Chapter 72: Set Sail!

"Chief Ding, Uncle Dai is no longer in any immediate danger. He can be transferred to the rear medical unit for further treatment," Kakashi reported calmly.

"As long as he rests and receives proper care, he should recover enough for a normal life."

He paused, his tone softening.

"But… Uncle Dai's body has suffered too much. It can no longer support the physical strain of continuing as a shinobi."

Kakashi looked earnestly at Akamichi Choza and bowed his head slightly. "After he's stabilized, please help me apply for his military merits and bounty. Also, handle his retirement procedures… I'm entrusting this to you."

Kakashi withdrew his hands, which had been channeling the Healing Jutsu, and looked at Choza with sincerity. He knew that the Akamichi clan leader was someone he could trust.

Choza's face hardened with solemnity, but he nodded in agreement.

"Yes, of course. Don't worry—Dai is a hero of the village. He'll be honored and cared for as one."

With that, Kakashi reached into his gear pouch and retrieved a Sealing Scroll. He unfurled it and summoned a medical stretcher. Gently, he lifted Might Dai's battered body and placed him on it with care and respect. Then, with a puff of chakra smoke, he sent Katsuyu back to the main medical unit.

"I'll leave Uncle Dai in your care," Kakashi said.

"Now… I must go. Lin is still out there—I'm bringing her back!"

But before he could turn, Choza stepped forward with a firm voice.

"No."

Kakashi froze.

"Lord Hokage's orders have already reached Chief Fugaku," Choza said seriously. "You are now under his command. You can't act on your own!"

This was the battlefield, after all. Kakashi couldn't just make personal decisions, no matter how strong his intentions were.

"I'm sorry, Chief Choza," Kakashi said, his voice unwavering. "But once a general is in the field, he must make decisions as he sees fit. I accept full responsibility for the consequences."

He met Choza's gaze directly, his voice resolute. "But Lin is waiting for me. I cannot stand by any longer."

Choza's eyes narrowed. "Kakashi…"

He paused.

He had always liked this disciple of Minato's—sharp, composed, and filled with a deep sense of duty. They had once carried out a classified mission together. Kakashi had proven himself not just as a shinobi, but as someone Choza could respect.

If it were up to him, he would have given Kakashi his full support.

But the truth was more complicated.

Originally, Choza had been assigned to the Wind Country front with other elite troops under the Hokage's command. However, the Third Hokage had realized that relying on the Uchiha clan alone to resist the Mist forces was too dangerous. That's why Choza and other high-ranking jōnin had been sent here as reinforcements.

Yet that decision also left them without true command authority. All battlefield orders here came from Uchiha Fugaku.

"You have to trust our search-and-rescue teams," Choza said, trying to reason with him. "They're professionals. They'll bring your comrades back."

"No, Chief Choza," Kakashi replied. "I left a Flying Thunder God marker on Lin."

He closed his eyes for a moment and reached out with his chakra perception.

"She's not on land anymore. She's already been taken to sea. They're heading to the Land of Water!"

"What?!" Choza's expression twisted in shock. "They're abducting a medical-nin and taking her back to their village? What could they be planning…?"

Kakashi's voice was grim. "I don't know all the details. But I do know one thing—they're not taking her for anything good. I can't just stand here and do nothing."

He didn't say it out loud, but he knew exactly what was going on.

Unlike Obito, who had been abducted to manipulate him and Rin, Lin was the direct target of Mist's cruelty. They planned to make her the Three-Tails Jinchūriki—and then send her back to Konoha to unleash chaos.

That plan would cost Lin her life.

Obito's abduction, on the other hand, had turned into a twisted blessing. He would be trained, molded, and filled with power under Madara's eye.

But Lin…

She would die.

"This is serious. If this is part of a larger Mist Shinobi plot, we can't ignore it," Choza muttered. "Still, acting without orders—"

"I'll go with Kakashi-senpai!"

The sudden voice came from the side.

Shisui stepped forward.

"According to Lord Hokage's arrangements, I've been temporarily assigned to Minato's team to replace Obito-nii. As part of the team, it's my duty to help rescue my comrades."

His eyes gleamed with resolve.

"Besides, if we can uncover Mist's conspiracy early, we may be able to prevent more attacks like today's on the village's frontlines."

Choza was stunned, but he had no counterargument.

The Third Hokage's move to insert Shisui into Minato's team was clearly political—an effort to boost Minato's influence. On the other hand, Uchiha Fugaku was using Shisui's growing reputation to ease the pressure on the Uchiha clan, which was slowly being marginalized by the higher-ups.

Now Shisui was volunteering, under the banner of disrupting the Mist's plans.

Choza could no longer object without causing complications.

"…Alright," he said finally. "I'll report everything truthfully to Chief Fugaku. But I ask that you both think this through carefully."

"Thank you for your understanding, Chief Choza," Kakashi said, bowing deeply.

This was the greatest support he could ask for.

As for Shisui's help—he'd find a way to repay him later. Right now, there was no time to dwell on favors.

And with Shisui's three-tomoe Sharingan and mastery of the Body Flicker Technique, they would have a major advantage. Kakashi was grateful—he wasn't going to refuse capable reinforcements.

Just then, another voice called out.

"Kakashi! Let me go with you!"

It was Guy.

Having just confirmed his father's safety, he was now eager to make up for his earlier perceived failure.

Kakashi turned and looked at him gently.

"Guy… I understand how you feel."

He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"But this wasn't your fault. Lin made a choice—to stay and protect her team. And you made the right call by going back for help."

"Besides, your father still needs you. He's not out of danger yet. He needs someone to stay by his side and protect him."

"But…!" Guy looked torn, clenching his fists in frustration.

Kakashi met his eyes, firm but kind.

"Listen, Guy. Without jōnin-level strength, joining this operation will only make you a liability."

He didn't sugarcoat it.

"If you really want to help, then train. Get stronger. Become someone who can make a difference next time."

The words hit Guy hard, but they weren't meant to hurt him. Kakashi believed in him—but he needed to understand the reality of war.

Even if it wounded his pride now, it was better than letting him die out there.

"…Yeah. I get it," Guy said softly, lowering his head.

Then, suddenly, he stepped forward and hugged Kakashi tightly.

"Kakashi… you have to come back alive."

Kakashi was caught off guard, but he smiled and gently patted his friend's back.

"Don't worry. I will."

He turned away and looked at Shisui.

"Let's go."

"Yes, Senpai. We've captured several of Mist's ships. I'll take you to them now."

The two figures disappeared into the fading daylight, racing toward the harbor.

Behind them, the wind picked up, fluttering Guy's green jumpsuit and Choza's cloak.

And so, with resolve burning in their hearts, Kakashi and Shisui set sail—on a journey to rescue a friend and stop a catastrophe before it could unfold.

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