Inquiry, Investigation

Konoha Hospital.

When Taiichi announced that Rin and Kakashi were out of danger, Minato finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

I'm so tired.

Minato felt that the two-hour wait was 10 times more tiring than his previous battle against the Rock Ninja.

"Taiichi, we really owe you a lot this time, otherwise Kakashi and Rin might not have survived."

Minato took Taiichi's hand and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"What are you saying? They're both my friends. Saving them was just what I should do."

Taiichi his back; the long surgery had left his back aching terribly.

"By the way, I was in such a hurry that I didn't ask them in detail what happened to them. Kunai work?"

This is also what Taiichi finds most puzzling. He gave Kakashi and the others a trump card just in case, but who would have thought it would be completely useless?

Minato was also helpless at this point; to be honest, he was also very puzzled.

"I only allowed Kakashi and the others to participate in this operation because I knew they had the Flying Thunder God Kunai you gave them."

Minato spread his hands, his face full of regret.

"My Shadow Clone searched the scene and the surrounding area afterward and found a total of 3 Jonin and 7 Chunin corpses."

Logically, Kakashi and his crew should have called for backup immediately against a pursuer of this size, but the fact is they didn't use your Flying Thunder God Kunai the entire way they fled.

At this point, it's quite obvious: either there's something wrong with the Flying Thunder God Kunai, or the Kunai was lost for some reason along the way.

Considering that the Kunai was not found at the scene, the answer becomes obvious.

"We'll have to wait until Kakashi and Rin wake up to find out the details."

Seeing the somber atmosphere, Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted.

"Taiichi, when will they wake up?"

Minato also looked up at Taiichi, which was the same question he wanted to ask. Most importantly, Obito was nowhere to be found, and there was no trace of him leaving alone at the scene or nearby.

"Kakashi will wake up soon, probably in about an hour. As for Rin—"

Taiichi gently shook his head, a hint of worry on his face.

"Not only did she suffer severe physical trauma, but she also endured severe mental torment before the injury. It's hard to say exactly when she'll wake up, but it will take at least a day."

"In that case, Minato, Taiichi, you two stay here. I'll head back now; there are still many things to take care of over there."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his lower back; he was getting old, and standing for so long had made his back feel a little uncomfortable.

"Once things are cleared up, Minato, come and give me a report. Also, Taiichi, you don't need to come on duty today."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Minato and Taiichi bowed in unison to accept the order.

Only after Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor did the two finally Matsushita completely.

"Taiichi, you've joined the Anbu? That really surprised me. I was wondering where to find you, which is why I went to look for the Hokage-sama. I didn't expect to find you there."

Minato was still shaken. Luckily, Taiichi was right there beside him. If the treatment had been delayed, the outcome might have been very different.

"Haha, actually, whether you come to Konoha Hospital or my home, you can find me. You know, I just have many clones."

Taiichi was joking on purpose, saying that he had come to terms with the incident, but judging from Minato's expression, he was clearly still feeling guilty.

Minato forced a bitter smile, his once-standing blond hair now drooping.

"Taiichi, do you think I'm a very incompetent Jonin? Kakashi others have never received a few days of peaceful instruction since they started following me."

They first came with me to the Southern Front, but I only led them for a few days before handing them over to your squad.

Later, they came with me to the Western Front, but I was only ever carrying out missions, and during that time I often left them behind to Lone Walk.

No wonder they later insisted on taking on tasks on their own.

I probably haven't spent as much time teaching them as you and Yohei have!

Taiichi remained silent, quietly listening to Minato's inner thoughts.

He knew that Minato didn't need comfort right now; he just needed a quiet listener to whom he could pour out his frustrations.

After talking on and off for a long time, Minato finally stopped and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Taiichi, I'm sorry you had to see this."

"Not at all, nobody's in a good mood when something like this happens."

Taiichi expressed his understanding.

However, in Taiichi's mind, this matter would not be so easily forgotten.

"By the way, you've been talking about me the whole time, but haven't mentioned you yet? Why did you decide to join the Anbu?"

Minato turned to look at Taiichi, only then noticing that Taiichi looked slightly different from the one he had seen in the Hokage's Office.

Despite their identical clothing and appearance, his sixth sense keenly detected that this was Taiichi's true form.

Remembering that Taiichi had just mentioned having many clones, Minato understood, but just smiled and didn't say anything.

"Sigh, I'm just a brick in Konoha, I'll be moved wherever I'm needed." Taiichi laughed, looking completely unconcerned. "The Hokage-sama was worried I'd be bored, so he recruited me into the Anbu to give me something to do."

Taiichi spoke lightly, but Minato seemed a little embarrassed, Hokage's actions clearly had the implication of paving the way for him.

In order to diminish Taiichi's reputation, he was directly transferred to the Anbu, completely disappearing from public view. Hiruzen Sarutobi went to great lengths for him.

Seemingly sensing Minato's apology, Taiichi laughed heartily.

"Minato, you don't need to care so much. The position of Hokage was never even in my consideration."

You have no idea how much I've been protecting the Hokage-sama lately, watching him busy with official duties all day long, without a single moment for himself. Those days are torture for me; I don't want to live like that even for a single day."

As Taiichi spoke, he described in detail Hiruzen Sarutobi's daily work schedule to Minato, but as he spoke, Taiichi noticed something was wrong. Why was Minato's face getting paler and paler?

Oh no, I hope I didn't scare Minato.

If I scare away the Fourth Hokage, I hope Hiruzen Sarutobi won't make me take his place.

At this moment, Shisui Minato, Taiichi's own face also paled.

We need to remedy this, we need to remedy it immediately.

This is Taiichi's truest thought at this moment.

"However, this is also Hokage-sama has a heart dedicated to the village; not everyone has such selflessness."

The Hokage Position is not only an honor but also a responsibility, and there are very few people in the village who have this sense of responsibility nowadays.

"Minato, I absolutely support you becoming Hokage. But if it were anyone else, I wouldn't have any confidence in their selfless Will of Fire."

Taiichi then became shameless, saying all sorts of noble things, afraid that Minato might give up his dream of becoming Hokage because of his criticism.

In fact, this was entirely Taiichi's wishful thinking. Minato's long-held dream could not be swayed by a few words from him.

They were only initially shocked by his exaggerated description.

Minato was a veteran Jonin with many years of experience, and his knowledge and experience were Taiichi what a rookie Jonin like Taiichi could compare to.

He, a veteran Jonin, naturally knew what the Hokage's job was and what he did every day.

It's just that unlike Taiichi, they can see everything all day long.

But it was precisely because of this that Minato became certain that Taiichi truly had no desire for the Hokage Position.

In this way, he was able to let go of the guilt he felt.

Just as the two were about to continue their conversation, a nurse hurriedly walked out of the Intensive Care Unit.

She looked around and immediately spotted the two people talking against the corner of the wall. Her face lit up with joy, and she quickly walked up to them.

"Lord Taiichi, Lord Minato, the patient has woken up."

Taiichi and Minato exchanged a glance, their faces also showing joy.

Without further ado, the two, led by Taiichi, headed straight for the ward.

In the hospital ward.

Kakashi, who was fast asleep, felt like he was having a terrible nightmare.

In her dream, Rin died tragically from the enemy's Kunai while trying to save Obito;

He fought Jonin three Jonin, but eventually collapsed from exhaustion, his fate unknown.

And then there's Obito. It seems that in the end, Obito unleashed his full potential, killing all the enemies, but he also collapsed from exhaustion.

In his dazed state, Kakashi found it amusing; it really was a dream. Otherwise, how could Obito have been so powerful, killing all the enemies?

But thankfully it was just a dream!

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and Kakashi opened his eyes with a sense of relief.

But the next moment, the snow-white ceiling and the excruciating pain throughout his body reminded him that the "dream" he had experienced might actually be the real reality.

The smile on her face vanished, and tears silently streamed down her cheeks. The physical pain paled in comparison to the agony in her heart.

Memories of the battle surged through his mind, the scene of Rin's death replaying before his eyes. Kakashi's tears flowed more and more freely, gradually soaking the pillowcase under his head.

Footsteps approached, Kakashi turned his head with difficulty, only to see Taiichi walking quickly towards him, and Minato -Minato-sensei.

Taiichi was the first to enter the ward, and the first thing he saw was Kakashi with tears in his eyes. He paused slightly, then continued to the bedside.

A green light shone from his hand, which he pressed directly against Kakashi's chest.

The Chakra flowed smoothly through Kakashi's body, and Taichi nodded Taiichi, sensing the feedback brought back by the Chakra.

"The treatment is very effective; with a period of rest, you will make a full recovery."

After Minato finished Taiichi examination, Minato approached and, seeing Kakashi still immersed in grief, forced himself to ask him a question.

"Kakashi, tell me, what happened to you? Why didn't you call for backup? And what happened to Obito? I couldn't find him at the scene."

Kakashi was stunned, staring at Minato with disbelief.

"Obito is gone? How could that be? He was the one who killed all the Rock Ninja in the end. And Rin, Rin—she's dead!"

Minato was inexplicably surprised when he heard this.

Obito? Killed all the Rock Ninja? That sounds so surreal!

"Lin, don't worry, Taiichi has pulled her back from the brink of death. Now, tell us what happened in detail."

Upon hearing that Rin was alive, Kakashi finally smiled through his mournful expression.

"Alive, still alive, that's... wonderful."

It took Kakashi a while to recover from his surprise.

Then, he recounted, bit by bit, how he vaguely saw Obito kill all the Rock Ninja before he lost consciousness, from the time he retreated from Kannabi Bridge to the time he lost consciousness.

Minato and Taiichi listened quietly, without interrupting or questioning.

They believed Kakashi wouldn't hide anything, and that he would speak of every detail at this time.

By the time Kakashi finished speaking, he was already panting heavily. After all, this was his first time waking up after a serious surgery, and the fact that he had the energy to speak so much was a testament to his excellent ninja physique.

Taiichi and Minato exchanged a glance, and finally Taiichi spoke up, "We understand what happened. You get some rest, and we need to discuss how to proceed."

"No, Taiichi."

Kakashi struggled to get up, but Taiichi grabbed him and held him down. Still unwilling to give up, he looked at Taiichi and said...

"Let me go see Lin. I can't rest easy until I see her."

"No, you need to rest now. Besides, Lin's condition is much more serious than yours. She's still in critical condition and needs to be cared for in a special ward. You can't see her for the time being."

Hearing Taiichi's words, Kakashi finally gave up, but then he immediately looked at Minato.

"Teacher, Obito? Is he really missing?"

Minato nodded. "That's how it is for now. I'll search the surrounding area again based on what you've said. Don't worry, as long as he's not dead, we'll definitely find him."

"Okay... alright."

Kakashi collapsed weakly onto the bed and slowly closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Minato and Taiichi also left the ward and headed towards the Hokage's Office.

What do you think?

On the way, Minato suddenly asked Taiichi a question.

"Something's strange. Kakashi, being in the thick of it, might not realize it, but to us, it all sounds unusual."

"That's right. Obito may be a bit arrogant, but he wouldn't be so reckless as to try to show off at a time like that. More importantly, Kakashi and Rin are both cautious people, and they actually agreed with Obito's idea."

Minato nodded, his steps continuing, but his face darkened.

"And the Ninja Tool Pouch, they're made of special fabric that's hard to damage with ordinary weapons. How could they be so easily damaged? It's obvious someone did it on purpose."

"Besides, I sensed it before, and I can't detect the Flying Thunder God Kunai anymore. It must have been destroyed by someone."

Taiichi naturally knew who did it, but he couldn't say it directly. He could only guide everyone step by step to discover the truth.

Minato nodded and added, "That means, besides the Rock Ninja and Kakashi's group, there was another group of people present at the scene."

Minato spoke, his brow furrowed deeper: This was truly bad news. Who on earth possessed such power? And what was their purpose in doing this?

As the two were talking, they arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Minato, how is Kakashi? Have you found out what happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the two arrive, he stopped what he was doing and asked about Kakashi.

Minato, with a solemn expression, reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, combining Kakashi's account with his and Taiichi's conjectures.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to the report, his initially relaxed expression gradually turned serious.

Who exactly is this hidden force? There aren't many in the Ninja World that can influence someone like Kakashi, who has the strength of Jonin, without anyone noticing.

Is it the Cloud Village? Or the Mist Village? Or perhaps some other force?

"Hokage-sama, I request permission to go to the scene to investigate."

Taiichi volunteered at this point, as this task was indeed suitable for him given his current status; wasn't this exactly what the Anbu Anti-Secession Unit) did?

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed. This kind of hidden force needed to be investigated by a sufficiently strong person.

For most people, it's possible they really wouldn't have returned.