Third Person POV
Rin did what she could for Hatake's injury, which used up a lot of her chakra. Medical ninjutsu was extremely delicate to use, and for someone so young and skilled in it, it was very draining unlike Amaya, who had a chakra reserve many times greater than Nohara's.
It was late at night, and Minato's students had settled down to sleep. The Namikaze had taken watch over them, since the three weren't as used as him to going for hours on end without rest.
The blond was sitting on a rock, eyes closed but with his senses alert to everything happening around him. He let his mind drift to another person he was very worried about at that moment: his daughter.
Amaya had left the village before him and his team, and was acting as captain on the battlefield. As the overprotective father he was, of course he couldn't be as calm as he'd like.
Uzumaki's well-being, how the Anbu would act under her command, her tactical choices, her own way of dealing with the other members of the organization she was tasked with leading…
All of that and more came to Namikaze's mind, trying to shatter his peace.
Still, just as he worried about all those things involving his daughter, the faith the blond had in her also calmed him. Regardless of how she was acting, what she would do in an emergency situation, Minato knew Amaya could handle anything.
He believed in her.
– Sensei… – A low voice pulled Namikaze from the thoughts that had led him to his daughter.
He opened his eyes and looked at Obito, who was approaching his spot and sat down beside him with a tired expression.
– What's the matter? – the blond asked his pupil.
– About earlier… I know teamwork is important, but… – The Uchiha hesitated a moment before continuing – Kakashi is always criticizing me for lacking discipline. I mean, I know I'm the black sheep of the Uchiha clan, and I admit Kakashi is an amazing guy…
Minato observed the boy's expression beside him more carefully. There was some sadness in his words, but also a genuine sincerity about what he was saying.
The blond noticed that disregard Kakashi showed the Uchiha when they were acting together as a team, but he also knew it wasn't always like that Namikaze understood the Hatake acted that way because of his own self-imposed pressure.
– Kakashi is the son of Konoha's feared White Fang, the genius ninja Sakumo Hatake – Minato said a moment later, his gaze forward – Even the names of the Legendary Sannin lost prestige compared to his father's. His youth was spent hidden in the shadow of such a genius… – Namikaze gave a faint smile – So, I guess it can't be helped if he sometimes thinks you're lacking something.
– White Fang… – Obito said, staring at his sensei – That's right, I've heard of him, the hero who died protecting the village. I remember hearing Amaya talk about him once, but Kakashi has never said a thing about it.
– He was a great man, and an important friend to me – Minato said, trying to keep hidden the sorrow that threatened to enter his tone – Someone respected by everyone in the village, and naturally, by Kakashi himself – The blond paused for a moment, pondering what to say next – That is, until that incident… – Obito looked confused, and also curious at the Namikaze.
– Incident?
– Maybe I shouldn't tell you something like this, but since you're on the same team as Kakashi, I want you to know – Minato looked at him with a serious but calm expression.
– What happened…?
– Kakashi's father, Sakumo, took his own life after being slandered – Namikaze revealed it all at once, seeing the Uchiha's eyes widen at that – Seven years ago, he was the leader of an extremely difficult mission and infiltrated enemy territory. Sakumo was forced to make a choice: the mission, or the lives of his comrades – The blond looked ahead – Of course, according to the village rules, completing the mission was the right thing to do. But to save his comrades, he abandoned the mission. The result was a great loss for the Land of Fire and for Konoha, and he was blamed for it. Even the comrades he saved criticized him – Minato turned his gaze to the Uchiha beside him – The whole ordeal took a toll on Sakumo's health, physically and mentally, until he killed himself.
However, Minato left out even more painful points about that moment he was telling his student about, like the fact that Kakashi was the one who found his father dead at home, how much it affected the young Hatake himself and Amaya and their relationship in the following months, and for himself, since Sakumo was a longtime friend of the Namikaze.
– From that day on, Kakashi never spoke of his father again and he began to strictly follow every single rule imposed – Minato looked at the Uchiha and saw him with his gaze downcast – Obito, try to understand, even just a little. Kakashi wants what's best for you.
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The next morning, the four continued on their way to the border, where Minato quickly and verbally reviewed the details of how the three would act while he operated on the front line.
– We'll split up from here – Minato said to his pupils – Good luck to all of you. Yesterday's enemy was scouting alone, but now we'll be fighting in teams. Be careful – The three nodded.
– Alright then, let's go… Captain – Obito said with a bit of a sulky tone towards Kakashi, but sincerely, given his conversation with Minato the night before.
The Hatake couldn't help but be surprised by his teammate's posture in accepting his position as leader, and saying it out loud. Minato gave a faint smile at that.
– Alright, let's go – the blond said, and the younger ones looked at him.
– Yes, sir! – They answered in unison.
– Dismissed!
Kakashi Hatake POV
Our path to the Kannabi Bridge had been followed perfectly, and we avoided every enemy we could. However, we ended up ambushed by a pair of Iwa ninja.
Obito and I took offensive stances, with Rin staying further back as our rear guard. But we still didn't know it was two shinobi attacking us, and the second one captured Rin while his partner distracted us.
The men disappeared as quickly as they came, taking Nohara with them. Obito tried to go after them, but I stopped him. And when I told him how we'd proceed from there, he let his usual irritation with all my decisions show through.
– What?! Do you know what you just said?!
– Yes. The two of us are going to continue with this mission – I said calmly.
– What about Rin?! What happens to her?!
– Rin comes later. The enemy wants to find out what we're after, they won't kill her – I explained – And luckily for us, Rin is a medical ninja. Even if she becomes a prisoner of war, she'll be treated well on the condition she tends to their wounded. The problem is the enemy discovering our strategy. If they get that intel, they'll immediately increase security at the bridge. That will make our mission even harder.
– You're just assuming Rin will be fine without any basis! – the Uchiha said, getting even more irritated – What if these guys are scum who don't care about anything?! Saving Rin now is more of a priority than the mission!
– A ninja must sacrifice a comrade to complete the mission. That's the rule – I said seriously – If we fail this mission, the war could be prolonged and many more lives could be lost.
– That's just conjecture! – he raised his voice even more – And just because of that, you want to abandon a comrade who's been through life and death with you?! When you and I were hurt, Rin saved us with her medical ninjutsu! If she weren't there, we'd both be dead right now!
I hesitated before answering him. Even though I knew how harsh it would sound, it was the only way to deal with Obito's irrationality in wanting to give up on our mission.
– That was Rin's duty – I said.
And to my surprise, right then the Uchiha landed a clean punch to my face, knocking me to the ground. I didn't expect that from him, especially since he was always so timid on the field.
– I really don't like you! – the Uchiha practically spat the words, and I sighed.
– I don't care. I'm the captain, you will obey me. In any situation, to keep the team together, one person has to give the orders. That's why we have the rule that says team members must obey the captain. Obito, you aren't strong – I looked at him more seriously – That's why I was chosen as captain of this team… – And to surprise me again, the Uchiha came at me and lifted me by the straps over my shirt.
– Then why don't you try to save Rin?! – he asked angrily, still holding me – As the captain, you're strong enough to save your comrades, aren't you?!
– If you give in to your emotions, even for a moment, and fail the mission, you'll regret it later. That's why our Code of Conduct prohibits emotions. You should know that.
– Rin… Rin was worried about your well-being, that's why she gave you that medical kit. She even sewed a protective charm on it!
– That kit and medical ninjutsu are incredible systems developed by Konoha to increase mission success rates – I pointed out, looking at him – I told you yesterday, didn't I? Getting something useless would only get in the way.
– Something useless? – I nodded.
– To continue with the mission, useful equipment is essential for a ninja. Emotion is something useless – Obito tightened his grip on my straps even more, visibly disbelieving what I'd told him.
And in a way, I was starting to feel that way about myself too. Thinking this before had never been a problem, but here and now, in a real situation like this with people I know…
Why was it starting to be so hard to stay convinced of what I was telling Obito?
– Are you serious? – the Uchiha asked, but I didn't answer or even manage to nod, just kept an impassive expression – Do you really believe that?! – He pressed me again, and I looked away for an instant.
It was as if a part of me wanted to say what I really thought and what I wanted to do, but something stronger than my will rose to my consciousness:
My father.
The ghost that haunted me day after day.
What his choice against our Ninja Code brought upon him, and what still falls on me to this day.
– Yes… I believe it – I said a few seconds later, looking firmly at the Uchiha.
– Forget it – Obito said, no longer showing that earlier anger – You and I are like oil and water – He let me go and started walking in the opposite direction from where we needed to go towards the Kannabi Bridge – I'm going to save Rin.
– You don't understand anything! – I scolded him, letting a bit of my inner turmoil surface – Not about what happens if you break the rules – The Uchiha stopped, but still didn't look at me.
– I think the White Fang is a true hero – And it was my turn to be surprised by what he said – Of course, in the ninja world, those who break the rules are treated like trash, but… – He glanced at me briefly – Those who abandon their friends are worse than that! I'm going to be trash either way, so I choose to break the rules. And if that doesn't make me a real ninja… – Obito started walking again – Then I'll destroy this whole concept of a "ninja"!
Although I didn't show it, for some reason his words bothered me. However, just like Obito, I started walking, but in the direction of the Kannabi Bridge.