Early the next morning, the Uchiha Clan began to assemble.
The Elder had called up more than thirty Uchiha clansmen. Most belonged to the Hawk Faction, and even the weakest had a One-Tomoe Sharingan.
Although Yūto's publicly displayed strength was unremarkable among them, the Elder kept him close, making him look every bit the Hawk Faction's future leader.
Several days later, the Uchiha arrived at the Land of Tō's border and joined up with Minato.
The Elder met Minato inside the temporary command post, where the two stood facing each other.
Minato spoke first, his tone steady. "Elder, thank you for the Uchiha Clan's support."
He pointed to the border map spread across the table. "Kumogakure has currently assembled around five hundred ninja at the Land of Tō's border, more than twice our numbers."
Yūto stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Minato. "Minato, sir, it's been a while."
Minato smiled warmly and patted his shoulder. "Yūto, I heard you were promoted to chunin. Congratulations."
The corner of Yūto's mouth twitched at Minato's congratulations. He hadn't wanted to get stronger, either! Now he couldn't be cannon fodder and had become part of the battlefield's core fighting force instead.
Minato traced a red line marked on the map with his fingertip. "The biggest problem is that Dodai, the Raikage's aide, is personally commanding them. His Lava Release and tactical command are both top-notch."
The Elder snorted, a glint of fighting spirit flashing through his Sharingan. "What does it matter if we're outnumbered? The Uchiha's flames will burn them all to ashes."
Minato nodded and added, "Kumogakure's main force is concentrated in the canyon area, but small units have frequently been trying to circle around lately..."
Before he could finish, an explosion boomed in the distance. The shock wave made the tent's canvas rattle.
A Konoha ninja arrived with the Body Flicker Technique and dropped to one knee to report. "Lord Minato, a Kumogakure squad has been spotted two kilometers northeast. Six in total, suspected to be a reconnaissance unit!"
Minato was about to order a counterattack, but the Elder raised a hand to stop him. "Let my disciple go."
He glanced sidelong at Yūto. "This is a good chance to test the boy's training."
Yūto tightened his grip on his kunai in excitement. Here's my chance!
Six against one. I can definitely die gloriously in battle!
Minato frowned slightly. "They have the numerical advantage. We should have Team Kakashi assist..."
Yūto had barely stepped out of the tent when he ran straight into Team Kakashi's three members.
Obito waved and called out casually, "Yūto!"
Rin gave him a gentle bow. "Have your injuries... fully healed?"
He solemnly bowed at a ninety-degree angle. "All thanks to your Medical Ninjutsu, Rin."
As he straightened, he caught sight of Kakashi wiping his short sword, looking utterly cold.
Yūto looked at the three before him.
This lineup is perfect!
Going by the original story, reckless Obito plus support Rin plus lone wolf Kakashi means their teamwork has to be a complete mess!
Kumogakure's six-man squad can definitely get me accidentally killed in action!
"Hey, hey!" Obito suddenly leaned closer, his eyes darting about. "You're not scared, are you?"
Yūto suddenly grabbed Obito's shoulders and unleashed his acting skills. "That's exactly why we have to end this quickly!"
He added inwardly, I'll charge in first in a moment!
Kakashi's short sword suddenly slid between them. "Enough chatting."
The blade pointed toward the woods to the northeast. "Three o'clock. Kunai clashing."
Every cell in Yūto's body cheered.
Here it comes!
My hundred-million compensation payout!
Soon, the four arrived on the battlefield.
Yūto's Two-Tomoe Sharingan swept rapidly over the distant Kumogakure unit. When he discovered that every one of them was a chunin, his hopes plummeted.
Enemies at this level can't possibly guarantee me a heroic death!
"Kumogakure scum!" he suddenly roared. Chakra erupted beneath his feet, and he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. "You won't set a single foot inside the Land of Fire!"
He tensed his facial muscles, putting on a look of towering fury, while inwardly rejoicing. As long as I act arrogant enough, they're sure to focus their attacks on me!
There's still a chance to get myself killed!
The roar made Obito's blood boil. "That's Yūto for you!"
He grabbed his kunai and charged after him. "I can't fall behind either!"
The corner of Kakashi's eye twitched. Drawing his short sword, he muttered, "Are all the Uchiha idiots...?"
Rin stamped her feet anxiously. "They're being far too reckless!"
The six Kumogakure chunin froze briefly when they saw Yūto and the others charging toward them, then burst into laughter.
"Has Konoha run out of people? Sending a bunch of brats to their deaths!"
The lead Kumogakure ninja sneered as he casually threw several shuriken.
Yūto's Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, and he secretly rejoiced. As long as they focus their attacks on me, I'll have a chance to get myself killed!
But the Transmigrator Administration Bureau's rules forced him to do his utmost to dodge. He twisted sideways, rolled, and leaped back, avoiding every attack with fluid, effortless movements.
Having dodged the attacks, Yūto felt rather disappointed. These Kumogakure ninja seemed a little weak.
I'm a chunin too, so why can't any of their attacks hit me?
Obito's Great Fireball roared forth, only for a Kumogakure ninja to sidestep it easily.
"Is that all you've got, brat?"
His opponent grinned viciously as two Kumogakure ninja instantly moved in to flank Obito, their kunai aimed straight at his throat.
Here's my chance!
Yūto's Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun excitedly, and he immediately turned and rushed toward Obito.
"I won't let you hurt my comrade!"
As long as I can die in Obito's place, I'll have a chance to get that compensation!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Just as Yūto was daydreaming, Kakashi's cold shout rang out. A rock wall rose from the ground, blocking the Kumogakure ninja's attack.
The silver-haired boy appeared beside Obito with the Body Flicker Technique, his short sword flashing coldly as he forced the enemies back.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Yūto cursed inwardly as he watched his plan to get himself killed fall apart.
The Kumogakure ninja finally realized something was wrong. These brats seemed pretty strong. They rapidly formed hand seals. "Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
Dazzling lightning surged toward them along the ground, making Obito yell in fright.
Yūto gritted his teeth and lunged over. Surely I can die heroically this time?
Unexpectedly, Kakashi's scabbard suddenly thrust in from the side, precisely forcing the Kumogakure ninja back.
The silver-haired boy grabbed both of them by the backs of their collars and leaped backward. Lightning blasted a scorched crater into the spot they had just occupied.
Looking at the three of them without a scratch, Yūto wailed inwardly. Why does this white-haired guy keep getting in my way?
Yūto's Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly, chakra boiling inside him.
With a furious roar, he charged recklessly at the Kumogakure squad. Fireballs from his Phoenix Flower Jutsu roared forth, carrying shuriken within them.
"Die!"
He left his body exposed before the Kumogakure ninja, awaiting their fatal strike.
Yet the Kumogakure ninja were intimidated by his suicidal fighting style and retreated in disarray.
Every strike Yūto made hit its target precisely. What he needed was to die fighting, not win.
Yet even so, the Kumogakure ninja still couldn't take Yūto down.
Damn it! Can't these useless idiots even kill me?
Yūto was going mad inside.
Seeing the Kumogakure ninja steadily losing ground, he gave up on getting himself killed in this battle and turned to Kakashi through gritted teeth. "Let's finish this quickly!"
The silver-haired boy understood at once, his short sword thrusting out like lightning.
The two worked together seamlessly. Yūto's Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson cut off the enemies' movements, while Kakashi's blade reaped their lives.
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