Qianyu hadn't spent many days with Kushina Uzumaki before Hiruzen Sarutobi urgently summoned him to the Hokage Building.
When Qianyu arrived, he found the Hokage's office crowded. Besides Hiruzen, there was Minato Namikaze, Danzō Shimura, and even the two village elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
When Qianyu entered, Hiruzen's expression turned grave. "Now that Qianyu is here, we can begin. Let me brief you on the situation.
"The Rock ninja anticipated our counterattack in the Land of Grass. All their forces there have now retreated into the Land of Rain. Our pursuing units followed them there.
"However, the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, has suddenly declared he is sending Sand ninja into the Land of Rain to join the fight between us and the Rock. All three sides are now embroiled in a chaotic battle near Amegakure.
"But the Rock is using this chaos as cover. They have secretly dispatched their elite jōnin, Tōshinin, leading a thousand-strong force to launch a surprise attack on the Land of Fire.
"Currently, our frontline commander of the Leaf Village Defense Force, Mekaza Yaburi, is leading the resistance."
Hiruzen looked solemnly at Qianyu and Minato. "Now, Qianyu, Minato. You two will reinforce Mekaza Yaburi. Also, Qianyu—Kakashi has been promoted to jōnin. Orochimaru has already sent him back to the village. He should arrive tonight. Depart the moment he does."
"Understood!"
Outside the Hokage Building.
Minato smiled at Qianyu. "Looks like we're fighting side-by-side again."
Since Minato was now Miyuki Uzumaki's boyfriend, Qianyu had to save face for her sake, no matter how much the guy grated on him. "Yeah," he replied, his tone flat and unenthusiastic.
"Still as cold as ever," Minato chuckled, unfazed. "I'll gather Obito and the others and set out first. We'll wait for you outside the village gates."
With that, Minato shunshined away.
Qianyu returned home, informed Kushina he had a mission, shouldered the pack she'd prepared for him, and left. He headed for the village gates to wait for Kakashi.
Two hours later, Kakashi arrived.
"Teacher Qianyu!"
Qianyu looked at his student and smiled. "Long time no see, Kakashi. I can tell you've gotten stronger."
Kakashi returned the smile. "Lord Orochimaru taught me a great deal."
Then his expression turned serious. "By the way, Teacher… how is your wife?"
Qianyu's smile widened.
Kakashi saw his smile and understood. His teacher had succeeded. He grinned back.
"It's settled," Qianyu confirmed. "Kushina is no longer the jinchūriki. But this Rock attack came too suddenly. No time for you to go see her now."
Kakashi nodded. "I understand. I'll visit her after this mission is over."
Qianyu clapped a hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "Let's move."
…
Qianyu and Kakashi found Minato's team in a forest outside the village. But the team only had Rin Nohara and Katsuhiko Takeishi. Obito Uchiha was missing.
"You finally made it," Minato said to Qianyu.
Qianyu sneered. "Wow, you're fast. Where's the goggle-wearing brat?"
Suddenly, Obito Uchiha dropped from the sky, landing hard on the ground.
Phew. "Made it!" Obito gasped.
Katsuhiko sighed. "Obito, you're late again. What time did you think we were meeting?"
"Hey, it's because I ran into this old lady who needed directions on the way… Hey! Kakashi! You're here too!" Obito's eyes lit up at the sight of Kakashi.
Kakashi's eye twitched. "I don't talk to rule-breakers. And that's a lie, isn't it?"
Minato laughed lightly. "Now, now, Kakashi. He helped the old lady cross the road. Right, Obito?"
Obito nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Exactly! It's the truth!"
Kakashi shot back at Minato. "A ninja who breaks the rules is scum. Isn't that right, Lord Minato?"
Minato could only offer an awkward, dry chuckle.
Obito glared. "Kakashi, do you even have a gentle bone in your body? Every time we meet, it's all 'rules' and 'regulations' with you. So annoying! What matters is self-control, right?"
Rin tried to mediate. "Come on, we finally get to see Kakashi. Don't fight."
Minato cut in. "Ah, right. Starting today, Kakashi is a jōnin, just like Qianyu and me."
"What?!"
Obito, Rin, and Katsuhiko stared at Kakashi in shock. They were still genin, and he was already a jōnin?
Minato turned to Qianyu. "Since Kakashi is a jōnin now, for mission efficiency, perhaps we should split up? Let Kakashi lead their team?"
Qianyu considered it. It was a logical suggestion. He and Minato were the fastest. They could reach the frontline much quicker if they moved alone.
"Fine," Qianyu agreed.
Obito blinked. "What do you mean, Kakashi leads the team?"
Minato explained. "The Leaf's combat strength is stretched thinner than ever. So, Kakashi will be the captain of a four-man cell with you, Rin, and Katsuhiko. Qianyu and I will form a separate two-man team."
Minato then produced a special kunai and handed it to Kakashi.
Kakashi looked at it, puzzled.
"It's a gift for your promotion," Minato explained. "It's a bit heavier than a standard kunai, but the quality is excellent. Much better."
Kakashi frowned, his gaze shifting to Qianyu for direction.
"If he's giving it, take it," Qianyu said simply.
Kakashi accepted the Flying Thunder God kunai. "…Thanks."
Rin suddenly rummaged in her pack and pulled out a small box. "Oh, I happened to bring this. Consider it my gift." She handed it to Kakashi. "It's a personal med-kit. All the supplies inside have been improved. Very useful."
Kakashi took the med-kit. "…Thank you."
Katsuhiko, not particularly close to Kakashi, offered no gift.
Obito puffed out his chest. "Hey, Kakashi! Aren't you gonna ask what my gift is?"
Kakashi's voice was ice. "Don't care. It wouldn't be anything good anyway. Useless things are just dead weight."
Obito's face flushed bright red with anger.
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