"So, I'm sorry I'm late."
Inside a cave in the Land of Grass, Namikaze Minato sighed, then awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.
He already knew what had happened. Obito's death left him feeling guilty, too.
But at that moment, Haori felt even more awkward than Minato, while Might Guy and Aoba exchanged bewildered looks.
They had never dreamed that Minato's reason for arriving late would have anything to do with them!
Before long, though, Guy and Aoba began to feel proud. What they had done had truly affected the course of the battle.
Haori, meanwhile, couldn't help sighing over the fact that he had nearly gotten Kakashi and the others into trouble.
Yet beneath that sigh, he felt a little pleased. His actions had produced such an unexpected result.
He had indirectly helped the front line win a major victory. For someone who wanted to "get ahead," that was certainly a good thing.
Still, Haori knew that one victory wouldn't be enough to make Iwagakure collapse completely. They still had to carry out the mission to destroy the bridge.
But it would definitely ease the pressure on the front line, or perhaps on the forces behind enemy lines.
Iwagakure must have realized there were enemies in their rear, while Konoha's forces still loomed over them from the front. They were probably afraid to make a move now.
But Haori hadn't lost his mind.
His actions had stirred up widespread outrage. If Iwagakure caught him and used him as a sacrifice to rally their troops, that would be getting off lightly.
Even if they skinned him alive, it might not be enough to quell their anger.
"At least things turned out well, Minato-senpai."
Haori was a little worried about what might happen if the Iwa-nin were caught by Iwagakure, but he still had to say the right thing.
"But we were late, too. Otherwise..."
Haori paused, then turned to look at Kakashi, who was unconscious.
Using the Sharingan for the first time had put too much strain on him. If he hadn't been driven by the strong desire to protect Nohara Rin—and if Haori hadn't arrived in time to give him a moment to recover—
Kakashi would have passed out much earlier, and their fate might have taken a very different turn.
Still, rescuing Kakashi had earned Haori the thing he wanted—and the reward came as a surprise.
[Side Quest Completed: Assist Kakashi and Nohara Rin]
[Reward Obtained: Kakashi's Sharingan spatial talent]
Kakashi?
Spatial talent?
The reward truly shocked Haori. Wasn't that Sharingan Obito's?
Did the system really treat the Sharingan like a hot-swappable part? Whoever it was implanted in became its owner?
"But was Obito destined to have spatial talent?"
Haori had never figured out why Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan had the ability it did.
The Mangekyo was the eye that reflected one's heart. Its power came from what a person longed for most amid extreme emotions.
But Obito was different. He had already awakened a similar power before Rin died.
Madara had personally confirmed it. If those powers hadn't "leaked" out, Obito would have been crushed to death by the boulder.
The system's notification seemed to confirm it, too, which left Haori rather puzzled.
Still, having this talent was a good thing!
No one could afford to overlook the power of space.
The only problem was that he had no idea how to fully bring this talent out.
Maybe it wouldn't show itself until he reached the Mangekyo stage?
"And what if the spatial talent I got is the offensive kind—Kamui?"
Haori couldn't figure it out, but he couldn't be bothered to keep guessing.
This time, he hadn't gained an immediate combat advantage, but rather an ability with potential for the future. All things considered, it was still a good reward.
"Some things are inevitable. There's nothing anyone can do about them."
As Haori's thoughts wandered, Minato sighed. Soon, though, his expression turned serious.
"Obito could be impulsive sometimes, but there's no denying he was a hero, is there?"
Haori's expression shifted. He understood what Minato meant, though he hadn't expected the man to speak in riddles, too.
"Obito was a hero."
He nodded, then continued along the lines Minato had set.
"And Kakashi is one, too. Let him get some proper rest.
"We can talk about everything else once we're back."
Minato looked slightly surprised by Haori's words, but a smile soon appeared on his face.
He had only meant to test the waters, since Rin had often told him that Haori was clever and kind.
Now he was sure the boy really did possess both qualities.
"What an unusual Uchiha."
Haori really was unusual—at least, he was quite different from most of the Uchiha Minato knew.
This boy didn't just think about using his fists to make other people feel things more deeply.
"By the way, Minato-senpai, could I ask you about Sealing Jutsu after the war?"
Haori spoke up while Minato was thinking.
"Sealing Jutsu?"
Minato paused, once again struck by how different this Uchiha was.
But he didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked around the cave.
Rin was still taking care of Kakashi, while Guy and Aoba argued over who should take watch outside.
Everything here seemed so peaceful, as if they weren't behind enemy lines at all.
"I really hope the war ends soon."
Looking at the scene before him, Minato suddenly changed the subject and smiled.
"This kind of war is an unbearable torment for everyone."
"True."
Haori glanced at him, not bothered by the abrupt change of subject.
"War creates far too many tragedies."
"Haori, when do you think the war will end?"
Minato suddenly asked with curiosity, though this time his voice was much quieter.
"I told Rin that war would never end."
Haori didn't know what Minato was thinking. But since he planned to "visit" the Uzumaki Clan's ancestral home in Konoha, building a good relationship with them was essential. There was no harm in talking a little more.
And if that didn't work, he could always find another way to "visit."
"Wherever people are, there's competition for resources. But perhaps, in the future, we can find a different way to settle things.
"As for this war, I think it'll be over soon."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Minato blinked, seeming intrigued.
"Isn't your presence here proof enough, Minato-senpai? Besides, Kumogakure has a terrible relationship with Iwagakure."
Haori smiled and pointed at Minato.
"I think all it'll take is one devastating blow, and the war will be over."
Even though he had been prepared for Haori's answer, Minato still looked a little dazed.
The Uchiha boy in front of him had truly seen through the situation!
He even wondered if the boy had already guessed where they planned to strike.
Was that why, after blowing up the outpost and making so many enemies, he had headed this way?
But all of that was just speculation. Minato wouldn't say anything, much less ask.
"Then I'll take your word for it, Haori."
Minato smiled.
"As for Sealing Jutsu, I'll see what I can do after the war.
"And Kakashi will need your help in the future, too."
"I'm only a Chunin, but I'll do everything I can."
Haori smiled and nodded, though he couldn't help grumbling to himself.
Minato was certainly cheerful and sunny, and it was easy to like him. But who said the man was simple?
He clearly had the makings of a "riddle speaker," too!
Still, without that kind of talent, he wouldn't have become Hokage.
"At least, what I wanted has gotten off to a good start."
Thanks to the generous reader 20210726051316122 for the tip. Thank you, thank you~!
This newbie is begging you to keep reading. The number of readers who keep up with the story now will determine everything for this book. Today is especially important since it's Tuesday—it'll decide whether the book gets a recommendation this week. It's easy for a book to die while people are saving it to read later. Please, I'm begging you! Onz