensei is gone?"
Time ticked by, but the " Minato " never returned.
Something's not right.
Kakashi said in a low voice, his hand gripping the hilt of the short sword behind him.
"It's been too long."
Lin looked around worriedly.
"Is Minato-sensei in trouble?"
"Should we go look for it?"
Obito suggested it, though he was a little nervous, but he didn't want to show weakness in front of Rin.
Kakashi pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
"The teacher ordered us to wait here. And this fog... is strange."
Although he didn't have the Sharingan, his genius-level intuition told him...
This area resembles a natural maze, greatly interfering with chakra perception.
Suddenly, several whooshing sounds came from the air!
"Enemy attack!"
Kakashi shouted and instantly drew his sword to parry the Kunai aimed at Rin.
More than ten figures suddenly rushed out of the fog.
It wasn't Stone Ninja, but Kirigakure Ninja wearing Kirigakure Forehead Protector!
They appeared silently like ghosts, and their attacks were ruthless and cunning.
"It's a trap!"
Kakashi instantly realized that the " Minato " teacher was probably a fake from the very beginning!
"You little brats of Konoha, just obediently prepare to die!"
The leader of the Kirigakure, grinning maliciously, swung his sword.
" Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Obito mustered his courage, Hand Seals, and unleashed a fireball, but due to nervousness, his movements were sluggish, and his opponent easily neutralized Water Release.
" Obito, watch out on your left!"
Rin cried out and threw a shuriken with Explosive Tags attached, barely managing to repel an enemy who was trying to ambush Obito.
Kakashi moved like lightning, his White Fang fang flashing, instantly killing two people.
However, the number of Kirigakure was large, and their coordination was excellent; they were clearly all elites.
Even more problematic was that the dense fog severely limited their visibility and coordination.
"Retreat! Move closer to me!"
Kakashi was in charge, attempting to lead the two to break through the encirclement.
However, it seems that Kirigakure had planned this all along, and their attack was aimed directly at the Medical Ninja Rin.
They realized that Rin was Medical Ninja, the team's weakness, and also their point of attack.
"Grab that girl!"
The leader of the Kirigakure Leader gave the order: Water Whip and Senbon were concentrated and fired at Lin.
"Lin!"
Obito's eyes were bloodshot as he desperately tried to rush forward, but he was held back by two Kirigakure.
Kakashi fought back with all his might, his sword flashing like a silver net, blocking most of the attacks, but one sharp Senbon still pierced through the defenses, aiming straight for Rin's heart.
At the critical moment.
"Lin!!!"
Obito unleashed unprecedented speed, forcefully breaking free from his opponent and shoving Rin aside with his body!
"Pfft!"
The Senbon pierced deeply into Obito's right shoulder, and blood gushed out instantly.
" Obito!"
Rin stared in horror at Obito, who was standing in front of her, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Intense pain and the fear of impending death overwhelmed Obito, but even stronger than that was his determination to protect Rin and not let her die here!
At that moment, his mind went blank, but in his eyes, which were fixed on Lin, something seemed to be burning, shattering, and reforming!
The world seemed to suddenly slow down and become clearer.
Obito felt a burning pain in his eyes, and then everything in his vision was tinged with a faint crimson color that quickly disappeared.
He saw the Kirigakure Ninja's next move.
I saw the trajectory of the chakra flow.
I saw Kakashi's astonished expression.
I saw what was reflected in Lin's eyes...
My own eyes, those Two-Tomoe!
Sharingan, awakened?
"Ugh!"
Obito roared and, ignoring his physical discomfort, drew Kunai with a backhand.
Sharingan to anticipate the attack, he precisely parried the blade that was about to strike Rin.
"What?! Sharingan?!"
The Kirigakure were taken aback.
Kakashi was equally shocked as he stared at the Two-Tomoe in Obito's eyes.
"This guy..."
The leader of the Kirigakure in the distance had a more serious look in his eyes.
"Kill them! A swift and decisive victory!"
Countless Ninjutsu and ninja tools were unleashed once again.
" Earth Release, Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Kakashi unleashed his full defensive power, and a stone wall rose from the ground.
Just then...
Obito quickly ran towards Kakashi.
" Kakashi!!"
Obito's Sharingan with Obito Two-Tomoe rotated slightly.
They immediately saw the Mist Ninja hiding in the shadows and mist.
Obito shouted that at them.
Kakashi paused slightly.
Obito is getting closer and closer.
Suddenly, he pulled out Kunai.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
The Kunai grazed Kakashi's hair near his ear and stabbed him.
"Kid, how did you manage to spot me?"
Before Obito, a Kirigakure ninja appeared, Kunai Obito his chest.
She slowly collapsed at Kakashi's feet.
Kakashi looked down at the dead Mist Ninja.
He looked up in surprise at Obito, who was panting heavily in front of him.
"Don't just stand there! Run!"
Obito grabbed Kakashi's arm and rushed in front of Rin Nohara.
The three quickly returned towards Konoha.
To pursue or not to pursue?
Watching the three figures Kirigakure into the distance, a ninja from Kirigakure looked at the village leader.
The leader of Kirigakure, his face covered, stared intently in the direction Obito and his Obito had left.
"Chase them! Capture that Medical Ninja first!"
"Yes!"
The group from the Kirigakure moved swiftly, disappearing in Body Flicker.