"So then—our deal is complete, isn't it?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
At Minato Namikaze's question, Kyoichi nodded and gave a firm reply.
At this moment, he was already back in the dense forests of the Land of Grass, carried here by Minato.
If not for the two hundred women and children of the Koeda Clan gathered on the clearing behind him, Kyoichi might have wondered if their whole ordeal in Iwagakure had been nothing but a dream. But with just a glance over his shoulder at those familiar faces, that sense of unreality quickly faded.
"Then… my student…"
"Mai, Aki—let her go."
Kyoichi turned and called out.
Koeda Mai and Koeda Aki, the two young girls, released the captive Nohara Rin. She walked step by step toward Kakashi and Obito on the other side. No one objected—not even Koeda Dazen, the clan head, tried to stop Kyoichi from fulfilling the terms of his deal with Minato.
Seinosuke and Yūsuke also remained silent.
They both knew the truth: without their hostage, the Koeda Clan no longer had any leverage over the Yellow Flash. If he suddenly turned on them now, few among their number would survive his blade.
And yet—
They still chose to support Kyoichi in keeping his word.
"Rin, are you alright?"
Obito rushed forward, catching Rin as soon as she was freed, his voice thick with worry.
"I'm fine."
Once Obito cut the ropes binding her wrists, Rin flexed her hands and arms. "Don't worry, Obito. I really am fine. I am, after all, a qualified medical-nin. I know my own condition well enough."
"Whew…"
Obito finally exhaled, mumbling over and over: "You're fine… that's all that matters, that's all that matters!"
Kakashi stood silently nearby. He gave Rin a once-over, and once he was sure she truly seemed unharmed, he stepped back a couple of paces, leaving space for Obito—this fool of a teammate.
"That makes us even now, doesn't it?"
Kyoichi looked at the reunited trio, then fixed his eyes on Minato.
"Yes, we're even."
Minato smiled lightly.
Then, with interest glimmering in his eyes, he asked, "If I may—where does your Koeda Clan intend to go next? If I'm not mistaken, Iwa's ANBU should already be mobilizing to track your movements."
"Oh? Minato-senpai—are you planning to recommend our clan to Konoha?"
Kyoichi didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned the question back on Minato.
"Haha…"
Minato chuckled softly. "Speaking personally, I wouldn't mind working alongside you, Kyoichi. But unfortunately… from the village's standpoint, taking in your clan would only bring Konoha unnecessary trouble. Iwagakure is a difficult opponent, and right now… what our village needs is rest and recovery, not new conflicts."
"Tch! From your earlier question, I thought you were actually trying to recruit us."
"Sorry for the misunderstanding. I only hope your clan can endure—and not fall so easily to Iwa's ANBU."
"What a cold thing to say."
"I am a shinobi of Konoha. Everything I do is for my village."
"Hmph! Don't worry. If our clan dared to abandon Iwagakure, then naturally we had already chosen a new home long ago. You needn't worry about us being wiped out so easily. If there's nothing else—farewell! We still have much to do."
With that, Kyoichi turned and walked away, unafraid to show his back to Minato.
"…A new home, huh?"
Minato watched his retreating figure, countless possibilities flickering through his mind.
Would the Koeda Clan turn to Kumogakure? Sunagakure? Kirigakure? Or perhaps some other choice entirely…? Whatever the case, the fact that they were confident enough not to fear Iwa's pursuit was good news for Konoha.
At least his effort tonight had not been in vain.
And besides—today's ordeal had also reminded him of something else: just how important chakra reserves were.
It wasn't as if his chakra was "small" by any means—compared to ordinary shinobi, his chakra was vast. But when compared to clans like the Senju or the Uzumaki, it still fell short. And in truth—no matter how much one had, there was never such a thing as "too much."
When he returned to the village, he would need to devote serious time to refining Sage Mode, a technique that could dramatically extend his endurance. He had to work on shortening the time it took to enter that state…
"Sensei."
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin came over, pulling him from his thoughts. "What do we do next?"
"Next… of course, we return to the village."
Minato answered simply.
The mission was complete. It was time to report back—especially since Konoha's leadership would need to decide how best to use the Koeda Clan's defection in the upcoming peace talks with Iwa.
"And the Koeda Clan…? We're just leaving them?"
Obito's voice was laced with frustration, his eyes full of loathing as he watched them.
"Obito, you must understand—killing is never our true purpose. It is only a means to achieve an end. You must learn to control your emotions, not let them cloud your reason or your judgment." Minato's tone was gentle but firm as he counseled his embittered student.
But clearly, his words had little effect.
Obito lowered his head without further argument, but anyone could see he still simmered with resentment.
Minato could only sigh inwardly.
He was no expert teacher. Though he poured his heart into guiding Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, the world was not so kind as to guarantee results simply for effort and sincerity.
"Alright—Obito, Kakashi, Rin. Let's go."
Minato's voice was quiet but resolute as he gave the order.
Under the gaze of over two hundred Koeda clansmen, the Yellow Flash of Konoha led his students southeast—the direction of the Land of Fire.
Soon, the four of them were swallowed by the endless darkness.
"…Clan Head, should we depart as well? The journey from the Land of Grass to the Land of Rivers is no short one."
Standing at Dazen's side, Kyoichi spoke up.
"Yūsuke, take two men and clear the path ahead. Kyoichi, you'll guard the rear against pursuit. Seinosuke, you'll remain with me in the center to support either side as needed."
Dazen wasted no time, his orders sharp and decisive.
Unlike Minato's small four-man cell, the Koeda Clan was over two hundred strong. If they were to move, order was essential.
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