While the Mist Battlefield was engulfed in fierce fighting, Kakashi walked through Konoha's cemetery carrying two bouquets of flowers. He stopped in front of two neighboring graves.
Kakashi stared silently at the gravestones for a long while, then slowly placed a bouquet on each one.
"Father, Shisui, I've become a newly promoted Jonin, and I even created my own A-rank ninjutsu, Chidori. Today is my twelfth birthday. Happy birthday to you too, Shisui..."
As Kakashi shared what he had been up to lately, Namikaze Minato stood quietly behind him. Only after Kakashi had finished speaking did he say:
"Kakashi, we've got a new mission. Say your goodbyes to them."
After saying goodbye to his father and his close friend Shisui, Kakashi quickly caught up with Namikaze Minato in the distance.
Team 7, led by Namikaze Minato, walked slowly toward the battlefield at Kannabi Bridge to provide support.
"Kakashi, before we head into battle, congratulations on becoming a Jonin—and happy birthday. This is a specially made kunai. It's a little unusual in shape, but it's quite handy once you get used to it!"
Namikaze Minato smiled faintly, pulled a kunai from his ninja tool pouch, and handed it to Kakashi.
"Thanks."
Kakashi looked at the unusual kunai in his hand and nodded.
"Here, Kakashi. This is a medical kit I made myself. I improved the design, so it's really convenient to use!"
Rin Nohara took out a delicate medical kit and handed it to Kakashi, smiling sweetly.
"Thanks."
After putting away Rin Nohara's gift, Kakashi turned his dead-fish eyes toward Obito Uchiha and held out his hand, expecting a present. "Well?"
"What's with that hand?" Obito awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and said sulkily.
Seeing this, Rin Nohara quickly pulled Obito aside and scolded him. "Obito, didn't I tell you? You were supposed to prepare a present today."
Obito lowered his head slightly and turned away. "Sorry. I didn't hear you."
Hearing that, Kakashi slowly lowered his outstretched hand and continued walking.
The mood in the squad seemed to grow heavier. When they reached a large tree, Namikaze Minato tossed a scroll to Kakashi and said:
"Kakashi, you're a ninja who can handle things on your own now. I need to go support Jiraiya-sensei at the front and help him hold off the Iwa Ninja. We'll split into two groups. You'll lead the team and destroy Kannabi Bridge. Can I trust you?"
Kakashi caught the scroll and glanced at the two behind him before replying coldly:
"Yeah. The mission will be completed. After all, the mission comes before your comrades. Don't you two get in my way."
"Kakashi! What's with the attitude? Rin and I won't get in your way!"
Obito scowled and shook his fist angrily.
"Come on, Obito. Kakashi wouldn't really do that."
Rin Nohara hurriedly pulled Obito back and spoke softly to him.
After Namikaze Minato left, Kakashi led the squad swiftly through the forest until they reached a marsh covered in bamboo.
"Watch out!"
Kakashi spotted several sharp bamboo stalks flying toward them and quickly called out a warning. As soon as he did, Obito formed Hand Seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames surged up, and the bamboo stalks thrown at them all dropped helplessly to the ground.
"Taiseki, grab that medical ninja!"
Taiseki's expression tightened. He nodded without hesitation and replied steadily:
"Understood!"
He rapidly formed Hand Seals and muttered, "Ninja Art: Camouflage Jutsu."
In an instant, a strange transformation took place. Like a nimble chameleon, his skin's colors and patterns visibly shifted, blending perfectly with the surrounding environment.
In the blink of an eye, Taiseki had vanished without a trace. Even with their eyes wide open, it was difficult to spot the slightest sign of him.
Concealed from view, Taiseki raced toward Rin Nohara like an invisible gust of wind.
His steps were light and quick. He moved carefully, afraid that the slightest sound might alert his target.
The instant he reached Rin, he suddenly sprang out of hiding, raised his arm, and swung a swift, precise hand chop at the back of her neck.
Rin didn't even have time to react. Her eyes closed, and she slumped limply to the ground.
Taiseki caught her securely and hoisted her over his shoulder, then quickly dispelled the jutsu.
His figure became visible again. Looking at Kakashi and Obito Uchiha, who were still focused on fending off the bamboo tubes, he smiled smugly and called out:
"We're taking this girl with us."
Seeing Rin captured, Obito hurriedly shouted, "Let her go, you bastard!"
"Let's go, Taiseki!"
An Iwa Ninja with blades bound to his palms leaped down. As he spoke, he threw a smoke bomb onto the ground.
When the smoke cleared, Kakashi and Obito could no longer see anyone.
"Kakashi, let's go save Rin!"
"No. We'll continue the mission."
"But—but what about Rin?!"
"We'll deal with Rin later. Even if it means sacrificing a comrade, completing the mission comes first."
As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, Obito Uchiha raised his fist and punched him hard in the face.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Kakashi stumbled back a few steps and fell to the ground. He clutched his swollen cheek and looked at Obito Uchiha in confusion.
"Yeah, people who break the rules of the ninja world are called trash. But someone who doesn't cherish their comrades is even worse than trash!"
Hearing Obito Uchiha say that, Kakashi froze as if struck by lightning.
He stared at Obito in disbelief. His lips trembled, but for a long while, he couldn't get a word out.
The rules he had once believed in so firmly began to crumble under Obito's earth-shaking question.
Outside a cave, Obito stood alone on a tree branch. After searching for a long time, he had finally found the place where Rin was being held.
Whoosh! The sound of a kunai slicing through the air reached Obito's ears, but he had no time to block it.
With a sharp thud, Kakashi wielded the White Fang and cut down the Iwa Ninja who had attacked them from behind, then pulled Obito away.
"Kakashi? Why... did you come here?"
"I couldn't leave a crybaby like you to go alone."
He answered Obito Uchiha's question casually, still keeping a wary eye on his surroundings. The next moment, the unexpected happened: a line of blood spurted from Kakashi's cheek.
"Ah! My eye!"
Kakashi fell to the ground, injured. Obito immediately panicked. He hadn't spotted any enemies at all.
"Kakashi! Are you all right?"
Obito Uchiha looked around and asked anxiously.
"Die!"
Seeing that Obito Uchiha had turned his back on him, Taiseki hurried forward and thrust a kunai at him.
With a sharp thud as the kunai pierced his body, Obito's gaze turned fierce, and the Two-Tomoe Sharingan appeared in his eyes.
"What?! How... did you notice me?"
Taiseki spat blood and fell to the ground, unwilling to accept defeat.
Inside the cave, the two had just rescued Rin and were about to leave when the cave began to collapse.
"Run!"
As soon as Obito finished speaking, a rock struck Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi dropped to one knee. When he saw another rock about to fall on him, Obito immediately lunged forward and shoved Kakashi out of the way.