Uchiha Iori appeared behind the Iwagakure Ninja in a flash of golden light.
He whipped around and saw a blond, blue-eyed Konoha Ninja wearing a Jonin flak jacket, smiling at him.
"You did well. Leave the rest to me." The man's voice was calm yet powerful, and his eyes held a reassuring trust.
Iori's taut nerves finally relaxed. He canceled the incantation and sank down, exhausted.
His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, and a faint, relieved smile crossed his face.
He had been prepared to die, but surviving was still a relief.
The one who had arrived to save them was likely the future Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.
He was the legendary fastest ninja, undefeated across the Ninja World thanks to his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique. The three-pronged kunai was his signature weapon.
Though netizens joked that he was the fastest man who was always late, in truth, aside from three times when he had failed against Obito Uchiha, he had usually arrived in time.
"Iori, Iori, are you all right?"
One of the ninjas who had arrived with Minato Namikaze hurriedly began emergency treatment on Gekko Nobuhiko, while Kurama Takumi explained the situation to them.
Uzuki Kaori came over, her face full of worry.
"Were you about to use some kind of forbidden technique? Will being interrupted cause any side effects? Should you go to the rear for treatment?"
"No, I'm just exhausted. The village's reinforcements arrived in time, so I'm not seriously hurt."
Uchiha Iori managed a faint smile as he replied.
After dealing with the Iwagakure Ninja, Minato Namikaze turned to Iori and the others. "I'm the commander of the reconnaissance unit, Jonin Minato Namikaze. Is everyone all right? What's the situation with the Iwagakure Ninja?"
"We only know that the Iwagakure Ninja attacked the reconnaissance unit we sent out. Most of them have been killed."
Minato Namikaze looked at them, hoping to learn more.
Konoha's situation on every front was dire.
Sunagakure suspected Konoha of being involved in the Third Kazekage's disappearance and had massed troops at the border. Once they had settled their internal disputes and consolidated their forces, they would be ready to go to war with Konoha.
Kumogakure had recently attacked the Land of Earth, and the Third Raikage had died while holding off the enemy after being ambushed.
The Fourth Raikage, soon to take office, had planned to attack Konoha and claim a victory before assuming the position. But Minato had led his forces in driving them back, forcing the Fourth Raikage to take office in haste. He needed time to unite his village.
Even so, with most of their military strength intact, the militaristic Kumogakure Ninja were highly likely to start another war as soon as an opportunity arose.
Kirigakure had long been isolated overseas, and little was known about its situation. However, Konoha's Root had recently discovered Kirigakure Anbu along the coast of the Land of Fire.
They still hadn't uncovered the exact reason, but Kirigakure was very likely hoping to seize a piece of the Land of Fire amid the chaos.
If Iwagakure went to war with Konoha now, Konoha could end up fighting all four other great villages at once.
Even if Konoha was powerful, its forces would be stretched thin. And even if it won, the losses would be devastating.
Minato Namikaze sincerely hoped things wouldn't come to that.
"Iwagakure has declared war on Konoha. The village must prepare for war."
Gekko Nobuhiko's words struck Minato's hopes like a hammer, shattering them in an instant.
The situation had taken a turn for the worst. Now, all they could do was give everything they had to face the war.
"Have the Intelligence Division report Iwagakure's declaration of war to the village. Senior Gaku, Senior Doto, Senior Nobuhiko, until the village's reinforcements arrive, we must hold the border and keep the Iwagakure Ninja from breaking through."
Minato Namikaze spoke resolutely, determination shining in his eyes.
Inuzuka Gaku and Akimichi Doto were comrades who had fought alongside Minato Namikaze. They had once fought the Raikage Village's AB Combo together, and were now among the few Jonin in the reconnaissance unit.
As they faced the battle ahead, all three felt tense and worried.
"Understood!" everyone replied in unison. The border lay just beyond the outpost. They absolutely could not retreat. If the war reached their homeland, even victory would come at a terrible cost.
Minato Namikaze looked around, his gaze steady and determined. "Kakashi, Rin, Obito, take them to rest. The next few days are likely to be tough."
He gave his subordinates their orders. They had only dozens of Chunin and four Jonin under his command to face the Iwagakure Ninja vanguard.
He wasn't afraid, but he could hardly guarantee his comrades' safety. Having a few more fighters would certainly help.
"Lord Nobuhiko, please come with me to the medical tent so I can treat your injuries further." Rin Nohara stepped forward and spoke softly, her eyes full of concern.
"Your injuries are serious, and the long run has made them worse. You need further treatment with Medical Ninjutsu. I'm still not very skilled with the Mystical Palm Technique, so I can't treat you properly."
Rin Nohara was one of Minato Namikaze's students and a gifted medical ninja. At a young age, she had already mastered the A-rank Medical Ninjutsu, the Mystical Palm Technique.
She had short brown hair and large, dark brown eyes. The two purple markings on her face were her trademark.
"Come with me. The rest tents are this way," Kakashi Hatake said coldly.
His white hair, mask that he never took off, and White Fang Short Blade on his back were his trademarks.
Kakashi hadn't yet emerged from the shadow of his father's death and believed that the mission came above all else.
"Iori, long time no see," Obito Uchiha said casually. As fellow Uchiha Clan members, they had known each other for a long time.
They weren't especially close, but they were familiar with each other.
Obito was the archetypal Uchiha in the Second Hokage's eyes: an unstable madman prone to extremes.
Although he was an important member of the original story and a fellow clansman, Uchiha Iori still kept a certain distance from him.
"Yeah. I'm glad to see you're all still alive, too," Uchiha Iori replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
He didn't think anything would happen to them before Madara Uchiha stepped in and caused trouble.
"A lot has happened today. I need to rest and recover. I'll see you tomorrow."
Iori said goodbye and prepared to head to the Hall of Heroes in his dreams, hoping to find Noble Phantasms that could change the situation.
At present, Iori was stronger than some but weaker than others. He could fight a Jonin, but he was outmatched by a shinobi army or an opponent of a Kage's caliber.
His limited chakra and small number of Noble Phantasms were his biggest weaknesses.
"All right. See you tomorrow."
Everyone said goodbye to Iori, then went their separate ways.
Kakashi continued training, focusing on refining his Chidori.
Obito went to the Medical Unit to look for Rin Nohara. A lovesick puppy was never one to miss out.
Uzuki Kaori and Kurama Takumi each found a tent to rest in.
Though neither had suffered any serious injuries, they were badly exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Once inside his tent, Uchiha Iori dropped heavily onto his bed and closed his eyes. His mind returned to the Hall of Heroes once more.