In early spring, the situation in the Ninja World deteriorated rapidly, with Iwagakure and Kumogakure returning in full force, seemingly intent on crushing Konoha in one fell swoop.
This time, Orochimaru led a contingent of troops to the front lines, entrusting some important experiments to Naraku before his departure.
Tsunade also couldn't remain idle and was assigned by Hiruzen Sarutobi to lead a squad to the western border of the Land of Fire, to guard against Sunagakure, who had yet to make a move.
Sunagakure was adept at using poisons, and only with Tsunade's presence could they be maximally deterred from acting rashly.
Sure enough, before Tsunade reached the border, Sunagakure suddenly launched a surprise attack, using the excuse that "the Kazekage's disappearance was related to Konoha," and even deployed Chiyo's newly developed potent poisons, causing countless casualties among Konoha's defending forces.
By the time Tsunade arrived at the battle zone, Sunagakure was just a hair's breadth away from penetrating deep into the Land of Fire, and the Konoha Ninja were almost wiped out.
After barely repelling the enemy, Tsunade immediately requested reinforcements from the Village, diverting the last remaining combat power to the Wind-Fire front.
The war grew more brutal by the day, and Konoha, fighting on three fronts simultaneously, was stretched thin, giving Kumogakure an opportunity to launch a large-scale offensive, further exacerbating the shortage of combat power.
With no other options, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only begin to send younger Ninja to the front lines.
This included many classes that had just graduated last year... Konoha-Iwagakure front.
The youths of Minato Squad had not yet fully grasped the reality of war; as they stepped onto the battlefield, their hearts held not only tension but also a hint of excitement.
But very quickly, reality taught them what it meant to be as insignificant as grass.
The war between the two great Ninja Villages was more brutal than any combat mission, serving as a baptism that thoroughly made the youths realize how ruthless the world was.
Everywhere, there was a chaotic scene of weapons clashing, Ninjutsu clashing, and exploding tags detonating in succession, with blood and fire becoming the most common colors in their vision.
There were also indistinguishable screams and wails from both friend and foe, clinging to their ears like vengeful spirits, ceaselessly.
Comrades who were vibrant and alive one moment would fall into a pool of blood the next, dying with their eyes open, unable to even retrieve a complete corpse.
At first, witnessing death filled them with immense anger, wishing they could kill all the enemies, but later, as they watched, they surprisingly grew somewhat accustomed to it.
This was the human world, and also hell... Since Minato went to the front lines and earned the title "Yellow Flash," he was constantly acting as a firefighter, being sent by Jiraiya wherever there was a shortage of people, often unable to look after his three students.
Whenever he was absent, Kakashi, as the most experienced member of the squad, would temporarily take over captain authority, leading Obito and Rin on missions within their capabilities.
As more and more enemies were dealt with, Kakashi, whose kill count was far ahead and who was the son of the white fang, gradually caught the attention of Iwagakure, who began to call him "sōgari".
This referred to his silver hair, like Sakumo's, his seasoned and sharp sword techniques, and his incredibly precise and ruthless hunting when using Chidori.
When Lord Jiraiya heard this news, he first lamented that his efforts back then were truly indispensable, and then decided to give his beloved grand-disciple more responsibilities.
Kakashi, still in the dark, only felt that his combat missions had become increasingly difficult lately, and whenever Iwagakure saw him, they would charge at him like they were hyped up, yelling, though he didn't know what their problem was.
Another important interception mission had just ended, and Kakashi's trio was currently resting behind a small hill, covered in dirt and not bothering to clean themselves up.
Obito, in particular, was the most disheveled; he had been a little too slow in dodging earlier and was almost scorched by the flames from an exploding tag, nearly losing his entire eyebrows.
"That was really dangerous; I almost got cooked."
Obito fearfully touched his hair, finding a lock in front that had become curled and brittle from the intense heat, and he casually cut it off with a Kunai.
"You need to be more careful next time, Obito."
Rin worriedly reminded him, applying medicine to the wound on his calf, and then lowered her head to check if the remaining amount of medicine in her satchel was enough to support the next battle.
"If Kakashi hadn't dealt with the last enemy in time, this mission might have failed."
"(ˉ▽￣～) Tch~~"
Obito thought of Kakashi, with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated, dodging various projectiles and Ninjutsu, and finally dispatching the Iwagakure Ninja with Chidori, and couldn't help but retort, "That was also thanks to Naraku's Sharingan; otherwise, wouldn't he still be a goner?"
Rin gave him a helpless slap on the shoulder and chided, "You talk too much."
Kakashi stood not far away, guarding with his sword, his right hand caressing a pendant hanging around his neck; hearing Obito grumbling about him, he shot the other a sidelong glance, his tone mocking, "But someone, even with his eyes open, was still almost blown away, wasn't he?"
"Damn Kakashi! Is that even the same thing?!"
Obito jumped up from the ground and took a few steps towards Kakashi; before his anger had fully subsided, his attention was drawn to the pendant.
It looked utterly ordinary, even somewhat plain and dusty, not at all like something valuable.
"I've been meaning to ask since that day, what is that you're wearing?"
"An amulet."
Kakashi admitted frankly, and before Obito could laugh at him for believing in such things, he raised an eyebrow and added, "Naraku gave it to me."
Obito's mocking words were stuck in his throat, neither up nor down, choking him until he rolled his eyes.
Ignoring his abstract teammate who was still protesting with his eyes, Kakashi ran his fingertip over the ceramic shard, feeling the intricate and delicate new patterns on it—uneven yet smooth and warm everywhere—wondering how much effort the carver had put into grinding and polishing it.
His own piece had been lost in the river, unable to be found, despite his efforts and struggles, but if it couldn't be found, it simply couldn't.
This one now was Naraku's own piece.
Just fifteen minutes before the squad was to depart, Naraku rushed to catch up and personally handed it to him.
This was a token shared between the two of them.
Kakashi carefully placed the gray ceramic shard back inside his collar, patting it through his clothes with his palm, confirming that it was securely hanging on his chest.
Obito couldn't stand his overly affectionate demeanor and repeatedly urged that it was time for the next mission, as time was precious and couldn't be wasted.
Due to the active performance and outstanding achievements of the squads on the Iwagakure front, Obito, Rin, and some other stronger Genin were exceptionally promoted to Chunin, continuing to be active on the battlefield.
The day he became a Chunin, Obito was so happy he jumped three feet high, proudly showing off to Kakashi that he was theoretically now his equal in rank.
But Obito's joy didn't last long before he learned that Kakashi had been promoted to Jonin by Lord Jiraiya on the front lines, and with Minato Sensei absent, he was the de facto captain.
Even if Minato Sensei were present, the squad's command authority would still be his at certain times.
Where was the justice in that!
Why Kakashi, of all people!
Obito was speechless, Obito was envious, Obito wished he could take his place.
Later, when he heard that Iwagakure had even given Kakashi such a cool nickname as "sōgari", he felt even more disheartened.
When would the mighty Lord Obito also get a cool, awesome, and badass nickname?
It didn't have to be too cool; he wasn't that greedy, as long as it was better than Kakashi's...