Chapter 66: Hiruzen: Obito Is a Good Boy!

Hokage Building, Operations Meeting Room.

A large map of the Ninja World hung in the conference room, displaying intricate lines in multiple colors. These lines represented the various defensive formations and attack routes of the three-nation coalition against the Fire Nation.

Normally, this long conference table would be packed with Konoha's top commanders and decision-makers. But now, only the "Konoha F4" — Hiruzen, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu — along with the head of the Intelligence Division, remained. Most of Konoha's elite shinobi had already been dispatched to different battlefronts.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Boom boom boom~

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

He had issued strict orders: unless it was urgent, no one was to interrupt.

Could there have been a new development on the Grass Country front against Iwagakure? he wondered.

"Come in!" Hiruzen called out sternly.

To his surprise, a familiar voice responded.

"Hokage-sama!"

The door pushed open, revealing a young shinobi. Minato Namikaze entered the room, his expression resolute. Seeing him back so quickly, Hiruzen's eyes lit up.

So soon? Could it be… has the Kannabi Bridge already been destroyed?

Minato stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with a clear, confident voice.

"Mission accomplished, Hokage-sama."

For a moment, silence reigned — then Hiruzen's long-held frown finally melted away, replaced by a rare smile.

"Excellent! Well done, Minato!" he praised. "You've done a great service to the village!"

He stood up and walked over, clapping Minato warmly on the shoulder.

"When the war ends, I'll make sure you're properly recognized. You've earned great merit!"

Among the three major fronts, the battle against the Rock Shinobi had always been the most difficult. But now, with the Kannabi Bridge destroyed, the Iwagakure forces had no secure retreat path. Their supply lines had been severed. The frontline units in Grass Country were effectively trapped.

Hiruzen felt refreshed — as if he had drunk a bowl of cold water on a scorching summer day.

You old fox Ohnoki... This time, I'll make sure you lose more than you gain!

Without hesitation, he began reassigning his forces.

"Minato, I want you to head to the Land of Grass immediately and support Hyuga Hizashi in pushing back the Rock Shinobi."

"As for Team Kakashi, send them to the Mist battlefield. Have them assist Fugaku in resisting the Mist Shinobi."

Hiruzen spoke swiftly, already visualizing his next moves on the strategic board. To him, the battlefield was like a game of shogi. Every piece had its role — and he was the one placing them.

With Rock Shinobi's logistics cut off, the only danger now was their vanguard. With Minato's support, Hizashi could hold them off with ease.

Minato's combat prowess had grown to the point where even if he were alone, he could defeat an army. The real concern now was the Mist Shinobi, whose forces had arrived by sea and were unrestricted by land routes. Their elite units were now fully engaged in the fight.

It would be too much to ask Fugaku and the Uchiha alone to withstand that assault.

Let's not forget — this war was instigated by the Fourth Raikage, driven by revenge. If we can repel both Mist and Rock forces, then even if the Cloud Shinobi refuse to back down, they'll be isolated and forced to retreat!

In Hiruzen's eyes, Minato was the ultimate strategic asset. With his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was the only one in Konoha capable of rapidly moving between battlefields.

Minato is my living trump card.

Once he helped Hizashi crush the Rock Shinobi, he could immediately reinforce Fugaku. And if both fronts were stabilized, Konoha would be the decisive victor in this war.

At that moment, Minato hesitated.

"Hokage-sama, there's one more matter I must report."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. He noticed the solemn look on Minato's face — no trace of pride or excitement, only heavy concern.

"Oh? Speak, Minato."

Minato nodded, took a deep breath, and explained.

"During our mission, Kakashi and his team were ambushed by over a hundred Rock Shinobi. Although Kakashi ultimately eliminated the enemy forces, Obito disappeared during the battle."

"Based on the aftermath and signs at the scene, I suspect Obito was captured by an Earth-Style Grandmaster."

"I request three days' time to locate and rescue Obito."

Minato bowed again, his tone steady but urgent. He understood the stakes — the war effort, the overall strategy — but he couldn't ignore the life of a young comrade.

Hiruzen's gaze narrowed.

Kakashi defeated a hundred enemy shinobi by himself?

Outstanding.

He made a mental note: Kakashi is young, disciplined, talented, and unwaveringly loyal. After the war, I must give him additional training. He's destined for greatness.

As for Obito…

He's a Uchiha… the one with the early second tomoe Sharingan.

Hiruzen had placed Obito in Minato's team partly to draw the Uchiha closer to the village leadership. It was a calculated political move. But now?

Well, Obito was gifted, yes. But replaceable.

Hiruzen's thoughts turned to another young Uchiha — Uchiha Shisui.

Shisui was the grandson of Hiruzen's old comrade, Uchiha Kagami. He had long caught Hiruzen's attention. More than just talent, Shisui had a mindset different from the typical Uchiha — selfless, dedicated to the village above all else.

In Hiruzen's mind, Shisui could fill Obito's role easily — perhaps even surpass him.

Losing Obito would be a pity... but such things happen in war.

Just as Hiruzen opened his mouth to respond, a cold, cynical voice cut through the air.

"Hmph. Sentimental nonsense!"

It was Danzo.

He leaned forward, scowling as he spoke.

"We are at a turning point in the war. Can you really afford to delay our counterattack for three days?"

"Do you know how many Konoha shinobi will die during that time?"

"And for what? An Uchiha brat?"

His disdain was palpable.

Danzo had always harbored a deep mistrust of the Uchiha clan — seeing them as dangerous, rebellious, and disloyal.

But before he could say more, Hiruzen slammed his hand down on the table.

"Enough, Danzo!"

He turned sharply, eyes narrowing.

"The Uchiha are an essential part of this village. Don't say things that undermine our unity!"

He then softened his tone and turned to Minato with a pained expression.

"Minato, I understand your concern. Obito is a good boy. It breaks my heart that he's missing."

"But we're in the middle of a war. Every second matters."

"I believe that if Obito knew your choice — if he knew others might die because of him — he'd rather sacrifice himself."

Hiruzen paused, placing a hand on Minato's shoulder.

"Still, the village never abandons its own."

"How about this? When the war ends, I'll assign an elite Anbu squad to help you search for him. Is that acceptable?"

Minato sighed deeply.

Seeing the Hokage's emotion, reason, and apparent compassion, he could no longer insist.

"All right, Hokage-sama. I'll go."

"Good," Hiruzen nodded. "You're dismissed. Go and bring us victory."

Minato turned and exited the room. His heart was heavy, but he remained composed.

Obito… please hold on. I'll come for you. Just wait a little longer.

As the door closed, Hiruzen turned back to his advisors.

The war council resumed.

Obito Uchiha's name was not mentioned again.

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