Chapter 213: The Incident

While speaking, Tōshirō directly paid the bill. He left this idiot with Nohara Rin.

Seeing this, Obito didn't take it seriously; instead, he gazed at Nohara Rin beside him with a face full of adoration, completely oblivious to the helplessness in her eyes.

"Obito! Rin! There's an urgent mission!"

At that moment, an untimely voice interrupted Obito's daydreams, saving the awkward Nohara Rin.

"What!"

Finally getting a chance to be with Rin, he had just been contemplating whether to confess directly or wait until after passing the Chūnin Exam. Unexpectedly, at this crucial moment, Kakashi interrupted, which really annoyed him.

"Don't dawdle; a ninja should prioritize the mission!"

Seeing his partner still lingering after hearing about the mission, Kakashi quipped with some displeasure.

"Mind your own business!"

"A ninja's foremost duty is to complete the mission!"

"You, do you want to fight?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

Seeing this scene, Nohara Rin, who had been with them all along, couldn't help but feel a headache. These two always argued over trivial matters whenever they were together.

"Both of you, don't keep Minato-sensei waiting!"

With that said, she came between them, grabbed their hands, and led the way to their squad's meeting point.

...

"This is a high-level elimination mission. An elite Iwa-nin unit has breached the Kusagakure defense line and reached our village outskirts. The Hokage has assigned us to eliminate or drive them away!"

"Yes!" X3

"Then... move out!"

With these words, their teacher led them into the forest outside the village, starting to search for the invading enemies. His three students followed closely behind.

From Minato's solemn expression, Obito knew that this task was extremely urgent and not to be taken lightly.

"Die, brat!"

As Obito followed his teacher, vigilantly observing the surroundings, a figure separated from a rock behind him and stealthily approached from his rear, aiming a kunai at his neck!

"It's over!"

As the attack came, sensing the killing intent behind him, Obito felt a shiver run down his spine, feeling he was definitely done for this time.

"Obito! Dodge!"

"Watch out!"

Just as he realized the danger, his companions, Nohara Rin and Kakashi, also noticed the abnormality and shouted warnings in desperation!

But it was too late!

Swish!

A streak of golden light appeared in Obito's field of vision at his most critical moment, standing in front of him and punching at the enemy.

"Saved!"

Before he could sigh in relief, Namikaze Minato, who had just attacked the enemy to save him, suddenly changed his expression.

As soon as he spoke, an explosion sounded from behind Obito.

Boom!

Then, his teacher whisked him away from the spot instantly.

"Sensei! Are you alright?"

Still in a daze, the thoughtful Nohara Rin anxiously inquired about their teacher, looking fearful.

"Everyone be careful; the enemy is an Iwa-nin explosive unit. Watch out for explosives on them!"

Ignoring his students' concern, Minato cautioned them to be careful, staring solemnly at the few enemies that had suddenly appeared.

"Sensei is injured?"

Obito, a beat late to react, finally noticed that something was wrong with his teacher. The arm with which he had attacked the enemy hung limp, likely due to the earlier explosion!

Before Obito could recover from the shock of seeing the 'Yellow Flash' injured, a group of six Iwa-nin surrounded them.

"Kakashi! Take them and break through! I'll hold them off!"

Outnumbered and injured, Minato decisively ordered Kakashi to lead the others to break through, intending to stay behind and delay the enemy.

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, Kakashi turned to lead the others in a breakout attempt.

"I'm not leaving! We should stay and help sensei!"

Seeing this, Obito was unwilling to flee; he wanted to fight alongside his teacher.

"Obito!" X3

"Now is not the time to be reckless!"

Facing his statement, both Kakashi and sensei changed their expressions, and even Rin, who always humored him, disapproved of his rashness.

With their objections, he had no choice but to follow his companions in breaking through.

"Dream on if you think you can escape and seek help!"

The fierce-looking Iwa-nin wouldn't let them break through easily. Before they got far, a team of Iwa-nin was on their tail.

With his right arm injured, Minato could only hold off one enemy and had already engaged another Iwa-nin team, unable to assist them.

Facing the relentless pursuit, Kakashi tried several methods, but couldn't shake off the two pursuers.

"I'll hold them off!"

"Rin! Take Obito and keep running! Go get reinforcements!"

Leaving these words to Obito, Kakashi turned to face the pursuers.

"Understood! Kakashi!"

Rin, displaying decisiveness, grabbed Obito's hand and continued running towards the village.

The sudden change left Obito in a daze, unable to think straight. He could only follow Rin mechanically.

[How did things turn out like this?]

He had merely been eating ramen with Tōshirō and Rin at Ichiraku Ramen. Then Kakashi mentioned a mission, and they had an argument.

Then, Rin led them to join sensei.

Then came the urgent mission, the ambush, sensei getting injured while saving him, being outnumbered, and desperately fleeing~

Just moments ago, they were leisurely in the village, but suddenly, it had turned into this?

The change was too fast!

(The end of the chapter)