The Final Battle (1)

"Kei-kun, you..."

"Don't worry. He only passed out because of a Genjutsu. I know what you mean, and I know what the village wants, but we need to hurry. He has a Tailed Beast inside him, after all."

Uchiha Kei calmly looked at Namikaze Minato. Of course he could guess what Minato was thinking—or, more accurately, what the village wanted.

If they wanted to end the war and prevent the Land of Earth from launching another offensive, then some people couldn't be killed. Kitsuchi, for example. The Five-Tails Jinchuriki, too.

Kitsuchi probably never dreamed that he'd actually survived Namikaze Minato's lethal strike only because Minato hadn't wanted to kill him!

Although the Land of Earth was having trouble looking after itself right now, if certain people died, the Iwa Ninja could easily become a ticking time bomb.

Besides, every great nation had more than enough potential to wage war. Konoha had already shown what it meant to fight five nations at once. If the Land of Earth fought to the death against them, Kumogakure would be delighted—but Konoha would pay dearly.

So Kei completely understood Minato's decision. As far as he was concerned, it was still better for the enemy to die, but while working with Minato, he had to follow his orders.

Kei's Genjutsu probably wouldn't hold for long. If Han had been an ordinary Ninja, Kei's Genjutsu could have kept him dazed for a long time, perhaps even making him kill himself.

But Han was a Jinchuriki. The two different kinds of chakra inside him would help him break free of the Genjutsu faster, even if it was a Sharingan Genjutsu.

It was true that Sharingan Genjutsu could control a Tailed Beast, but that required a Mangekyo Sharingan.

Kei had indeed reached that level, but he'd only obtained the eye a few days ago.

To begin with, he didn't dare reveal his eyes lightly. On top of that, he hadn't had the chance to properly study his other abilities.

He'd looked into the Dojutsu that came with his eyes, but after using it once, he'd grown wary. He'd realized that it took a terrifying toll on him—not just on his chakra, but on his Dojutsu Power and mental energy as well!

Developing and exploring one's abilities was a difficult process, and becoming familiar with them didn't happen overnight. Kei still had a long way to go.

Hearing Kei's words, Minato couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This young man, who was the same age as Kakashi, really was extraordinary. He could even see things from the village's perspective.

But why had he never heard of such a talent before?

Looking into Kei's crimson eyes, Minato sighed. He understood what was going on.

Minato didn't have much to say about the Uchiha Clan's internal affairs. Those were their own business. Still, the way the clan operated had buried many truly intelligent Ninja.

And that clan...

Minato shook his head. As Jiraiya's student and the Jonin Commander, he naturally knew a great deal.

The matter bothered him, especially since he was smart enough to know what would happen if the standoff continued.

If I could become Hokage... Minato thought to himself. But it was only a thought. Given Konoha's political system, he might have a chance, but it would never be him.

"Captain Minato." As Minato sighed, Kei suddenly spoke. "Should we take this guy back after we finish the mission?"

"Take him back?" Minato came to his senses and glanced at Han, who was still dazed. He thought it over. "Good idea. That would give us more leverage."

"Of course." Kei nodded. "By the way, where's Imai Kenta? Has he gone over yet?"

Kei looked around. During a mission, the mission naturally came first. More importantly, once they finished this damned mission, they could go home.

The future of the Naruto world was full of conflict, and the infighting within Konoha had never truly stopped.

Still, a little peace would give Kei time to recover and study his abilities. That was far better than endlessly risking his life on the battlefield!

"He's already gone over. There are no signs of a fight yet." Minato nodded. "But I'm afraid things aren't looking good, because I don't think—"

Minato didn't finish. In the next instant, his expression turned grave, and Kei tensed as well.

They turned around at the same time. Han was still dazed, but an overwhelming surge of chakra burst from him, powerful enough to make it hard to breathe!

It was the power of a Tailed Beast. It erupted so quickly that, in the blink of an eye, Han was covered in red chakra, which began to swell and gradually take on the shape of a Tailed Beast!

Kei frowned. This was nothing like what he'd anticipated!

Sure enough, the best way to avoid trouble on the battlefield was to kill defeated enemies outright.

But sometimes, you had to consider politics on the battlefield. The living could indeed be far more valuable than the dead.

Kei sighed. His Ninja Sword was ruined, so he could only pull out a Kunai. He wondered, though, whether he should get himself another Ninja Sword once they returned.

"This is going to be troublesome," Minato sighed. "Get back. No, it's too late—the other Iwa Ninja are closing in, too. We'll probably have to keep fighting."

"Yeah, this could get troublesome," Kei sighed as well. "I hope Imai Kenta's doing a little better. I wonder what's happening down there."

"I'm afraid he's run into trouble, too." Minato frowned. "He encountered an unknown opponent. I hope he'll be all right."

"So there are enemies under the bridge, too." Kei nodded. "If it comes down to it, should we go down together, force our way through the mission, and then get out?"

That was their last option, but it was also the riskiest. The moment they turned their backs, they'd be met with a relentless barrage of Ninjutsu and sharp Kunai.

Their best option was to hold off the Ninja above and wait to see how Imai Kenta fared below. If he failed, they'd be in serious trouble. Kei and the others would have to charge down themselves and blow up the bridge.

If he succeeded, he'd just need to run back up, regroup with Kei and the others, and leave.

"Yeah. It's our only option now. Let's hope he can finish the mission."

"Same as before?"

"Yeah, same as before."

It feels really strange. I made it clear that the protagonist doesn't want to reveal his Mangekyo, and using it too much would be fatal for someone without a brother.

And before fighting Kitsuchi, he made several Shadow Clones to fool the others. He was already in less than perfect condition when he fought Kitsuchi.

After running away, he had no time to rest and recover. He's deep behind enemy lines, for crying out loud. Do you think the enemy would give him a chance to rest?

Using Ninjutsu recklessly when he's not at full strength is a death sentence. The protagonist values his life so much—why would he waste his abilities?

Finally, if everyone wants the protagonist to go all out, then fine. Let him do it once.

That's all.