The Birth of the Mangekyō Sharingan!

The Third Hokage looked at Minamoto Takuya and hesitated for a moment.

No matter what, Minamoto Takuya was only a Special Jonin specializing in Sealing Jutsu. Even his usual missions were of that type, so Sealing Jutsu was basically unnecessary in a small, sudden battle like this. That was why he had not been called along.

Even if he provided support, it might not be very effective.

Before long, the Third Hokage made his decision. Minamoto Takuya was not merely skilled in Sealing Jutsu; he had also mastered the advanced Medical Ninjutsu known as the Mystical Palm Technique.

Moreover, he was one of the survivors who had lived through the fiercest periods of both the Second Shinobi World War and the Third Shinobi World War.

He had participated in the Second Shinobi World War from beginning to end, and during the Third Shinobi World War, he had only applied to leave the battlefield and return to the village after the battle at Kannabi Bridge. By then, the battlefield had little use for Sealing Jutsu. Since he was also a research talent with limited value on the front lines, the Third Hokage had approved his return to the village.

But no matter what, since he had managed to survive on the battlefield, he had his own unique understanding of combat.

Even a young talent like Kakashi Hatake might not find it easy to defeat him.

"Alright, Takuya. Go provide support ahead of the others. Your mission is to rescue Rin Nohara and safely bring back Kakashi Hatake. Jonin reinforcements will follow. This mission is designated—A-Rank!" the Third Hokage said.

"Yes!" Minamoto Takuya immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to leave, following the signals left behind by the Anbu.

This time, he did not need to conserve his limited chakra as he usually did. Chakra continuously gathered beneath his feet as he used the Body Flicker Technique, quickly overtaking the Anbu while feeling his way forward.

After passing the pursuing Anbu, Minamoto Takuya changed direction and followed the route provided by the Crow.

However, his speed slowed at this point.

There was no need for him to arrive too early. Saving Rin Nohara would bring him no benefit whatsoever.

Besides, Rin Nohara had most likely already been subjected to the enemy's Sealing Jutsu. It was a seal placed directly on her heart, one that even the future Obito Uchiha would need Kakashi Hatake to pierce through her chest again in order to undo.

It could basically be considered an unsolvable Sealing Jutsu. And even at full speed, he could not possibly outrun Kakashi Hatake.

Even Kakashi Hatake had failed to stop Rin Nohara from being turned into a human Tailed Beast bomb. Naturally, he did not have enough time either, unless he had intervened from the very beginning.

But that was impossible.

And what if he arrived too early and ran into Obito Uchiha? If Obito had not left yet and decided to silence him, that would be troublesome.

Minamoto Takuya traveled at an unhurried pace. He only needed to arrive before Rin Nohara completely died.

Meanwhile, Kakashi Hatake had already caught up with the Mist Shinobi and used a shuriken to kill the one carrying Rin Nohara.

Lightning crackled in Kakashi Hatake's right hand, shrieking like the cry of a bird.

Yet the Mist Shinobi seemed to have no intention of capturing Rin Nohara again, leaving Kakashi Hatake somewhat puzzled.

At that moment, Rin Nohara seemed to say something to Kakashi Hatake. His eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief.

Then Rin Nohara gave Kakashi Hatake a warm smile before charging toward him, aiming the place over her heart at the still-screaming Chidori.

Blood filled his vision. Kakashi Hatake stared at Rin Nohara in utter disbelief. He had... killed Rin Nohara?

"I'm sorry, Kakashi."

With her consciousness gradually fading, Rin Nohara spoke her final words. She knew about Kakashi Hatake's psychological trauma, and she knew that dying by his hand might leave another wound on his already battered heart—one he could never let go of.

But she did not know what else to do. Under the effects of the Sealing Jutsu, she could not harm herself, while the Three-Tails placed inside her by the Mist Shinobi was ready to go berserk at any moment, like a ticking time bomb.

The Mist Shinobi certainly would not kill her.

So this was the only method she could think of. But for Kakashi Hatake, it was simply too cruel.

Kakashi Hatake seemed to have lost all his strength. He did not even have the strength to hold Rin Nohara up, and could only watch as she fell to the ground. Blood continuously poured from her chest as his entire body swayed, as though he could collapse at any moment.

Behind the Mist Shinobi, a figure had just burst through the grass. It was none other than Obito Uchiha, half his face destroyed. The instant he broke through the brush, he froze.

He did not know what had happened ahead. All he saw was Kakashi Hatake's hand, carrying that self-created ninjutsu, piercing through Rin Nohara's heart.

At that instant, the eyes of both Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha widened. That "pair" of Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly as a third tomoe appeared in an instant, yet the transformation did not stop.

In the end, they formed... Mangekyō Sharingan, with a dark central point extending outward into three curved, boomerang-shaped blades!

Kakashi Hatake, who had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, could no longer endure. His swaying body finally collapsed to the ground beside Rin Nohara.

Obito Uchiha no longer knew what had happened. Just now... he seemed to have seen a false scene. At some point, his body had already rushed forward, charging toward the group of noisy, irritating Mist Shinobi.

Slaughter blossomed at that moment. He unleashed everything he had, even asking the White Zetsu fused with him for help, using Wood Release to instantly tear his enemies into countless pieces and blanket the earth in blood.

After doing all that, Obito Uchiha walked toward Rin Nohara. His figure swayed as though he could fall to the ground at any moment.

At last, he arrived before Rin Nohara. Looking at her lying in a pool of blood, the color had already drained from his eyes.

This... was hell, wasn't it?

Obito Uchiha thought hazily.

He did not know how much time had passed. He could no longer sense the passage of time at all.

The White Zetsu on his body suddenly spoke. "Obito, Konoha ninja are coming! We need to leave quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Obito Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan rotated once more. No emotion could be seen in it. He seemed to sense the direction from which the enemy was approaching and looked that way.

Was it this again? Had they come too late again?

What was the point of support that always arrived too late?!

"Obito, let's go! We don't know how many ninja are following behind them!" There was a trace of urgency in White Zetsu's voice.

"Okay." Obito Uchiha withdrew his gaze and looked at Rin Nohara one last time. He did not know how he had left. In a daze, he found himself back in that cave, standing before the white-haired Madara Uchiha.

Madara Uchiha watched his appearance through Black Zetsu, a hidden smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

That was right. This kind of despair was the easiest to control!

The plan was proceeding perfectly!