Preparing to Begin the Battle

Uchiha Yuzhen's pupils constricted!

That was it!

In the current ninja world, the Third Shinobi World War had not yet begun.

After all, the fuse had yet to be lit.

The disappearance of the Third Kazekage had not yet occurred.

This meant that Sasori had not yet defected from Sunagakure!

Thinking that this mission might lead to a collision with two ninjas in the realm of "Kage"...

Uchiha Yuzhen felt no fear; instead, he felt a surge of excitement.

The successful integration of the Flying Thunder God Technique into the Uchiha Style, his strength as an Elite Jonin, and the enhancements to his weapons!

All of this made him feel that even if he were to face the so-called "Strongest Kazekage" and the Strongest Puppeteer, Sasori, during this mission...

He would have nothing to fear!

Carrying this confidence with him, after dismissing the group at the training ground.

He rested for the afternoon.

Uchiha Yuzhen adjusted his state and headed toward the gates of Konoha.

That was the designated assembly point for this mission!

When he arrived, about twenty ninjas had already gathered there.

More than half of them were wearing Jonin vests.

He did not recognize most of them.

Only two had appeared in the original story.

He recognized them immediately.

One was a burly, red-haired man.

The leader of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" team for this mission, Akimichi Choza.

As the father of the future Konoha 12 member, Akimichi Choji.

He was quite easy to identify.

The other was even simpler; that mustache, those sunglasses, the giant canister on his back, and that low sense of presence...

Aburame Shibi—

Also the father of another member of the 12, Aburame Shino.

Seeing this, he felt that this mission should be secure.

The strength of these two was definitely at the level of Elite Jonin.

And they were the very strong kind at that!

Coupled with Namikaze Minato, a top-tier ninja who had fought to a draw with Kumogakure's "AB" duo right from his debut.

And adding himself.

Two holders of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

It would be more than enough to save the hostages!

As he neared the main force, Uchiha Yuzhen cut off his train of thought.

He politely greeted all the ninjas present before heading over to Team Minato.

After all, among everyone here, he was only familiar with his own companions.

He arrived beside Kakashi and the other two.

He offered a word of comfort to Obito, who was the only one among the three who seemed a bit nervous:

"Obito, I saw you were nervous the moment I arrived, but that's unnecessary!"

"For this mission, with our teacher as the leader, we as his students cannot afford to show any weakness."

"Besides... since when have the Uchiha ever feared a challenge?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Obito's spirits lifted.

That's right!

Yuzhen made a lot of sense.

Especially that last sentence.

Uchiha must never fear a challenge!

With his morale boosted, Obito's entire demeanor was like a different person compared to just a moment ago.

Obito was now truly convinced by Uchiha Yuzhen.

When it came to someone who was stronger than you, worked harder than you in training, and possessed a better mindset—all while being able to cheer you on—you had no choice but to be convinced!

Furthermore, even though Obito was a kind-hearted, atypical Uchiha, he still deeply identified with the sense of honor that the Uchiha clan constantly preached.

Therefore, now that his spirits were lifted, he was determined not to lose face during the upcoming mission!

In the distance, Namikaze Minato witnessed this scene.

He wasn't the only one who saw it.

As the second-in-command for this mission, Akimichi Choza saw it as well. He raised an eyebrow and remarked to Namikaze Minato with a sigh:

"Minato-kun, your students are truly outstanding!"

He couldn't help but be impressed!

For two members of the Uchiha clan to suddenly join the Hokage's inner circle was, if not unprecedented—given that Kagami Uchiha had been a student of the Second Hokage—at the very least, it was profoundly shocking.

After twenty years, was the Uchiha clan about to enter the core circle once again?

Having overheard the words of comfort that the Uchiha boy—whose chakra intensity and presence were both extraordinary—offered to his companion, they both felt that this child was destined for greatness.

After all, for a Konoha ninja who embraced the "Will of Fire," being strong on your own wasn't considered much of a skill.

However, if you were strong and could also uplift your companions, then the majority of Konoha would hold such a person in high regard.

Akimichi Choza felt exactly the same.

Standing to the side as the trump card for dealing with the Puppet Corps, the taciturn Shibi Aburame also nodded in agreement.

His clan didn't talk much, but they always acknowledged those they deemed worthy as true comrades.

Regardless of anything else, the moment Uchiha Yuzhen was able to bestow "spiritual" strength upon his companion, Shibi had accepted him.

As for Namikaze Minato, it went without saying.

Praising your own student in your heart versus having someone else take the initiative to praise them—the satisfaction was completely different!

More importantly, since Yuzhen was capable of comforting his companion, it meant there was less chance of his personality becoming extreme in the future.

A powerful student who wouldn't go astray and was praised by others—at this moment, he couldn't help but feel happy!

"Alright, let's stop praising him; the success of a rescue mission depends on time."

"Since everyone is here, let's set off."

With that, Namikaze Minato led the main force and dashed toward the Land of Wind.

After several days of forced marches.

Dozens of kilometers outside the Capital Oasis of the Land of Wind.

The Konoha rescue squad had infiltrated the area.

Thanks to the personal belongings of the Daimyo and his son.

Guided by the noses of the Inuzuka ninjas and their ninja hounds.

They had tracked them to this location.

As the leader of the entire team, Namikaze Minato conferred for a moment with his deputies.

Akimichi Choza and Aburame Shibi.

He raised his hand and said in a deep voice:

"Everyone, the capital of the Land of Wind lies ahead. Our next move is infiltration."

"We are splitting into teams now. Yuzhen, Kakashi, you two come with me."

"Obito and Rin, you two stay here with a portion of the ninjas under the command of Lord Akimichi and wait for our return."

Minato then proceeded to assign tasks to all the ninjas present.

His train of thought was clear; this was a rescue mission.

It was not an extermination mission.

Every subsequent strategy had to revolve around the goal of rescue.

Therefore, he and Yuzhen, with their high mobility, had to be on the front line.

Adding an Inuzuka Jonin and Aburame Shibi would be sufficient!

With two wielders of the Flying Thunder God, he truly felt that saving the targets would not be difficult.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yuzhen nodded to signal his understanding.

The moment he heard the specific assignments, he grasped Minato's intent.

The Inuzuka and Aburame would handle reconnaissance.

Two Flying Thunder God users would rush in to save the targets!

A simple and brutal, yet highly effective strategy.

As the teams were finalized.

Yuzhen followed in Minato's footsteps and infiltrated the capital of the Land of Wind.

As powerful clans of Konoha.

The Inuzuka and Aburame were not to be trifled with.

When it came to reconnaissance and tracking, they bowed to no one except the Hyuga.

Before long, they located their mission targets in an elegant courtyard.

Aburame Shibi raised his hand, and a scout insect landed on it.

He took it and sensed its feedback for a moment.

He then spoke to those present:

"The Daimyo of the Land of Rivers and his son are being held under house arrest, with massive chakra signatures on both sides that make my insects tremble."

"One of them is likely the Kazekage, and the other, though not clearly visible through the insect's perspective, should be that 'Sasori of the Red Sands'."

Hearing this, Namikaze Minato pondered for a moment.

"We will strike directly and save them!"

"I will hold off the Kazekage, and as for Sasori of the Red Sands..."

"Yuzhen will block him!"