Debate
Kakashi, walking steadily atop the water, suddenly stopped.
His nose twitched. He raised his right hand, signaling for Uchiha Obito and the others behind him to halt. "Something's not right."
Suddenly, a volley of sharpened bamboo spears burst from the trees ahead, hurtling toward them with deadly precision.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Obito exhaled a massive fireball, incinerating the bamboo mid-air. The charred remains sizzled as they crashed into the surface of the water.
Their attention remained locked ahead—none of them noticed Daishi, silently emerging behind them from the shadows.
Suddenly, the scorched bamboo floating on the water splintered and exploded outward.
Kakashi and Obito snapped to attention, instantly taking up battle stances.
From the water mist, a shinobi appeared: Firelight, a high-ranking jonin from Iwagakure, known for his mastery of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
Kakashi launched the first strike.
"Lightning Release: Fourfold Bolt!"
Electricity surged from his body as Kakashi darted forward, his speed amplified by lightning chakra. The water beneath his feet hissed with static as he closed the gap in a flash, blade drawn in a high-speed slash.
Though Lightning Release enhanced Kakashi's speed, Firelight reacted smoothly. As one of Iwa's elite, he matched Kakashi blow for blow. Their clash sent sparks and shockwaves echoing across the river.
Meanwhile, Obito scanned for an opening to assist—but before he could act, two sharp cries rang out behind him.
Kakashi's head jerked toward the sound—just long enough for Firelight to capitalize. A spinning kick slammed into Kakashi's side, launching him into the water.
Obito turned in horror.
Behind them stood Daishi, holding the unconscious Rin Nohara and their teammate Takei Katsuhiko. The two had been ambushed and captured.
Firelight appeared beside Daishi.
"We're taking these two with us," Daishi said flatly.
Kakashi scrambled to his feet, ready to intercept, but Firelight raised a hand and mocked,
"You're Sakumo's kid, right? The White Fang's little legacy. If he were here, I might take this seriously—but you? You're nothing."
A smoke bomb hit the ground—thick mist obscured everything. By the time it cleared, Firelight and Daishi were gone.
"Damn it!" Obito shouted.
He turned to run after them, but Kakashi grabbed his arm.
"Obito, stop! We continue the mission."
Obito stared at him, stunned. "What did you just say?"
Kakashi's voice remained calm. "We continue. Just the two of us."
"What about Rin? And Katsuhiko? You're saying we leave them behind?!"
"They're captured, not killed. The enemy wants intel—they won't kill them immediately. Rin's a medic-nin; that gives her value. She may be treated as a resource rather than a threat."
"That's a guess!" Obito shouted. "Katsuhiko's not a medic—what about him? And what if they kill Rin anyway?! Are you really gambling their lives like this?!"
Kakashi's voice hardened. "A shinobi must place the mission above all else. That is the rule. If this mission fails, it could cost countless lives. We have to destroy the Kannabi Bridge. If we don't—this war drags on."
Obito's fists clenched. "That's just theory! You don't know what'll happen if the bridge stays standing. But we do know Rin and Katsuhiko need help now! How can you just abandon them?"
Kakashi's face was like stone. "This mission was Rin's too. She knew the risks."
Obito swung, but Kakashi caught his punch effortlessly.
"I really hate you right now," Obito said, trembling.
"You don't have to like me," Kakashi replied coldly. "I'm team captain. Orders must be followed. Otherwise, the team collapses."
Obito glared at him. "Then why aren't you saving your comrades? You have the strength!"
Kakashi turned away. "If we let our emotions dictate our actions, missions fail. That's why shinobi suppress their feelings. That's the path."
Obito shouted, "Rin was worried about you! She gave you that med-kit yesterday—with a good luck charm inside! She believes in you!"
Kakashi's face didn't change. "Medical supplies exist to increase survival rates. But I told you before—sentiment is a burden. Unnecessary."
Obito stepped back, eyes wide. "Unnecessary? Are you serious right now?"
Kakashi nodded. "A shinobi needs tools that help the mission. Emotions don't."
Obito was silent, then said quietly, "You really believe that?"
Kakashi's eyes drifted down, haunted. A memory of Sakumo's smiling face flashed through his mind.
"Yes."
Obito turned. "Then we're incompatible. I'm going after Rin."
Kakashi said sharply, "You don't understand. People who break the rules—"
Obito cut him off. "I know about Sakumo. I heard from Minato-sensei. I heard from Qian Yu-sensei, too. I think your father was a hero."
He took a few steps forward, back still turned.
"They say those who abandon missions are scum. But those who abandon comrades… are worse than scum."
Obito clenched his fists. "If doing what's right makes me a traitor to your rules, then I'll break them. I'll crush the whole idea of what a 'proper shinobi' is if I have to."
Kakashi stood frozen, his throat dry.
Obito's voice cracked. "Your father followed his heart. They blamed him for it. Now you follow the rules—and you're still being blamed. So tell me, what choice won't lead to being hated in the end?!"
Kakashi couldn't answer.
Obito whispered, "I don't know either. But I do know that if I don't try to save Rin… I'll regret it forever."
He started walking away.
"I don't understand how what's right becomes wrong—and what's wrong becomes right. But even if the world tells me I'm wrong…"
He turned his head slightly. "I don't care. I'll do it anyway."
Kakashi inhaled slowly, then let the breath out through his nose. He closed his eye for a moment.
"…There's no convincing you, is there?"
Obito didn't respond.
"…Let's go."
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