Uchiha Itachi, in the corner, watched the direction where Minato disappeared, his eyes full of disappointment.
That hero, as dazzling as the sun, had left, and the sense of security in the camp vanished instantly.
He turned to look at Shine, only to see that cold man still looking calm, as if everything was under his control.
At this moment, the desire for "power" in Itachi's heart grew stronger—only by possessing power like Minato's or Shine's could he truly protect what he wanted to protect.
Nara Shikaku quickly calmed down and immediately gathered the leaders of various Ninja clans to redeploy the defense line: "Clan Chief Fugaku, you lead the Uchiha Clan Members to guard the eastern and northern defense lines;"
"Lord Xia Yin, please take your team and continue to serve as a mobile force, supporting various locations at any time;"
"Other Ninja clans, perform your duties, strengthen patrols, and report immediately if any Hidden Mist movement is detected!"
"Understood," Shine and Fugaku replied in unison.
A new storm was quietly gathering over the Kirigakure Battlefield.
Minato's departure broke the balance; Yagura's rise to power made the Hidden Mist even more frenzied;
And Shine's layout was also about to reach its most critical moment.
The fate of the Ninja World was once again pushed into an unknown vortex.
On the morning after Minato Namikaze's departure, news that shook the Ninja World came from the direction of the Hidden Mist Village—the Third Mizukage had passed away peacefully last night, and Yagura Karatachi, with the support of the Council of Elders, officially succeeded as the Fourth Mizukage!
The news was like a cold tide, instantly sweeping through the Konoha Allied Forces camp.
Uchiha Xia Yin was the first to receive the intelligence.
Yue's scouting Ninjutsu penetrated the barrier of the Hidden Mist Village, transmitting the brief but majestic succession ceremony back in its entirety: Yagura was dressed in the Mizukage's exclusive white cloak, with the Hidden Mist Village's Water Emblem on his chest.
He stood atop the Mizukage Office Building, accepting the bows of the Kirigakure Ninja, his tone cold and majestic, announcing a new era—the prototype of the "Bloody Mist Village" had already arrived.
"Yagura... he finally took power after all." Shine's fingertips stroked the tachi hilt, a knowing cold smile flashing in his eyes.
The death of the Third Mizukage was too coincidental, clearly the result of Yagura and Madara's secret operations.
And for this manipulated Fourth Mizukage, the first thing after taking office would surely be to accelerate the Three-Tails Sealing Plan.
Three days after Yagura's succession, the Allied Forces camp received a reconnaissance mission—the Hidden Mist had been frequently mobilizing troops in the border river channels recently, suspected to be preparing a large-scale Water Release Ninjutsu; people needed to be sent downstream to ascertain the opponent's deployment and strength.
"Kakashi, you take Rin with you, and be sure to be careful." Nara Shikaku considered it carefully and still gave the task to this pair of young boy and girl who had experienced life and death together.
Kakashi's Sharingan was good at insight, and Rin's Medical Ninjutsu could handle emergencies; the two were originally the best choice for cooperation, but no one expected that this seemingly routine reconnaissance would become the turning point of destiny.
Before the morning mist had dissipated, Kakashi and Rin, dressed in light combat gear, quietly left the camp.
The vegetation on both sides of the river channel was lush, the air was misty, and Chakra perception was greatly weakened, which provided excellent conditions for an ambush.
"Kakashi, don't you think it's too quiet here?" Rin held the Medical Scroll at her waist tightly, her brows slightly furrowed.
In past missions, at least the sounds of insects and birds could be heard, but at this moment, it was deathly silent around the river channel, and even the sound of wind blowing through leaves carried a strange oppression.
Kakashi's face also became solemn, his Two-Tomoe Sharingan quietly activated, the crimson pupils quickly scanning the surroundings: "Be careful, there might be an ambush."
He shielded Rin behind him, slowing his pace, each step taken with extreme caution.
The shadow of Obito's "death" had not yet dissipated, and he must not let anything happen to Rin again.
As soon as he finished speaking, several black figures lunged out from underwater and the bushes like ghosts, instantly forming a circle.
The leading Ninja's face was covered by a mask, revealing only a pair of cold eyes—they were the elites of the Kirigakure Anbu, and they had clearly been waiting here for a long time, their target aimed directly at Rin.
"It's the Kirigakure Anbu!" Kakashi's heart sank, and the short blade in his hand was instantly unsheathed. "Rin, back off, I'll block them!"
"If you want to catch her, you'll have to get through me first!" Kakashi shouted low, his figure rushing out like an arrow from a bow.
The Two-Tomoe Sharingan accurately captured the attack trajectories of the Anbu, and the crisp sound of the short blade clashing with Kunai exploded in the morning mist, sparks flying.
His swordsmanship was sharp, and combined with the insight of the Sharingan, he actually blocked the siege of three Anbu for a time.
But the target of the Kirigakure Anbu was never him.
At the moment Kakashi was pinned down, two Anbu Ninjas bypassed his defense line and lunged straight for Rin.
Although Rin knew basic defensive Ninjutsu, she was ultimately a Medical Ninja; facing the fierce Anbu, she had no power to fight back.
"Watch out!" Seeing this, Kakashi felt a surge of anxiety and wanted to return to help, but he was held back tightly by the leading Anbu.
The opponent's Ninjutsu was sinister, every attack aimed at vital points, forcing him to defend with all his might.
Only a dull "thud" was heard as an Anbu's Kunai grazed Rin's arm, carving a deep wound.
Rin cried out in pain and stumbled; another Anbu immediately took the opportunity to strike, binding her wrists with a special rope, and a Chakra Suppression Talisman was instantly slapped onto her—that Talismanic Incantation could temporarily block the flow of Chakra, making it impossible for her to perform any Ninjutsu.
"Rin!" Kakashi's eyes were nearly bursting, his crimson Sharingan filled with bloodshot veins.
He forced back the Anbu in front of him like a madman, wanting to rush over, but was surrounded by even more Anbu.
There were as many as eight of them, and every one was an elite; clearly, they were death soldiers specifically sent by Yagura to capture Rin.
"Kakashi, don't worry about me! Run!" Rin struggled, her eyes full of tears and determination.
She knew the Hidden Mist's target was herself; as long as Kakashi could escape, he could seek help from the camp, and perhaps there would still be a glimmer of hope.
"Shut up! I won't leave you behind!" Kakashi roared, Lightning Release Chakra instantly condensing in his palm, "Raikiri!"
The golden lightning tore through the morning mist, carrying destructive power, and instantly pierced through the chest of an Anbu.
But this strike also exposed a flaw; the leading Anbu seized the opportunity, binding him with a Water Release: Water Binding Technique, the cold water flow restraining his limbs like iron chains, making it impossible for him to move.
"Take her away!" the leading Anbu ordered coldly, and two Anbu supported Rin, quickly retreating towards the Hidden Mist camp downstream.
Rin's gaze was fixed on the bound Kakashi, tears streaming down her face, but she could only be forcibly dragged away...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808