"It seems I overestimated the two of you." Uchiha Kai smirked disdainfully. "If you couldn't even figure this out, how did you survive until now?"
Kai had every right to mock them. As someone who knew the truth, he held an undeniable advantage.
And as time passed, he was certain he would gain even greater control over the situation. As long as he didn't die, things shouldn't change too much…
Well, at least not the major events. Even if he deviated from the original plot, the general course of history should remain the same.
"You really have an idea, don't you?" Hyūga Aya shot back, unimpressed. As a member of the prestigious Hyūga Clan, she had no reason to be deferential to Kai. Still, after speaking, she fell into thought.
Imai Kenta, ever self-aware, didn't bother arguing. As a commoner, he lacked the standing to challenge Kai or Aya directly. Instead, he focused on analyzing the situation.
The mission assigned to Minato Namikaze's squad was unusual. Why did it require so many teams providing cover?
Kai didn't interrupt their thinking process. Even if they were overstepping their bounds, so what?
Suddenly, Aya seemed to realize something. She swiftly pulled out the map she carried and studied it intently.
The more she examined it, the more excited she became. Kenta, sensing her urgency, leaned in to look as well. Before long, his expression changed as if he had reached a conclusion.
Kai watched their reactions and felt an odd shiver down his spine. Did they figure it out that easily?
As the two continued analyzing the map, Kai stroked his chin, saying nothing. He was curious to see what they would deduce.
"It's Kannabi Bridge, isn't it?" Aya suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with certainty. "It has to be! Based on the route, the Wave Squad's target must be here!"
"I think so too." Kenta smiled, though this time, his expression was anything but harmless. "If Iwa intends to invade, they must pass through the Land of Grass. The country is riddled with hidden supply lines connecting to the Land of Fire. But the most crucial supply and reinforcement route runs from the Land of Earth through the Land of Grass. That means…"
"Kannabi Bridge is the key!" Aya stood up, her eyes gleaming. "If the bridge is destroyed, Iwa's reinforcements will be cut off! And with Iwa already engaged in battle with Kumo, their forces in the Land of Grass will be isolated. Whether we wipe them out or capture them as bargaining chips, this move could force Iwa into peace negotiations and secure post-war advantages for Konoha!"
"In other words, this could end the war," Kenta concluded, his confidence evident.
Kai scratched his nose. These two are sharp. While most shinobi only thought about eliminating their enemies, these two were already strategizing on how to end the conflict in a way that benefited Konoha the most.
This must be what they call 'Hokage thinking,' huh?
Naruto's ideals weren't just about his own clan or village—they were broader, more inclusive.
Kai, of course, had a different perspective, having been an adult before.
But Aya and Kenta were still young, and yet their mindset was already so advanced. It made Kai wary.
Are these two transmigrators too?
The thought gnawed at him, but after a long moment of consideration, Kai dismissed it. The odds of that happening were too slim. If they were transmigrators, then their luck was truly awful.
Not only were they born into difficult circumstances, but they had also encountered him—a fellow transmigrator. And if that were the case, he would have to eliminate them.
"So, the Wave Squad's mission is to destroy Kannabi Bridge?" Aya asked, her expression turning serious. "No wonder so many teams were deployed for cover instead of direct combat. Iwa must have figured out Konoha's intentions, which is why they're intercepting our forces to protect their rear lines. That means…"
"Our mission is even more dangerous than we initially thought," Kenta said grimly. "We might not make it out alive."
"So that's why you took those prisoners?" Aya's gaze sharpened as she studied Kai. "The more people we have, the greater the chaos we can create. If Iwa is distracted, our chances of survival—and mission success—both increase. You really are…"
"This is all just your speculation," Kai interrupted calmly. "Do you want me to erase these thoughts for you?"
His words sent a chill down their spines.
"Forget about that and focus on what we actually need to do. Think about Masato Yamanaka and the others," he added, subtly reminding them of the Yamanaka clan's involvement.
Sure enough, Aya and Kenta immediately fell silent.
Some things were better left unsaid.
After all, officially, they weren't supposed to have this information in the first place. Knowing too much could be more dangerous than knowing nothing at all.
Still, they refrained from questioning Kai further—such as why he had really saved those prisoners.
Yes, a large group could create chaos, but if Iwa caught on too soon, it could backfire.
Yet Kai had taken the initiative to capture them, meaning he had a plan. And as their squad captain, his word was final. Their priority was survival.
That didn't mean they would blindly trust him, though.
Kai's track record spoke for itself—he had survived multiple squad assignments while others perished. If they weren't careful, they might end up as the next casualties.
No one wanted to become someone else's stepping stone.
And they certainly didn't want to be sacrificed for Kai's survival.
What they didn't know, however, was that Kai's true motivation wasn't just immediate survival—it was an investment in the future.
If things hadn't changed, he would have followed his original plan: using Aya's Byakugan to avoid detection, carefully eliminating isolated Iwa squads, and returning with minor injuries after Kannabi Bridge's destruction.
It wasn't the most glorious plan, but it was far better than being cannon fodder on the front lines.
Kai glanced toward the cave where the prisoners were held and thought to himself, I still need to be cautious. Once we have enough captives, I'll let them create chaos while I stay hidden in the background.