In fact,
The unease in Meigetsu's heart was quite justified.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, a group of Kirigakure's Anbu herding a weak Konoha's Chunin like a sheep all the way to Konoha for a suicide bombing was a very illogical thing.
Along the way, who knew how many checkpoints they would pass? Moving in such a loose and traceable manner, it was simply impossible not to be discovered by Konoha's Ninjas.
When the time came,
If the surprise attack failed, it would come down to whose frontal strength was greater. But even with all her confidence, Meigetsu didn't believe she could complete the mission alive in the presence of Kage-level Ninjas like the Yellow Flash and the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
This mission was practically suicide!
In Meigetsu's view, the probability of mission success might only be one in ten... no, one in a hundred!
By then,
Everyone participating in this raid mission would probably die!
It was only because the Kirigakure's Anbu were relatively loyal. If it were some of those 'born rebellious' Ninjas, they would probably be thinking of ways to assassinate the Mizukage the moment they received this mission.
"The mission?"
Hearing this, Sora smiled indifferently, his tone carrying a subtle note, "The outcome of this mission isn't important. But Nohara Rin's death is very important."
"Ah?"
Meigetsu was stunned, her expression instantly turning blank.
'The mission isn't important...'
'Nohara Rin's death is important?'
She completely failed to understand the meaning behind Sora's words.
Sora also didn't explain further.
He just continued watching calmly from a thousand meters away as Rin stumbled forward in a wretched state.
She was a crucial piece in Madara's plan, and also the key to luring out Obito.
Uchiha Obito!
A part of the special storyline mission!
Right now, Obito was still living in a dark cave. Finding his true self was extremely difficult.
Furthermore,
Even if he found the intelligence, Sora couldn't actually go looking for Obito.
Because that place contained terrifying entities like Madara, Black Zetsu, Tobi, and the Gedo Statue.
With Madara's cautious nature, he might have set up dangerous barriers similar to Danzo's 'Bridge Sealing Formula', making it an extremely perilous place.
Therefore,
Sora decided to wait and observe, following the inertia of the plot to draw out the hidden Obito first.
Anyway,
As a simp, he couldn't just ignore his goddess's safety, right?
…
The scene shifts to Konoha's side.
The Kirigakure's raid didn't cause significant casualties among the camp's Ninjas.
Apart from the few unlucky ones Sora had cut down, the other Konoha's Ninjas basically didn't suffer major injuries.
Even Kakashi, who had been planted headfirst, was dug out and, after simple treatment, was no longer in life-threatening danger.
Then,
The Konoha's Ninjas split into two groups: one responsible for guarding the camp and the outpost, the other pursuing the retreating Kirigakure's raiding force to find their trail.
Kakashi, extremely worried about Rin's safety, naturally had no mind to stay at the camp. He teamed up with three other Jonin and quickly followed the trail of the Kirigakure's raiders.
With Kakashi's Ninken, a Hyuga Clan's branch family's member with a Kekkei Genkai, and two experienced veteran Jonin, this squad's combat and tracking abilities were naturally impeccable.
Soon,
The four found traces left by a large number of Ninjas in the forest.
Although the footprints on the branches and grass had been specially treated, making them difficult to see with the naked eye, Kakashi's Ninken easily identified the unique scent of Kirigakure.
Hum!
Instantly, the Konoha Jonin in the team formed hand seals. His Byakugan suddenly became fierce, and his vision pierced through the forest, looking into the far distance.
"I see them!"
Before the Hyuga Clan's Jonin finished speaking, his face abruptly changed.
He gritted his teeth for a moment before saying in a low voice, "The number of enemies is large. Judging by the Chakra reactions, they should be Kirigakure's Ninjas. The number is…"
"36!"
"The number of Jonin exceeds 20. And also…"
"That Chakra… it's a Tailed Beast!"
"No!"
"It should be Kirigakure's Jinchuriki. But why does that Jinchuriki's Chakra feel somewhat familiar…"
Hearing this, Kakashi's expression changed.
'Jinchuriki?'
'Could it be that mysterious Anbu who descended from the sky and instantly killed Choru-senpai!??'
At that moment,
The Ninken, Pakkun on the ground also barked, "Kakashi, it's Rin. I smell Rin's scent. It's right ahead!"
"Rin?"
Hearing this, Kakashi's gaze shifted dramatically, and his body began to tremble violently.
"Don't act rashly!"
The Hyuga Clan's Jonin nearby quickly grabbed Kakashi's shoulder, urging him, "Kakashi, don't act rashly! The enemy has too many Ninjas, and there's a Jinchuriki among them. Charging in recklessly will get us all killed here!"
"Not to mention you're covered in injuries. Fighting is simply impossible right now!"
"I think we should first find a way to notify the village and seek reinforcements. The opponent has a Jinchuriki, after all…"
The Hyuga Clan's Jonin's suggestion was rational.
They never expected that there was a Jinchuriki in the Kirigakure ranks. If the village knew about this intelligence, it could lead to major problems.
That was a Jinchuriki, known as a 'human-shaped nuclear weapon'!
If not handled carefully, it might even destroy Konoha Village!
As Konoha's Ninjas, they naturally couldn't stand by and let that happen.
However,
After Rin was captured, Kakashi had fallen into a hysterical state. He simply couldn't listen to such words anymore.
Right now, Kakashi's mind was filled with the image of Obito's dying moments. He didn't want to see the same thing happen to Rin.
"You go notify the village."
"I!"
"Will go save Rin!"
Kakashi, embracing a determination to die, had eyes as mechanical and unfeeling as a machine's. "I will absolutely not abandon my comrade again. I will not stand by and watch a dear friend sacrifice themselves again…"
"Absolutely not!"
Leave?
He wouldn't leave again!
Even if he died, he would die by Rin's side!
He would not betray Obito's dying wish!!!
Drawing his sword, Kakashi didn't even wait for his teammates' reactions and charged headlong towards the direction from which Rin's scent came.
"Damn it!"
"Is Hatake Kakashi insane?"
Watching Kakashi's resolute back, a veteran Konoha's Jonin couldn't help but curse. "The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree!"
"Do all Ninjas of the Hatake Clan treat the village's interests so lightly?"
Hearing this, the Hyuga Clan's Jonin nearby scowled and rebuked angrily, "Shut up! Cherishing comrades is not wrong. Do you want us to be like Kirigakure's killing machines, treating comrades as burdens to be discarded at any time?"
"You two, find a way to relay the intelligence as soon as possible. I…"
"Will go support Kakashi!"
After speaking, without waiting for the other two's reaction, the Hyuga Clan's Jonin also chased after them, disregarding life and death.