As Kakashi continued to pull away from them, the Kirigakure ninjas felt not only anger and bloodlust but also a creeping fear.
If the Mizukage found out they had been played by a former prisoner, leading to mission failure, what would become of them?
Many broke out in cold sweats, their mouths dry, helpless in desperation.
At this moment, Kaguya Naoki stepped forward.
“Everyone, I have precious family elixirs that can restore chakra and stamina. For the sake of the mission, I will share them with you.”
The Kirigakure ninjas, like drowning men grasping at straws, eagerly looked towards Naoki.
“Open your mouths!”
Naoki pulled out a vial of elixir from his robes.
Water Release: Liquid Manipulation Technique.
Drops of green liquid floated up, entering the throats of the ninjas, dispelling their fatigue and restoring their chakra.
“Continue the pursuit!”
Naoki’s cold voice stopped the ninjas from voicing their thanks. Their prejudices against the Kaguya clan dissipated, replaced by genuine respect.
As the Kirigakure ninjas closed in, Kakashi’s heart sank again.
Outnumbered, he couldn’t hope to defeat them with ninjutsu, taijutsu, or even his Sharingan.
Now, even the stamina and chakra boost from Naoki was nearly depleted.
Desperation set in once more.
Kakashi refused to give up, still racking his brain for a solution.
“Kakashi.”
Rin’s voice came from his shoulder.
“Rin!”
Kakashi struggled to maintain his composure, then fell silent again.
Hearing Rin’s voice gave him a glimmer of hope.
Even though the odds were slim, he had to try for Rin’s sake.
“Kakashi, they’ve implanted the Three-Tails inside me,” Rin cried.
Kakashi’s body was struck as if by lightning, and his mind was thrown into chaos.
His calm thinking shattered, replaced by anxiety.
The Three-Tails. He knew exactly what that meant.
The Kirigakure ninjas intended to use Rin as a weapon against Konoha.
And for Rin, being chosen as a jinchuriki meant almost certain death.
Even if she survived the sealing, the war would end someday.
Rin, even if she lived, would be sent to Kirigakure.
Rin was doomed.
“Rin!”
Kakashi’s heart ached, and Rin’s pained voice echoed again.
“Kakashi, kill me. Kill me for the sake of the village.”
Kakashi’s hand trembled violently as he continued to run.
Kakashi would never abandon his comrade if there were even a shred of hope.
His mind foggy, he remembered his father, Sakumo Hatake, who had chosen to take his own life.
Back then, his father must have felt the same way.
And Obito’s words echoed in his mind.
Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum.
But I’m powerless. If I don’t kill Rin…
Thud!
A kunai lodged in his thigh, jolting him back to reality and sending him crashing to the ground.
With only a sliver of chakra left, Kakashi’s mind raced.
This was the end.
A decision had to be made.
“Kakashi, kill me!”
Chidori!
Obito’s face appeared before him, momentarily halting the chakra in his hand.
Rin, I’m entrusting you with…
But after a brief pause, Kakashi gritted his teeth and pressed on.
Obito, you don’t have to forgive me, but this is the best choice for Rin and the village.
“Rin, goodbye.”
Obito.
I’m sorry I couldn’t protect Rin.
Chidori!
Kakashi placed Rin in front of him.
Lightning crackled, piercing Rin’s chest.
The Kirigakure ninjas surrounded Kakashi, watching the scene unfold.
The mission had failed.
The Kirigakure ninjas’ hearts sank, filled with fear and uncertainty.
They looked to Kaguya Naoki, the leader of this mission, hoping he would say something.
Ignoring their heavy gazes, Naoki activated his Byakugan, looking into the distance.
He saw the forest and a child with a swirling mask shouting and running toward them.
The corrective nature of history is terrifying.
It’s happening just as before.
Kakashi, Rin, Obito.
Kakashi kills Rin, and Obito witnesses it and despairs.
But everything is different now. Their fates have all changed because of me.
Just as Naoki began to reflect, he quickly remembered something and leaped up.
Before the bone clone could explode into bones…
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Under the blazing flames, all traces of “Rin Nohara” were erased, leaving only bones.
Seeing Yamashita Tetsuya, who he had been watching closely, show no reaction but a strange smile, Naoki felt relieved and turned to Kakashi on the ground.
Trusting me isn’t enough, Kakashi.
You need a significant rift with Konoha to join Kirigakure.
You can’t sleep now, Kakashi.
Naoki kicked Kakashi, lifting him, and a green elixir appeared in his hand.
He pried open Kakashi’s mouth and poured the elixir in.
Regaining consciousness from the infusion of life and chakra, Kakashi slowly opened his eyes.
“Kakashi, I’m Kaguya Naoki. Open your eyes.”
Naoki’s voice grew louder, making even the despairing Kakashi listen.
In the distance, a heart-wrenching, angry cry came closer.
“Rin!”
“No!”
“Ahhh, you bastards, die!”
Kakashi’s eyes widened, straining to see the figure in the distance.
A boy in a tattered black robe, with a swirling mask revealing a single red eye, charged towards them, roaring.
Kakashi’s body trembled violently, hearing the familiar voice and seeing the familiar figure.
Obito.
Obito.
He’s alive.
Is this an illusion?
I’ll be your eyes and help you see the future.
I have the Sharingan. How could I be in an illusion?
Kakashi struggled to lift himself, wanting to unmask the man.
But the Mangekyo Sharingan’s drain on his chakra and life force continued.
His vision blurred, and his body grew heavy.
Naoki took out another elixir and poured it into Kakashi’s mouth.
There needs to be more, Kakashi.
The Sharingan, Obito, is not enough.
You must also see the Wood Release.
Otherwise, how will you doubt your loyal village?
After all, commonly speaking, which other country besides Konoha has the potential to develop Wood Release?
Naoki smiled like a villain, then shouted.
“Zabuza, take him away!”
“Don’t kill him, I have a use for him!”
Watching Zabuza casually hand Kakashi to an Anbu, Naoki took a deep breath and looked at the approaching Uchiha boy.
The final battle is about to begin!
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