A month had already passed since Minato's wedding.
The war between Sunagakure and Kumogakure was raging intensely.
Even Konoha, which hadn't participated in the war, received a thick casualty report. Each name on it represented a life lost.
War was truly a meat grinder.
But at the same time, war also created new legends.
At first, Kumogakure had the upper hand, forcing Sunagakure into retreat after retreat.
But then, a young man stepped forward. With the geographical advantage at his back, he stirred up wave after wave of gold sand storms, burying many Kumogakure shinobi.
He quickly rose to power and succeeded as the Fourth Kazekage.
The entire ninja world remembered his name—Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
With a Kage in place, Sunagakure was no longer a chaotic mess. Instead, it united.
In this situation, Kumogakure shinobi, already exhausted from their long march, struggled to gain any advantage in the desert battlefield against Sunagakure.
Instead, they were driven out of the Land of Wind, retreating while fighting, as the flames of war spread once more to the old battleground of the Second Great Ninja War—near the Land of Rain.
It was under these circumstances that Minato's squad received a mission.
Head to the battlefield and scout the movements of the various village's shinobi.
This area was close to Konoha and not far from Iwagakure.
If any one of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, or Kumogakure had sinister intentions and suddenly turned to attack Konoha, the village would be caught off guard.
Minato's squad's mission was to confirm whether these villages had such intentions.
After receiving the mission, Team Seven returned to their respective homes for final preparations.
This wasn't a short-term mission, so everyone prepared for a long-term deployment.
Obito once again went to the Uchiha Fugaku residence.
At this time, Uchiha Fugaku was drinking tea. Seeing Obito arrive, he wasn't surprised. In fact, he had been waiting for him.
With the war underway, the plan Obito had previously mentioned was about ready to be implemented.
Fugaku sat on the tatami, smiling at Obito, "Got a long-term out-of-village mission?"
Obito nodded, "Mm, near Amegakure. I can personally go and discuss cooperation with Akatsuki and Hanzo, but for follow-up negotiations, you'll need to send someone."
Fugaku pondered for a moment, "There's a problem here. Under what identity do you plan to negotiate? It can't be as Uchiha Obito, right? That would ruin the image you've built and attract suspicion from Konoha's higher-ups."
Obito chuckled, "At first, I won't reveal my identity. Once Danzo is dead, it won't be too late to reveal that I'm Uchiha. Have you prepared the money?"
Uchiha Fugaku smiled, "It's ready."
Saying that, he took out a sealing scroll and handed it to Obito.
"The money inside has nothing to do with Uchiha's public assets. You can use it freely without worrying about it being traced back to us."
Obito nodded, "Then I'm off. Wait for my good news."
With that, he turned and left.
Fugaku watched Obito's departing figure, lost in thought. He had a vague premonition that this investment would yield immeasurable benefits in the future…
———
Not long after, Obito arrived at the rendezvous point, where Kakashi and Rin were already waiting.
Kakashi, with his signature dead-fish eyes, complained, "You're still the last to arrive."
Obito countered, "Kakashi, did you cook the fish? I remember we agreed. I provide the supplies and storage scrolls, and you cook the fish."
Kakashi froze, "This is an A-rank mission, and it could turn into an S-rank mission at any moment. Do you think this is some bandit extermination job?"
Obito retorted, "So what? We'll be spending nights in my Kamui space anyway. There's no danger, so why not enjoy ourselves?"
Kakashi immediately recalled that Obito had stuffed his Kamui space with a ridiculous amount of supplies, practically turning it into a second home. Far more luxurious than when they dealt with bandits before.
He could only say, "I didn't cook the fish. Didn't you set up a kitchen in your Kamui space? If we need to, I'll catch fish and cook them on the spot."
As they were chatting, Minato and Kushina arrived.
Ever since their marriage, Minato had become the last one to show up to Team Seven meetings.
Well, marriage really does change a person.
Kushina stepped forward and looked at the team, "I won't say much—just come back safe, all of you."
Obito immediately complained, "Big Sis, can't you say something a little luckier?"
Kushina smirked mischievously, raising her fist, "How is this unlucky?"
Obito had no choice but to yield under the threat of her fist, shouting, "I promise we'll all come back safe and sound!"
Only then did Kushina lower her fist, "That's more like it."
Minato stepped forward, smiling, "Alright, let's go."
Everyone nodded and swiftly departed for their mission.
———
On the way, Minato glanced at Obito and asked, "Obito, are you planning to visit Amegakure on this trip?"
Obito nodded, "I'll hide my identity and use the 'masked man' persona from my past life to meet with Nagato and the others."
Beside him, Kakashi scoffed, "Looking all shady and secretive. How could anyone trust someone like that?"
Obito: "…."
Obito countered, "Like you're one to talk? Hiding behind a stupid mask all the time."
Rin, smiling, raised her fist, "Alright, stop arguing, you two."
Obito shuddered. Ever since becoming Tsunade's disciple, Rin's strength had grown tremendously. Combined with the power of the Dragon Vein, she could now be summed up in three words: strength beyond reason.
Right now, he absolutely couldn't afford to be punched by Rin, he'd actually die.
So, he immediately shut up and behaved.
At this moment, Minato continued his questions, "Obito, in your past life, how did this battle unfold?"
Obito showed a hint of reminiscence, "Next, Sunagakure will drive out Kumogakure, get overconfident, and decide they're strong again. So they'll attack Konoha."
"They'll fight all the way to Kikyo Mountain, where the final battle between Konoha and Sunagakure takes place. In the end, with Orochimaru and Sensei Minato holding the line, Sunagakure is defeated."
"Kirigakure sees an opportunity and ambushes Sunagakure, but Sunagakure manages to hold them off. That's when they gain another hero, Scorch Release user Pakura."
"But Pakura is unlucky."
"Because Iwagakure also sees an opportunity and attacks Sunagakure. Fearing being attacked from both sides, Sunagakure signs a peace treaty with Kirigakure."
"As the price for peace, Kirigakure demands that Sunagakure hand over Pakura. Sunagakure actually agrees, and just like that, Pakura is sacrificed, becoming a scapegoat for the village."
After hearing this, Minato shook his head, "The Third Great Ninja War really was a mess. Konoha was pushed all the way to Kikyo Mountain. Practically at the village's doorstep. We must prevent that from happening this time."
"And handing over a hero who protected the village in exchange for peace… That's something I will never accept!"
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