"System, I really have one question. I have already quelled the Third Shinobi World War, so why does the Kannabi Bridge mission still appear?" Ryun Uchiha asked in his heart.
"Ding, replying to the host, regardless of whether you quelled the Third Shinobi World War or not, Iwagakure will not let Kusagakure be."
"First, Konoha has stolen the spotlight in this Third Shinobi World War and gained many benefits. And Iwagakure? They lost nearly eight thousand men helping the host and only received a small amount of compensation."
"Second, since your Konoha is eating the meat, is it not okay for us Iwagakure to have some soup? As for Kusagakure, we want to expand our territory a bit, surely you won't forbid it?"
"Third, Ōnoki still has ambition in his heart. If the situation changes in the future, he might directly use Kusagakure as a stepping stone to attack Konoha. So host, do you still have any doubts?"
Ryun Uchiha was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "I understand. So the occurrence of this battle is inevitable."
"Correct. However, without the interference of the Heavenly Path, you can freely change the outcome for Minato and the others," the system prompted.
"I understand," Ryun replied, then invited Danzo in.
Danzo was restless. He had a feeling that this time, something would happen to Minato Namikaze. Minato was also his most accomplished disciple, and he did not want anything to happen to him.
"About this matter, Danzo, you and I will take action. I will go protect those three children. You go protect Minato Namikaze. We will split up. What do you think?" Ryun Uchiha said directly.
Danzo was taken aback, then nodded. "Good! I will do it!" For the sake of his disciple, he would risk his old bones! At worst, he would die on the battlefield.
"Hey, Danzo, I have been listening for a while. What do you mean? You do not trust Lord Shukaku? Among the nine Tailed Beasts, Lord Shukaku's strength ranks third. Do you understand the weight of being third?" Shukaku thought.
"Ahem, no, no. It is just that I have not fought for a long time, so I am a bit rusty," Danzo thought sheepishly.
"Do not worry. With Lord Shukaku here, even if it is the Tsuchikage Ōnoki, Lord Shukaku will help you beat him down!" Shukaku patted his chest and guaranteed.
"Alright, then I will leave it to you, Shukaku," Danzo said with a smile.
"Of course, of course!" Shukaku chuckled.
After Ryun Uchiha and Danzo finalized the details, the two set off together. Before leaving, Ryun explained the situation to Tsunade. Tsunade chided him, "Every single day, you are so busy! Busy, being busy is good!"
"Wife, I promise you, after this war ends, I will stay home with you!" Ryun Uchiha hugged Tsunade and coaxed her.
Tsunade nodded and hugged Ryun. "Go early and return early! Be careful!"
"Mm, I will." After speaking, Ryun Uchiha kissed Tsunade on the lips.
At that moment, a cough came from the sofa. "Ahem, Ryun, well, we should set off. Soon, Minato will be past the border!"
Ryun Uchiha snapped back to reality. Tsunade also looked shy and slapped Ryun's chest. There was someone else in the house, could he not be more mindful!
Ryun Uchiha gave a silly laugh, then held Tsunade again and said slowly, "I am leaving, I am really leaving now!"
"Go, go!" Tsunade coaxed Ryun away as if he were a child.
Ryun Uchiha and Danzo exchanged a glance and walked together towards the outskirts of Konoha Village.
The Konoha guards were supposed to require everyone leaving the village to either present a mission proof or carry special documents. But when it came to Ryun Uchiha and Danzo, the two guards merely bowed and performed a salute, with no other actions.
Just kidding, asking the top leader for documents? For proof? Well, you would ask for proof in the morning, and roll up your bedding by noon.
Minato Namikaze and his team walked north towards Kusagakure. He explained the mission in detail. "The mission client is the Daimyō of the Land of Grass. He hopes Konoha can destroy the Kannabi Bridge, preventing Iwagakure shinobi from attacking Kusagakure."
"The reason we accepted this mission is that the Land of Grass borders the Land of Fire. From a military perspective, the Land of Grass is a stepping stone for Iwagakure to enter the Land of Fire. It can also be understood as a transit point."
"Here, they can quickly transport war supplies and can also launch attacks against the Land of Fire at any time. This is undoubtedly baring our chest to the enemy for attack."
"Therefore, this time we are not only protecting Kusagakure but also protecting Konoha. In strategic terms, Kusagakure cannot be lost, cannot be ceded to Iwagakure." Minato Namikaze began instilling military thinking in his students.
Kakashi did not speak. Obito, full of passion, said, "That is right! All of this is for Konoha! Let us go!"
"Obito, you are such a fool. But, you are right!" Kakashi said with a smile.
Rin also nodded. "When the time comes, I will protect you both, Obito, Kakashi."
Minato Namikaze looked at the three youngsters, his heart feeling warm. "Well, next, I will assign the tasks. Next, Kakashi will serve as squad leader, responsible for carrying out the bridge destruction mission. This time, the three of you will act together."
"Then, what about you, sensei?" Kakashi suddenly asked.
Minato Namikaze smiled. "I will go to the front lines to meet this new Iwagakure commander, Tōshi. I heard he once compared himself to Lord Izuna and Teacher Ryun. The tactic of massed forces also originated from him."
"This way, I can also draw their firepower for you. However, there will definitely be Iwagakure squads near the Kannabi Bridge. You must also be careful and deal with them properly!" Minato said seriously.
Uchiha Obito stepped forward and said, "Please rest assured, sensei. The three of us will definitely complete the mission!"
Hatake Kakashi nodded without speaking. Rin looked at Obito with affection and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
Minato Namikaze's heart suddenly calmed. The corners of his mouth turned up as he said, "As expected, everyone is very reliable! Alright, let us split up here. Let us go!"
The three youngsters nodded. They separated from Minato in the bamboo forest. Minato headed towards the main Iwagakure forces, while the three youngsters entered the Land of Grass and began advancing towards the Kannabi Bridge.
Uchiha Obito walked at the front. Currently, his strength was the strongest among the three, so it was right for him to take the lead. Due to the rush, Kakashi and Obito had not taken the Jōnin exam, so they did not have Jōnin vests.
This also meant that as soon as they entered the Iwagakure reconnaissance area, they were noticed by Iwagakure shinobi. Plus, their young age meant Mushi was the first to spot the three.
Given their Konoha headbands, he did not act rashly. Instead, he sent his shadow clone to appear before the three. "Halt. This area is currently under Iwagakure management. Please, Konoha shinobi, retreat now. Otherwise, do not blame me for forcing you back."
"Huh? Who are you?" Uchiha Obito asked.
Mushi glanced at Obito. If not for their Konoha headbands, Mushi would not have this much patience to chatter with him. Ultimately, it was fear of that Uchiha Ryun who fought ten thousand with the great Buddha.
"Iwagakure Jōnin, Mushi. I repeat, this area is currently under Iwagakure management. Please leave quickly. Otherwise, do not blame me for being merciless." Mushi had already given enough face.
Hatake Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "The Third Shinobi World War has already ended. Could it be that Iwagakure, by invading the Land of Grass, wants to continue provoking war?"
Mushi's face darkened. What a kid, framing them with such a big charge, directly pinning the label of war provocation on Iwagakure. If the Hokage found out, they would have to pay compensation again.
"Kid, some words should be said, some should not. As a shinobi, you should understand this clearly," Mushi directly threatened without concealment.
At worst, they would just leave these three little things here today. Uchiha Ryun would not possibly know. For the future of Iwagakure, for the prosperity of Iwagakure!
Just as he planned to try persuading them one last time, a shinobi with flame shaped spiky hair appeared. "Mushi, why waste words with them? Capture them. After the Kusagakure matter is over, we can just release them."
"Killing them is troublesome, so just capture them!" The shinobi laughed, then loosened the bandages on his arm, revealing two blades, his gaze full of excitement.
"Kōka, you guy, you need to pick the right occasion for your love of fighting!" Mushi smiled helplessly, but he clearly agreed with Kōka's words.
"Kōka, Iwagakure Jōnin. Three little kids, this matter cannot be exposed. So please surrender quietly. You will suffer less physical pain. Of course, out of respect for your Hokage, we will not harm you." Kōka's words were actually sincere.
Now, the name Uchiha Ryun was known throughout the shinobi world. Offend anyone but Uchiha Ryun. Kill anyone but Konoha shinobi. Rōshi was the best example.
And Kōka and Mushi were just Iwagakure Jōnin. Their status was far, far below Rōshi's. How would they dare to offend Konoha shinobi?
"Sorry. Your Iwagakure, after the war ended, still wants to invade Kusagakure. This violates the definition of peace in the shinobi world. So, let us fight!" Uchiha Obito said coldly.
Hatake Kakashi did not speak but stood beside Obito, looking at the two Iwagakure Jōnin ahead, his face full of fighting spirit.
Mushi and Kōka were stunned, looked at each other, then each picked one and charged forward to attack. However, they basically held back everywhere, only needing to render these two youngsters incapable of fighting.
Uchiha Obito faced Mushi. Mushi quickly formed hand signs. Earth Style, Yellow Spring Marsh! He slapped the ground with both hands. Instantly, the path ahead of Uchiha Obito became muddy and difficult. Each step required great effort.
Uchiha Obito gritted his teeth and shouted, "Fire Style, Great Fire Annihilation!" Immediately, a large expanse of flames spewed from Obito's mouth, shooting towards Mushi. Mushi's face changed dramatically. Jōnin!
The thought had just crossed his mind when he was engulfed by the flames. The Earth Style Yellow Spring Marsh was also dispelled, and the ground returned to normal. But Obito narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong. That one just now was not the real body, it was a shadow clone!
Just as the thought occurred, Mushi appeared again, slowly walking out from behind a tree. He looked at Obito, his eyes now serious. A Jōnin at such a young age. This child must not be allowed to live!
If before Mushi just wanted to capture him, now he truly felt killing intent. Geniuses can only put people at ease when strangled in the cradle!
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