Chapter 146: The Battle of Kannabi Bridge Begins

"That's where I'll need Shizune's help."

Shimizu Uchiha gave a faint smile.

When it came to approaching Tsunade, what could be better than a studious disciple? Sharing the same field of expertise naturally sparked more conversation.

The war was nearing its final stages. Once it ended, Tsunade would likely take Shizune and wander the world, racking up debts and gambling. It was best to establish a connection now, to ensure Tsunade remembered him—ideally with some rapport.

The later it got, the more seasoned Tsunade would become, turning into a complete cynic. When Jiraiya and Naruto first sought her out, she had been dismissive and aloof. Time, indeed, could transform a person—utterly and irrevocably.

One month later.

Hokage's Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed out the window, the wrinkles on his face deepened by exhaustion. The once-bustling streets below had grown quieter, with far fewer figures passing by. Those absent were either fighting on distant battlefields or gone forever.

"Hiruzen, Konohagakure is caught between enemies on all sides. Iwagakure is stirring, likely preparing another invasion. We must take precautions," Shimura Danzō said.

Hiruzen turned. "And who do you propose we send for this mission?"

Konohagakure was stretched thin, wary of threats from neighboring nations and lacking the manpower to counter Iwagakure's forces. There were simply no shinobi to spare.

"Send Namikaze Minato," Danzō replied.

Nearby, other Konoha elders stood in attendance.

Mitokado Homura spoke up. "Hiruzen, Danzō has a point. The Yellow Flash's strength is formidable. A mission like this suits him. I believe he can handle it."

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, silent for a long moment.

Finally, he said, "Minato alone can't take on that many Iwagakure shinobi. We've seen what happened to the Third Raikage— even the strongest ninja can fall to numbers. If something happens to Minato, Konoha's situation will grow even more dire."

"The Yellow Flash isn't just a deterrent to enemies; his presence indirectly bolsters morale, keeping our shinobi from despair."

Koharu Utatane stepped forward. "We could disrupt Iwagakure's supply lines."

Hiruzen glanced down at the map on his desk, circling a few key points. "Iwagakure's critical supply routes are these. The weakest link is Kannabi Bridge, but it's close to the front lines. Iwagakure will send reinforcements quickly."

"No, Hiruzen. Namikaze Minato has the Flying Thunder God Technique. With it, he can manage both fronts," Danzō said, pointing to the southwestern defensive line before slowly tracing his finger to Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass.

The war had pushed battle lines outward, and the Land of Grass had become a central arena for the great nations' conflicts—a critical battleground. The Fire Country's defensive line was only a few dozen kilometers from Kannabi Bridge. For most shinobi, the journey would take hours, but with the Flying Thunder God, Minato could cover it in moments.

"No," Hiruzen shook his head.

The Yellow Flash's reputation was a powerful deterrent, but it had a downside: enemies wouldn't engage him head-on. The moment they heard the Yellow Flash was near, they'd flee, and retreating carried no penalty for failure.

Even if Minato took on this mission, Iwagakure's forces at Kannabi Bridge would withdraw, preserving their strength. After destroying the supply point, those retreating shinobi would merge into other fronts, potentially worsening the overall situation.

"Hiruzen, don't you understand what I'm suggesting?" Danzō said suddenly.

Hiruzen valued Minato highly, and Danzō knew any extreme proposal would earn him a warning. He was already under Hiruzen's scrutiny.

Danzō's right face was wrapped in bandages, leaving only his left eye exposed, glinting with a cold, calculating light.

Hiruzen said nothing, meeting Danzō's icy gaze with a look that urged him to continue.

Sensing the prompt, Danzō went on. "Use Minato's subordinates as bait. Have them lure the enemy, carrying kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God seal deep into Kannabi Bridge. That way, after Minato completes his frontline duties, he can instantly teleport to the bridge."

Danzō's voice echoed faintly in the Hokage's office.

For a moment, no one spoke.

"Rin, I finally found you!"

Uchiha Obito ran over, brimming with excitement.

He and Nohara Rin weren't on the same team, and his own squad's missions often kept him from seeing her.

"Obito," Rin said softly.

Her gaze lingered on Hatake Kakashi, her eyes flickering with thought.

Kakashi's birthday was coming up soon. What should she get him?

Rin's mind drifted to something Shimizu had done to her, and her eyes lowered slightly.

Did she… still have the right to give Kakashi a birthday gift?

"Is Kakashi practicing a jutsu?" Obito asked, oblivious to Rin's subtle shift in mood. He leaned back, hands behind his head.

They were in a forested area just outside the camp. Obito had heard Rin was here and rushed over.

Ahead, Kakashi held a crackling arc of electricity in his hand.

"Chidori!" Kakashi struggled to maintain the jutsu, as if it weighed heavily, before thrusting it toward a massive boulder.

Boom!

White smoke erupted, and debris flew. The boulder now bore a deep crater, its center charred black.

"Is that the jutsu Shimizu developed? Something called… Chidori, right?" Obito asked.

He hadn't been to this outpost in a while, but he'd heard Shimizu's reputation growing. Rumors claimed he excelled in Fire and Lightning Release.

"No," Rin corrected, explaining earnestly. "This is a jutsu Kakashi developed. Shimizu only copied it with his Sharingan."

"Oh, I see!" Obito said, marveling. The Sharingan was that powerful?

Once he awakened his own Sharingan, couldn't he, like Shimizu, copy Kakashi's jutsu?

"Don't kid yourself. Not everyone's Shimizu," Kakashi said, catching his breath as he dispersed his chakra.

The Chidori was a massive strain. With his current strength, he could barely manage three uses before collapsing from exhaustion.

"Don't forget, Kakashi, I'm an Uchiha!" Obito declared, flipping up his goggles and pointing proudly at his eyes with his thumb.

If Shimizu could do it, so could he. They both had the Sharingan—there was no hierarchy among them.

"Idiot," Kakashi muttered, brushing past him.

"Want some water?" Rin quickly stepped forward, handing Kakashi a bottle from the ground.

"Thanks, Rin," Kakashi said, taking a long swig.

Obito watched, grinding his teeth.

Rin had never done anything like that for him.

That damn Kakashi must've been bossing her around while he was away.

"You guys are here," Namikaze Minato said, approaching just as Kakashi prepared for another round of training.

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