After Kakashi left, no one else spoke.
Around the campfire, Shisui's squad remained calm as ever. Only Obito and Rin fell into heavy silence.
"Kakashi… no. Something's wrong!"
Obito suddenly broke the stillness.
"Your reasoning has holes. At the very beginning, Kakashi wasn't even with Minato-sensei. He was in other teams, but he couldn't get along, so he was reassigned to ours."
"But what about me and Rin?"
"I'm a Uchiha, and Rin's just a civilian."
"By your logic, neither of us had any right to be in Minato-sensei's team, did we?"
Obito still hadn't given up.
He was desperate to poke holes in Nara Kazama and Kai's arguments.
Because if he couldn't—then didn't that mean his lifelong dream was nothing but a cruel joke?
"...Obito."
Rin also raised her head.
She didn't understand either.
Though usually cheerful and sunny, she was inwardly reserved, never voicing her true worries.
Nara Kazama, however, didn't hesitate.
For him, this was a trivial question, hardly worth thought.
"Plenty of people don't fit in. Because of the war, countless shinobi suffer psychological trauma."
"In Konoha, the fate of those who can't integrate is always the same: two paths only."
"Either they're thrown in as cannon fodder until they die, or they're cut from the ranks and forced into civilian life."
"Either way, miserable ends."
"So why was Kakashi different?"
"Why was he allowed to switch squads over and over? Why did the Hokage suppress every incident instead of holding him accountable?"
"Answer me—why?"
"The only reason he wasn't placed with the Hokage faction sooner was because, at the time, the Legendary Sannin refused to lead teams. They were all out of the village."
"And back then, Minato was just another squad member, not qualified to lead. That's why Kakashi was pushed into other teams first—both to harden him early, and to wait for Minato to gain enough experience."
"Think carefully. Wasn't it true that the moment Minato began leading a team, Kakashi was shoved in immediately?"
"As for you, Obito—it's because you're too kindhearted."
"Finding an Uchiha who goes around doing good deeds and earnestly clings to the Will of Fire? That's rare. You were chosen to soothe the clan's unrest."
"See? Even a Uchiha was brought into the Hokage's fold—that was enough to silence the radicals."
"And with your innocence, Obito, you were never going to change anything for the Uchiha anyway."
"As for Rin—she just got lucky."
"She was a civilian with some medical skill, and more importantly, she was close with you and Kakashi."
"She was there to build bonds between you—a tool, nothing more."
"Don't forget, Uchiha awakens their eyes through trauma. If Rin were ever endangered—or even killed—it might awaken yours, Obito."
"And if that pushed you all the way to Mangekyo? Then for the Hokage faction, that's a jackpot."
"One civilian in exchange for a Mangekyo Uchiha? The elders would be laughing in their sleep."
"Rin's presence in Minato's team could be seen as both blessing and curse. If she survived and grew stronger, her ties to Minato would eventually carry her into the higher ranks."
"But if not… her fate would be death."
"And isn't that exactly what's happening? In your squad, aside from Kakashi, no one has true Jounin-level combat strength."
"You and Rin barely outmatch Genin."
"Yet look at the missions you're given—B-rank at minimum, this one even A-rank. For your strength? The death rate is absurdly high."
"In our squad, sure, my and Aya's combat power isn't stellar. But I provide strategy, my Nara shadow techniques are supported, Aya's Byakugan is invaluable, and Shisui is a full-fledged Jounin."
"Even then, our team only ever gets C-rank missions, B at most. This A-rank mission? That's only because Kai is here."
"That's what a normal team looks like. Yours is distorted—because of Minato, the difficulty is too high."
"With every benefit comes a price. That's an unshakable truth no one can change."
Nara Kazama sighed, shaking his head.
He was telling the truth.
Normally, he wouldn't even bother explaining such things to a temporary ally squad. Their ties were too shallow.
But because of Kai, he laid it all out.
Obito and Rin fell silent again.
Kazama's words hit too hard.
So this was the truth?
It was unbearable.
Yet, the more they thought about it, the more unshakable it seemed.
They'd grown up among the village's lower ranks. They'd seen countless examples of shinobi who broke down mentally and died in battle—or quit life, only to spend their remaining years miserable and alone.
So why was Kakashi so different?
Why was he allowed to swap squads over and over, with no consequences?
The answer was simple: his father's legacy.
Sakumo's shadow still sheltered him.
The next morning, the squad set out again.
But now, Minato's team was subdued, heavy-hearted.
By contrast, Shisui's group, long since battered by similar truths, carried on with calm acceptance.
During this time, Minato returned a few times. When he saw his team's condition, he was naturally troubled.
Kai didn't hide anything.
He pulled Minato aside and told him everything.
At first, Minato bristled. But the more he listened, the more his face hardened into silence.
Yes.
He was no longer the same Namikaze Minato as before. He too wanted to change things, and to do that, he needed loyal allies.
His three disciples weren't outsiders.
If they faced the harsh reality now and grew stronger for it, they would be his greatest support in the future.
Still…
It was cruel for the children.
With that in mind, Minato spoke privately with Kakashi and the others. Only then did Minato's team regain a sliver of energy.
About three days later—
After carving their way forward through blood and steel, they finally reached the outskirts of Kannabi Bridge.
"At last. We've arrived."
"Everyone, hide and rest. Prepare defenses. Once Minato brings back the layout, we'll officially begin the mission."
Kai's voice drifted out, calm and steady.
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