The Gaze of Uchiha Madara

The pay for ninja missions is only so much; if you don't take on a side hustle, how are you supposed to fatten your own wallet?

As for working for others, Kiyohara declared that working for someone else was impossible—it would never be possible in this lifetime.

Some of the poorer ninjas would take on part-time jobs to earn extra cash, doing the work of ordinary people.

But Kiyohara had no intention of wasting his time on such things.

Not long after the Third Shinobi World War ended, the Nine-Tails Incident would occur.

Regardless of whether Obito turned to the dark side or not, Kiyohara estimated that Uchiha Madara would push someone forward to carry out the mission.

A crisis would arrive sooner or later.

"That makes some sense."

Genma Shiranui nodded.

Why hadn't he noticed how full of wisdom Kiyohara was in the past?

While Kurenai Yuhi and Genma Shiranui were stunned, Kiyohara had already packed most of the items into his storage scroll.

Some of these are still new; they should fetch a good price, Kiyohara thought to himself.

"What should we do now?"

Genma Shiranui also fished two shuriken off a corpse and placed them into his ninja tool pouch.

"Rest for a while, then go attack the next stronghold," Kiyohara said.

As long as they repeated this a few times, it would surely attract an Iwagakure jonin to pursue them.

When that time came, Kiyohara and the others could make their escape.

For a squad composed of one genin and two chunin to attract a jonin, they had already done more than their fair share.

"A break would be nice."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded.

After scavenging a few more things, the group left the stronghold.

There was a chance the Iwagakure ninjas might double back, so there was no need to remain at their base.

The group traveled through the vast bamboo forest, finding a relatively hidden spot to rest temporarily.

"I wonder how Kakashi and the others are doing," Kiyohara mused, rubbing his chin.

He felt that Uchiha Madara likely didn't just have Obito as his only candidate.

After all, if that boulder had been just a little bit off, it would have crushed Obito's entire head.

With such high risks, Kiyohara didn't think Madara would take the gamble.

At most, it was just a coincidence that Obito survived, so he decided to choose him.

The current Uchiha Madara was likely using White Zetsu to monitor and observe the war situation here.

I remember he and Obito will have a falling out, Kiyohara thought, rubbing his chin.

Kakashi's mission—as a ninja, even if it meant sacrificing a comrade, the mission had to be completed; that was the "rule."

If the mission failed, the war would be endless, and there might be even more sacrifices.

But Obito didn't care about any of that; with his love-struck brain, he only had eyes for Rin.

I hope we can go back as soon as possible, Kiyohara thought to himself.

They were already more than halfway through this mission.

They only needed to blow up the bridge at the end to complete it.

Over the next day or two, Kiyohara led Kurenai Yuhi and Genma Shiranui in constant guerrilla warfare.

When the enemy retreated, they advanced.

When the enemy advanced, they retreated.

When the enemy was exhausted, they harassed them.

A smooth, silky combo that left the Iwagakure forces with no temper left.

"Damn it, that squad definitely has an outstanding sensory ninja!"

The Iwagakure ninja Sumashi was furious.

A Konoha ninja squad that had appeared out of nowhere was simply not taking them seriously at all.

"But Captain, we don't have enough manpower."

Susuirei spoke up.

If they had enough men, they would have already formed a tightening perimeter to surround the Konoha ninja squad.

"The front lines are stretched thin; there's nothing we can do about that."

Sumashi frowned slightly.

"Regardless, make sure you reinforce the guard at the bridge. I suspect they might very well be a decoy."

"Yes, Captain."

His subordinate, Susuirei, quickly withdrew.

Elsewhere.

Kakashi's squad was in a standoff with Iwagakure ninjas.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Obito spat a massive fireball from his mouth, the sphere carrying a scorching heatwave as it surged forward.

"I didn't hit anything."

Obito's expression turned ugly.

The enemy was using a stealth jutsu!

Clang, clang, clang!

Shuriken came sneaking in from the air.

Kakashi hurriedly raised his blade to parry, knocking all the shuriken away.

"We'll be taking this girl with us."

The invisible Sumashi knocked Nohara Rin unconscious, preparing to carry her away.

He exchanged a glance with the Iwagakure jonin Kakkō, and they quickly vanished into the bamboo forest.

"Damn it!"

Seeing Nohara Rin being captured, Obito was frantic and wanted to charge after them.

"Wait, don't chase them, Obito!"

Kakashi hesitated for a moment before calling out to stop Obito.

"Kiyohara and the others should still be drawing their attention for us. The two of us must continue the mission."

"What about Rin, then?"

Obito looked at Kakashi in shock, never expecting Kakashi to be so heartless.

"The enemy wants our intelligence; they won't kill her immediately. Besides, once the intel is leaked, they'll immediately reinforce the bridge's security. We must complete the mission before that happens."

"Saving Rin is the top priority right now, not the mission! Your claim that Rin will be fine is just wishful thinking."

A conflict erupted between Kakashi and Obito at that moment.

"Whenever you or I were injured, it was always Rin who treated us."

Obito attempted to persuade Kakashi.

"That was just Rin's mission."

Kakashi thought of his father's tragedy.

His father, who had even greater renown than the Sannin and was even expected to become the Fourth Hokage, had been driven to suicide by others.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had never stepped in to stop those slanderous words, which meant that the upper echelons of Konoha also believed that Hatake Sakumo's mission failure had caused the Land of Fire to suffer heavy losses.

"You really are hateful!"

In that moment, in Obito's heart, Kakashi was a bastard even more detestable than Kiyohara.

"Those who don't value their comrades are the worst of the worst."

Obito didn't want to say anything more to Kakashi and immediately began running in the direction the Iwagakure ninjas had left.

Only Kakashi remained where he stood, his face twisted in inner turmoil.

Inside a dark, underground cavern.

White Zetsu slowly emerged halfway from the wall.

"Lord Madara, the plan is already in motion. Obito is about to reach the designated location."

White Zetsu's voice echoed through the underground cave.

An elderly man, decrepit and covered in wrinkles, slowly opened his eyes.

Unlike his appearance, those scarlet eyes were not the least bit clouded; instead, they possessed a piercing, sharp glint.

"Is that so."

Uchiha Madara nodded.

"By the way, Lord Madara, there is a young ninja named Kiyohara who seems to be performing quite exceptionally."

White Zetsu brought this matter up, as he felt that Kiyohara might potentially ruin their plans.

"Kiyohara, is it?"

Uchiha Madara had occasionally heard this name in the intelligence reports relayed back by White Zetsu.

It was said that he possessed an extraordinary talent for sensory perception.

"He is merely a civilian ninja."

Uchiha Madara shook his head.

If Kiyohara were a ninja of the Uchiha clan, he might have considered him as one of the candidates.

For now, he only needed to focus on Obito.

"However, send someone to keep a closer eye on him; do not let him disrupt the plan."

Uchiha Madara spoke once more.

"Yes, Lord Madara."

White Zetsu slowly burrowed into the wall.