The Third Hokage looked at Takuno, hesitating for a moment.
After all, Takuno was only a Special Jonin specializing in Sealing Jutsu, and even his usual missions were of that type. Therefore, small-scale sudden battles like this generally didn't require Sealing Jutsu, which was why Takuno hadn't been called to join.
Even if he provided support, the effect might not be significant.
Soon, the Third Hokage made a decision. Takuno was not only skilled in Sealing Jutsu; his supplementary Medical Ninjutsu had long mastered advanced Medical Ninjutsu like the Mystical Palm Technique.
Moreover, he was one of the few who had survived the most intense periods of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
He had participated in the entirety of the Second War and only requested to leave the battlefield and return to the village after the Kannabi Bridge Battle in the Third War. At that time, the battlefield also had no use for Sealing Jutsu, and given his status as a research talent with limited use in combat, the Third Hokage had agreed to his return.
But no matter what, since he could survive on the battlefield, he must have his own unique understanding of combat.
Even a young generation like Kakashi might not find it easy to defeat him.
"Alright, Takuno, you go ahead and provide support. The mission is to rescue Rin Nohara and safely bring back Kakashi. Jonin will follow up to provide support. This mission is designated as — A-rank!" the Third Hokage said.
"Yes!" Takuno replied and then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave, following the signals left by the Anbu.
This time, he didn't need to conserve his limited Chakra as usual. So, the Chakra condensed at his feet never stopped, and he quickly surpassed the Anbu using the Body Flicker Technique, constantly scouting ahead.
After passing the pursuing Anbu, Takuno changed his direction, advancing along the path provided by the crows.
However, his speed had slowed down by this point.
Because he didn't need to arrive too early; saving Rin Nohara offered him no benefit.
Furthermore, Rin Nohara was likely already subjected to a Sealing Jutsu by the enemy, a Sealing Jutsu directly placed on her heart. It was a Sealing Jutsu so complex that even Obito in his later stages would need Kakashi to pierce her chest again to undo it.
It was essentially an unsolvable Sealing Jutsu, and at this moment, even at full speed, he couldn't surpass Kakashi.
Kakashi hadn't been able to prevent Rin Nohara from being used as a human Tailed Beast bomb, so naturally, he wouldn't have the time either, unless he had intervened from the very beginning.
But that was impossible.
And if he arrived too early and encountered Obito, what then? It would be troublesome if the other party hadn't left and decided to silence him.
Takuno traveled unhurriedly. He only needed to arrive before Rin Nohara was completely dead...
On the other side, Kakashi had caught up with the Kirigakure and killed the Kirigakure who was holding Rin Nohara with a shuriken.
At this moment, crackling lightning emanated from Kakashi's right hand, like birds screeching.
Kirigakure, however, didn't seem to have any intention of recapturing Rin Nohara, which made Kakashi a little confused.
Just then, Rin Nohara seemed to say something to Kakashi, causing his eyes to widen, filled with shock and disbelief.
Then, Rin Nohara gave Kakashi a warm smile, and she rushed towards him, aiming the position of her heart at the still-screeching Chidori.
Blood magnified in his eyes. Kakashi stared in disbelief at Rin Nohara before him. Had he... killed Rin Nohara?
"I'm sorry, Kakashi."
As her consciousness gradually blurred, Rin Nohara spoke her last words. She knew about Kakashi's psychological issues and knew that dying by his hand might leave another indelible wound on his already broken heart.
However, besides this, she didn't know what else to do. Under the effect of the Sealing Jutsu, she couldn't harm herself, and the Three-Tails placed inside her by the Kirigakure was constantly ready to rampage, like a ticking time bomb.
Kirigakure certainly wouldn't kill her.
So, she could only think of this method, though this method was truly too painful for Kakashi.
At this moment, Kakashi seemed to have lost all his strength, even the strength to hold Rin Nohara was completely gone. He watched her fall to the ground, blood continuously flowing from her chest, his entire body swaying as if he could collapse at any moment.
On the other side, behind the Kirigakure, a figure had just burst out of the grass. It was none other than Obito, whose face was half-destroyed. The moment he broke through the bushes, he also froze.
He didn't know what had happened ahead. He only saw Kakashi, with the hand wielding the Ninjutsu he had created, piercing Rin Nohara's heart.
At this instant, Kakashi and Obito's eyes widened. That 'pair' of two tomoe Sharingan were rapidly spinning, and the third tomoe instantly formed, but the change still didn't stop.
Finally, it formed a... Mangekyo Sharingan, with a dark center point extending outwards, forming three curved, shuriken-like blades!
Kakashi, who had also awakened the Mangekyo, could no longer hold on. His swaying body finally fell to the ground, next to Rin Nohara.
Obito at this moment no longer knew what was happening. He had just... seemed to see a false vision. Unbeknownst to him, his body had already rushed forward, towards the group of Kirigakure who were still shouting and making noise, irritating him.
Slaughter bloomed at this moment. He used every trick he knew, even seeking help from the White Zetsu merged with him, unleashing the Wood Release that instantly tore enemies into countless pieces, covering the ground with blood.
After all this, Obito walked towards Rin Nohara's location. His figure swayed, as if he could fall to the ground at any moment.
Finally, he arrived in front of Rin Nohara. Looking at Rin Nohara lying in a pool of blood before him, his eyes were devoid of color.
This... is hell, isn't it?
Obito thought vaguely.
He didn't know how much time had passed; he could no longer feel the flow of time.
The White Zetsu on him suddenly spoke, "Obito, a Leaf ninja is coming! We need to leave quickly!"
Hearing this, Obito's single Mangekyo Sharingan spun again, showing no emotion. He seemed to sense the direction the other party was coming from and looked that way.
Is it like this again? Am I too late again?
What's the point of such late support?!
"Obito, let's go quickly. We don't know how many more ninja are following them!" White Zetsu's voice also carried a hint of anxiety.
"Oh." Obito withdrew his gaze and took one last look at Rin Nohara. He didn't know how he had left; he vaguely found himself back in that cave, standing before the white-haired Madara.
Madara, observing his appearance through Black Zetsu, curved an invisible smile.
Yes, it is precisely this kind of despair that makes one easiest to manipulate!
The plan was proceeding perfectly!