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Some truths only become clear under the crisis of life and death.
Like now.
In Obito's eyes, Akira Tsubaki was lazy, mean-spirited, and weak in strength.
But in this desperate situation, it was he who stood up!
In Rin's heart, she had always admired the genius Kakashi, but now she suddenly found her mind dominated by the image of Akira's tall, retreating figure.
Compared to the two of them, Kakashi did not say a word, only staring down the mountain.
Boom!!!
Suddenly, the sound of an explosion came from below, accompanied by rising smoke.
Immediately afterward, figures raced through the forest, chasing toward the southeast.
"He really drove the pursuers away."
Seeing this, Kakashi clenched his fists.
This was a massive opportunity.
It was Akira Tsubaki, putting his life on the line, who had created a chance for Team Minato to escape.
"Let's go!"
In the woods.
Team Minato moved forward silently.
The complex terrain, dense branches, and jagged weeds severely hindered the team's progress.
Especially since they were carrying Minako on a stretcher.
Rin's hands were scratched repeatedly.
Obito stumbled several times.
Even Minako on the stretcher was covered in dirt.
"Can you still hold on?"
Kakashi, who was leading the way, turned back and asked.
Rin and Obito nodded grimly.
"After we pass the next hill, we can turn toward the main road, and the Daimyō's Manor won't be far," Kakashi explained.
After speaking, he noticed that Obito and Rin had little reaction. They were too exhausted to feel relief.
Daimyō's Manor.
Kawashiro sat high in the central seat, an expression of impatience on his face.
This was his third day as the new Daimyō.
But the piles of documents in front of him made him irritable whenever he tried to approve them.
"So, being a Daimyō is this troublesome?"
As the thought crossed his mind, his expression suddenly froze.
"What was that sound?"
He thought he heard a muffled scream.
Boom!
Suddenly, the main hall door exploded, and three figures walked in slowly.
All three wore masks, and one of them had long, fiery red hair.
Swish! Swish!
Two ninjas flashed out from the side of the hall, stopping in front of the intruders.
"That speed? Lightning Affinity?"
The fiery red-haired ninja chuckled, revealing a female voice.
"Too bad you're facing me."
The voice fell.
Red Chakra began to diffuse around her.
"This? This is?"
Seeing the terrifying red Chakra, the two Lightning Style ninjas were shocked.
The next moment.
Two giant red hands, condensed from Chakra, shot out at high speed and firmly gripped the two of them.
"You're a Jinchūriki! You Konoha people don't fight fair!"
"Oh? You talk too much nonsense."
Crack!
Their bodies fell to the ground, dead instantly.
Kawashiro wanted to flee.
But just as he tried to stand, he found himself grasped by the giant red Chakra hand.
"Someone like you dares to stage a rebellion?"
The voice of sarcasm sounded, and Kawashiro, who had only been in power for three days, met his end.
Walking out of the hall, the female ninja removed her mask. It was Kushina.
"Kushina, you didn't need to take on a mission like this yourself," an Anbu escort said.
"I had my reasons for coming."
Kushina adjusted her long hair.
But immediately, she was filled with doubt.
She had entered the Land of Hot Water with only two Anbu, expecting to be blocked. But the reality was that only a few Chūnin were stationed at the border.
With such a minimal defensive force, how dared the rebels seize power?
Even with the two Kumogakure ninjas she just defeated, the combined power was far too weak.
Moreover, she rushed all the way to the Daimyō's Manor—why hadn't she seen Team Minato?
Where had Team Minato escorted Minako?
Minako, who is the only heir to the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water.
Leaving the Daimyō's Manor, Kushina decided to search for Team Minato.
Clatter~~
As the dense weeds were pulled away, Kakashi, his hair disheveled like a bird's nest, emerged from the woods.
Then came Obito, Rin, and Minako.
At this point, Team Minato looked like a squad of beggars.
They were all covered in dirt, as if they had crawled out of the mud. Even Minako was no exception, and she even had a large bump on her head.
"Kushina-Senpai?"
As soon as he stepped out of the forest, Kakashi spotted Kushina.
"It's Kushina-senpai! We're saved!"
"Phew~~"
Obito and Rin sighed in unison, collapsing onto the ground.
"Kushina!" Minako was overjoyed, limping over to her.
"Minako," Kushina greeted her, a strange look on her face.
"You won't believe it, I almost died."
"Really? Then this will be an unforgettable training experience," Kushina replied dryly.
"What about the rebel leader?" Minako asked.
"He's been dealt with."
After communicating with Minako, Kushina looked at the exhausted Team Minato again.
"Wait a minute, why is someone missing?"
She initially thought Akira Tsubaki had been left behind, but he hadn't appeared yet. Why was the Dead Last missing?
"Kakashi, where is Akira?" Staring at Kakashi, Kushina asked solemnly.
"He…" Kakashi's eyes darkened; he didn't know how to answer.
"Kushina-Senpai! As soon as we entered the Land of Hot Water, we were chased by dozens of ninjas. Akira, he went to lure the pursuers away by himself," Rin spoke, her tone full of sadness.
"What?"
Kushina couldn't hide her shock.
No wonder.
No wonder there were only a few Chūnin guarding the border when she entered. It turned out that most of the enemy ninjas had been lured away by Akira Tsubaki!
But, why Akira Tsubaki?
He was the ultimate Dead Last who couldn't even master the Three Body Technique!
If it were Kakashi, or even Obito or Rin, Kushina wouldn't be surprised. But why the weakest link, Akira Tsubaki?
"So, you let Akira, who is the weakest, lead the pursuers away, while you safely escaped?"
At this moment, Kushina was utterly disappointed.
Based on this incident alone, the most suitable candidate for the captain of Team Minato was undoubtedly Akira Tsubaki.
"Although you technically completed the task, in my opinion, the only one who truly completed the mission is Akira."
---------------------------------------------------
In a massive natural pit.
Akira Tsubaki stood at the edge, one hand on his hip, the other holding a stack of Detonating Tags.
In the pit, dozens of ninjas were panting, desperate to climb out, but they were utterly terrified.
"I'm telling you, my hands are shaking!"
Flicking the Detonating Tags in his hand, Akira Tsubaki threatened them.
You wanted to chase me, your dad?
And now you're stupid enough to run into this pit?