CHAPTER 105

After returning to the Konoha outpost near the border of the Land of Grass, Uchiha Kai and his squad were finally given a moment of rest. Minato Namikaze, accompanied by Captain Tomohisa Kopei, immediately reported to the command tent to deliver their findings.

Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara sat silently near the supply crates, their expressions shadowed by grief. The loss of their comrade, Obito Uchiha, weighed heavily on them. The scar from that battle had yet to heal—not physically, but emotionally.

Uchiha Kai understood their silence. The price of survival was often paid in guilt. Even he, Aya Hyuga, and Kenta Imai—known for their stoicism—weren't untouched by the war's brutality. But unlike Kakashi and Rin, they had developed different coping mechanisms, forged through other battles and other kinds of loss.

Kai didn't speak to them. Instead, his eyes shifted toward Kenta Imai.

Kenta's usual crooked smile was still there, but something in his demeanor had changed. His chakra felt… deeper. Colder. Kai narrowed his eyes. Was Kenta hiding something? Had he grown stronger—or just darker?

As for Aya Hyuga, Kai had noticed her improvements. Her Gentle Fist had become faster, more precise. But the Hyuga Clan had a ceiling—at least, that's what Kai believed. He recalled what he knew from both clan history and whispered rumors.

The Hyuga are dominant in the early ranks—Genin to Jonin. But they stagnate. Even Hyuga Hiashi, the clan head, had never approached Kage-level strength. And then there was the strange case of the Tenseigan. The mere thought of Toneri Otsutsuki—a recluse with no true combat experience—nearly defeating Naruto Uzumaki thanks to the Tenseigan, was absurd.

"Either they plateau early," Kai thought, "or they shoot up to demigod level with some eye mutation that no one else gets. There's no middle ground."

He scoffed softly to himself. The Hyuga clan's drama was their own problem. Main Branch, Branch Family—it had nothing to do with him.

"Squad, assemble."

Minato's calm, commanding voice pulled Kai from his thoughts. The young ninja quickly stood, along with Aya, Kenta, Kakashi, and Rin. Tomohisa Kopei stepped forward, standing beside Minato as the Fourth Hokage-in-the-making pulled out a tactical map.

Minato knelt and unfurled the map on a flat rock, marking three distinct points with a black ink brush.

"According to intel, Kirigakure forces have been moving unpredictably in this region," he said, pointing to the circled zones. "They've attacked two of our recon teams. There's no pattern to their movements, and no known objective."

He looked up, his gaze sharp but warm. "Your mission is to scout the region and identify their goals—without engaging unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, sir," the squad responded in unison.

Minato's expression turned slightly apologetic. "I won't be accompanying you this time. I've been called to attend the peace negotiation summit alongside Master Jiraiya."

That drew frowns from the group. Even Kakashi's normally stoic face twitched slightly.

"The Iwa negotiations are delicate," Minato explained. "They're on the verge of agreeing to a ceasefire, but it's a tightrope. Master Jiraiya believes my presence will pressure them toward peace. Lord Hokage approved this course."

It made sense. After all, Minato's single-handed destruction of Iwa's platoons had struck fear into the Tsuchikage's heart. His name alone could shake a war council.

"But I'm still your commanding officer," he continued. "I'll be monitoring the situation. I'm giving each of you one of these—" He handed out special kunai marked with his Flying Thunder God seal. "You know how this works. If things go south, signal me with your chakra. I'll arrive instantly."

Everyone nodded, slipping the kunai into their packs or tool belts.

"And one more thing," Minato said, voice low. "Even though peace talks are underway, don't drop your guard."

The air grew still.

"There are factions within Iwa who oppose the talks. Rogue units who've gone off the grid and are targeting our shinobi in secret. If you run into Iwa-nin, do not assume they're friendly—or even official."

The group absorbed his words with grim expressions.

"This isn't about revenge," Minato added, glancing at Rin and Kakashi. "It's about survival. Be smart. Be sharp."

"Understood, Captain Minato," Kai said for the group, bowing his head slightly.

With a final nod, Minato stepped back. "Good. Move out when ready. Captain Kopei will lead the field operation."

As the squad began their preparations, Uchiha Kai slid the Flying Thunder God kunai into his sleeve, eyes narrowed. War might be ending on paper—but in the shadows, it was still very much alive.