"That kid."
In the underground base, Madara frowned slightly as he looked at the documents in his hands.
They contained the information White Zetsu had gathered about Obito and Haori during his trip to Konoha.
Only by learning everything about someone could you understand what they desired deep down—and use that to reach them.
Obito was a simple person. So simple that after reading this information, Madara had already come up with several plans.
But Haori's information made Madara frown, especially when he thought about the conversation between the kid and Namikaze Minato. It left him momentarily dazed.
"Complicated, highly calculating, and not even on good terms with Obito."
Madara murmured to himself. To be honest, after reading that, he could more or less give up on Haori.
But behind all that information, Madara saw something else.
Haori was meticulous, exceptionally persuasive, highly logical, and outstanding at getting things done.
The only word for someone like him was "excellent." Even though he had been just as exasperating as Obito at school, he had changed over time and already displayed the qualities of an excellent shinobi. That left Madara genuinely conflicted.
"Still, carrying out my plan requires someone simple-minded, even if he's a little troublesome."
After a long while, Madara finally took a deep breath. Just then, White Zetsu suddenly popped out.
"Lord Madara, something's happened."
"What is it?"
Madara frowned as he asked. He didn't like being interrupted while thinking, but he was used to White Zetsu's frantic outbursts.
"Iwagakure sent members of its Demolition Corps to intercept them, and the person you've been watching just set out."
"The Demolition Corps?"
Madara had heard of the unit, but to him, they were nothing more than ants. Still, Haori was about to cross paths with its members.
"Let's take a look."
Although he was already leaning toward Obito, Madara decided to watch anyway.
He needed to think carefully about how to make use of the two of them.
"Why do I feel like Kakashi's looking at me weirdly?"
After resting for about a day, Haori and the others were setting out again.
The trouble Haori's squad had caused behind enemy lines had been significant enough to disrupt the Iwagakure front.
That had not only secured Konoha a victory on the main battlefield but also bought them a little time to recover behind enemy lines.
Their defeat at the front had forced them to send in more reserve troops.
They were also under pressure from Kumogakure, and Sunagakure seemed to be stirring as well.
Sunagakure had been the chief culprit behind the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War. Though they had already been defeated, that didn't mean they had no ambitions.
While Iwagakure and Konoha were locked in fierce combat, Fourth Kazekage Rasa had actually led troops in to intervene!
Konoha might not have reacted much to this, since Sunagakure was currently its ally, but it had certainly left Iwagakure shaken.
Now Iwagakure was facing pressure from three sides, leaving them short on shinobi.
Still, they weren't about to let the rats behind their lines go. Fortunately, with Namikaze Minato there, that wasn't a problem.
But they still had a far more important mission to carry out, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down yet.
As Haori made preparations, his gaze kept drifting toward Kakashi.
Ever since the day Obito had "died," Haori had tried to console Kakashi in a relatively "rough" way, but one that had really gotten through to him.
Over the next day, he'd watched Kakashi's mood visibly improve. But he'd also noticed the guy staring off into space whenever he looked Haori's way.
Kakashi wasn't the only one. Nohara Rin did it too.
Haori didn't mind when Rin acted that way. Kakashi, on the other hand, made him feel a little awkward.
He knew that when it came to girls, the best move was to take advantage when they'd just had their hearts broken.
Even if nothing came of it right away, he could still plant a seed in their hearts.
But Kakashi wasn't in that situation. And he was a guy, too. Surely he wouldn't be that sentimental?
"Haori, be careful."
Once Haori had finished getting ready, Nohara Rin came over to him.
"And, thank you. If it weren't for you—"
"Come on, don't say that."
Haori snapped out of his thoughts and smiled.
"You and Kakashi are my classmates, and more importantly, my friends.
"We're teammates, too. I couldn't just let my teammates give up on themselves.
"And if anyone needs to be extra careful, I think it's you and Kakashi. Your mission is a lot more dangerous than ours.
"If you really want to thank me, carry out your mission, stay safe, and throw us a welcome-home feast when we get back."
"I will."
Nohara Rin smiled and nodded, her expression earnest.
Seeing that, Haori reached out and ruffled her hair.
He had to admit, Rin had nice hair, and she didn't object. But Haori couldn't help wondering about something.
If Obito saw this, would he lose it again?
Haori also wondered how he could keep Nohara Rin from meeting that tragic fate.
He didn't care about Uchiha Madara's plan, or what would become of Obito.
It wasn't just that Haori knew from the start the Eye of the Moon Plan was a hoax. The Sage of Six Paths was still lurking in the Shinobi World, so there was no way he'd ever side with Madara.
If he did, he'd be nothing more than a tool. His future wouldn't just be bleak—it'd be utterly hopeless.
"Haori, are you all ready?"
As Haori was lost in thought, Namikaze Minato came over.
"You know this mission is very important. I wish things didn't have to be this way, but I'll have to leave the flank to you."
Namikaze Minato seemed very modest, without a hint of the usual jōnin arrogance.
As he spoke, he took out a Kunai and handed it to Haori.
"This is my special Kunai. It has my seal on it.
"If you run into danger you can't handle, inject chakra into it and I'll sense it.
"Then I'll come as quickly as I can."
"Understood."
Haori nodded, then put away Namikaze Minato's Kunai.
Namikaze Minato might have been known as the fastest shinobi in the world, yet always seemed to arrive late, but Haori still trusted him.
After all, arriving late was better than not arriving at all. If they could just hold out, everything would work out.
"Be careful."
Kakashi came over just then and spoke quietly beside Haori.
"Thanks. You too."
Haori gladly accepted the well-wishes.
But he couldn't help wondering if Kakashi was treating him like another Obito.
Though he felt weird about it, Haori didn't have the energy to dwell on it.
After Namikaze Minato and the others set out, Haori watched them go. Then he set off with Aoba and the well-rested Might Guy.
"Haori, what should we do next?"
After a good rest, Might Guy had recovered and was especially excited.
Yamashiro Aoba seemed just as fired up.
Namikaze Minato hadn't said it outright, but he'd tacitly approved Haori's claim that they would "complete the mission and end the war."
For two young shinobi like them, that was an honor beyond imagining!
"We'll make our way through carefully and assess the situation. Iwagakure won't just let this go."
Haori was calm. Though Iwagakure was stretched thin, they wouldn't be short of search teams.
It wouldn't be surprising if some powerful shinobi showed up, either.
Iwagakure really was going all in!
"But after this mission, am I going to become a 'Sharingan hero' too?"
Just then, the thought suddenly popped into Haori's head.
But Aoba suddenly stopped and raised a hand.
"What's wrong?" Might Guy hurriedly asked.
"There's someone ahead!" Aoba immediately replied.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—
Before he'd even finished speaking, a series of powerful explosions erupted all around them.
The flames from the blasts swallowed all three of them in an instant.