CHAPTER 354: KAZEKAGE NINJA-CHAPTER 143: THREE-TAILS STRATEGY (2)

"Rin, I don’t want to hide anything from you. I’ve explained the situation clearly. Though the village is in grave danger now, the specific choice is yours to make. If you choose to return to Hidden Mist Village, that goes without saying. If you choose not to go to Hidden Mist Village, I’ll... go plead with Hokage-sama again..."

Minato’s expression was filled with helplessness. Rin, as his student, was incredibly well-behaved, understanding, and considerate. Yet now she had to become a trading commodity—he truly couldn’t bear it. But what else could he do? Personal feelings were so insignificant compared to the village’s interests. Besides, if Rin didn’t go, would his own wife have to go instead?

Minato hadn’t hidden the village’s choice at all, because he knew that if the person involved was unwilling, deception would often backfire. It was better to lay everything out in the open.

"Minato-sensei..."

Rin’s eyes were already brimming with tears as she bowed to Minato.

"Though I was born in Hidden Mist Village, I grew up eating Leaf’s rice. I came to Leaf when I was four. Leaf has raised and nurtured me for eight years—it’s time to repay the village. I’m willing to go to Hidden Mist Village..."

At this, even the usually cold Kakashi’s body trembled slightly.

Rin was now crying like pear blossoms in rain. Minato pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her.

After a long while, Rin gradually stopped crying.

"Alright, go rest for a bit. Kakashi, you stay—I need to arrange the details of your mission to protect Rin."

After Rin walked away, Minato’s expression immediately became very grim.

"Kakashi, do you know why I kept you here?"

"I know. You must have something important to tell me."

"Correct."

Minato nodded.

"What I’m about to say is very important. You must remember it carefully."

"Yes!"

Kakashi nodded.

"For this trade, Leaf

can’t spare much force for escort—at most eight people including you. Any more would easily attract Sand’s attention. Once Sand’s intelligence department discovers you, your journey will become much more dangerous."

Eight people—add Rin and that made nine people, exactly three tactical squads.

"Understood."

Kakashi nodded.

"Reaching Hidden Mist Village is the first step. The second step is to work with Koharu-sama and Jiraiya-sama to complete this strategic exchange."

"Should I follow Koharu-sama’s commands?"

"Yes. You also need to pass along a verbal message to Koharu Elder."

"What is it?"

"’The rice rots in the pot while the chaff is dumped outside.’ This is a code phrase—Elder Koharu will understand immediately upon hearing it."

"I’ve memorized it."

Kakashi nodded calmly.

"There’s one more most important matter—a secret I need to tell you."

Minato said.

"Please tell me."

"When your father brought Rin from Hidden Mist Village years ago, he sealed a Lightning Release technique at her heart’s back position. It was to prevent accidents. Once this seal is activated, Rin will surely die."

"Ah!"

Upon hearing this, Kakashi finally couldn’t help but cry out. This method was indeed like his father’s technique, and also a habit of many old-school traditional ninja of this era.

When ninja were transporting extremely valuable and important items, they would place a controllable explosive trap on the goods. If they encountered misfortune, they would rather destroy the item than let it fall into enemy hands.

But what greatly puzzled Kakashi was why the technique his father had sealed years ago still hadn’t been removed. Could the old man have predicted today’s events?

Minato didn’t address Kakashi’s confusion and continued,

"If—and I mean if—Rin is captured by other forces and we lack the ability to protect her, then... activate this seal. Do you understand?"

By the end, Minato could barely bear to continue.

"I... understand."

Kakashi said.

Since his father’s sacrifice, Kakashi, as a martyr’s orphan, had received preferential treatment and care from the village. The concept that the village’s interests came above all else had penetrated to his bones. Though he found the village’s arrangement for Rin

equally difficult to accept, he could only choose to execute the village’s orders.

"Come, let me teach you the technique to activate the seal."

Minato said.

...

"Do you understand?"

"I’ve memorized it clearly."

"Good. Rest assured, Hidden Mist Village will treat Rin well. Don’t activate the seal unless absolutely necessary."

"Sensei, I understand."

"Very good."

Minato nodded.

"Sensei, is Obito going on this mission too?"

Kakashi asked.

Minato thought for a moment.

"Yes. Same combat squad—leaving him alone would easily arouse suspicion. And also..."

Minato paused and looked around.

"I’ve always suspected there’s a Sand intelligence department mole in the village!"

"What!"

Kakashi was shocked.

"But I have no proof, so you need to be extra careful during this operation..."

"Minato-sensei..."

Just then, Uchiha Obito’s voice came from the distance.

Minato whispered to Kakashi, "That’s all for now."

Uchiha Obito approached, holding the milk tea and change like a treasure offering.

Minato took the milk tea and frowned.

"Did you buy this from the shop at the village’s east end?"

"Ah! East end? Sensei, didn’t you say west end?"

Minato helplessly shook his head. How could the shrewd and capable Uchiha clan produce such a treasure?

"Big idiot!"

Kakashi muttered disdainfully.

"Kakashi!"

Obito rolled up his sleeves, assuming a dueling stance.

"Enough."

Minato intervened.

"Obito, stop fooling around. Tomorrow you’re also going to Hidden Mist Village on a mission. Kakashi will tell you the specific details."

Hearing this, Obito stopped playing around and became serious.

"Yes, I guarantee mission completion."

Minato nodded and pulled out a marked kunai from his person, handing it to Kakashi.

"Military affairs have been busy lately—I really can’t spare time to accompany you. In seven days, at the mission’s critical moment, I’ll come to Hidden Mist Village to help you at noon."

"Thank you, sensei."

Kakashi and Obito bowed to Minato.

"Sensei, this change..."

Obito held up the change.

Minato sighed.

"Forget it, keep it for the road. Better to have money when traveling."

...

After everyone had left and the forest returned to quiet, suddenly a half-black, half-white head slowly emerged from the trunk of a large tree where the three had been talking.

"Hehe, things seem to be getting more and more interesting, don’t they?"

"Indeed they do."

After speaking, it sank back into the trunk, leaving no trace behind.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

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