In the evening, Yashamaru arrived right on time, carrying scarves for Minato and his three students.
There was a good reason for it. The Land of Wind's desert climate was as moody as a teenage Genin—blistering hot during the day, freezing cold at night. Scarves weren't just fashion statements here; they were survival gear, shielding against both the cold and the endless waves of sand.
Under Yashamaru's guidance, Minato's team arrived quickly at Kazekage Rasa's residence.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Rasa said, extending a warm welcome as the head of the household.
Dinner was already laid out on the table.
Kakashi gave the spread a quick once-over. Not bad at all.
A generous serving of air-dried beef, a perfectly roasted golden whole lamb, and a few delicate-looking vegetarian dishes. Someone definitely went all-out for this.
"To celebrate the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure—and in hopes of peace to come. Cheers!" Rasa stood, raising his glass.
"Cheers!" everyone echoed.
Minato and Rasa drank sake, while Kakashi and the others settled for fruit juice. Despite their skill, the underage drinking laws of common sense still applied.
As the wine flowed and the food disappeared, the air at the table grew lighter.
Freed from the weight of official duties, Rasa transformed into something surprising: a relaxed first-time father. And thanks to his graceful wife, Karura, the dinner had all the warmth of a true family gathering.
After dinner, Minato and Rasa launched into a surprisingly in-depth discussion about village management, each bringing their own perspective as young leaders.
Meanwhile, Obito was off peppering Yashamaru with enthusiastic questions about all the interesting (read: weird) things in Sunagakure.
Kakashi—ever the lone wolf babysitter—found himself sitting beside Rin and Karura, teasing the infant Temari who lay nearby.
Temari, barely able to wobble her hands, stared unblinking at the strange silver-haired guy making faces at her.
Kakashi leaned in, pulled down his mask slightly, and contorted his face into something between a squint and a silent scream. The result?
Giggles. Lots of them.
"Sister Karura, can I hold her for a moment?" Kakashi asked politely, raising a brow.
Karura smiled and nodded.
Kakashi carefully picked up baby Temari like he was defusing a paper bomb. Rin quickly hovered near, ready to intercept in case he dropped the tiny future war princess.
"You're holding her like she's an explosive tag," Karura chuckled. She gently adjusted Kakashi's grip, then leaned toward Rin and whispered something.
Rin's face flushed like she'd activated a Genjutsu on herself. She quickly waved her hands in denial but couldn't help sneaking a glance at Kakashi—and then quickly looking away.
Of course, Kakashi missed all of that.
He was a bit too distracted by… the other issue.
Baby Temari was hungry.
And she'd decided Kakashi's chest was the source of her next meal, gripping his shirt with tiny, determined fingers.
Uh-oh.
He froze.
Single in his last life, zero childcare experience in this one—his ninja training had never covered this battlefield.
"Let me take her," Karura stepped in just in time, smiling as she scooped Temari away and disappeared into the bedroom.
"You really like kids, huh?" Rin teased, still recovering from Karura's whisper.
"I like that they don't talk back and don't stab you in training," Kakashi replied dryly. "Also, she's cute. And I think she's destined to become Nara Shikaku's daughter-in-law."
"Eh? You can predict marriages now?"
"You don't believe me? Want to bet on it?"
"What's the bet?"
"Whoever loses owes the other a favor. No take-backs."
Rin hesitated for a second, then smiled.
"Fine. A hundred promises. Break it, and you're a puppy."
She held out her pinky.
Kakashi locked his finger with hers. Ninja contracts didn't get more official than that.
She felt confident she'd win. After all, Temari was still a baby—and by the time she was old enough for romance, they'd all be grown-ups. Probably.
Just as the air grew light again—
Boom boom boom. Boom boom boom.
A frantic knock shattered the calm.
Obito and Yashamaru exchanged glances and moved quickly to the door.
Outside stood a Sand Shinobi with a familiar face.
"Baki?" Yashamaru blinked. "What happened?"
The Jōnin said nothing, just glanced at Yashamaru and strode directly to Rasa.
Kakashi squinted slightly.
Baki. The man who, in another life, took down Moonlight Gai and left poor Yugao mourning before anyone had time to react. Half his face was wrapped in cloth, his flak vest crisp and stiff.
Serious guy. Looked like he hadn't smiled since the last Great Ninja War. Maybe longer.
"Lord Kazekage," Baki reported, "our scouts have confirmed that the Cloud Shinobi Army has set up camp at the oasis—just 50 kilometers from the village. Around ten thousand of them. They're preparing to march at dawn."
Rasa's face tightened. "That soon? Looks like they're not wasting time."
"No clue why they're rushing, but the battle squad leaders are assembled. They're waiting for your command."
Rasa stood immediately and turned toward Minato.
"My apologies. I must go."
"No need," Minato smiled calmly. "We'll leave you to it."
Rasa gave quick instructions to Yashamaru to escort their guests home, then turned to Baki.
"Let's move."
Back in their temporary quarters, Obito's excitement boiled over.
"Minato-sensei! Are we really going into battle tomorrow?!"
Minato hesitated for just a second before responding.
"We'll wait for Lord Kazekage's orders. But we need to be ready for anything."
"Got it!"
Obito nodded like a bobblehead.
Kakashi watched him from the side, amused. He already knew Obito wouldn't sleep a wink tonight.
For Obito, this wasn't just another mission. This was his big break—a chance to fight side by side with his teacher, his friends, and even his Uchiha brethren.
And with five hundred elite Uchiha on the way?
Kakashi couldn't help thinking:
The Third Hokage plays his cards well. Very well.