Rin's voice cracked. She pushed herself upright—barely—tears streaming down her face.
Two blades kissed Kakashi's throat.
He tried to move. Couldn't. His arms were wrenched behind his back, joints screaming.
"Stay. Still." The Kiri nin's voice was venom. "You killed three of my brothers. Move again—I'll send you to join them."
Wind whispered across the sand.
Bodies everywhere. Konoha. Mostly Konoha.
A few white-clad Kiri youth scattered among them.
Tsunade slumped against a supply cart. Blood soaked through her clothes. The Byakugō seal—gone. Just exhausted flesh and ragged breathing.
Utakata approached. Ignored Tsunade. Walked straight to Rin.
"I know." His voice was almost kind. "You don't care about Kirigakure. That's fine. I don't want you." He tapped her chest. "I want what's inside. Come quietly. The Mizukage and Elder will decide your fate." His blowpipe shifted. Pressed against Kakashi's neck. "Refuse... and he dies."
"No!" Rin's sob tore through her. "Don't—I'll go—just don't—"
"Good girl." Utakata's smile was professional. "But listen carefully. I know you can transform. Partially, at least. Enough to kill my men." He gestured at Kakashi. "He comes with us. Insurance. One wrong move—" He drew a finger across his throat. "Understand? Nod."
Rin nodded. Tears falling.
"You... can't."
Tsunade's voice.
Utakata turned. Walked over. Looked down at her.
"Truly legendary." He sounded almost respectful. "You're the strongest opponent I've ever faced. If I hadn't spent a decade mastering the Six-Tails..." He shook his head. "I wouldn't have stood a chance." A pause. "But don't worry. Kiri has no quarrel with Suna. Give the Kazekage my regards."
"You can't take her."
His expression hardened. "Don't make me kill you."
"That girl—" Tsunade's breath hitched. "—has internal injuries. Without treatment, she'll have complications. She won't live past thirty."
"We have medics."
"Not like me." Tsunade's voice was flat. "I know every top-tier healer in the world. Kiri doesn't have anyone. Or the facilities."
Utakata's jaw tightened. "That's not your concern."
"Yes it is." Tsunade forced herself upright. Swaying. "She's my patient. I'm responsible for her life."
"Enough." Utakata waved dismissively. "Take them both. We're leaving."
"I said—" Tsunade's body blazed. The Byakugō seal erupted across her forehead. Black marks crawled down her face. "—STOP."
Utakata blinked. "...You held back?"
"Ten years of stored chakra." Her smile was sharp. "You think I'd burn through it all in one fight?"
"Impressive." He didn't move. "But can you actually stop me?"
Tsunade's smile faded. "...No."
She reached into her pouch. Pulled out a bamboo tube.
Everyone turned.
A figure stumbled across the sand. Half-running. Half-falling.
Kakashi's eye went wide.
Rin stopped breathing.
Tsunade's smile was small. (Right on time. Half a minute later and this whole plan falls apart.)
Utakata frowned. "Who—"
"Intercept him!"
White-clad youth surged forward.
Obito fought. Took down three. Four.
But there were too many.
He hit the sand. Bound. Thrown at Utakata's feet.
"The hell are you supposed to be?" Utakata kicked him over.
Obito thrashed. Ropes bit into his wrists.
"Captain—this one killed six of ours."
"Six?" Utakata grabbed Obito's hair. Yanked his head up.
Red eyes stared back.
"Well, well." Utakata's grin was vicious. "An Uchiha. Didn't expect a bonus." He snapped his fingers. "Someone get me a vial."
Obito's eyes went wide. "No—"
A glass tube appeared in Utakata's hand.
"Lost too many brothers today." He raised two fingers. "Time to collect interest."
His hand moved toward Obito's face—
Rin's scream tore through the air.
Chakra exploded from her body. Red. Feral. Wrong.
"Shit—" Utakata abandoned Obito. Lunged toward Rin. "She's losing control—"
"Perfect timing."
Tsunade aimed the bamboo tube skyward.
Pulled the cord.
A firework shrieked into the sky. Brilliant. Piercing.
Everyone froze.
Utakata's head snapped up. "What—"
Five kilometers away.
Jinghang watched the firework bloom.
He glanced at Pain. "Five klicks. You good?"
"Then let's go." Jinghang's hand landed on Pain's shoulder. "Time to rewrite history."
"...Rewrite history?"
The next instant—
They stood beside Kakashi.
(The shoulder pat. Days ago. Flying Thunder God marker.)
Jinghang raised one hand.
"Magnet Release: All Blades to Heaven."
Every piece of metal on the battlefield ripped into the air.
Swords at Kakashi's throat—gone.
Blades at Obito's neck—gone.
Kunai. Shuriken. Forehead protectors.
All of it compressed into a massive sphere overhead.
Utakata stared.
Jinghang smiled.
"Rule one of counter-terrorism—" His fingers closed into a fist. "—disarm first."
[Foreshadowing: "Change history" = preventing Rin's death (canon event Jinghang knows about). Obito's Sharingan exposure = Utakata wanted eyes (would've triggered Mangekyō if Rin died). Three-Tails losing control = Kiri's real target (not Rin, the beast). Pain's presence = Akatsuki interest in tailed beasts beginning. Magnet Release disarm = Jinghang's signature move (establishes his combat style).]
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