Chapter 159: The Frontline Calls
The brief period of peace was shattered after only a few days. A summons arrived for Kagenori, marked with the Hokage's seal and an urgency that brooked no delay.
When he entered the Hokage's office, the air was thick with tension and the scent of old tobacco. The room was crowded with Konoha's highest echelons of power. Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, his face grave. Flanking him were the village's elder advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, their expressions unreadable. To the side stood Namikaze Minato, and in the shadows near the window, Danzo leaned on his cane, a silent, ominous presence.
"Now that Kagenori is here, we can begin," Hiruzen stated, dispensing with pleasantries. He lit his pipe, the small flame a flicker in the dim room. "I will brief you on the situation. Our forces in the Land of Grass, under Orochimaru's command, moved to counter-attack Iwagakure. However, the Rock-nin were prepared. They have withdrawn their main force from Grass and moved them into the Land of Rain."
He took a sharp pull from his pipe. "Simultaneously, Rasa, newly confirmed as the Fourth Kazekage, has declared that Sunagakure will enter the fray, sending their shinobi into the Rain to engage both our forces and Iwa's. The three factions are now locked in a chaotic three-way battle within Amegakure's borders."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened. "But this was a diversion. While we are distracted in the Rain, Iwagakure has played its true hand. An elite Jonin, Touji, is leading a force of one thousand Rock-nin on a direct assault into the Land of Fire itself. Our defensive line, commanded by Mimura Hajime, is currently engaged, but they are heavily outnumbered and will not hold for long."
His gaze settled squarely on Kagenori and Minato. "Your orders are to reinforce Mimura immediately. You will work in tandem to blunt this invasion. Kagenori," he added, "Orochimaru has promoted your disciple, Kakashi, to the rank of Jonin. He is en route and will arrive tonight. You are to depart with him the moment he arrives."
"Understood," both men replied in unison, their voices cutting through the heavy silence.
Outside the Hokage Building, the sunlight seemed too bright for the grim news they carried.
"It seems we'll be fighting on the same front again, Kagenori," Minato said, offering a tentative, weary smile.
Kagenori's dislike for the man was a cold, constant stone in his gut. But Uzumaki Miyuki's face flashed in his mind, the unspoken thread of loyalty to the woman who had taken Kushina's burden. For that, he could muster a shred of civility.
He gave a curt, non-committal grunt. "Hn."
"You're as talkative as ever," Minato remarked, though without malice. "I will gather my team and depart first. We will rendezvous with you and Kakashi at the edge of the Fire Country border. Do not delay." In a blur of yellow, he was gone.
Kagenori returned home just long enough to inform Kushina. She, anticipating this, had his gear pack ready by the door. He accepted it, his hand brushing hers—a silent promise of return—before he turned and left for the village gates to await his student.
Two hours later, a familiar figure approached at high speed, his silver hair unmistakable even from a distance.
"Kagenori-sensei!"
Kagenori looked over the young man. Kakashi stood taller, his frame filled out with the hard muscle earned on the front lines. The boyish softness was gone, replaced by the sharp angles of a seasoned warrior. A faint, approving smile touched Kagenori's lips. "You've grown, Kakashi. I can feel it. Orochimaru's training has served you well."
"He is a… very thorough teacher," Kakashi replied, his single visible eye crinkling slightly. Then his expression sobered. "And Kushina-san? The situation?"
The smile on Kagenori's face widened, a rare, genuine expression of triumph.
Kakashi saw it and understood immediately, a matching relief in his own posture. "It's done, then."
"The Jinchuriki is Uzumaki Miyuki. The matter is settled," Kagenori confirmed. "But there is no time for reunions. Iwagakure's assault demands our immediate response."
Kakashi nodded, his professional demeanor snapping back into place. "I will pay my respects to her after the mission."
"Good." Kagenori placed a firm hand on his disciple's shoulder. "Then let's move."
They found Minato's team in a designated clearing in the forests beyond Konoha's walls. The team, however, was one member short. Nohara Rin and Takei Katsuhiko stood ready, but there was no sign of Uchiha Obito.
"Kagenori, Kakashi, you've made good time," Minato greeted them.
Kagenori's eyes swept over the group. "Your speed is commendable. But where is the loud one with the goggles?"
As if on cue, there was a rustle from the trees above, followed by a clumsy thud as Uchiha Obito tumbled unceremoniously to the ground.
"Hah… hah… Finally… caught up!" he panted, pushing his goggles up his forehead.
"Obito, you're late again!" Katsuhiko snapped, his arms crossed. "This is the tenth time! What's your excuse this time?"
"Hey! It's because I met an old lady on the road! She needed help carrying her groceries! It's the truth!" Obito's protest died in his throat as he spotted the silver-haired jonin. "Kakashi! You're here too!"
Kakashi regarded him with palpable disdain. "I don't waste breath on liars who habitually break protocol. And you are lying."
Minato offered a placating smile. "Now, Kakashi, he did help the old woman cross the road, didn't he, Obito?"
Obito nodded vigorously. "See! Minato-sensei believes me!"
Kakashi's gaze, cold and flat, shifted to Minato. "Those who abandon the mission and break the rules are trash. Isn't that right, Minato-sama?"
Minato had the decency to look slightly abashed, offering only a weak, awkward chuckle in response.
"You and your stupid rules!" Obito shot back, his face flushing. "Doesn't your heart have any feeling, Kakashi? The most important thing is helping people in need!"
"Please, you two, stop fighting," Rin interjected softly. "It's been so long since we've all been together."
"That's enough," Minato said, his tone firming. "There's something you all should know. As of today, Kakashi has been promoted to the rank of Jonin, the same as Kagenori and myself."
"What?!" The exclamation came from Obito, Rin, and Katsuhiko in unison, all three staring at their former peer in stunned disbelief.
Minato turned to Kagenori. "Given Kakashi's new rank, for the sake of mission efficiency, I propose we split the teams. Kakashi can lead Obito, Rin, and Katsuhiko. You and I can travel ahead at our own pace to provide immediate support to the front line."
Kagenori considered it. It was a tactically sound suggestion. Unencumbered, he and Minato could cover the distance in a fraction of the time. He gave a single, sharp nod. "Agreed."
"What do you mean, Kakashi leads the team?" Obito asked, confused.
"Konoha's manpower is stretched thin," Minato explained patiently. "Kakashi will be your squad captain. You, Rin, and Katsuhiko will form one team under his command. Kagenori and I will operate as a separate, rapid-response unit."
He then drew a unique three-pronged kunai from his pouch and offered it to Kakashi.
Kakashi looked at the weapon, then at Minato, his brow furrowed in question.
"A promotion gift," Minato said. "It's heavier than a standard kunai, but the balance and quality are superior."
Kakashi's eye flicked toward Kagenori, seeking silent counsel.
"If he's giving it to you, take it," Kagenori said flatly.
"Thank you," Kakashi said, accepting the Flying Thunder God kunai and securing it to his pack without further comment.
Rin brightened, rummaging in her own pack. "I have something too!" She produced a small, carefully wrapped medical kit. "It's a personal field aid kit. I've modified it myself. It's very comprehensive."
Kakashi took it, his demeanor softening imperceptibly. "Thank you, Rin."
Katsuhiko, less familiar with Kakashi, simply offered a nod of respect.
Obito, however, puffed out his chest. "Hey! Kakashi! Aren't you going to ask what my gift is?"
Kakashi didn't even look at him. "It's irrelevant. Whatever it is, it will likely be useless. Dead weight on a mission."
The blunt dismissal turned Obito's face a brilliant shade of crimson, his fists clenching at his sides as he sputtered, utterly speechless. The new team's dynamic was established, fraught with the same old friction, as they prepared to march toward the sounds of war.
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