The moment Minato offered to name his new technique, Ren sensed disaster approaching.
Sure enough, Minato's eyes lit up with inspiration.
"Based on your explanation, the technique uses the Substitution Technique as its foundation and allows you to carry out multiple assassination attacks through high-speed phantom movements."
Minato paused dramatically, clearly enjoying the anticipation.
"How about calling it the Substitution Whirlwind Superb Phantom Multi-Stage Assassination Technique? Doesn't that sound impressive?"
Ren fell silent.
His mouth twitched as he imagined shouting that entire name during a life-or-death battle. By the time he finished announcing the technique, his opponent could kill him, bury him, and return home for dinner.
"I think I'll name it myself, Minato-sensei. There's no need to trouble you."
Minato blinked. "You don't like it?"
He scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely confused.
"I thought it was a rather good name."
A short distance away, Kakashi had been preparing to approach Minato.
He had recently developed several ideas for a new Lightning Release technique and wanted to discuss them with his teacher. The technique still required refinement, but Minato's experience might help him solve some of its problems.
After hearing Substitution Whirlwind Superb Phantom Multi-Stage Assassination Technique, Kakashi quietly closed his mouth.
He decided that he would name his technique before speaking to Minato about it.
Some risks simply weren't worth taking.
---
The remainder of Team Minato's escort mission passed without any major disturbances.
They encountered a small group of rogue ninja once during the journey. The strangers observed the convoy from a distant ridge, apparently weighing the risks of an attack.
Once they noticed the Konoha forehead protectors—and possibly recognized Minato—they withdrew without making a move.
Minato didn't pursue them.
His mission was to protect the Tachibana family, not chase every suspicious shinobi who appeared along the road. Leaving the clients unguarded for an unnecessary battle would have defeated the purpose of the assignment.
Later, two groups of armed bandits attempted to stop the convoy.
Neither Ren nor Kakashi needed to intervene.
Obito charged into the first group before the bandits could finish delivering their threats. Rin supported him with her newly learned Water Clone Technique and Wild Water Wave, preventing several enemies from surrounding him.
The second group fled almost immediately after witnessing what happened to the first.
Several peaceful days later, the convoy finally crossed the border into the Land of Tea.
The scenery changed dramatically.
Compared with the forests and mountains surrounding Konoha, the Land of Tea possessed a warm coastal climate and seemingly endless plantations. Neat rows of tea bushes covered the rolling hills, their bright green leaves shimmering beneath the sunlight.
The scent of salt gradually entered the air.
Then the road crested a hill, and the ocean appeared.
Blue water extended all the way to the horizon, glittering beneath the afternoon sun. Fishing boats drifted near the coastline, while white seabirds circled overhead and cried into the wind.
The Land of Tea was considered one of the shinobi world's most popular destinations for travellers. Its tea was famous throughout the Five Great Nations, and its long coastline supported a prosperous fishing industry.
For Obito and Rin, who had spent their entire lives in the landlocked heart of the Land of Fire, seeing the ocean for the first time made the entire mission worthwhile.
Obito ran to the edge of the road and stared at the waves with undisguised excitement. Rin was calmer, but the wonder in her eyes was impossible to conceal.
Even Kakashi paused to look.
Once they reached the Uesugi estate, Team Minato officially completed the mission.
Before parting, Masamune Tachibana presented Minato with two large wooden boxes filled with carefully sealed tea.
"These are rare varieties grown only in this region," Masamune explained. "Please accept them as a small expression of our gratitude. You can share them with your team—or perhaps send one box to Lord Third."
Minato initially tried to refuse, but Masamune insisted. Since the gift held no dangerous political meaning and was unlikely to violate Konoha's regulations, Minato eventually accepted it.
Obito had a much harder time leaving.
During the journey, he had become close to the two children, Chisei and Chimei. The siblings stood at the gate and clung to his sleeves, repeatedly demanding that he perform one last ninjutsu trick.
Obito finally created two clones, each lifting one child into the air while the original waved dramatically.
"I'll be Hokage the next time you see me!" he promised.
Chisei and Chimei cheered as though this was entirely believable.
Only after several more farewells did Team Minato begin the return journey.
Without clients and carriages slowing them down, the group travelled much faster. The atmosphere was relaxed, and Obito spent much of the journey talking about the ocean and wondering whether the Hokage was allowed to build a private beach.
That peaceful mood lasted until they reached the southwestern region of the Land of Fire.
The team was passing through a sparse forest near the border when Kakashi, who had been scouting ahead, suddenly stopped.
"Hold!"
His voice was low but sharp.
Everyone froze.
Kakashi crouched on a thick branch, his gaze piercing through the trees ahead. "There are people approaching."
Minato immediately raised a clenched fist, signalling the team to halt and take cover.
Ren and Rin moved behind separate tree trunks. Obito dropped into the undergrowth, while Minato silently advanced until he could see the road.
They waited.
A short while later, three figures staggered into view along the narrow forest path.
All three wore Konoha forehead protectors.
Their uniforms were torn and stained with blood. One man supported a teammate whose leg dragged uselessly behind him, while the third clutched his side in an attempt to slow the blood soaking through his clothing.
They appeared to have escaped from a brutal battle.
"It's Konoha shinobi!"
Obito immediately began to rise.
"Wait."
Minato caught his shoulder and forced him back down.
"Observe them first. Remain vigilant."
Obito reluctantly obeyed.
Minato continued studying the wounded men, searching for inconsistencies in their uniforms, equipment, or behaviour. Without looking away, he quietly issued orders.
"Ren, Rin, prepare your medical kits. Kakashi, watch our flanks. If this is an ambush, alert us immediately."
Everyone moved without argument.
At that moment, the wounded patrol spotted them.
The least injured man stopped and raised his voice.
"Are you Konoha shinobi? Identify your squad!"
Minato didn't answer immediately.
The man continued, urgency entering his voice. "We belong to the Third Border Patrol! Unidentified enemies ambushed our unit, and the three of us barely escaped."
He looked over his shoulder before shouting again.
"We're carrying important intelligence. It must reach the Vermilion Bird Outpost immediately!"
Minato observed them for several more seconds.
Once he was reasonably certain that they were genuine Konoha ninja, he stepped from cover.
"I am Konoha jōnin Minato Namikaze, currently returning from a mission. The route to the Vermilion Bird Outpost overlaps with our path back to the village, so we can escort you for part of the journey."
Relief appeared on the three men's faces.
Minato turned toward his students. "Ren, Rin, begin emergency treatment."
"Yes!"
Ren and Rin hurried forward.
They worked efficiently, first checking the wounded men for life-threatening injuries before cleaning and closing what they could. Green medical chakra illuminated their hands as the Mystical Palm Technique soothed damaged tissue.
The patrol members had clearly pushed themselves beyond their limits. The moment the cooling chakra entered their wounds, some of the tension finally left their bodies.
"Thank you," one man breathed. "But we need to leave as soon as possible. There may still be enemies pursuing us."
Minato's expression remained composed. "Understood."
Once Ren and Rin stabilized the worst injuries, the expanded group resumed its journey.
There were now eight of them—Minato, Ren, Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and the three members of the border patrol.
Because of the wounded, they couldn't travel quickly.
The group covered only a few kilometers before Minato's brows drew together almost imperceptibly. He slowed until he was walking close to Kakashi and Ren.
"Stay alert," he whispered. "We have pursuers."
Kakashi's eye narrowed.
His hand silently moved toward the hilt of the short sword on his back.
"How many?"
"Six or seven," Minato replied. "Their concealment and tracking methods are highly sophisticated. They aren't ordinary rogue ninja."
Kakashi glanced toward the trees behind them. "Should we turn around and eliminate them?"
Minato didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward Ren.
"What do you think?"
Ren continued walking as though nothing had changed. He carefully considered their situation before glancing at the apparently peaceful forest from the corner of his eye.
"The enemy is concealed while our position is exposed," he said quietly. "They came prepared, and they're skilled at tracking and hiding their presence."
Minato listened closely.
"If we turn back recklessly, we may walk directly into a trap. They could also be trying to lure us away while a second group circles around to attack the wounded and seize the intelligence."
Ren's gaze shifted briefly toward the injured patrol members.
"Our objective is to deliver them and their intelligence safely. We shouldn't allow the enemy to control our movements."
"What do you suggest?" Kakashi asked.
"We pretend we haven't noticed them," Ren said. "Continue toward the outpost and force them to act first. The moment they reveal themselves, we counterattack and eliminate them."
Minato considered the plan for only a moment before nodding.
"That is the safest option."
Team Minato would continue forward, using themselves and the wounded patrol as bait.
Minato quietly reorganized their formation.
"Kakashi, guard the left flank. Obito, take the right. Rin and the wounded will remain in the center. Ren and I will protect the rear."
His voice became colder.
"Maintain the highest level of vigilance. Be prepared to fight at any moment."
The team continued moving.
This time, the atmosphere felt noticeably heavier.
Every rustle of leaves sounded suspicious. Every shadow between the trees seemed capable of hiding an enemy.
The pursuers didn't attack.
Perhaps they had noticed the subtle change in Team Minato's formation. Perhaps they were simply waiting for darkness to erase the advantage of Konoha's defenders.
Whatever their reason, they refused to leave.
The unseen pressure followed Team Minato for hours.
By the time the sky began to darken, they reached a relatively open clearing beside a narrow creek. The wounded patrol members were exhausted, and their injuries risked worsening if they continued without rest.
Minato signalled for the group to stop.
They built a small fire, replenished their supplies, and allowed the wounded to sit down.
"Kakashi, Obito, collect water from the creek," Minato ordered. "Stay together and remain cautious."
"Understood."
Kakashi picked up several water skins and walked toward the flowing creek. Obito followed him, glancing repeatedly at the darkening forest.
Ren leaned against a tree and appeared to relax.
In truth, every part of his attention was focused on the surrounding woods.
The forest had become too quiet.
No insects chirped near the clearing. Even the evening birds seemed to have abandoned the area.
Then Ren smelled something.
A faint sweetness drifted through the air.
It was subtle—almost pleasant—but it didn't belong in the forest.
His eyelids twitched.
Ren immediately looked toward Minato.
Minato was already looking at him.
Their gazes met, and Minato raised one hand slightly, forming a nearly imperceptible signal with his fingers.
Ren understood.
Neither of them spoke.
A few moments later, two members of the wounded patrol rubbed their noses. Their eyelids grew heavy, and they began swaying where they sat.
"What is…" one of them murmured.
His voice faded.
Ren turned toward them as though startled. He tried to push himself away from the tree but seemed to lose control of his body.
Overwhelming drowsiness crossed his face.
He sank back against the trunk and fell motionless, his breathing becoming slow and deep.
Minato collapsed soon afterward.
Rin struggled to remain conscious for several more seconds before slumping near the campfire.
The clearing fell deathly silent.
Only the flames continued to crackle, accompanied by the faint rush of the nearby creek. Somewhere in the distance, several short and muffled cries briefly broke the silence before disappearing.
Then the attack came.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several kunai tore out of the darkness.
Three struck Minato.
Two buried themselves in Ren's body.
The sharp sound of metal piercing flesh echoed through the clearing. Blood splattered across the ground and slowly flowed from their wounds.
Neither of them moved.
A sinister voice emerged from the forest.
"Heh. So much for Konoha ninja."
Several figures materialized along the edge of the clearing like ghosts.
They wore dark-gray combat uniforms without forehead protectors. Cloth masks covered their mouths and noses, leaving only pairs of cold, watchful eyes exposed.
The leader was a tall, thin man who remained near the tree line.
He raised one hand and made a short gesture.
The others launched themselves forward.
They crossed the clearing like arrows released from bows, kunai flashing in their hands. Each attacker chose a vital point, aiming to finish the unconscious Konoha shinobi before they could awaken.
The tall man didn't join them.
He remained where he was, carefully observing the surroundings for anything unusual.
The attackers reached their targets.
Their kunai descended toward the necks of Ren, Minato, and the others.
Poof!
Minato's body suddenly burst into a cloud of smoke.
A heartbeat later, Ren's supposedly unconscious form collapsed into a pool of clear water that splashed across the roots beneath the tree.
The attackers froze.
Their eyes widened behind their masks.
"When did they—?!"
But by the time they realized they had entered a trap, the real Team Minato was already moving.