Obito Uchiha was pissed off by Kakashi's cold attitude.
He jabbed a finger at Kakashi, frustration boiling over. "How the hell did you become a jonin anyway? Unbelievable!"
Kakashi shot him a sidelong glance. "Not taking that from you."
"I'm Obito Uchiha of the Uchiha clan!" Obito fumed, chest puffed out. "I'll surpass you one day! Just wait until my Sharingan awakens."
Kakashi's expression dripped with mockery. "Heh. The Uchiha? So what? An awakened Sharingan isn't that impressive. Besides, my sensei's eyes opened way earlier than any of you Uchiha. Sensei, when did yours awaken?"
Qianyu smiled, playing along. "Nine."
"See?" Kakashi sneered. "Stop hiding behind your clan name. You're twelve and still blind. Even if you awaken it, you won't necessarily get stronger."
Obito was seething, but he had no comeback.
And honestly? Obito was terrified of Qianyu.
Everyone in Konoha knew the rumors. How Qianyu had it out for the Uchiha.
Obito had heard stories—countless clansmen supposedly dead because of Qianyu's schemes. In the Uchiha compound, Qianyu's name was spoken in hushed, fearful tones.
Rin intervened again, sighing. "Really, you two. Stop fighting."
Minato Namikaze spoke up, his tone shifting to business. "Alright, that's enough. Time for the mission briefing."
He unfurled a map of the shinobi world. "Look here. This line. Iwa is pulling back from Kusagakure, shifting their forces to Amegakure. The enemy, of course, is Iwagakure shinobi. Intelligence suggests they already have over a thousand troops at the front, aiming to invade the Land of Fire. Our Defense Force is engaging them now. Since the Land of Fire borders Amegakure, waiting for them to cross is too late."
Rin's expression turned grave. "If they're advancing so openly, their reinforcements must be substantial."
Minato nodded. "Exactly. That's why our mission target is here… Kannabi Bridge." He pointed to a spot on the map.
Qianyu's eyes followed Minato's finger, then instinctively flicked to Obito.
Noticing the gaze, Obito flinched.
Qianyu looked away, thoughtful.
So. Obito was about to meet Madara.
As for Kakashi… Qianyu wasn't worried about him swapping eyes with Obito anymore. He had full confidence in Kakashi's current strength.
Minato continued. "To crush the enemy at the front requires massive numbers. So, as the disruption unit, we operate as a small, elite team."
Kakashi frowned. "A bridge? So it's an infiltration mission."
"Correct," Minato confirmed. "Team Kakashi, your objective is to infiltrate behind enemy lines, destroy this bridge used for supply transport, cut off their support, and exfiltrate immediately. Qianyu, anything to add?"
The plan was sound. Qianyu shook his head. "No. Proceed as you said."
"What about you, sensei?" Obito asked.
Minato replied, "Qianyu and I will attack the front lines directly. That'll serve as your diversion. Remember, Kakashi is team leader. We'll travel with you to the border, then split. Understood? Mission start!"
Minato put his hand out, palm down. Obito, Rin, and Katsuhiko followed suit, stacking their hands on his.
All four looked expectantly at Qianyu and Kakashi.
Qianyu simply turned his head away, pretending not to see.
Kakashi mimicked him, looking off to the side with a mutter. "So immature."
Seeing their lack of participation, Minato and the other three just pumped their own hands with a quiet cheer.
Kakashi, as leader, took point.
He stopped abruptly. A raised fist. A silent signal.
Everyone froze.
Qianyu watched, satisfaction warming his chest.
Ahead, hidden in the trees, was Iwa's elite jonin, Mahiru. A master swordsman. Blindingly fast. Currently on solo reconnaissance duty, skilled in concealment and infiltration, with a particular talent for the Shadow Clone Technique.
Mahiru was observing them too.
His eyes landed on Qianyu and Minato. His blood ran cold.
That's… No… It can't be…
He decided to assess the situation first. Twenty shadow clones materialized around him, melting into the forest.
Qianyu's Observation Haki had already pinned down Mahiru's real body. He sensed the twenty clones, too.
Minato knelt, a finger to the earth, sensing. "One person… but wait. Twenty-one signatures. Likely shadow clones."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened, fixed on the treeline. "Seems right." He looked at Qianyu. "Sensei. I'm going in. Cover me."
Before Qianyu could speak, Minato cautioned, "Easy, Kakashi. You should provide support. Let me handle this."
Kakashi ignored him, his eyes locked on Qianyu.
A faint smile touched Qianyu's lips. "Yeah. Go. I've got your back." He then said to Minato, "Kakashi is the captain. The captain has absolute authority in the field. Right now, even I have no right to overrule his decision."
Kakashi's hands flew through seals as he spoke. "Good. I wanted you to see this anyway, sensei. A new jutsu I developed, inspired by Thunder Breathing. Chidori!"
He focused a torrent of Lightning Release chakra into his hand. The air crackled, shrieked—a thousand birds crying out at once.
Obito, Rin, and Katsuhiko stared, stunned. The chakra… it was immense.
Qianyu watched the brilliant, snarling lightning in Kakashi's palm. His lips pressed into a thin line.
So he still created it. Chidori.
Originally, it was born from Kakashi's failure to fuse Lightning Release into the Rasengan. Now, its inspiration was Thunder Breathing.
Just as Kakashi prepared to charge, Minato's hand shot out, blocking his path.
Kakashi glared, annoyed. "Even with numbers, this jutsu will end it in an instant. And I'm the captain. The team follows the captain's orders. That's the rule, right?"
Hearing that, Minato lowered his arm.
The moment the barrier was gone, Kakashi shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
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