Chapter 12: Kakashi
"What is happening?"
Uchiha Kei was baffled as he watched the Iwa-nin leave the camp one by one.
Just as they were about to take action, a messenger hawk suddenly flew in. These hawks were common and convenient for delivering messages. But what happened next was odd. The stronger Iwa-nin quickly gathered, dealt with the remaining three Konoha prisoners, and then left.
This scene left not only Uchiha Kei puzzled but also Yamanaka Masato. Once all the Iwa-nin had cleared out, the Konoha ninjas quietly gathered.
Yamanaka Masato assigned some ninjas to check on the deceased Konoha ninjas, while the rest discussed their next steps. Such a sudden assembly and departure didn't bode well.
"Aya-kun, can you check what those Iwa-nin are up to?" Yamanaka Masato asked the only member of the Hyuga clan present.
"I can, but if their target is too far, I might not be able to see it. My abilities are limited," Hyuga Aya responded.
"No problem, we can follow them to find out," suggested Jonin Kageyama Kosuke. "Their gathering might lead us to their base. If so, we can cause some damage there and draw enough of them away, which would help the Namikaze squad."
Uchiha Kei frowned, regretting rescuing this guy. Another one infected by the so-called Will of Fire. Did he know where the Will of Fire came from? Did he know who first spoke those words?
This guy knew nothing, yet he spouted such nonsense, practically sending them to their deaths. Uchiha Kei didn't plan on risking his life here. If things went south, he would leave the team and pursue his own plans.
"Kosuke-kun, don't be impulsive," Yamanaka Masato disapproved of his proposal. "We should follow them and make a decision based on the situation. Impulsiveness will only get us killed and waste Kei-kun's effort in rescuing us."
I rescued you guys to use you as shields, thought Uchiha Kei, his expression calm but internally rolling his eyes. Seeing everyone chasing after the Iwa-nin, he had no choice but to follow.
Authority was a curious thing. If Uchiha Kei were a Jonin, his Uchiha status would grant him significant decision-making power. But if he were a Jonin, it would mean one thing—his Sharingan would be exposed.
At this stage, the Sharingan couldn't be hidden. Three tomoe were three tomoe; they couldn't disappear. Although revealing the Sharingan would bring many benefits, even exempting him from such missions, Uchiha Kei understood one thing. The current Hokage leadership was dissatisfied with the Uchiha clan. The war gave them no opportunity, but look what happened shortly after the war—they exterminated the entire Uchiha clan.
"Although the Nine-Tails incident served as a catalyst, the thorough and coordinated action was clearly premeditated."
As an Uchiha, Kei couldn't help but think in the worst possible terms. The night of the massacre hung like a sword over his head. He believed Uchiha Fugaku had a way to save the clan. Fugaku was a cunning man, after all. His Mangekyo Sharingan was hidden until his death, and he could have turned the tables if he fought. Unfortunately, he seemed disappointed with the clan's situation and prioritized his love for his son over the clan. And thus, he too fell into madness.
Following the Iwa-nin, they seemed to have received an important mission. They left too many traces, behaving unlike competent ninjas. Even Yamanaka Masato suspected they were being led into a trap.
After about ten minutes, Hyuga Aya made a discovery.
"I think I found their gathering point," she said, frowning. "There seems to be a massive collapse, and there are a few people there… It's Kakashi!"
"Kakashi?" Uchiha Kei was shocked. "Are you sure it's Kakashi? What's happening?"
Not only Uchiha Kei, but even Yamanaka Masato and the other Jonin were surprised.
Kakashi was a member of the Namikaze squad, their mission's primary objective. If they were exposed and pursued, it would mean mission failure, rendering their efforts pointless.
But Uchiha Kei saw the bigger picture. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the moment when Obito had been crushed by rocks and possibly had his eyes switched with Kakashi. Kakashi, with his new Sharingan, should be preparing to unleash its power but would ultimately collapse from exhaustion, leading to Namikaze Minato's rescue.
Despite the apparent danger, Kakashi was actually safe.
Realizing this, Uchiha Kei saw an opportunity.
"Where is Jonin Namikaze?" Yamanaka Masato, unaware of Uchiha Kei's thoughts, asked Hyuga Aya.
"No sign of him," she replied calmly, though Uchiha Kei and Imai Kenta noticed her excitement. If the key team failed, they could retreat from this nightmare. Though the war would continue, they would survive.
"We can't let this happen," Kageyama Kosuke suddenly shouted. "We need to rescue them! They're crucial to the mission. We can't let everyone's efforts be in vain!"
For the first time, Uchiha Kei found Kosuke somewhat endearing. He realized that sticking close to Namikaze Minato would be the safest option, at least temporarily.
"Alright," Uchiha Kei spoke up, "You intercept the Iwa-nin. I'll take my team to rescue them."
"You?" Yamanaka Masato was taken aback.
"Yes. With the Byakugan, we can help them escape and quickly regroup with you. This task suits my team."
"Very well. This task is yours."
End of Chapter