The next morning, Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara arrived early to find Mirai Uchiha.
"Mirai, we're heading back to the village today."
Rin's tone carried a sense of disappointment; she seemed rather downcast.
Mirai raised his eyebrows slightly. "Did you get a new mission already?"
Kakashi nodded. "That's right, but we can't tell you what it's about."
Obito stepped forward toward Mirai with an air of smugness. "This one's an S-rank secret mission~"
"Just wait and see—we'll become the Hidden Leaf's heroes soon enough!"
At this, Mirai immediately thought of something.
An S-rank mission assigned to Team Kakashi at this time must surely be the bridge demolition mission at Kamui Bridge from the canon storyline.
Thinking about this, Mirai couldn't help but warn, "S-rank missions are extremely dangerous—especially during this period."
"You should all be very careful."
In the canon storyline, Kakashi lost sight in his left eye during the Kamui Bridge mission when Taiseki, a ninja from Iwagakure, injured him.
Rin nearly lost her life as well.
And Obito Uchiha began his descent into darkness during that very battle.
Moreover...
Because of the Butterfly Effect, many events in the Ninja World have now deviated from their original course. Mirai had no idea what kind of dangers Team Kakashi would face this time.
"Don't worry, Mirai," Kakashi said seriously, looking at him. "I'll make sure they both come back safely."
Mirai had taught him so much, and helped him resolve his inner conflict.
No matter what happens, he won't abandon his teammates.
Upon hearing Kakashi's words, Obito's lips curled slightly upward, though he habitually shot back, "Tch! Don't talk like such a know-it-all, Kakashi!"
"Now that I've awakened the Sharingan, I'm nothing like I was before. If you slow me down, I won't hold back on you!"
Kakashi gave a simple reply: "Idiot."
"Huh?! Kakashi, you dare insult me again?!"
"What do you want to do about it, crybaby?!"
"Grrr! I'll beat you to a pulp today!"
"At least take off your goggles first before you start bragging. That way you'd look less childish."
"Aaaahhh!!"
This time, Rin didn't try to stop the bickering between Kakashi and Obito. Instead, she looked at Mirai with a complicated expression.
After a long while, she finally approached Mirai Uchiha, as if she had gathered her courage. "Mirai, we're leaving soon. I don't know whether we'll survive this mission or not. C-c-can I hug you?"
Hearing Rin Nohara's words, Mirai Uchiha opened his mouth slightly in surprise.
He never expected Rin to actually make such a request.
The two hadn't interacted much to begin with.
However, Mirai didn't really have any intention of refusing. He spread his arms and gently hugged Rin. Smiling lightly, he said, "You'll definitely come back alive. I believe in you."
After saying that, he took out a Sealing Scroll from his chest.
"Inside is sealed the Eternal Black Flame. If you encounter insurmountable trouble, summon it."
"Just be careful not to hurt yourself."
With all that youthfulness on display, when a girl takes initiative like this, showing extra care seems appropriate.
Releasing Rin, Mirai suddenly felt the surrounding atmosphere had become unusually quiet.
Lifting his head, he noticed Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha were both staring at him blankly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm simply trying to respect a woman's wishes."
"Sigh... Men who understand girls so well are truly rare nowadays."
"Oh right, don't go spreading rumors outside. Of course it's not because I'm afraid Kurenai will cause me trouble. I'm just worried other girls might hear about it and start coming to ask for hugs too."
Looking at Mirai's completely serious expression, Kakashi suddenly felt like he'd received a splash of enlightenment.
So this was the art of charming talk.
Thinking about it, Kakashi couldn't help stepping forward with a smile: "Mirai, your way of speaking is so interesting. Can you teach me?"
Mirai twitched his lips: "This kind of thing is innate. It can't be taught."
Seeing this, Kakashi secretly pulled a book from inside his clothes: "Then let's trade with this."
Seeing the revealing figures on the book cover, Mirai's face changed instantly: "You dare bribe an officer with this trash? I only read classical texts like the Spring and Autumn!"
Having said that, he snatched the book from Kakashi's hand and stuffed it into his own robe.
"Ah... Let's consider our farewell completed. See you next time."
Watching Mirai leave without even glancing back, Kakashi felt like crying.
What a complete loss—losing both the book and dignity. He really got cheated badly this time.
"We should also go now."
Seeing Obito Uchiha who had been dazed since earlier, Kakashi patted his shoulder: "Obito, give it up."
"You don't stand a chance."
Coming back to his senses, Obito secretly glanced at Rin beside him who was smiling foolishly, his single tomoe Sharingan, crimson and slowly rotating.
---
Land of Fire.
On the frontline, over a dozen Konoha shinobi crouched behind an earthen slope, their eyes filled with despair.
Still no sign of reinforcements? We can't hold out much longer!
Dammit, is this really how it ends? So frustrating.
Our chakra and shinobi tools are nearly depleted. Everyone, prepare for a final stand.
Facing the swarm of Mist shinobi ahead, Konoha's forces steeled themselves, ready to fight back with everything they had.
But as they lifted their heads, they saw dozens of Mist shinobi simultaneously forming hand seals: [Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!]
Dozens of Mist shinobi unleashed the technique at once. The jutsu surged forward like raging ocean waves, sweeping across the sky before crashing down with overwhelming force.
Witnessing this, the Konoha shinobi felt their spirits plummet.
Their enemies wouldn't even grant them the chance to resist.
Such a devastating torrent would obliterate them all in an instant.
[Whoosh!]
The tidal wave roared into the air before crashing down with unmatched might.
Just then, countless golden sands surged forth from afar, firmly positioning themselves above the Konoha shinobi as a shield.
[Boom!]
The impact of water against gold released an enormous sound, shaking the earth slightly, yet the golden sand barrier remained unbroken.
A few seconds later, everything calmed down.
An emotionless teenager sat atop the sand, slowly descending from high altitudes.
Immediately afterward, as if receiving a command, the entire mass of golden sand rushed into the small gourd hanging at his waist.
Seeing this, the Konoha shinobi all wore expressions of shock.
He had blocked that entire attack alone—it was simply incredible!
And also…
That entrance just now was absolutely unreal!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>