Chapter 19: I'll Be the Decoy

Sometimes, good luck comes unexpectedly, just like when Kai unlocked his Mangekyou Sharingan without any preparation.

This time was similar. Due to a series of actions, Kai gained Minato's approval and, for various reasons, joined his team.

This team was crucial for survival. In the original story, the image of Kakashi standing alone under the collapsing Kannabi Bridge left a deep impression on Kai.

He also remembered the scene where Minato stood on the Kannabi Bridge, watching Kakashi. This indicated that Minato would participate in the mission at the last moment and ensure its success.

With the protection of Minato, the future Fourth Hokage, Kai felt much safer than Hyuga Aya and Kenta.

Of course, having the future Fourth Hokage's protection didn't guarantee complete safety. They could still encounter many dangers and troubles along the way.

But now Kai had temporary command of this team, which allowed him to avoid many issues and accomplish the mission in the safest and most reliable way.

Having this command meant Kai could 'summon' Minato, even if he didn't have the kunai with him.

Kakashi, being a ninja, had to follow the captain's orders. Otherwise, even if he was the son of White Fang and Minato's disciple, it wouldn't matter when they returned.

As for why the captain role was given to Kai, he quickly understood.

Besides the reason that they were 'a complete team,' it was also to prevent Kakashi from doing something reckless.

Despite Minato's guidance, Kakashi's mental state was really bad. Minato was worried he might do something 'out of line' or 'inconsistent' with the mission requirements.

As a fellow Uchiha, Kai could alleviate some of Kakashi's excessive guilt.

Moreover, Kai and his team saved Kakashi and Nohara Rin's lives. With this debt and Kai's status, Kakashi wouldn't resist too much.

In fact, he didn't object to the order at all.

Their mission was just as Kai's team had anticipated, making Aya and Kenta glance at Kai. This guy really thought of everything from the start, planning everything to end up in the safest position. It was terrifying!

If Kai knew their thoughts, he might ask, "Do you know Demiurge?"

With Kai's team in place, Minato left for the front line, believing it needed him more.

Kai immediately led the team forward. There wasn't much adjustment needed; he knew Kakashi's abilities well.

Nohara Rin was a medical-nin, and Kai didn't expect much from her in combat. So, he assigned Kenta to protect her.

Although Kai wanted to do it himself, he knew he couldn't avoid facing the enemy directly.

Kakashi and Aya's combat power couldn't be wasted, so Kenta, skilled in taijutsu and with some sensory abilities, got the relatively easy task.

However, Kai knew it wouldn't be simple. Once the enemy noticed they had a medical-nin, Kenta might become the most targeted.

The five of them moved quickly through the forest, encountering many Iwa-nin along the way.

But thanks to Aya's Byakugan, they always spotted enemies from kilometers away.

The decoy team led by Yamanaka Masato played a huge role, attracting a lot of enemy attention before Kai's team moved in.

Thus, Kai's team enjoyed the best conditions since entering enemy territory, not needing to worry about many complications.

However, after a few days, they began feeling the pressure.

Iwa-nin's defense units weren't numerous, but Aya's Byakugan revealed that they had almost all potential routes blocked.

Even routes with gaps were filled with numerous traps when they arrived.

Explosive tags hidden in trees alone could wipe them out countless times!

"This isn't going to work," Kai thought, sitting in their hidden cave. He hadn't expected the enemy's rear to be so heavily guarded.

"Maybe it's because of our previous raid on the prisoner camp, plus several missing teams. Iwa-nin must have sensed something," Aya said calmly beside him. "What should we do now? Although the front line is tight, there aren't many Iwa-nin behind, but judging by their chakra, they aren't easy targets."

 Kai glanced at Hyuga Aya. She was stating the obvious.

If they were easy targets, Konoha would've dealt with them already. They wouldn't have fought this long.

With no easy targets, Kai had to consider a direct assault, although he preferred not to.

"Can you distinguish the units?" Kai asked after some thought.

"Are you kidding?" Aya looked at him like he was an idiot. "Instead of asking me, why not capture an Iwa-nin and interrogate them? You have the Sharingan, don't you?"

"Captain, I think we should try moving towards less guarded areas," Kakashi suggested. But as soon as he spoke, Kai and Aya frowned.

Kakashi continued calmly, "I know it might be a trap, and other Iwa-nin might come if we show ourselves."

"Then why suggest it?" Kai asked, puzzled. "Are you out of your mind?"

"So, I'll go alone," Kakashi stood up, speaking calmly. "I can use Shadow Clones. Like before, I'll be the decoy this time!"

(Chapter end)