Boom—
Under the Wood Release assault, Kitagawa Minamoto's shadow clone dissolved into vaporous manifestation.
Simultaneously, Obito Uchiha's mask disintegrated into fragments!
Had he not implemented evasive maneuvers with appropriate timing, his cranial region might have suffered catastrophic damage...
"Damnable juvenile!"
Obito compressed his dental structures as he directed visual hostility toward Kitagawa Minamoto. Though typically exhibiting composure and analytical thought processes, even he remained susceptible to momentary shock.
He had comprehended the precise sequence of events.
"This juvenile utilized Earth Style Wall to obstruct my visual field, then implemented pressure tactics with a Lightning Clone, compelling me to activate Kamui for kunai transfer. Ultimately, he transformed his clone into kunai form?"
The strategic methodology wasn't particularly intricate—it exploited fundamental informational disparity. But the genuine interrogative was...
"How does this juvenile possess such comprehensive knowledge regarding my capabilities? Could it be... he analyzed my technique with greater rapidity than Minato Namikaze?!"
Obito's countenance manifested profound incredulity. However, he lacked temporal luxury for extended contemplation.
Whoosh—
Auditory indicators of movement permeated the atmosphere as multiple ANBU operatives established perimeter containment, positioning themselves on elevated structures. They maintained combat readiness, their visual focus locked on Obito.
Compounding the problematic situation, Obito observed that Hiruzen Sarutobi and his contingent had arrived. Among them was an individual he particularly wished to avoid.
"Kakashi..."
Though Kakashi still exhibited fatigue indicators, he had managed to accompany Might Guy to the location.
Both displayed facial expressions suggesting confusion and discomfort. They had just witnessed Kitagawa Minamoto's offensive maneuver penetrate the masked individual's physiological structure—only for the man to emerge unharmed, with only his facial concealment destroyed.
"That... that facial structure..."
When Guy and Kakashi finally observed the man's countenance, Kakashi's cognitive functions temporarily ceased. A profound, inexplicable familiarity surged within his consciousness.
Even Guy, typically demonstrating rapid action implementation, paused in confusion. He reduced interpersonal distance with Kakashi and articulated with reduced amplitude, "Kakashi, doesn't this individual appear... familiar?"
"Identify yourself. What motivates your presence in Konohagakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi advanced one step. While the man's countenance didn't generate recognition, his attention focused on the wooden protrusions in Obito's upper appendage and the crimson Sharingan in his ocular region.
"Wood Release? And a Sharingan?"
Hiruzen's cardiovascular response indicated distress. Adjacent to him, Danzō Shimura's expression demonstrated equivalent gravity.
"That nocturnal event... wasn't resolution comprehensive? How could residual complications persist? Did Itachi Uchiha implement deception?"
"Hmph!"
Obito produced nasal exhalation suggesting disdain, gradually assuming vertical posture. His physiological structure began demonstrating distortion, the surrounding spatial parameters warping as he prepared for departure.
His visual focus swept across the assembled shinobi before settling on Kitagawa Minamoto, who had repositioned himself protectively anterior to Sasuke and Naruto.
He recognized that his daily operational objectives were completely compromised. Continuation remained impossible with numerous Konoha shinobi present.
Especially with that juvenile, who appeared to have uncovered his operational parameters...
"My identity maintains irrelevance. After all, future encounter remains inevitable."
"Attack!"
The surrounding shinobi lacked comprehension regarding the situation, but Danzō Shimura refused to allow this opportunity to escape. He immediately vocalized the command.
At his directive, several kunai traveled toward Obito, their velocity parameters exceeding normal visual tracking capabilities.
Clang—
Clang—
Clang—
The kunai passed through Obito's physiological structure as if encountering illusory matter, embedding themselves harmlessly into the terrestrial surface behind him. In the subsequent moment, Obito's form vanished completely.
"Did he implement escape protocols?"
Jiraiya contracted his brow, rapidly approaching Naruto's position to assess his condition. After momentary examination, he produced respiratory exhalation indicating relief.
"The seal maintains integrity, but his chakra demonstrates leakage. That individual must have generated significant agitation."
"Minamoto, what transpired here?"
Might Guy, supporting Kakashi, approached Kitagawa Minamoto. His interrogative immediately attracted Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention and others.
"Guy-sensei, I maintain limited comprehension myself," Minamoto responded, projecting innocence. Internally, however, he experienced mild regret.
"Expletive, his escape implementation demonstrated excessive rapidity! Couldn't he have at minimum left behind an upper appendage or similar anatomical component?"
Observing Kakashi, who appeared thoroughly disoriented, Minamoto produced internal respiratory exhalation.
"Well, let's prioritize mission completion first..."
"I was escorting Naruto to his residence when we encountered Sasuke. That's when I detected someone implementing surveillance. Upon closer examination, I determined the individual wasn't affiliated with Konoha, so..."
He discontinued vocalization, implementing minor shoulder elevation. While he could have explained his system's enemy identification capabilities, he opted for more plausible narrative.
"So you elected to implement preemptive strike?"
Jiraiya observed the still-burning conflagration nearby and produced cranial movement indicating approval.
"And you successfully generated alert conditions in the process?"
"Affirmative."
Minamoto executed affirmative cranial gesture with apparent sincerity. After momentary contemplation, he added, "That individual appeared to maintain operational affiliation with Jūzō Biwa and Itachi Uchiha. I communicated this to Sasuke earlier, and he refrained from denial. Additionally, he possessed a Sharingan."
"That maintains plausibility."
Hiruzen Sarutobi executed affirmative cranial gesture, though his expression suggested increased concern.
After brief silence, he approached Minamoto. Forcing minimal facial musculature suggesting positive affect, he inquired, "Minamoto, you directly confronted that individual and even engaged in combat. What's your assessment of him?"
The man's sudden disappearance had generated profound discomfort in Hiruzen. The wooden protrusions in his upper appendage, combined with his Sharingan, only intensified the unease.
Yet, this young genin had managed to force him into tactical disadvantage. Hiruzen couldn't afford to disregard such valuable perspective.
"Lord Hokage," Minamoto began respectfully, temporarily suspending communication to organize cognitive content. "That individual appeared to possess unique space-time technique. He could transfer objects, including his physiological structure, rendering conventional offensive maneuvers ineffective.
"I only discovered this because I implemented preemptive strike. Sasuke and Naruto both observed him traversing the conflagration without harm."
As he communicated, he directed brief visual focus toward the two juveniles. Naruto was still receiving Jiraiya's attention, while Sasuke, though visibly affected, executed affirmative cranial gesture.
Sasuke's gaze, however, remained fixed on Minamoto, his ocular expression suggesting a combination of confusion and admiration.
"This individual... does he genuinely possess such combat proficiency?"
"Space-time ninjutsu?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi experienced physiological response suggesting apprehension. He maintained comprehensive familiarity with such techniques' potential—Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique represented prime exemplification.
"Additionally, Lord Hokage," Minamoto continued, interrupting Hiruzen's cognitive processes. "That individual demonstrated... anomalous characteristics. The moment he implemented offensive action, Naruto exhibited strong reaction, resulting in his current condition.
"There might exist correlation, considering Naruto's..."
"A strong reaction?"
Hiruzen's brow contracted. Jiraiya had mentioned the man's "temperament," but this detail introduced additional concern.
A troubling hypothesis began forming in his consciousness.
"Furthermore, while awaiting reinforcements, he articulated, 'Konoha shinobi consistently demonstrate temporal tardiness.' His tonal qualities suggested profound resentment."
Minamoto paused, then added, "And he appeared to maintain some connection with Kakashi-sensei."
"Kakashi?"
At this, all visual focus redirected toward the still-disoriented Kakashi. Minamoto's vocalization disrupted the silence once more.
"Affirmative. He consistently designated Kakashi-sensei a 'failure,' suggesting interpersonal conflict.
"Additionally, his Sharingan occupied his right ocular region, while Kakashi-sensei's occupies his left. Could correlation exist?"
"!!!"
His communication's implications generated profound impact throughout the group. Kakashi, already disoriented, appeared even more vacant.
"Wait... could that individual be...?"
Guy vocalized softly, but quickly ceased communication. After all, the individual they hypothesized had perished as a Konoha hero.
For a moment, the group was enveloped in silence.
Even Minamoto directed brief visual focus toward Kakashi, silently communicating apology internally.
Just then, a series of notifications manifested in Minamoto's visual field.
[Side Quest Completed: "Don't Underestimate the Dead Last"]
[Reward Calculation in Progress]
[Exclusive Kakashi Quest Completed: Help Kakashi Reunite with His Friend, Obito Uchiha]
[Reward Calculation in Progress]
Observing these prompts, Minamoto compressed his labial regions.
"Sometimes... confronting discomfort earlier rather than later demonstrates greater benefit."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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