Two days later, the Chūnin Exam results were announced.
"Oh-biiito~!"
Outside Obito's front door, Rin and Kakashi—now proudly wearing their brand-new Chūnin vests—were pounding at the wood with the enthusiasm of tax collectors.
After a few sluggish seconds, the door creaked open to reveal Obito, still wearing his depression like a second outfit.
"You guys passed… congrats," he mumbled, trying to smile and failing like a ninja who forgot how to stealth.
"Wrong," Rin beamed. "Not you guys. Us. All three of us."
She whipped out another Chūnin vest from behind her back and held it up with a grin that could melt stone.
"M-Mine?!"
Obito blinked, staring at the vest as if it might explode. He'd spent the past two days holed up in his room mourning his loss, skipping meals, dodging Rin's invites, and wallowing in self-inflicted shame. The whole "tragic ninja" thing.
But now… he had passed?
"Oh yeah," Rin nodded happily. "Kakashi and I saw your name on the list ourselves. Barely scraped by—but hey, a win's a win!"
Obito practically levitated with joy, snatching the vest and slipping it on faster than Guy doing wind sprints.
"How do I look? Handsome, right?"
"Not bad," Kakashi replied lazily. "Only slightly worse than me."
Pfft!
Rin covered her mouth, failing to suppress a giggle.
"Tch." Obito rolled his eyes but was too happy to launch the usual banter. "Anyway, does Minato-sensei know yet? We should go tell him!"
"He was with us earlier," Rin said, "but then a group from the Anbu came and took him away."
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building.
Inside a large conference room, dozens of Konoha's highest-ranking ninja and clan leaders sat in tense silence.
At the head of the long table sat Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage—his face unreadable under the shadow of his hat, smoke curling lazily from his pipe.
Among the assembled were Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Fugaku, Hyūga Hiashi, and the heads of other powerful clans.
Tsunade had left the village soon after Shizune's promotion. Before departing, she told Kakashi and Rin they could contact her through Katsuyu if they ever got into serious trouble. Jiraiya, ever the wanderer, had vanished not long after.
The Third Hokage didn't speak at first. Instead, he slid a file across the table to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru opened it, brows lifting ever so slightly. "Well now… how curious. Are we sure this intel's legitimate?"
One by one, the others read the file as it passed down the line, their expressions hardening with each page.
"The information was verified through multiple channels," Sarutobi said. "Our agents in Sunagakure confirmed it. More troubling—Kumogakure has already begun mobilizing."
Silence thickened the air.
"How does a Kage just vanish from their own village?" one voice asked incredulously.
"Yes, especially that Kage."
The file had revealed a bombshell: the Third Kazekage, reputed to be the strongest in the history of the Sand, had disappeared without a trace.
He wasn't just any leader—he was said to be on par with even the most formidable shinobi of this era. Even Hiruzen himself couldn't guarantee victory against him in a straight fight.
And yet, he was gone.
Kidnapped? Killed? Or maybe he'd decided to run away and open a beach bar in Kiri—though that last theory wasn't gaining much traction.
No one cared much for the other missing person—just a boy named Sasori. Barely sixteen. Hardly worth a mention.
Except to Minato, who made a mental note of the name.
"Sunagakure is on the verge of collapse," Sarutobi continued. "And the Third Raikage is already using the chaos to invade the Land of Wind. If they fall, we'll be flanked by two major powers. I propose we offer aid to Sunagakure and form a defensive alliance."
The room fell silent once more.
Then came the chorus: "Understood!"
With unanimous approval, Sarutobi nodded and began handing out assignments. Logistics, intel, field units—all mobilized for possible war.
As for the diplomatic envoy to the Sand…
"I want Minato to lead the mission," Sarutobi said. "With Kakashi, Rin, and Obito accompanying him."
Minato frowned slightly. "Hokage-sama, are you sure? This could turn into war. They've only just become Chūnin. I can go alone."
Hiruzen looked him in the eye, firm. "A younger squad will lower the enemy's guard and demonstrate our sincerity. And those three aren't your average rookies. I see the spark of legends in them—just like Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya in their youth."
Minato nodded silently, understanding not just the strategy, but the deeper meaning.
Time was no longer a luxury. These kids would have to grow up in real time.
"…I understand. I'll keep them safe."
Later that day, Obito stood outside the gates of the village, triple-checking his gear. Rin was calm, Kakashi had his hands in his pockets, and Minato stood at the front with a map in hand.
"Alright," Minato said. "From here on out, we head toward the Land of Wind. It's going to be long and possibly dangerous, so stay sharp."
Obito gave a quick nod. "I've got this!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow behind his mask. "Try not to get KO'd before lunch this time, hero."
"You—!"
"Focus, you two," Rin interrupted, smiling but firm.
Minato chuckled. "Looks like we're ready."
And with that, the four of them set out toward the desert... and the storm that was waiting just over the horizon.