Kakashi Hatake POV
I was with Minato-sensei and Rin at one of the village exits. The day of my mission as captain and officially a jounin had arrived, and as usual, Obito was the one running late, keeping us all waiting.
He might be someone I'd call a friend in our free time, but when it came to commitment and ninja discipline, he fell short. Way short. And that often made me call him out on his behavior, since sensei and Rin almost always let his antics slide.
And thinking that this was my first mission in the ongoing war, my thoughts drifted to Amaya. It wasn't the first time the redhead had been sent out, but it was the first time I really stopped to think about it.
Maybe because I'm about to head into the same battlefield situation as her..., I pondered. We won't be in direct combat like she probably is, but we're going into enemy territory...
I glanced sideways at Namikaze, trying to read something from his expression. His face was as always, completely serene. How worried must he be about Amaya?, I wondered. Does he still get nervous every time she goes on one of those missions or...
I shook my head faintly. No, he must worry, a lot, even knowing how good a kunoichi his daughter is. If even I can't stop worrying, without wanting to admit I worry about the Uzumaki, I can barely imagine Minato-sensei.
I crossed my arms and sighed quietly, slightly impatient. How much longer does Obito think we can wait for him?, I wondered. Not even the weasel-faced guy was ever this late for a mission...
I heard the sound of branches snapping and leaves rustling, and the one we were waiting for appeared, but not as he should have: Obito arrived falling to the ground, near where I was, with some vine pieces stuck to his ankle and leaves in his hair.
– Did I make it?! – The Uchiha asked, clearly to himself, but out loud.
– No, Obito, you're late – I said to the Uchiha, making him look at me, and I leaned forward slightly to talk to him – What time did you think we were meeting? If you consider yourself a real ninja, you have to follow the rules.
– You know... – The Uchiha sat on the ground, brushing off the dirt from his fall – I was coming, but this old lady carrying a lot of stuff asked me for help finding her way. And something got in my eye...
– Right, that's a lie, isn't it? – I said quickly, cutting him off.
– That's enough, Kakashi – Minato spoke for the first time and I looked at him, as did Obito and Rin – Obito showed the lady the way, right?
– I carried her bag too! – The boy declared with an excited smile and I rolled my eyes.
– You're too naive, sensei – I said – Besides, it's not like someone needing something just happens to appear in front of Obito every time – My tone turned more serious then – Those who break the rules and regulations should be treated as trash, isn't that right? – The blonde laughed nervously but didn't answer.
– Isn't there a single drop of kindness in your heart? How does Amaya put up with you for more than two minutes? – Obito asked, slightly pouting, and I looked at him again – You only talk about rules and regulations. What really matters should be self-control!
– Now stop it, you two... – Rin decided to intervene, though her voice made it clear she had little confidence it would work – We're all on the same team.
– You're being too gentle with Obito, Rin – I said, looking at the girl – This is an important day for me too.
– Y-You're right... – She said softly.
– What was it again...? – The Uchiha wondered aloud in a low voice I could still hear, and I just sighed.
– Well, since we're all here, let's get going – Sensei said and we looked at him, nodding.
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We were moving through a meadow still within the Land of Fire, a route that would bring us closer to the border with the Grass Village than the traditional path.
– Starting today, Kakashi is a jounin like me – Sensei said a little while later as we walked – And to increase our efficiency, we'll split into two teams. After all, Konoha is currently at an unprecedented low in military strength.
That's one of the main reasons some Anbu squads are in this war now, I thought. Appearing on the field for this type of mission isn't standard procedure for the organization, when they're supposed to stay out of sight.
– Split up? – Obito asked – So...
– Yes, that's right – Namikaze said – Kakashi will be the captain of a three-person squad with you and Rin. And I'll work alone.
– Remember Amaya talked to us about this the other day, Obito... – Rin commented – About Kakashi's promotion and getting him a gift.
– Sorry, I wasn't listening... – The Uchiha said softly, but not convincingly.
– This is my gift – Minato spoke up and we stopped for a moment – A kunai made especially for you. It's a bit heavy and an odd shape, but once you get used to it, it'll be easy to use – He tossed it to me and I caught it.
– Thank you – I said and took a quick look at the inscriptions on the kunai's handle.
– And this is for you... – Rin said right after with a weak smile, pulling a small package from her backpack. I stored the kunai sensei gave me in my leg pouch – Here, a special medical kit. I adjusted some things to make it easier to use – I took the kit.
– Thanks – I thanked her and stored it too, then extended my hand towards Obito, since it seemed like he wasn't going to say anything.
– W-What's that hand for? – He asked quickly – I don't have anything to give you! – I shook my head slightly and lowered my hand.
– Well, I don't mind – I commented – It wouldn't have been useful anyway. Getting something useless would just be a hassle – I saw the Uchiha clench his fists and glare at me angrily.
– I still don't get why you're a jounin! – He said in a tone a bit louder than before.
– That's none of your business – I said carelessly and the Uchiha pointed his finger at me.
– I'm Obito Uchiha, of the Uchiha clan! And I'll surpass you one day! The day my Sharingan awakens!
I could very well do as I always did and ignore those childish comments and excuses from Obito, but for some reason, hearing that bothered me. How can he think he'll be better just by relying on something like that?, I wondered, annoyed.
(Thinking about that day years later, I understood better why I was so bothered then: I felt like all the effort I put into becoming a jounin and the shinobi I trained so hard to be was being treated carelessly. Effort that came without the help of any doujutsu...)
– Everyone from the Uchiha clan is elite, right? – I asked rhetorically in a more serious tone – You shouldn't have to depend on something like that.
– What?! – The Uchiha asked, raising his voice again and ready to step towards me.
– Stop it, both of you... – Rin stepped between us, even though I hadn't even moved.
– Can I start explaining the mission? – Sensei asked and we turned our attention to him, seeing him almost completely impassive about the brief argument that had just happened – We're near the border.
– Yes – We said in unison.
Third Person POV
Minato and his team found a place to stop and organize before definitively entering the territory of the Grass Village where the Rock ninjas were. A geographical map was spread over a flat rock and the four were gathered around it.
– Understood? It's this line – Minato had explained the general situation to them and pointed out the border demarcation between Grass and Iwa on the map – This is where the Land of Earth is invading the Grass Village. Our enemies are the Rock ninjas... – The blonde looked at them – We've received intel that a thousand ninjas are already on the front line.
– They've advanced considerably since last time – Obito commented and Namikaze nodded.
– The Land of Fire borders the Grass Village – Kakashi said right after, in an indifferent tone – We should have gone a long time ago.
– Judging by the scale of this advance, they must have an efficient system for reinforcements – Rin said, turning her eyes to Minato, who agreed with Nohara.
– So our mission is here – Namikaze pointed to a marking on the map designated for a crossing between the territories – At the Kannabi Bridge. To destroy the enemies on the front line, we need many ninjas. So, ninjas like us, focused on sabotage missions, are forced to work in small teams.
– The bridge? – Kakashi asked, looking at his sensei – So it's an infiltration mission? – The blonde nodded.
– Team Kakashi, your mission is to infiltrate the enemy's front line territory. You will destroy this bridge that's used to transport supplies and reinforcements. And once that's done, retreat immediately.
– Yes, sir – The three responded.
– And you, sensei? – Obito asked a moment later.
– I'll fight the enemy directly on the front line. I'll create a distraction for you – Namikaze turned his attention to Hatake – Today Kakashi will be the captain – The platinum-haired boy nodded – We'll travel together to the border, but after that the mission begins.
Minato extended his hand over the map without touching it, and Rin, Obito, and Kakashi did the same sequentially after the blonde.
– Alright! – The three younger ninjas responded together once more.
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The four continued on their way to the border between the Land of Fire and the Grass Village in a single file. Kakashi led the way, with Minato at the rear to watch his students' backs.
Just like Namikaze, Kakashi noticed someone's presence there even before the enemy revealed themselves or gave away their position. Hatake stopped and with a gesture signaled the others to stop as well. Very good, Kakashi..., the blonde thought.
Minato and his team kept their distance from the open field of that region to stay out of sight of the enemy who, they suspected, probably already knew about their presence there.
Namikaze was kneeling as he placed a finger on the ground. At first it might not make much sense, but it served for the blonde to identify the number of people hiding by sensing their movement through the ground.
– One... – Minato said, but corrected himself immediately – No. Keep your eyes open, everyone, there are twenty of them – Namikaze looked around briefly – Even though they're probably just Shadow Clones.
– I think you're right, sensei – Kakashi spoke up, looking at the blonde for a moment – I'll attack. Can you cover me?
– Don't be hasty, Kakashi. I think you could cover my rear... – Minato started to say, but Hatake had already begun forming hand seals.
– Sensei, I'm the captain today. I want to test a jutsu I've been working on for a while – Kakashi lowered his hand and his chakra began to gather in his palm, visible and loud from its screeching, but before he could move, Minato put his arm in front of the boy – No matter how many there are, with this jutsu I can defeat them in the blink of an eye. Just like that, just like your nickname – Hatake looked at the blonde – Besides, sensei, you said it yourself: Now I'm the captain. The rule says the team has to follow the captain's orders.
Namikaze observed his student for a moment, and although he wasn't inclined to let Kakashi use that jutsu, he lowered his arm to let the boy advance. If he's going to act, let it be while I can cover him..., Minato thought, immediately reaching for his leg pouch to grab some shuriken.
At the same moment, Kakashi started running, applying chakra to the soles of his feet to increase his already natural speed.
The enemy's kunai and those of his clones soon came flying towards Hatake, but the boy didn't even move to try blocking them. All the weapons thrown by the adversary were neutralized by Minato's.
Their kunai attacks helped me locate them..., the platinum-haired boy thought and charged at the first enemy, hitting him squarely in the chest. The clone vanished instantly from the impact of the Chidori that struck it.
Some of the following clones that Hatake hit were noticed by him, but for some he only advanced because Minato threw his shuriken at their locations so Kakashi would notice them.
And while Hatake advanced rapidly against the enemy and his clones, Obito and Rin followed further behind, proceeding cautiously. One of the Iwa shinobi's clones emerged from the ground using an Earth Style jutsu right next to Obito.
Under normal circumstances, a ninja should have reacted and attacked the man, but the Uchiha was too startled to do so. Minato was the one who intervened and hit the clone, making it disappear before it could reach his student.
– Don't let your guard down! – Minato firmly admonished the Uchiha, who nodded quickly.
– Yes!
This is number 18..., Kakashi thought as he ran towards the next enemy, hoping it wasn't another clone.
– Don't get cocky, brat! – The Iwa shinobi yelled, drawing his tantō.
Hatake and the Rock ninja struck at each other simultaneously, so fast neither could dodge.
Seeing this, Minato teleported to his student, pulling him back and in a fraction of a second placing his hand on the enemy shinobi's footwear, teleporting Hatake with him to near Rin and Obito.
Although he reacted quickly and got Kakashi out of the enemy's direct strike, the Iwa ninja still managed to create a deep cut on the platinum-haired boy's arm. It was a serious injury, and even without being a medical ninja, Minato knew it.
– Kakashi! – Rin called out worriedly, stopping near Hatake and immediately analyzing her teammate's wound.
Minato took the backpack he was carrying off his back and let it fall to the ground, and before it could even touch the soil, Namikaze was already behind the enemy who was attacking them.
His mark had been placed on the enemy's sandal when the blonde rescued Kakashi.
The three younger ninjas only noticed their sensei's absence the moment the blonde's backpack touched the ground, from when he had dropped it. And just as he had gone after the enemy, Minato returned to his students.
– Kakashi's wound is serious... – Namikaze commented while Rin used her medical ninjutsu to treat Hatake's injury – Let's retreat and regroup.
– I'm fine! – The platinum-haired boy protested, though he felt considerable pain from his wound.
– No, you're not! – Obito was the next to protest, and Hatake looked at him – All because you ignored our sensei's warnings and charged ahead!
– I don't need to hear that. Not from an "elite Uchiha" who was trembling in fear back there – Kakashi said dryly to Obito, both from the annoyance he felt at his teammate's behavior, which he saw as cowardly, and the pain he was trying to hide.
– I had dust in my eyes and they started watering, that's all! – Obito tried to defend himself, starting to let an irritated tone show in his voice too.
– Do you know what the 25th rule of the Ninja Code of Conduct is? – Kakashi asked rhetorically – The rule says ninjas must not show tears.
– Hey, stop it, you two... – Rin pleaded in a low voice, bothered by the argument and the clear tension between her teammates.
– That's enough, both of you! – Minato raised his voice for the first time and the three looked at Namikaze.
His expression was no longer impassive or serene as he usually kept it with the team. He was serious, his gaze towards the three students before him almost severe.
– Kakashi, rules and regulations are certainly important, but that's not everything – Namikaze said next – Don't you remember what happened with Amaya and Shisui and what I taught you? There are times when the situation requires immediate answers against the enemy – Hatake briefly averted his gaze from the blonde, thinking about what he had said.
– See there? – Obito said to Kakashi, but Minato continued.
– Obito, you too – The Uchiha looked at his sensei – There's no way for dust to get in your eyes when you're wearing goggles – The boy looked away from the blonde – If you really want to show self-control, don't just talk about it. Act strong too. And one more thing – Namikaze turned his eyes to Hatake again – Kakashi, you must not use that jutsu anymore – The boy looked at him, unconvinced – From what I saw, your concentrated point attack certainly has power and speed, but it makes you move too fast to determine the counterattack. It's still an imperfect jutsu – Minato shifted his gaze over his three pupils – Before we split up, I'll say one more thing: For a ninja, the most important thing is teamwork – Rin, Obito, and Kakashi lowered their heads at that, and Minato just sighed quietly.
Namikaze wasn't in the habit of speaking to the three that way, but he knew that if he let them continue treating each other like that when he wasn't present, things could turn very bad for them.
– Let's find a place to rest for today and continue early tomorrow – Minato said finally, and the three nodded.