Land of Fire Coastline, Konoha Camp.
The atmosphere inside the large tent was tense, weighed down by a heavy silence. Fugaku's expression was grim, his brows furrowed deeply.
"You don't need to feel embarrassed. I disobeyed your orders, and this is the consequence," Nawaki's voice finally cut through the oppressive air, though his own face mirrored the somber mood.
While Nawaki didn't regret his actions, he was fully aware that he had violated Fugaku's commands. For a shinobi, disobeying battlefield orders was a grave offense—one not taken lightly.
Fugaku's sharp eyes flicked toward Nawaki, while Kato Dan and Hyuga Tenki exchanged glances, as if wanting to intervene.
"Enough," Fugaku sighed, waving his hand dismissively.
"I don't blame you."
His unexpected words hung in the air, causing Nawaki's tense posture to slacken slightly. But Fugaku wasn't finished.
"Our priority now is figuring out how the enemy managed to make several Hyuga shinobi vanish without a trace and abduct our comrades from right under our noses."
At these words, everyone in the tent stiffened, their expressions turning grave.
"Also," Fugaku added, his voice resolute, "send word to the Hokage and all fronts about this incident immediately."
The events on the Kirigakure battlefield soon rippled across all Konoha's battlefronts.
At the Border of the Land of the Moon, Konoha Camp.
For half a month, Konoha and the Cloud Ninja had been locked in a tense standoff. Ever since Minato's clash with the Third Raikage and his forces, the Cloud had refrained from launching another attack.
Though Minato hadn't inflicted serious harm on the Third Raikage, their battle had left a lasting impression. The name "Yellow Flash" was not spoken lightly—it carried weight.
As Minato read through the latest frontline report, his usually composed demeanor cracked. His deep blue eyes, often calm and calculating, now blazed with fury.
His hands clenched involuntarily, and a palpable tension filled the tent. The sheer intensity of his presence was suffocating.
"Obito…" Minato murmured, his voice barely audible yet heavy with emotion.
Memories surged like a flood. In his previous life, during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, he had arrived moments too late to save Obito. Later, on another mission, Kakashi and Rin had been captured by Kirigakure. Though they managed to escape, Minato's delayed arrival meant he couldn't prevent Rin's tragic death.
After his rebirth, he had managed to change the destinies of many—Uchiha Yoruki, Nawaki, Kato Dan, and Hatake Sakumo among them. Yet, despite his efforts, the students who shared his dreams continued to fall to fate's cruel hand.
As his emotions surged, faint crimson specks flickered in Minato's azure eyes, and a fierce, oppressive aura radiated from him. It wasn't his own—it was the Nine-Tails stirring within.
Just as the scarlet hue began to spread, a powerful force surged from within, suppressing the malevolent chakra.
"Calm down."
The voice echoed in Minato's mind—his own voice, but deeper, more controlled. It mirrored his turmoil but anchored him, pulling him back from the edge.
With a shuddering breath, Minato regained clarity, his gaze shifting to Hatake Sakumo standing beside him.
Sakumo's face was pale, his body slightly trembling. The murderous intent that had briefly flared from Minato, combined with the sinister aura that followed, had shaken even the White Fang of Konoha.
"What happened?" Sakumo asked, his voice low and steady, though his eyes betrayed his concern.
Minato hesitated, his lips parting but no words coming out at first. Finally, he spoke, his voice strained.
"Kakashi and Rin were captured by Kirigakure during a recent battle."
Sakumo's expression changed instantly. The stoic shinobi staggered back a step, his usually unshakable composure crumbling under the weight of the news.
"Sakumo-senpai," Minato murmured softly. He understood the depth of a parent's love. Even though he had never gotten the chance to raise Naruto, his love for his son was boundless.
Sakumo's body trembled, but years of discipline allowed him to wrest control over his emotions.
"Does Kirigakure still possess such strength?" Sakumo's voice was cold, his eyes narrowing sharply. A flicker of realization crossed his face. "Could it be… the Third Mizukage has personally joined the battlefield?"
Sakumo knew his son's abilities well. While Kakashi might not be the strongest among Konoha's shinobi, it would take more than an average jonin to subdue him. Given Konoha's numerical advantage, only the direct intervention of a powerhouse like the Third Mizukage could explain such a feat.
Minato shook his head. "According to our intelligence, the Third Mizukage hasn't made a move. Kirigakure used some unknown method to bypass the Hyuga's Byakugan defenses."
He paused, his expression darkening. "They even infiltrated our camp to launch a surprise attack. If it weren't for Senju Nawaki's quick response in fending off the Kirigakure Water-nin, we'd be in a dire situation right now."
Minato handed the report to Sakumo. As Sakumo read through the details, a look of horror flashed in his eyes.
Now, he fully understood Minato's earlier outburst.
Among the list of fallen shinobi was Uchiha Obito—Minato's student. And now Kakashi and Rin, also his disciples, were in enemy hands.
The tent fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their losses pressing down on them.
"You don't need to worry too much," Minato finally spoke, his voice quieter but firm. "If the enemy captured Kakashi and Rin, it means they're after information. Their lives should be safe for now."
Sakumo nodded, understanding the logic but finding little comfort in it.
"But it's best not to inform Suzuka just yet," Minato added thoughtfully. "She is stationed on the Cloud Ninja front. If she learns about Kakashi's abduction, she might lose focus and put herself in danger."
"Thank you," Sakumo murmured, his gratitude sincere. He knew Minato was looking out for them all.
"I will rescue Kakashi and Rin," Minato declared, his gaze locking with Sakumo's, his voice filled with unwavering determination.
He had already failed to protect Obito. He wouldn't let history repeat itself.
Sakumo was momentarily taken aback by Minato's intensity but quickly composed himself.
"Don't put all the pressure on yourself," Sakumo said gently. "This isn't your burden to bear alone."
Since the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War, Minato had carried an enormous weight on his shoulders. While Sakumo understood his worry for Kakashi, he didn't want Minato to shoulder everything alone.
But Minato had already made up his mind.
In the depths of his consciousness, the other Minato—the one who shared his thoughts—sighed softly.
"It seems you've decided to use that."
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