The Mastermind Behind It All

Since his conversation with the Third Hokage, Minato had clearly felt a change in his mission.

Whether it was Mimura Hamaki on the Western Front or Orochimaru on the Northern Front, the missions assigned to them were more intensive, and they came into contact with more people.

He even went to support the East Front on several occasions.

Minato understood that the village was accumulating military merits and building its reputation for him.

Even Taiichi was transferred back to the village and temporarily hidden away because of these needs.

If he hadn't already discussed his ideals with Taiichi and understood that Taiichi had no interest in the Hokage Position, he would have been worried that Taiichi might misunderstand him because of this.

According to Kakashi, Taiichi also serves as an insurance policy for this mission. With Taiichi's assistance at crucial moments, Kakashi and the others' safety is naturally not a concern.

"Alright then, but don't let your guard down. The battlefield is ever-changing, and no safety measure can guarantee 100% safety."

Minato concluded by saying that he had fulfilled his duty as a teacher.

Specific task instructions were issued very quickly.

The Kannabi Bridge is a large bridge located in the Land of Grass, but close to the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth. It spans the two ends of a canyon and is the fastest passage between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth.

Iwagakure needs to quickly transport supplies to the front-line troops in the Land of Grass, and this is the most suitable location; otherwise, just taking a detour would take an unknown amount of time.

As a result, countless supplies cross this bridge every day.

As such an important bridge, Iwagakure takes great care in protecting it, with at least a large troop of ninja stationed there year-round.

This time, Minato and his team had a clear mission: to destroy the bridge at all costs.

Inside an empty tent at the Konoha Camp.

Minato unfolded a huge map he had received from the Mission Office, and the team members quickly gathered around him.

He surveyed his men who were on this mission.

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were a team, and at this moment their eyes were filled with eager anticipation.

Another team, led by Akimichi Choza, was also staring intently at Minato.

"This is the Kannabi Bridge," Minato said, pointing to a bridge near the Land of Earth on the map. "Our mission is to destroy it and cut off Iwagakure's Resupply lines."

This is a crucial step in ending the Western Front, but you must all be aware of the difficulties and risks involved.

This place is located behind the Iwagakure Camp and is protected by the Iwagakure Camp.

According to the latest intelligence, there are currently six Jonin stationed here, but we don't know if there are any other Jonin secretly stationed here.

In a somber tone, Minato explained the importance and difficulty of the mission to his team members, emphasizing the need to be prepared to sacrifice themselves in critical moments.

Akimichi Choza's massive body remained as steady as a rock, and he responded in a deep voice, "Understood, Minato Jonin. Just give us the mission; we'll complete it even if it costs us our lives."

This shows Choza's determination, as he has made a solemn pledge. Behind him, the three team members also have resolute eyes, ready to sacrifice themselves for the cause.

On Team Kakashi's side, Obito straightened his chest, his face flushed with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and spoke before Kakashi could.

"Minato-sensei, it's the same for us. Please assign us tasks; we definitely won't let you down."

Kakashi frowned slightly, nudged Obito with his elbow, and hissed, "Idiot, let the teacher finish."

Rin also tugged at Obito, signaling him to tone it down. After all, there were other people present, Obito, as a team member, had already overstepped his bounds by answering questions so quickly.

Minato nodded, his finger sliding south along the Kannabi Bridge. "Choza, your squad will launch Feint from here first, drawing and tying down a portion of the enemy's forces."

Then, he pointed to the Northern Front of the Kannabi Bridge and looked at Kakashi and the other two, saying, "You launch a surprise attack from here, try to break through inwards, and make it look like you're going to blow up the bridge. But if you encounter heavy resistance, retreat immediately."

"Minato Jonin, shouldn't we switch missions with Kakashi? Their missions are too dangerous; it would be better if we took over."

Choza was doing this for Kakashi and the others' sake; as their Senior, he naturally had to be more accommodating at this time.

However, Minato knew that Kakashi and the others had Taiichi's trump card to protect them, so he was quite at ease about their safety.

"Choza, don't worry, they have ways to protect themselves, enough to handle this mission."

Seeing this, Choza said no more. After all, the first time could be seen as concern for a junior, but the second time would be seen as questioning the Captain.

Minato's gaze fell on Kakashi and the other two again. Sensing the weight in his teacher's eyes, Kakashi returned a calm look.

"Teacher, we will strictly follow the plan, and we will use that when necessary."

He was referring, of course, to the specially made Flying Thunder God Kunai that could summon Taiichi; it was their last trump card.

A hint of relief flashed in Minato's eyes, but his expression was more somber.

He reiterated, "The battlefield is ever-changing. Remember, the primary objective is survival. I will handle the bridge myself; your main responsibility is to draw the enemy's attention."

Minato looked around at everyone again.

"Once the plan succeeds, immediately withdraw along the predetermined route; do not linger in battle!"

His gaze swept over Obito with particular intensity, causing the latter to shrink back, but he still nodded vigorously.

"Set off!"

Under the cover of night, the entire team quietly left the Konoha Camp and stealthily made their way towards the Kannabi Bridge behind Iwagakure.

Their experience allowed them to skillfully circumvent the heavily guarded patrol routes of the Iwagakure, traversing rugged mountains and dense forests.

After a day and a night of arduous trekking, the destination finally came into view.

The Kannabi Bridge spans a deep ravine, resembling the spine of a giant beast.

Its bridge structure, made of solid rock and steel, appears massive and menacing in the dark night.

At both ends of the bridge, the watchtowers of Iwagakure stand tall, and Iwagakure Ninja clad in brown armor are clearly visible.

Even at night, vehicles transporting supplies and the figures of ninjas moving back and forth can be vaguely seen on the bridge.

"Wow... it's huge!"

Obito subconsciously swallowed, his previous excitement dampened by the sight before him. Could such a bridge really be destroyed by simple Explosive Tag?

"Alright, let's rest here until 4 a. m., then we'll proceed as planned."

"Yes!"

Apart from the personnel on guard, everyone else sought secluded spots to close their eyes and rest.

Time passed by, and by 4 a. m., the time when people were most tired, the people of Konoha were already ready for battle.

At this moment, the bridge was deserted, with only Rock Ninja remaining on the watchtowers around it.

"Action!"

With a low Minato, Choza led his squad south into the dense forest, while Kakashi and his two companions headed north towards their preparations.

Ten minutes later, shortly after Kakashi and the others arrived at their destination, a loud shout came from the watchtower on the south side of the bridge:

Who's there!

There was no response. Only a gigantic shadow, suddenly expanding in the darkness, rushed toward the watchtower at the bridgehead with a crushing force.

Several flares shot into the sky, and only then could everyone see clearly that it was a huge, rolling ball of flesh, taller than the watchtower itself.

Multi-Size Technique: Human Bullet Tank

With a deafening roar, the watchtower was smashed to pieces. As for how many Rock Ninja died, that remains unknown.

Immediately following, Wind Blade and Fireball flew out one after another, exploding on the Iwagakure's position and causing another round of chaos.

"Enemy attack! It's Konoha Ninja!"

"Protect the bridge! Stop them!"

Shouts rose and fell as large numbers of Rock Ninja poured out of the fortifications.

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by Team Choza, Kakashi's eyes sharpened, and he hissed, "Go!"

He leaped out of his hiding place first, followed closely by Obito and Rin. Instead of rushing directly towards the bridge, they moved quickly along the edge of the cliff near the bridge.

The target is precisely the most critical support point under the bridge.

Along the way, Explosive Tag were thrown onto the bridges as a precaution against future chaos.

Team Kakashi moved like three swift winds, deftly dodging falling rocks and stray arrows, and rapidly approached their target beneath the bridge pier.

As they drew nearer, an extremely provocative voice rang out from the shadows of the bridge pier, laced with blatant mockery.

"Hmph, a few little mice, thinking they can fool everyone like this!"

A tall, stern-faced Iwagakure Jonin Iwagakure emerged from the shadows. He held a serrated longsword and had eyes as sharp as an eagle's. It was Jonin other than Iwagakure, Mahiru!

Iwagakure was clearly prepared for Konoha's bridge-destroying operation, which is why they assigned a Jonin to guard this crucial point.

"Charge! Execute Plan B!"

Kakashi took the lead, his right hand crackling with intense electricity, and a chirping sound, like the chirping of Chidori, rang out from his right hand.

His speed increased dramatically, and in the blink of an eye he rushed in front of the Mahiru, his right hand, crackling with lightning, stabbed towards the Mahiru's heart.

At the critical moment, the Mahiru dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding Kakashi's claw.

The powerful electric current still grazed his body, sending him flying far away.

"There are people from Konoha here too."

The shouts from Iwagakure came from not far away. Kakashi knew he couldn't linger, so he formed a hand Ram Seal and muttered, "Explode!"

The Explosive Tag that had been thrown out beforehand exploded one after another, while Obito and Rin also threw Explosive Tag in all directions to create even greater chaos.

"Walk!"

Kakashi called out, grabbed Rin beside him, and Obito at Obito, who was about to throw Explosive Tag not far away.

The three of them immediately turned and retreated at full speed into the distant dense forest without looking back.

"Chase them! Don't let them get away, especially that silver-haired guy!"

The Mahiru roared and struggled to its feet, its chest charred and burned.

I was careless, so careless! I didn't expect that guy to attack so fiercely.

I was so close, so very close, I was just about to die here.

The Mahiru was still covered in cold sweat; after the initial shock came extreme rage.

He personally led an elite squad of three Chunin to track down the place where Kakashi and the others had disappeared.

Not long after the Mahiru chased after them, two more Iwagakure Jonin Iwagakure arrived at the scene. After checking the surroundings, the two quickly followed the tracks left by the Mahiru and his companions and gave chase.

After the three groups of people left, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees not far from the bridge pier. It Black Zetsu, who had been hiding there. Unfortunately, no one had noticed his presence.

Less than five minutes later, the two groups of Iwagakure were the first to meet up.

"Taiseki, Kakkou, what brings you two here? Doesn't the bridge need someone to guard it?"

"I don't understand, "Mahiru asked, "Compared to chasing these fleeing Konoha Ninja, the bridge is clearly the more important thing."

"There are still Anbu stationed over the bridge, enough people. But you, I saw you're injured. Are you sure you can handle this alone?"

Taiseki glanced at the Mahiru's chest, his tone laced with undisguised mockery.

The Mahiru was taken aback by the question, and wanted to say that it was due to its carelessness, but it didn't say it out loud.

"Alright, instead of wasting your time on this, why don't you hurry up and catch those three mice so we can go home sooner?"

Kakkou smoothed things over and unconsciously quickened his pace. The Mahiru thought it made sense; more people were indeed safer. So he said no more and quickened his pace to keep up with Kakkou.

Ahead, among the three fleeing individuals, Kakashi was the first to notice something amiss. He had mastered the Sensory Ninjutsu taught by Minato, and although its effectiveness was limited, he could still sense something at such close range.

"Be careful, they're catching up, and—their strength is off; there are three Jonin and three Chunin."

These words were like a depth charge, creating a huge uproar in Obito and Rin's hearts.

What have we three done to deserve being hunted down Jonin three Jonin? Does Kannabi Bridge have no defenses at all?

Before the three could figure it out, the presence of the Iwagakure Ninja behind them had already gotten so close that Obito and Rin could sense them.

Kakashi no longer hesitated.

He took out bundles of tied steel wire from his Ninja Tool Pouch, one end of which was connected to Kunai and the other end to Explosive Tag.

Kakashi flicked his hands left and right, sending Explosive Tag and Kunai flying to both sides, creating several simple steel wires between the trees to trigger traps.

Obito and Rin followed suit, setting up various small traps along the route the three would inevitably take to escape. They didn't care how much damage they could inflict on the enemy; all they wanted was to delay their advance.

"Boom"

As the first Explosive Tag detonated, Kakashi could clearly feel his opponent slowing down.

"They've disappeared. Were they blown up?"

Before Obito could finish speaking, a second explosion rang out.

"No, they just slowed down and are still trailing behind us."

Kakashi said calmly, while unconsciously quickening his pace, because he sensed that the speed of the Iwagakure behind him had increased again.

"If the Rock Ninja catch up later, I'll have to call for backup. Three Jonin are not someone we can handle."

As he spoke, he took out the Kunai that Taiichi had given him from his Ninja Tool Pouch, leaving it for them to save their lives in critical moments.

Rin and Obito both saw Kakashi's actions, but their reactions were completely different.

Lin nodded without hesitation. In her view, they had already completed their mission, and now, facing an insurmountable danger, their priority should be survival.

But Obito thought differently, "Wait, Kakashi."

His face flushed red with excitement and a strong sense of pride, his scarlet One-Tomoe Sharingan staring intently at Kakashi's hand holding the Kunai.

"Rin, Kakashi, we're not in dire straits yet! We haven't even met those three Jonin, and we're already asking for help? That's too embarrassing!"

He clenched his fist, his eyes burning with an indomitable spirit. "I have to give it my all and prove my worth."

"Obito, are you crazy!" Kakashi was both shocked and furious, staring intently at Obito. "This is not the time to play the hero. You'll die if you keep doing this."