The trees blurred past them in a green rush, the sunlight filtering through the leaves as Team Minato soared from branch to branch. Their bodies moved with the grace of seasoned shinobi—but their minds wandered somewhere far from the battlefield.
For a moment, the war seemed distant.
Minato, leading the formation, glanced over his shoulder and spoke.
"When we return, the situation in the Land of Fire should've changed… at least, that's the hope. I plan to have both of you transferred to another front. The Kiri border is far more peaceful than here." He paused briefly, then added with a softer tone, "I think it'll be better for you."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "A change of scenery might help us... move on. Maybe the fog will wash away some of the death we're carrying."
His voice was calm, but his heart was elsewhere—locked in the past. Obito. That one name echoed louder than any other thought. Kakashi still remembered the moment—the rocks, the desperation, Obito's eyes... and his final gift.If only he'd been stronger... the roles should've been reversed.
Rin, sensing the weight in the air, asked what was on her mind.
"Sensei... are you doing this just because of Obito? Or is it something else? You mentioned a large plan to push Iwa out of the Land of Fire."
Minato nodded slowly, his eyes forward but his voice serious.
"It's both," he said. "Obito's death weighs on all of us. But beyond that... war doesn't end just because we grieve. What's coming won't be pretty. Iwa has dug in too deep. They've lost too much to back down now. If they surrender, all their sacrifices would be meaningless."
He landed on a thick branch, turning briefly to meet their gaze.
"They will keep fighting. And so must we."
"So," Kakashi said, his voice flat, "you're saying this war isn't ending anytime soon. That even your plan won't end it right away—it'll only tilt the balance."
Minato gave a short nod.
"That's the idea. It's not really my plan, though. Most of it was drawn up by Orochimaru. I'm only part of the execution team. And honestly… even I don't know every detail." He looked off into the horizon. "Some things aren't meant for everyone to know."
"But I personally hope that it will be enough to end the war"
The atmosphere grew heavier with every word. Tension curled around their shoulders like unseen vines.
So Rin smiled gently and broke the silence.
"Maybe we should talk about something less serious. Like... what we want to do after the war?"
Minato's expression eased slightly, and he chuckled under his breath. "That's not a bad idea. Living like this every day can rot your spirit. Thinking about the future helps keep us sane."
He paused thoughtfully.
"I want to become Hokage. That's been my goal for a long time. But there's also... someone I haven't seen in a while. Someone I'd like to find again, once this war ends."
Kakashi exhaled quietly. "I just want to get stronger. There's not much more to say."
Even now, he couldn't forgive himself for what happened. Not yet.
Rin, now beaming, nodded as she chimed in. "I want to master healing ninjutsu! I want to be a medical ninja who can save people—so we don't lose anyone else. And… I'd like to become strong, too. After the war, I'll have time to really chase that dream."
The three of them continued talking as they moved through the trees, letting the moment warm their spirits just a little.
Eventually, the dense canopy began to thin.
The sunlight grew stronger, and soon the forest opened up into a small clearing. Below them was a shallow river, sparkling gently beneath the sky. A perfect crossing point—quiet, beautiful, deceptively peaceful.
Minato dropped to the forest floor first. Kakashi and Rin landed beside him.
There was no sign of chakra nearby. No traps. No enemy presence.
For a moment, it was like the war had never touched this place.
"We'll rest here. Ten minutes," Minato instructed calmly.
Both Kakashi and Rin nodded. Even a brief pause in a place like this was precious. They sat beneath a tree, letting the wind cool their faces and the sound of water settle their nerves.
Ten minutes passed quickly. They stood, gathered their gear, and prepared to move on.
And then—
SWISH.
The wind howled.
KRRSHHH!
A sharp explosion of rock against steel.
Rin and Kakashi's heads snapped toward the sound—only to see Minato with a kunai drawn, standing perfectly still. At his feet lay a fractured projectile—a jagged spear of solid stone, nearly the length of a grown man's arm.
Their eyes widened.
They were under attack.
Both of them instantly brandished their own kunai, scanning the area. The relaxed peace of the river was gone. In its place, a sharp, suffocating tension filled the air.
They didn't have to search long.
From across the shallow river, a lone figure leapt out of the treeline and landed right in the middle of the water, sending ripples across the surface.
Tall. Cloaked in black. The mark of Iwagakure burned into his flak jacket. His eyes were cold. His chakra—dense, suffocating, heavy like stone itself.
Minato's eyes narrowed the moment he saw him.
The man spoke.
"I went through great lengths to find you, Minato."
The voice was low and grave. And there was no mistaking the man before them now.
Arano.The Second Tsuchikage.