Destroying the Bridge and the Coming Battle

The battle ended quickly.

Kakashi and Obito could barely follow it. Kazan raced across the battlefield like lightning, unleashing streaks of Divine Radiance and dispatching his opponents in an instant.

Whoosh!

Only when Kazan appeared before them in a flash did Obito slump back and sit down, exhausted.

He knew the battle was over.

The Rock Shinobi who had nearly killed him and Kakashi had fallen just that easily to Kazan.

Obito let out a long breath. "We made it out alive!"

Kakashi was more levelheaded. "We're still in the Land of Earth. It isn't safe here, and Rock Shinobi could come after us at any moment. We need to leave."

"Don't worry about pursuit. You two need treatment."

Kazan crouched, and a soft glow flowed from his hands as he treated their wounds.

"What do you mean, don't worry about pursuit?"

"Nothing. Just focus on recovering."

Kazan said no more, but Obito suddenly remembered someone else.

"Wait, Rin!"

"Kazan, Rin went to find Minato-sensei. The Rock Shinobi might go after her."

His worry was plain on his face, despite his own injuries.

"I ran into her on my way here. She's coming back now."

"Oh..."

Obito relaxed. With the danger past, Kakashi told Kazan about their mission.

"Kazan, this mission is critical. Minato-sensei... no, the Third Hokage ordered us to destroy Kannabi Bridge and cut off the Rock Shinobi's supply route."

They had no scroll, so Kakashi explained the mission's importance aloud.

"Got it. We'll move as soon as Minato returns."

As he spoke, Rin Nohara came running toward them from the distance.

After coming so close to death, Rin could hardly contain herself. She rushed over and threw her arms around both of them.

"Looks like I'm a little late."

Space rippled, and Minato Namikaze arrived.

"Is the