CHAPTER 22: Intervention and Reunion at Kannabi Bridge

After swapping Rin's heart with a rock, Hiro managed to prevent her death, but the sight of Kakashi striking Rin with his Chidori triggered Obito's rage. His Sharingan evolved due to the intense trauma, unlocking the Mangekyo Sharingan. With newfound power coursing through him, Obito rampaged across the battlefield, slaughtering the enemy shinobi with a ferocity fueled by his grief and rage.

"Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!" Obito roared, unleashing a massive wall of fire that incinerated the approaching enemy shinobi. His eyes burned with hatred, and each movement was filled with deadly intent.

Hiro, meanwhile, focused on stabilizing Rin. "Kakashi, I need you to hold off the remaining enemies. I'll take care of Rin."

Kakashi nodded, his face a mix of determination and guilt. "Understood, Hiro-sama."

Hiro's shadow clone stood by, ready to assist. With precision, Hiro used the Shambles technique to swap the stone with Rin's heart. He then applied medical ninjutsu he had copied using his Sharingan from Konoha's hospital.

"Kakashi, stay alert," Hiro said, his hands glowing with healing chakra as he worked on Rin's injuries. "Rin, you're going to be okay. Just hang in there."

Kakashi fended off the remaining enemies, his movements precise and efficient. "Raikiri!" he shouted, his Chidori striking down an enemy shinobi.

Obito's rampage continued, his body moving with deadly precision. He used his Kamui to phase through attacks, his anger driving him to eliminate every enemy in sight. As he calmed down momentarily, he glanced over at Rin, who was starting to regain some color after Hiro's treatment.

"Rin, are you feeling okay?" Obito asked, his voice filled with concern. He carefully held her hands, afraid of causing more harm.

Rin managed a weak smile. "I'm... I'm okay, Obito."

Suddenly, Obito's anger surged again. He turned towards Kakashi, his eyes blazing with fury. "You... You hurt Rin!" he screamed, launching himself at Kakashi.

Kakashi, caught off guard, didn't defend himself. Obito's fist connected with Kakashi's face, sending him to the ground. Despite the force of the blow, Kakashi didn't retaliate. Instead, he looked up at Obito, a sense of relief washing over him.

Obito stood over Kakashi, his chest heaving with emotion. Hiro watched the scene unfold with a smile, understanding that Obito needed to vent his anger.

"Kakashi, I'm so sorry," Obito said, his voice breaking. "I couldn't... I don't know what I would have done if Rin was no more..."

Kakashi, his face bruised, managed a weak smile. "It's okay, Obito. Everything is fine, Rin is better now."

Kakashi and Obito turns to Hiro,"Thanks for saving Rin, Hiro-Sama", they said in unison while bowing.

Just then, a kunai embedded in the ground beside Rin glowed, and Minato appeared in a flash, using his Flying Thunder God Technique. Seeing Rin's bloodied chest, Minato's eyes widened with concern.

"Rin! What happened?" Minato asked, his voice tense.

Rin, despite her pain, explained everything. "Sensei, it was my request. They wanted to use me as a jinchūriki. I asked Kakashi to end it."

Minato placed a hand on her stomach, casting a sealing jutsu to temporarily contain the tailed beast. "You've been very brave, Rin. I'm proud of you."

Minato then turned to Hiro. "Thank you, Hiro, for saving them."

Hiro nodded. "I'm just glad I could help."

Minato called Obito over, embracing all three of his disciples. "I'm so glad you're all safe."

Rin, feigning pain, exclaimed, "Sensei, I can't breathe! You're going to kill me with your hugs!"

Everyone, including Hiro, burst into laughter, breaking the tension and lifting the heavy atmosphere. The sound of their laughter echoed across the battlefield, a stark contrast to the violence that had just transpired.

As the laughter died down, Minato addressed his team. "We need to get Rin back to the camp for proper sealing and medical treatment. Obito, Kakashi, you did well out here."

Obito, still holding Rin's hand, looked at Minato with determination. "Sensei, I won't let anything happen to Rin again. I promise."

Kakashi, his face with guilt but serious, nodded in agreement. "We'll protect each other, Sensei."

Hiro, watching the team, felt a sense of pride and accomplishment for thwarting Madara's plan. Despite the hardships and the pain, the three disciples of Minato had managed to come through stronger and more united.

As they prepared to leave for the camp, Minato placed a hand on Hiro's shoulder. "You've been a great help, Hiro. Thank you."

Hiro smiled. "It's what friends are for. We'll face whatever comes next together."

Unbeknownst to them,Zetsu observed from the shadows, his eyes narrowing. "I can't let Obito leave with them," he muttered to himself. "Madara will be furious."

As Obito was about to tell Minato about Madara and the mysterious black figure who saved him, he was abruptly cut off. "Sensei, I need to tell you something about Madara and—"

Before he could finish, Zetsu's voice echoed through the area. "Now, attack!"

Suddenly, numerous White Zetsus burst from the ground, surrounding the team. "Be lenient with Obito," Zetsu ordered his clones. "Madara still needs him."

Minato's eyes widened as he realized the ambush. "Stay alert, everyone! We're under attack!"

Hiro immediately sprang into action, his Sharingan spinning as he assessed the situation. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he shouted, creating several clones to aid in the fight.

Kakashi, despite his exhaustion, readied his Chidori. "We can't let them overwhelm us!"

Rin, still weakened but determined, took a defensive stance beside Obito. "We'll protect each other," she said, her voice resolute.

Minato moved with blinding speed, his kunai flying through the air as he used his Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport and strike down Zetsu clones who just kept coming in their numbers. "We need to create an opening to escape!"

Hiro's eyes scanned the battlefield. "Minato, cover me! I've got a plan."

Minato nodded, immediately moving to Hiro's side and providing cover. Hiro then unleashes his Conqueror's Haki causes the White Zestus to come to a standstill, he then forms a series of hand signs, and with a surge of chakra, he activated a powerful jutsu. "Great Fire Annihilation!"

A massive wave of flames erupted, incinerating several White Zetsus and creating a temporary barrier.

Meanwhile, Obito struggled internally, his mind torn between the loyalty to his friends and the dark influence of Madara. He glanced at Zetsu, who was coordinating the attack from a distance.

"Obito, we can't stay here!" Kakashi shouted, deflecting an attack. "We need to move!"

Obito hesitated, his mind racing. But seeing his friends fighting desperately, he made a decision. "I'm not going with you, Zetsu."

With the barrier of flames providing a brief respite, Minato shouted, "Now, everyone! Fall back to the camp!"

Hiro nodded. "I'll hold them off. Go!"

As the team began to retreat, Hiro unleashed another powerful jutsu, creating a massive explosion that threw the remaining Zetsu clones into disarray.

Watching from the shadows,Zetsu clenched his fists. "This isn't over, Hiro. Madara will have his way."

As the team finally made it back to the camp, Minato turned to Hiro, his expression serious. "We'll need to debrief and figure out our next steps."

Hiro nodded, his eyes still scanning the surroundings. "Agreed. But for now, let's make sure everyone is safe and get Rin treated properly."

The attack had been a harsh reminder of the dangers that still lurked, but together, they were ready to face whatever came next.

Obito,Rin and Kakashi, now bonded by their shared experiences and the battles they had fought, ready to face the future with renewed strength and resolve. The events at Kannabi Bridge had changed them all, but they knew that as long as they stood together, they could overcome any challenge.