"Rin, be careful."
Amid the mist, Kakashi quietly spoke to Rin beside him.
Although the Water Dragon Bullet had separated them earlier, he hadn't been far from Rin.
But their situation wasn't good either. Four or five Kirigakure Anbu were surrounding them and attacking relentlessly.
The Hidden Mist Technique severely hampered their vision, especially Rin's.
"I know, Kakashi."
Rin nodded. She was a medical ninja, but she still had some fighting ability.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been sent on such a dangerous mission. The situation was just unusually complicated.
"Look out, they're coming again!"
Kakashi stayed focused. Suddenly, he shouted a warning as he swung his short blade with all his might.
Thanks to Haori's advice, he had changed enough by now.
He wouldn't become a stand-in for "Obito" like he had in the original story, living entirely for Obito.
He was still himself—the prodigy of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi!
Clang, clang, clang—
Kakashi's Ninja Sword flashed through the mist, and the sound of clashing metal rang through the woods.
He had only one thing on his mind: protect Rin and get to Haori as soon as possible to support him!
Chakra gleamed along his short blade, arcs of electricity crackling along its edge. Even with the mist blocking his sight, he could still hold off his enemies.
He could handle them, but Rin was struggling. That forced him to split his attention to protect her.
"This can't go on."
Rin kept fending off Kirigakure's attacks, but she was filled with frustration.
She knew she was holding Kakashi back, and might even be holding Haori back too. She couldn't help blaming herself.
All she could do was fight as hard as she could and try not to be a burden.
Boom—
But just then, a deafening explosion erupted without warning. A powerful shock wave struck them, sending them flying!
Kakashi and Rin, caught off guard, were blasted away along with the Kirigakure ninja.
Kakashi struggled to his feet, then caught a glimpse of something that made his eyes widen in fury.
"Watch out, Rin!"
Rin had just landed in a heap when a Kirigakure ninja appeared behind her.
She heard Kakashi's warning, but the next moment, a sharp pain shot through her neck.
Then her consciousness began to fade.
She saw Kakashi desperately trying to reach her, only to be held back by several Kirigakure ninja. Her vision grew hazier and hazier.
"I'm sorry, Haori. I'm sorry, Kakashi."
"Have they succeeded?"
Deep beneath the Land of Grass, Madara watched it all through White Zetsu's eyes.
The rest would be simple: use White Zetsu to plant a genjutsu suggestion in their minds, making sure they wouldn't recognize Obito.
But Madara was troubled. Things seemed to be unfolding in a way he hadn't expected.
He had been focused on Kakashi and Rin, but he had noticed the powerful explosion.
If it had been an ordinary explosion, no matter how strong, he wouldn't have paid it much attention.
His plan was already set, and everything had been proceeding as he expected.
But now, the actors were fine. The girl he hadn't paid any attention to was the one who'd become a problem!
Black flames had appeared in that explosion. There was no way Madara could mistake those flames.
"Amaterasu."
He murmured the name, his brow furrowing deeper. The flames meant one of two things.
"She either has the Mangekyo Sharingan, or someone used a Transcription Seal to store Amaterasu's power and protect that Haori."
If it was the latter, everything was fine.
But if it was the former, given how the girl had stayed by Haori's side, then things would get bad for Obito if they crossed paths.
Madara wouldn't normally be too concerned about a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan.
But those eyes appearing at this particular moment threatened to disrupt his plan.
"This is getting more interesting."
But Madara was still Madara. Despite the unexpected turn, he wasn't the least bit flustered.
He closed his eyes and quickly thought it through. Then a smile curved his lips.
"I was worried Obito might get carried away someday. Someone like her will keep him on his toes.
"But first, I should make sure. Come out, White Zetsu."
"Lord Madara." As soon as Madara spoke, White Zetsu emerged from the wall.
"Go draw Iwagakure here, and bring the Konoha ninja as well."
Madara spoke with confidence, his old face calm and assured.
"Let's make this operation a little livelier."
Iwagakure's arrival would both divert attention from Obito and let Madara test the girl's abilities.
If she had the Mangekyo Sharingan and showed its power, and Konoha's people came too, then Konoha's leadership would be on alert.
That would keep her from watching Obito constantly. He could still act, but he'd have to remember that those eyes were watching him.
Of course, if she didn't have the Mangekyo Sharingan, then Konoha's arrival would serve as a rescue.
Madara still needed them alive, so he could use them for the rest of their lives to remind Obito how cruel the world was.
As for Obito acting recklessly, Madara could tell him the Uchiha had a way to seal away the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan. That would keep Obito on his toes too.
Either way, Madara had nothing to lose. It was a stroke of genius!
"Understood, Lord Madara." White Zetsu nodded. "Should I notify Obito now?"
"You can tell him now. And tell Spiral Face too."
Madara considered it, then spoke slowly.
"Have him protect Obito, and make sure he doesn't give himself away.
"Go. I have preparations to make as well. I need to ensure the genjutsu works on the first try."
"Yes." White Zetsu nodded. "Lord Madara—"
"Is it finally my turn?"
On the other side of the basement, Obito heard Spiral Face's words and grew excited.
At last! The day he'd been waiting for had finally come!
For the past few months in this godforsaken place, he'd been thinking about seeing Kakashi and Rin again every waking moment.
Though this mission was also a sort of wager with that annoying old man, he was still full of confidence.
He just had to put on a disguise. It was no big deal!
"Yeah. We just need to get ready, then we can head out."
Spiral Face nodded, then repeated Madara's instructions.
"But before that, you'll need to disguise yourself and wait until everyone's gathered before you can officially move out."
"What do you mean?" Obito's smile vanished. He asked urgently.
"It's simple. I'm going with you this time, since things are a little dangerous."
Spiral Face shrugged, then continued after thinking it over.
"Iwagakure's here, and Kakashi and the others are still fighting Kirigakure."
"What?"
Obito's expression changed, and he shouted at once.
"Doesn't that mean they're in danger? No, I'm going out right now!"
"Don't rush. Everything's going according to plan."
Spiral Face shook his head, then said helplessly,
"You need Lord Madara to open the door for you, and you'll need some time to get used to my power.
"Only then will you be able to fight, and besides—"
"Besides what?"
"Besides, I heard heroes always make their entrance at the end, don't they?"