Chapter 15: Only Hanako Truly Completes the Mission

Some people can only truly be seen in a life-or-death situation.

Like right now!

In Obito's eyes, Hanako was lazy, snarky, and weak.

But in this desperate situation, it was Hanako who stepped forward!

In Rin's eyes, she had always admired the genius Kakashi. But now she suddenly realized that her heart was filled with the towering figure of Hanako.

Compared to the two of them, Kakashi remained silent, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Boom!

Suddenly, an explosion echoed from below the mountain, accompanied by rising smoke.

Soon after, figures dashed through the forest, chasing after the southeast.

"He really led the pursuers away."

Seeing this scene, Kakashi clenched his fists.

This was a perfect opportunity.

Hanako had sacrificed himself to create a chance for Team 9 to escape.

"Let's go!"

Inside the forest, Team 9 moved forward silently.

The complex terrain, dense tree branches, and jagged undergrowth hindered their progress.

And they were still carrying the stretcher with Minao.

Rin's hands were cut in several places.

Obito stumbled multiple times.

Even Minao on the stretcher was covered in dirt.

"Can we hold on?"

Kakashi, who was leading the way, turned back and asked.

Rin and Obito nodded.

"After we pass the next mountain, we can reach the main road, and it won't be far from Daimei-fu." Kakashi said again.

After speaking, he noticed that Obito and Rin didn't have much of a reaction.

Daimei-fu.

Kawashiro sat in the central seat, a hint of impatience on his face.

It was his third day as the new lord.

But the thick stack of documents in front of him was ruining his mood.

"So being a lord is this troublesome?"

Just as he had this thought, his expression suddenly froze.

"What was that sound?"

Just now, it seemed like he heard a scream?

Boom!

Suddenly, the doors of the hall burst open, and three figures slowly walked in.

All three of them wore masks, and one of them had long, fiery red hair.

Swish! Swish!

Two shinobi quickly flashed out of the hall and stood in front of them.

"This speed? Lightning element?"

The shinobi with the fiery red hair chuckled, revealing her female voice.

"Unfortunately, you're facing me."

As she spoke, a red chakra emanated from her.

"What is this?"

Seeing this chakra, the two Lightning Release shinobi were shocked.

In the next moment, two gigantic red hands formed by the chakra attacked swiftly, grabbing the two shinobi.

"You're Jinchuriki! You Leaf Village people have no sense of honor!"

"Oh? You talk too much."

Crack!

The bodies fell to the ground, dead and lifeless.

Kawashiro wanted to run.

But as soon as he tried to stand up, he found himself being lifted by the red hands.

"You dare to rebel, scum like you?"

A mocking voice sounded, and Kawashiro, who had only been in power for three days, met his demise.

Leaving the hall, the female shinobi removed her mask.

"Kushina, you didn't really need to come for a mission like this," one of the ANBU said.

"I have my reasons," Kushina replied, running her fingers through her long hair.

But then, she became filled with doubts.

She and the two ANBU had entered the Land of Soup expecting resistance. But the reality was that there were only a few Chunin stationed at the border.

How did the rebels manage to seize power with such weak defense forces?

Even with the two Cloud Village shinobi from earlier, their strength was lacking.

And she had rushed to Daimei-fu, but why hadn't she seen Team 9?

Where did Team 9 take Minao?

Leaves rustled as Kakashi, with his hair looking like a bird's nest, emerged from the forest.

Followed by Obito, Rin, and Minao.

At this moment, Team 9 looked like a group of beggars, covered in dirt. Even Minao had a bandage on her head.

"Kushina-senpai?"

As soon as they came out of the forest, Kakashi noticed Kushina.

"It's Kushina-senpai! We're saved!"

"Phew~"

Obito and Rin both breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing to the ground.

"Kushina!" Minao exclaimed in joy and hobbled over.

"Minato."

Kushina approached with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Do you know? I almost died," she said.

"Is that so? Then this will be a memorable experience for you," Hanako replied.

"What about the rebel leader?"

"He's been taken care of."

After conversing with Minao, Kushina looked back at Team 9.

"Wait, why is someone missing?"

Initially, she thought Hanako had fallen behind, but now she wondered why the straggler hadn't shown up yet.

"Kakashi, where's Hanako?" Kushina asked sternly, her gaze fixed on him.

"He..." Kakashi's eyes dimmed, unsure of how to respond.

"Kushina-senpai! As soon as we entered the Land of Soup, we were pursued by dozens of shinobi. Hanako... he went to lure the pursuers away alone," Rin spoke up, her tone filled with sadness.

"What?" Kushina couldn't hide her shock.

No wonder.

No wonder when she entered the Land of Soup, there were only a few Chunin defending. It turned out that most of the shinobi had been led away by Hanako.

But why Hanako?

He was the ultimate straggler who couldn't even perform the Tree Climbing Technique!

If it was Kakashi, or even Obito and Rin, Kushina wouldn't be surprised. But why was it Hanako, the weakest in terms of strength?

"So, you let the weakest Hanako lure away the pursuers while you all escaped safely?" In this moment, Kushina felt deeply disappointed.

Based on this alone, there was no doubt that Hanako was the most suitable candidate for the team captain of Team 9.

"Although you completed the mission, in my eyes, the one who truly completed it is Hanako alone."

Inside a natural giant pit.

Hanako stood at the edge of the pit, one hand on his hip and the other holding explosive tags.

Inside the pit, dozens of shinobi were panting, trying to climb out but hesitating.

"Let me tell you, my hands are trembling!"

Shaking the explosive tags in his hand, Hanako threatened.

You want to chase after your dad?

Now you're clueless, right? You've chased yourselves into this pit.