Chapter 161: Minato's Squad!

The protracted Third Ninja World War intensified, pushing every village to its limits.

Two years later, under immense pressure, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, made a drastic decision: all combat-capable ninjas in Konoha, regardless of age, were sent to the battlefield.

This definition of "combat-capable" extended to children as young as 10. Among them was a rising prodigy, Hatake Kakashi, the son of the renowned White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo.

To improve the survival chances of these young ninjas and help them adapt quickly to the battlefield, Hiruzen assigned them to four-person teams led by experienced jonin. These teams not only protected the young shinobi but also gave them opportunities to contribute meaningfully to Konoha's war effort while developing their skills.

Among these teams, the most renowned was led by Namikaze Minato, the Golden Flash of Konoha. Minato's team had an exceptional mission success rate and included Kakashi, already celebrated as a prodigy of his generation.

The Land of Rain, Near the Border with the Land of Birds

Four figures moved swiftly through the rain-soaked forest, their forms obscured by ponchos. Among them were three children, each running alongside their jonin leader.

"Minato-sensei, where are we heading next?" Uchiha Obito asked, his voice tinged with weariness. "We just delivered supplies—are we off to another mission already?"

"Obito, stop complaining," Hatake Kakashi interjected curtly. "A ninja's job is to complete missions. No questions, no complaints."

Obito glared at Kakashi, lifting his rain hat slightly to reveal his face. "What's your problem? I'm just asking a simple question. Is that against some ninja rule?"

"Fool." Kakashi rolled his eyes, choosing not to engage further.

"Damn you, Kakashi!" Obito fumed, ready to retaliate when a gentle voice intervened.

"Calm down, Obito," Nohara Rin said, her tone soothing. "Kakashi didn't mean anything by it. And, for what it's worth, I think your question is valid."

She turned to Minato. "Minato-sensei, where are we going next?"

Minato smiled warmly at his team. "Since you asked, I don't see why not. We're heading through the Land of Birds to the Land of Wind. There's a frontline stronghold there that we need to resupply."

"Wait, Konoha has a stronghold in the Land of Wind?" Obito asked, his eyes wide with surprise. "I thought our troops were concentrated in the Land of Rain and the Land of Hot Water!"

Kakashi snorted, his tone laced with condescension. "You don't know because you're not qualified to know, Obito. Information about that stronghold is restricted to chunin-level ninjas and above—or those directly involved in missions there. You're lucky to be on this team, thanks to Minato-sensei."

"Why, you—" Obito started, but Minato quickly intervened.

"Kakashi, that's enough," Minato said gently, his tone firm. "Obito's curiosity is natural. And you're right—Kakashi knows because his father, Sakumo, was stationed in that stronghold during the early stages of the war."

Kakashi fell silent, his gaze darkening. Memories of his father's absence filled his mind.

"If Senior Sakumo hadn't been transferred to the Land of Hot Water front, you might have seen him during this mission," Minato added softly. "But don't worry, Kakashi. I'm sure you'll see him soon."

Minato's words carried a hint of meaning, but Kakashi, lost in thought, didn't notice. Obito and Rin, sensing the shift in mood, fell silent. The team pressed forward, their pace quickening.

After a few hours, they crossed into the Land of Birds. Here, Minato slowed their pace, instructing his team to carefully erase any traces of their passage. The team followed his lead, but despite their best efforts, Obito and Rin's inexperience left some signs behind.

These traces did not go unnoticed. Iwa reconnaissance ninja, stationed nearby, detected the Konoha team's presence.

As night fell, Minato noticed the exhaustion in his students and decided to rest. The team stopped in a dense forest, but as Minato set his pack down, his expression shifted.

"Minato-sensei, are we stopping here for the night?" Obito asked eagerly, looking forward to a break.

Before he could answer, Minato vanished.

From the shadows, an Iwa scout watched the Konoha team. "They've stopped," he muttered to himself. But before he could report, a cold blade pierced his back.

Minato appeared behind the Iwa ninja, his kunai already buried in the scout's heart. The scout's body fell lifelessly to the ground as Minato's pack hit the forest floor with a soft thud.

"That's one," Minato murmured, scanning the surroundings. He returned to his team, his expression serious.

"We've been discovered," Minato announced. "We're moving out immediately."

Kakashi nodded, his demeanor sharpening. Obito groaned but obeyed, reluctantly standing.

Despite their confidence in Minato's abilities, Minato himself felt uneasy.

The scout had been dangerously close to their position. For someone to bypass his senses so effectively suggested a highly skilled opponent.

"Is this one of the Iwa elites tied up by Raiden's troops?" Minato wondered. "If so, we can't afford to linger. This could get troublesome fast."

Urging his team forward, Minato led them through the dense forest under the cover of night, the weight of the enemy's presence heavy in his mind.

(End of Chapter)