The Strategic Value of the Geothermal Generator

Two days later, the merchant ship sailed out of the bitterly cold waters, and the snow on its deck finally began to melt.

Kakashi found an uninhabited island on the Sea Chart. The five of them went ashore, while the merchant ship continued toward the Land of Fire.

Obito had enormous dark circles under his eyes. He clutched the mission report he had stayed up all night writing, guarding it with his life.

Ye put a hand on Obito's shoulder and signaled for the other three to make contact.

"Hold on tight. If you fall out halfway, I'm not coming back for you."

The technique's markings lit up in an instant.

Obito was just about to curse when the island vanished before his eyes.

The crushing pressure of space came and went in a flash. The five crossed more than half the Shinobi World and landed squarely in the Hokage's Office.

Minato was bent over reports from the front, his blue eyes bloodshot from several sleepless nights.

Five presences suddenly appeared behind him. He spun around, a specially made Kunai snapping into his hand, while the pen in his right hand slashed across half a page of the scroll.

"Who's there?!"

Only after he saw Kushina and his four students did Minato let out a breath.

"Naruto's doing fine. Senior Madara even sent word yesterday."

He reassured Kushina first.

Kushina nodded in satisfaction, then guiltily avoided her husband's gaze and retreated to the window, wrapped in her scarf.

There was clearly no escaping the reckoning for sneaking out of the village on a private job.

"Sensei, the mission report!"

Obito rushed to the desk and slapped the crumpled scroll down with a smack.

He planted his hands on his hips, tapped the toe of his right foot against the wooden