I'll Be the Bait

Sometimes good fortune arrives unexpectedly, just as it did when Uchiha Kei first awakened his Mangekyo, catching him completely off guard.

This time was no different. Not only had Uchiha Kei earned Namikaze Minato's approval through his actions, but he had also joined his team for various reasons.

This team was crucial for survival. The image of Kakashi standing alone beneath the collapsed Kannabi Bridge in the original story had left a deep impression on Uchiha Kei.

Uchiha Kei also remembered the scene in the original story where Namikaze Minato stood at Kannabi Bridge, looking at Kakashi.

This indicated one thing: Namikaze Minato would participate in the mission at the last moment and ensure its success.

With the protection of Namikaze Minato, the future Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Kei felt much more secure than Hyuga Aya or Imai Kenta.

Of course, protection from the future Fourth Hokage didn't guarantee complete safety throughout. On the contrary, they might encounter many dangers and troubles along the way.

But now, Uchiha Kei had gained temporary command of the team. He could definitely minimize many issues and complete the mission in the safest and most stable manner.

After all, with this command, Uchiha Kei gained the ability to 'Summon' Namikaze Minato, even if he didn't have a Kunai in his hand.

Kakashi was also a ninja and had to obey the Captain's orders. Otherwise, even as the son of the White Fang and a disciple of Namikaze Minato, it would be useless back at the village!

As for why the Captain's position was given to Uchiha Kei, he understood after some thought.

Besides Namikaze Minato's reason that they were 'a complete team,' it was also to prevent Kakashi from doing anything out of line.

Despite Namikaze Minato's guidance, Kakashi's mental state was truly terrible. Namikaze Minato was genuinely worried he might do something 'out of line' or 'contrary' to the mission requirements.

And as a fellow member of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Kei could, to some extent, alleviate a portion of Kakashi's excessive guilt.

Furthermore, Uchiha Kei's team had saved Kakashi and Nohara Rin's lives. With this debt of gratitude, combined with Uchiha Kei's identity, Kakashi would definitely not show much resistance.

In fact, it was pretty much the case. Kakashi didn't object at all when he heard the order.

As for their mission, it was similar to what Uchiha Kei's entire team had anticipated, which made Hyuga Aya and Imai Kenta glance at Uchiha Kei again.

This guy had truly thought of everything from the beginning and made a series of arrangements that led them to the safest place in the end. This guy was truly a bit terrifying!

If Uchiha Kei knew their thoughts, he might have asked them: "Do you know Demiurge?"

With Uchiha Kei's team in place, Namikaze Minato left the rear and headed for the Frontal Battlefield, clearly believing the situation there required him more.

Uchiha Kei immediately led his team out. There wasn't much to adjust within the team; Uchiha Kei was aware of Kakashi's abilities.

Nohara Rin was a ninja skilled in Medical Ninjutsu. Uchiha Kei didn't expect much from her, so he assigned Imai Kenta to protect her as one of the members needing protection.

Although Uchiha Kei really wanted to do it himself, he knew he probably couldn't avoid facing the enemy head-on.

Kakashi and Hyuga Aya's combat power was undeniable and shouldn't be wasted. Therefore, Imai Kenta, skilled in taijutsu and with some sensory abilities, was given this relatively easier task.

However, Uchiha Kei also knew it probably wouldn't be simple. Once the enemy noticed the Medical Ninja, Imai Kenta would likely be the most dangerous one.

The group of five advanced at full speed through the forest. They had encountered quite a few Iwa Ninja along the way.

But overall, there were no troubles. With Hyuga Aya's Byakugan, they could detect enemy activity from kilometers away.

Furthermore, the decoy squads led by Yamanaka Masato had played a huge role. They had departed ahead of Uchiha Kei, thus drawing a lot of enemy fire.

As a result, Uchiha Kei and his team received the best treatment they had experienced since entering behind enemy lines, not having to worry about all sorts of messy things.

However, after traveling for a few days, they began to feel some pressure.

The Iwa Ninja's defense forces weren't exactly numerous, but through Hyuga Aya's Byakugan, they discovered that these defense forces had blocked almost every possible route they might take.

Even if there were loopholes, by the time they reached those places, they would find that countless traps had already been laid!

Not to mention anything else, the Explosive Tags hidden in the books alone were enough to wipe them out thousands of times over!

"This won't do," Uchiha Kei thought silently as he sat in their hidden cave. He truly hadn't expected the enemy's rear to be so heavily guarded.

"Perhaps it's because we attacked the captive camp earlier, and several squads went missing. The Iwa Ninja must have sensed something."

Hyuga Aya sat beside Uchiha Kei and said calmly, "So what do we do now? Although the front lines are tight, so there aren't many Iwa Ninja in their rear, judging by their Chakra, they are probably not simple opponents."

Uchiha Kei glanced at Hyuga Aya, thinking she was stating the obvious.

If they were simple opponents, Konoha would have dealt with them in an instant, and there would be no need for such a prolonged conflict.

Since none of them were easy to deal with, Uchiha Kei could only choose to assault. He had no idea what had happened to the decoy squads.

Without anyone to distract the enemy, the option Uchiha Kei least wanted to choose, an assault, had to be put on the agenda.

"Can you tell which unit it is?" Uchiha Kei asked, stroking his chin in thought.

"Are you kidding me?" Hyuga Aya looked at Uchiha Kei as if he were an idiot. "Instead of asking me that, you might as well capture an Iwa Ninja and interrogate them. Don't you already have the Sharingan?"

"Captain, I think we can try to advance towards a less populated area," Kakashi interjected at this moment. However, as soon as he spoke, Uchiha Kei and Hyuga Aya frowned.

Kakashi's expression was calm. He spoke directly, "Of course, I know this might be a trap, and other Iwa Ninja might become alert and send reinforcements as soon as we show ourselves."

"Then why do you still choose this plan?" Uchiha Kei asked, puzzled. Had Kakashi lost his mind?

"Therefore, I will go alone," Kakashi said calmly as he stood up. "I can use Shadow Clones. Just like how you and the others acted as decoys before, I will be the decoy this time!"