In a forest in the Land of Fire, at a Konoha camp.
"I hear the Sand Ninja's vanguard took a serious beating at your hands this time, Jiraiya. Is that true?"
Orochimaru sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped on its surface. His tongue flicked across his lips like a snake's, and his voice was so dark it seemed to pierce the soul.
Jiraiya scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh. "It wasn't that bad. The only thing worth mentioning was a Sand Ninja prisoner."
While the two caught up, Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Shikaku lifted the tent flap and came inside.
"That Sand Ninja is a Scorch Release user from Sunagakure. This is the information Inoichi gathered from her mind."
Nara Shikaku unrolled a scroll and handed it to Orochimaru.
"How is she?"
Orochimaru licked his lips and asked slowly.
"The information was compromised, so she bit through her tongue and killed herself."
Yamanaka Inoichi shook his head and explained Pakura's current condition.
"What a shame. Such excellent research material."
Orochimaru nodded and thought to himself, then waved them away.
After the two left, Orochimaru handed a scroll to Jiraiya and said, "This mission is for that Anbu who accompanied you earlier. Also, the old man wants you to stay and help me deal with the Sand Ninja."
Jiraiya took the scroll and stood up. "I'll pass the mission on to him. Well, I'll be going."
With that, Jiraiya turned, waved, then lifted the tent flap and walked out.
Inside a tent in the logistics department, Uchiha Shisui slowly opened his eyes and shook his still-dazed head.
"You're awake? You were so exhausted last night that you passed out outside the camp. Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya brought you here."
The kunoichi wearing a medic's armband held out a cup of water to Uchiha Shisui and spoke softly.
"Thank you!"
Uchiha Shisui swallowed a few Military Ration Pills, then drained the cup.
"You're welcome. Get some rest."
After tidying up, the kunoichi left the tent.
"Lord Jiraiya!" When she saw Jiraiya approaching, she quickly bowed.
A moment later, Jiraiya lifted the tent flap and walked inside.
"Yo, Shisui! You're looking pretty lively!"
Jiraiya greeted him, then handed Uchiha Shisui the scroll.
"The old man's given you a new mission. Your Anbu sure have it rough."
"Got it."
Uchiha Shisui skimmed the scroll, got to his feet, put on his gear, and strapped on his Ninja Blade, ready to head out at once.
"What a rude kid. Can't even say thanks."
Seeing Uchiha Shisui in such a hurry, Jiraiya couldn't help pouting.
"The mission comes first. You know that."
Uchiha Shisui glanced back as he spoke, then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the camp, heading straight for the Land of Fields, where the Kumogakure shinobi had gathered.
After several days of travel, Uchiha Shisui stopped in a tree. Below, a Konoha supply convoy was moving along the road.
"Is this Team 7's mission?"
Seeing Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha among the convoy, Uchiha Shisui murmured to himself.
"The mission says Namikaze Minato and I are to intercept the A-Bee Duo from Kumogakure, but why isn't Namikaze Minato with the team?"
Suppressing his confusion, Uchiha Shisui leapt from the branch and landed steadily in front of the convoy.
"Who's there?!"
Seeing the sudden figure, Kakashi immediately called for the convoy to stop and took a guarded stance, already thinking through their next move.
"Don't worry. I was sent by Lord Hokage."
Uchiha Shisui showed both hands to make it clear he wasn't holding any weapons, then tossed the mission scroll to Kakashi.
Kakashi created a Shadow Clone. Following his original's orders, the clone opened the scroll and confirmed its contents, then nodded to the original Kakashi.
"So you're here to reinforce us."
Rin Nohara stepped closer to Kakashi. After seeing the scroll's contents, she relaxed as well.
"Rin! Don't worry. I'll protect you the whole way!"
Obito pushed down the nervousness that had just welled up and spoke to Rin Nohara.
After that brief interruption, the supply convoy continued on its way.
Kakashi returned the scroll to Uchiha Shisui, then explained the decoy mission they were carrying out.
After listening to Kakashi explain the mission, Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Don't worry. With me here, this mission won't be dangerous."
"Tch, another self-important guy. I hear we'll be facing more than a thousand shinobi from Kumogakure, plus the powerful A-Bee Duo, who work together like clockwork. Save the big talk until you've survived."
Uchiha Shisui paid no mind to Obito Uchiha's taunt. Obito hadn't even awakened his Sharingan yet, so he wasn't worth Shisui's effort.
The convoy traveled on, and Obito taunted him the whole way.
Just as the convoy entered a wooded area, more than a dozen Cloud Ninja sprang out from the bushes.
"Brothers! It's a Konoha supply convoy! Looks like we're in for another payday!"
One Cloud Ninja with a Fuma Shuriken strapped to his back grinned, making no effort to hide the greed in his eyes.
"Enemies! Obito, protect Rin! Everyone else, follow me!"
Kakashi drew the White Fang short blade from his back, his eyes fixed on the Cloud Ninja surrounding them.
"I know! Kakashi, I'd protect Rin even if you didn't tell me to!"
Obito Uchiha gripped a Kunai, ready to face any Cloud Ninja who charged.
Uchiha Shisui looked around but made no move. The Cloud Ninja who'd come were all nobodies, and he had no desire to fight them.
"That guy's actually sitting there so calmly on the cart!"
After deflecting several Shuriken, Obito Uchiha looked at Uchiha Shisui on the cart and snapped angrily.
Kakashi was highly skilled tactically. The only Chunin from Kumogakure in the area was soon run through the heart by the White Fang short blade.
Seeing their captain dead, the other Kumogakure Genin didn't dare linger. They hurriedly fled deeper into the forest.
Not long after the battle ended, several hundred Cloud Ninja appeared around the supply convoy, which had been resting.
"This is bad!"
Kakashi looked around and realized they were in trouble.
"Damn it! Rin, when the fighting starts, run! Kakashi and I will hold them off!"
Obito knew they might truly be doomed this time.
"No. If we're going to die, we'll die together!"
Rin Nohara's gaze was resolute, though there was a hint of despair in her eyes.
"Hey, relax. They're all just nobodies."
Uchiha Shisui slowly stood up and smiled at the others.
"Who're you calling nobodies?!"
"Yo! Big bro's angry! You're done for! Yeah!"
A pushed through the crowd, lightning crackling around him. Behind him followed Killer B, twitching rhythmically.
As the two sides faced off, a peculiar Kunai plunged down from the sky. The moment the Flying Thunder God Kunai struck the ground, a figure appeared out of nowhere, holding the weapon in his hand.
"Am I too late?"