The sky was a canvas of brilliant blue, painted with drifting white clouds and warmed by a gentle sun that cast golden light across the land.
A soft breeze carried the fresh scent of trees and soil—Konoha's breath itself—calming, familiar, and peaceful.
At the main gate of the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze stood with his hands on his hips. His eyes swept over his team, now gathered in full.
Clapping his hands, he brought the light conversation to a halt.
"Alright," he said with a gentle yet commanding tone. "Everyone's here. Let's move."
Kakashi stepped forward and asked without hesitation, "Sensei, what is our mission this time?"
Minato gave the boy a thoughtful look.
"I can't share the details just yet. You'll know when we reach our staging area. But I can tell you this much—failure is not an option."
Kakashi immediately straightened his posture and responded with conviction.
"Understood, Sensei!"
Minato smiled softly. "I believe in you all."
He turned to Kushina, who had quietly walked him to the gate, red hair flowing like flames in the wind.
"Kushina, if there's anything you want to say… now's the time."
"I know, Minato," she said, her voice gentle yet firm.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Kushina called the three students to her side—Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. She leaned in and whispered something to each of them with a mixture of tenderness and warning.
Obito turned beet red and waved his hands frantically.
"A-Alright, alright, I got it already!"
Kushina grinned, finally letting him go.
Three minutes later, Minato and his team turned and began their journey. Behind them, Kushina stood with her hands clasped before her chest, lips moving in a soft prayer.
"Be safe, all of you… please come back."
The team moved quickly beneath the morning sun, their shadows stretching along the path behind them. Minato led from the front, his movements fluid and precise. They did not glance back, even once.
By midday, the village had long faded from view.
Minato called for a brief rest and brought out several carefully wrapped lunch boxes.
"These are from Kushina," he said, handing them out personally. "Eat well—she put her heart into these."
The warm scent of rice and grilled fish filled the clearing as the team sat beneath the trees, quietly enjoying the meal. It was a rare moment of comfort amid the tension of the mission.
Once they had finished, Minato led them off the main road. The group vanished into the forest, moving as only trained shinobi could—fast, silent, deliberate.
After several minutes, Minato's voice cut through the rustling of leaves.
"Listen closely. Our destination is the frontlines, but we're not there to fight directly. Our goal is behind enemy lines."
Kakashi furrowed his brow. "A sabotage operation?"
Minato nodded, eyes sharp. "Exactly. When we reach the border of the Fire Country, I'll explain the full details. Until then, stay sharp."
With that, the group focused back on the journey. The wind blew against their cloaks, carrying with it the scent of war.
———————————————
Five Days Later…
———————————————
Time passed quickly, though to those at war, each day dragged like a lifetime.
Minato's squad had crossed forests, rivers, and rugged terrain. After five long days of travel, they finally arrived at the outer edge of the Fire Country's border—a region steeped in tension.
The war with Iwagakure had intensified.
Each day brought news of casualties. Deadly jutsu shattered the land, earth exploded, firestorms rolled across the ground. Neither side showed signs of relenting. The battlefield was unforgiving, and supply lines were strained to the breaking point.
Throughout the journey, Minato had received frequent updates via carrier birds from the village. The messages were urgent, almost desperate: "Arrive quickly. Target: the supply line. Operation critical."
But the path to the border had not been peaceful.
More than once, the team had encountered rogue bandits, missing-nin, and mercenaries who mistook them for easy targets. Those enemies didn't survive long. Minato's overwhelming speed and the raw potential of his students left no room for threats to linger.
Now, at the border between the Fire Country and the Earth Country, Minato unfurled a scroll and laid it across a flat stone.
"Kakashi. Obito. Rin," he said, calling them closer.
He pointed to a circled area on the map.
"This—Kanin Bridge—is our target."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "That's… a supply route?"
Minato nodded gravely. "It's the enemy's only reliable route to transport reinforcements and resources. Your mission is to infiltrate behind enemy lines and destroy it completely."
"A stealth mission, then?" Rin asked.
"Yes," Minato confirmed. "The success of this operation could directly influence the outcome of the war. Without supplies, Iwagakure will falter. We'll deal a major blow to their support chain."
He turned to them one by one, his voice firm. "Once the bridge is down, retreat immediately. Do not engage unless necessary. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Kakashi answered without hesitation.
Obito clenched his fist. "We'll make it back."
Rin gave a confident nod. "We won't let you down, Sensei."
Minato's expression softened. Though still young, they were all growing. This war would leave marks on them, he knew—but he'd protect them as long as he could.
This is a step toward peace… toward change.
He folded the map back into his scroll pouch.
"Get some rest. We move at dawn."