Ma Jia was disgusted by Danzo's behavior.
He was only somewhat angry—nothing compared to when his main body had once been besieged. After all, Ma Jia was no longer a Konoha ninja; Danzo's actions had little to do with him personally. Still, he couldn't help but feel revulsion at the man's hypocrisy.
Now, Ma Jia had every reason to believe that the Third Hokage was truly blind.
Before, it had merely been that both the Third and Danzo were clinging to Konoha's power, struggling for control. But now, after years of gradual consolidation, the Third Hokage had fully secured his authority. Their objectives had diverged: the Third no longer intended to let Danzo succeed him. That had become the deepest rift between them.
At this stage, when the Third was old and nearing abdication after the war, it was expected that both he and Danzo would begin making secret moves against each other.
"This Root ninja must be a direct agent of Danzo, planted specifically to bypass the Third Hokage's surveillance," Ma Jia concluded coldly.
Still, the addition of a Special Jōnin to the enemy's side didn't create an overwhelming advantage. Ma Jia wasn't in a hurry to act. The two Special Jōnin had joined forces against Kakashi, not Rin.
Maga's true mission was to protect Rin. Kakashi's safety was only incidental.
After sensing the presence of White Fang nearby, Ma Jia decided he didn't need to worry about Kakashi at all. Protect your own son. I only care about Rin.
In other words, among the three members of Team Seven, Obito received the least protection — barely any at all from the hidden forces.
"That's strange. It's been over a year since the Kannabi Bridge incident. Obito should have already come into Madara's sights," Ma Jia thought, his gaze sharpening. "Meaning, he might have hidden protectors... Is it Black Zetsu? Or something else?"
He didn't dwell too long on it. Black Zetsu's concealment techniques were extraordinary, and Ma Jia wasn't confident he could detect him even now. The last time the main body had spotted Black Zetsu had been due to a rare slip-up — centuries of perfect hiding had bred overconfidence. Only by picking up on a subtle clue and hearing Uchiha Qing's doubtful mention of the name "Black Zetsu" had Ma Jia realized the truth.
"It's fine. If they explode with full power, they should manage."
Turning his attention back to the battlefield, Ma Jia analyzed the situation carefully.
If they burst forth with all their might, Team Seven had a real chance of counter-killing the enemy. But it would require Obito's cooperation.
Specifically: Obito needs to awaken his Sharingan.
In the original timeline, Obito's eyes had not awakened yet at this point; it took the tragedy at Kannabi Bridge to trigger it.
But things were different now.
—
"Fire Style: Blasting Fist!"
Obito once again unleashed his Blasting Fist technique, flames surging forward toward the remaining Sand Ninja Chūnin.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"
Rin synchronized with him perfectly, trapping the enemy with her Water Prison.
Meanwhile, the two Special Jōnin ignored them, focusing all their efforts on Kakashi. After all, Kakashi posed the greatest threat — if he wasn't neutralized first, their mission could fail.
Obito and Rin's attacks could be annoying, but they didn't have the sheer lethality Kakashi possessed.
"Die!"
Obito's burning fist struck home, engulfing the enemy in flame. The Chūnin let out a final scream before collapsing lifelessly.
"Hiss—"
Obito staggered, clutching his side. His entire body ached from the repeated forced eruptions of chakra.
"Obito, hurry! Kakashi's in danger!" Rin called urgently.
By now, Kakashi's fight had carried him far out of sight. Earlier, when the second Special Jōnin appeared, Obito could still shout warnings—but now? They couldn't even see him.
Lin understood immediately: Kakashi must have deliberately lured the enemies away to give them a chance to escape.
But how could they abandon him?
Fighting through the pain, Obito and Rin sprinted toward Kakashi's battlefield.
Halfway there, seeing Obito struggling, Rin paused briefly to treat him with a quick healing jutsu.
"That's the best I can do without slowing us down," she muttered, heart tight with worry. "Kakashi's facing two Special Jōnin alone — he can't hold out much longer!"
Among them, ironically, Rin was now in the best condition. Obito was battered, and Kakashi was probably even worse.
"I can do this," Rin clenched her fists. "Teacher has taught me plenty of life-saving tricks..."
When they finally reached Kakashi, the sight made Rin's heart seize.
Kakashi was barely standing.
His body was riddled with wounds. His chakra was so faint it was barely detectable. His right hand clutched his sword tightly, desperately fending off his attackers.
"Boom!"
One of the Special Jōnin's Wind Style attacks blasted Kakashi off his feet, sending him tumbling ten meters across the ground.
Coughing blood, Kakashi forced himself up again. Through the mask, his lips curled in a scornful sneer at Obito.
"Idiot..."
But in truth, Kakashi's heart was deeply moved by his teammates' arrival. Something stirred in his cold gaze — something painful, yet warm.
Meanwhile, the enemy Special Jōnin noticed their dead comrade.
Though war-hardened, even he showed a flash of sadness. Bonds formed on the battlefield ran deep.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The enemy unleashed a violent gale.
Obito, caught in the blast, was thrown several meters away.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
While Obito was still airborne, the enemy closed in, striking with a brutal palm.
"Obito!" Rin screamed, her hands moving faster.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"
Her jutsu struck true, trapping the enemy mid-attack.
"Not bad," the Special Jōnin muttered grimly. "But it's still far from that white-haired kid's level..."
Ignoring him, Rin pressed her hands tighter together, completing another series of hand seals.
"Water Style: Water Burst!"
The Water Prison exploded violently, unleashing a devastating blast from within.
"What the—?!"
"Boom!"
The explosion tore through the mist. Steam filled the air, obscuring the battlefield.
The distant Root spy hidden in the shadows narrowed his eyes in alarm.
Kakashi saw the opportunity immediately.
Without hesitation, he swallowed the military ration pill hidden in his mouth and unleashed the last reserves of his chakra.
"Lightning Blade: Chidori!"
Crackling lightning burst from his right hand, chirping like a thousand birds.
With a roar, Kakashi drove his Chidori into the second Special Jōnin's gut, piercing through his armor and flesh with brutal efficiency.
In the clearing steam, Rin finally spotted the first Special Jōnin.
He was still alive.
Though gravely injured — his body nearly torn apart from the Water Burst — he hadn't died outright.
He stumbled forward sluggishly, pain etched on his face.
Seeing this, Obito mustered the last of his strength.
"Fire Style: Blasting Fist!"
Flames erupted at his feet, propelling him forward like a comet.
"Die!!!"
With a final roar, Obito punched with everything he had left, collapsing into unconsciousness the moment his fist landed.
From the shadows, Ma Jia nodded approvingly.
At least this guy is reliable when it matters.
Obito's repeated Blasting Fist usages had pushed his body beyond its limits. Now, his mind was empty, and his spirit was drained.
But still... letting Lin deliver the killing blow would have been smarter. Now you've fainted without awakening your Sharingan. Really, Obito... you don't deserve to play the hero.
At this point, Team Seven had completed their mission.
They had eliminated the enemy — the remaining Root spy was an unforeseen variable, but thanks to the information Danzo had leaked, Ma Jia was already tracking him down.
Rin quickly checked Obito's breathing.
He was alive — just unconscious.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
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