One month had passed since the mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage. The incident sent shockwaves across the ninja world. Though the Land of Wind and Sunagakure outwardly appeared calm, their unusual activities did not go unnoticed. It was clear to even casual observers that tensions were high. This air of suspicion had transformed the dynamics of ninja missions. Where once there was cautious cooperation, now there was wariness, especially when members of the Five Great Nations entered foreign lands.
In Konoha, Minato Namikaze stood in the Hokage's office, listening as Hiruzen Sarutobi briefed him on their next mission. The scroll in Hiruzen's hand was presented to him with care.
"This mission comes directly from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers," Hiruzen said. "You're tasked with escorting a shipment of goods to the Land of Hot Springs."
Minato's eyes scanned the contents of the scroll, a flicker of surprise crossing his otherwise composed face. "The Daimyo specifically requested my team?"
Hiruzen leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The Daimyo has great trust in you, Minato. Word of your success in handling the Grass Country bandits has traveled far. It's no surprise he would request your squad, especially with someone like Kakashi on your team."
Minato nodded. He couldn't argue with Hiruzen's logic. Kakashi had been a Chūnin for some time now, with an impressive track record even during these relatively peaceful times. The team itself had become renowned for its flawless execution of missions. While Minato couldn't shake his curiosity about the Daimyo's motives, he accepted the mission without further question.
"Understood," Minato replied. After bowing respectfully, he departed the office to prepare for the journey.
By the time Minato regrouped with his team—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—they were ready to depart. After a brief explanation of the mission to Kushina, Minato activated his teleportation technique. In an instant, the group arrived at the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Rivers.
The Daimyo of the Land of Rivers greeted them warmly. A lean man with sharp features, he radiated a mix of authority and affability. His familiarity with Minato was evident in his tone. "Minato, my friend, thank you for accepting this mission."
"It's my duty as a shinobi," Minato replied, bowing slightly. Behind him, Obito's eyes darted curiously around the ornate room. The boy had never been this close to someone of the Daimyo's stature before, and it showed.
The Daimyo's gaze shifted to the young shinobi accompanying Minato. "Your students, I presume?" His eyes settled on Kakashi. "Which one of you is Hatake Kakashi?"
Kakashi stepped forward with his usual calm demeanor. "That would be me."
The Daimyo nodded approvingly, then turned back to Minato. "This cargo must be delivered safely to the Land of Hot Springs. I trust you understand its importance."
Minato tilted his head slightly. "If I may ask, what exactly is this cargo?"
A flicker of panic crossed the Daimyo's face before he quickly masked it. "I'm afraid that's classified," he replied, his tone strained. Though he recovered his composure almost instantly, Minato didn't miss the subtle shift in his demeanor. Something about this mission was unsettling. Still, as a ninja, Minato knew when to stop asking questions.
"We'll see it through," he said, his voice steady. The Daimyo's gratitude was evident, but Minato's unease lingered.
The journey began without issue, but Minato's decision to avoid towns along their route didn't sit well with Obito. Several days in, as the group sat down to eat, Obito voiced his frustration. "Why are we avoiding the towns, Sensei? Dry bread isn't exactly gourmet."
Minato's expression remained calm as he replied. "This cargo is important. Avoiding crowded areas reduces the chances of encountering trouble."
Obito groaned but didn't argue further. Kakashi, however, watched Minato closely. There was a tension in his sensei's demeanor that hadn't been there before. Something about this mission was clearly bothering him.
As they neared the Land of Hot Springs, Minato unexpectedly announced, "We'll stop in the next town and stay the night."
Obito's mood immediately brightened. "Finally! Maybe we can grab something better than bread for once." His excitement grew as he added, "The hot springs here are famous. Can we check them out after the mission?"
Minato chuckled softly and nodded. The prospect of a warm bath lifted the group's spirits, though Minato's vigilance never wavered.
In the inn, they sat around a table laden with fragrant dishes. The sight of real food left Obito salivating. He eagerly reached for his chopsticks, but Minato's voice stopped him. "Wait."
Before anyone could react, Minato moved swiftly. His eyes darted toward the shadows outside the window. Kakashi, Rin, and Obito followed his lead, vanishing from the room and reappearing moments later with two tied-up men in black.
Minato's gaze swept over the intruders. "Did you make a scene?" he asked Kakashi.
"No. We weren't noticed," Kakashi replied, his tone crisp.
Obito nudged one of the unconscious men with his foot. "These guys thought they could take us on? What a joke."
Ignoring Obito's comment, Minato picked up a piece of food and forced it into the mouth of one of the captives. The man's eyes bulged as his skin turned a sickly purple. In moments, his veins darkened, and he convulsed violently before collapsing, lifeless.
"The food was poisoned," Minato said grimly, his voice heavy with disappointment. "These two were just bait."
As if to confirm his words, the second man began to foam at the mouth, succumbing to the same fate as the first. Kakashi's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "They must have known they'd be caught. Suicide by poison?"
Minato nodded. "It seems so. We leave immediately. This place isn't safe."
Under the cover of darkness, they disposed of the bodies and left the town. However, their caution was soon tested. As they entered a dense forest, Minato suddenly froze, his senses alert.
A faint rustling broke the silence. A kunai flew through the air, its detonating tag primed. Minato reacted instantly, throwing his own kunai to intercept it. The explosion that followed lit up the night, sending a wave of smoke through the trees.
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin took defensive stances. "Who's there?" Kakashi demanded, his voice sharp.
Through the smoke, a figure emerged. Minato's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. His voice was calm, but his words carried an undercurrent of recognition.
"It's been a long time."
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