Inside the command tent at the Iwagakure Frontline Base, Sarutobi Ryo and Jiraiya were deep in discussion. They were going over the day's plans to defend against the enemy's attacks, carefully strategizing their moves.
Sarutobi Ryo, as the leader of Anbu Squad Six, knew things that even Jiraiya didn't. He had access to secret information, such as the fact that Kushina was among the ninja sent to the front lines this time.
Sarutobi Ryo also knew Kushina was the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
Of course, Sarutobi Ryo already knew this, being someone who had been reborn into this world.
The leaders of Konoha had told Sarutobi Ryo because the village was in danger.
Things were so bad that they had to reveal secrets much earlier than planned.
In this Great War, Sunagakure might become allies with Konoha, but nobody knew for sure.
Because of this, Konoha needed to be ready for the worst possible outcome.
That worst case was...if Iwagakure broke through the Konoha front lines and launched a full-scale attack.
If that happened, Kushina would have to do her duty as the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki and release the Nine Tails.
But the Nine Tails was impossible to control, and a Jinchuriki dies when their Tailed Beast is released. The outcome was uncertain.
This could only be used as a last resort.
If that time came, Sarutobi Ryo would lead Kushina secretly behind enemy lines, and Kushina would "self-destruct" there.
The leaders of Konoha made it sound like this was the only choice.
However, if they hadn't made so many bad decisions over the years, Konoha wouldn't be in such a mess!
The constant threat of destruction weighed heavily on Sarutobi Ryo's mind.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
Sarutobi Ryo lifted the tent flap and walked out, Jiraiya following close behind.
Sarutobi Ryo's eyes widened at what he saw.
It was Uchiha Obito, the teenager with long hair and a scar on half his face!
The Uchiha clan members were gathered around Obito, their clanmate, expressing their joy at his survival.
This was a happy surprise.
After all, anyone would be glad to see a comrade safe and sound.
"Dumb luck can be a powerful thing..."
Jiraiya stroked his chin, marveling at the situation.
Uchiha Obito, who was presumed dead, was actually alive. Interesting...
Surrounded by the crowd, Obito happily chatted with his clan members. Escaping death had changed him.
When he heard the village was in danger, his first thought was to rush back and help.
Namikaze Minato felt the same way.
With Hashirama Cells/White Zetsu Cells now inside him, Obito just needed Uchiha Madara's teachings...
There was no avoiding that.
But it wasn't a big problem.
Although Obito didn't know about the Outer Path Demonic Statue and other things, memories from his future self gave him a lot of information about it.
The Tailed Beasts... the Outer Path Demonic Statue... the Ten-Tails...
Of course, the most important thing right now was to protect the village from danger.
"Obito, you're alive?! That's great..."
Kushina pushed her way through the crowd and hugged the teenager.
Seeing Obito alive, Kushina couldn't help but cry tears of joy.
She had always thought of Obito as her little brother.
Now that Obito was alive, she was overjoyed.
"Kushina..."
Obito couldn't help but blush, and he kept glancing at Rin, who was standing nearby.
But unfortunately, Rin didn't react at all.
This made Obito feel disappointed.
But he quickly cheered himself up, thinking this would be a great chance to show off.
"Rin, just watch me... I will definitely protect the village!"
----
"That's pretty much what happened..."
After entering the tent, Namikaze Minato explained how they had rescued Obito.
Of course, he left out a lot of details.
And Obito, despite seeming simple and innocent, was more complicated than he appeared.
He kept his mouth shut, not saying a word about Uchiha Madara.
He only said... he was saved by a strange old man.
Since Obito often helped old people and was well-liked by them, nobody suspected anything.
Having fooled them, Obito breathed a sigh of relief.
The matter of Uchiha Madara was important and shouldn't be mentioned carelessly.
On the way, he only told his most trusted teacher, Minato, about it.
"Well, now that you've rested for so long, Obito, it's time to stretch your muscles..."
Jiraiya immediately looked at Sarutobi Ryo.
"Sarutobi Ryo, you can take Obito with you on your missions."
Jiraiya's suggestion seemed odd, but it was actually reasonable.
Jiraiya knew Sarutobi Ryo was a ninja who believed in the Will of Fire.
But Obito had been missing for a long time, and there might be hidden circumstances.
To make sure he hadn't been rescued by the enemy and changed his thinking, Sarutobi Ryo would keep an eye on him.
Namikaze Minato understood the arrangement after a moment's thought.
Only Obito was completely clueless, unable to see it that way.
He just felt that returning and immediately going on missions with Young Master Ryo was really... awesome!
"I knew I'd be a _way more awesome Ninja than Kakashi once I awakened my Sharingan! And guess what? I was totally right!"_
Obito's smugness made Kakashi, who was standing beside him, feel both happy and uneasy.
The survival of his friend had instantly healed his heart.
This also allowed Kakashi to better understand the true meaning of the Will of Fire.
And... to correctly and clearly recognize his own talents.
"Obito, then I'll have to rely on you from now on."
Kakashi meant that since Obito had awakened his Sharingan and was so awesome, he could take charge from now on.
"Of course, of course." Obito nodded repeatedly, looking particularly comical.
After the tasks were assigned, the group dispersed.
Nohara Rin approached Sarutobi Ryo separately to explain something.
"Young Master Ryo, I've discovered there are some special Chakra within Obito's body... a type I've never seen before..."
Nohara Rin didn't know how to describe those Chakra.
She only felt that... they were incredibly full of life.
It was unbelievable.
Also, half of his body seemed to have been replaced with a large number of other cells.
It was almost like a modified human from a cheap ninja novel.
"Rin, thank you for telling me these things..."
Sarutobi Ryo was standing in a corner outside the tent, where nobody could overhear their conversation.
Nohara Rin had specifically sought him out to explain the situation.
This meant she had some feelings for him.
It was also like she was expressing her feelings.
"Rin... do you like me?"
Sarutobi Ryo asked suddenly.
Nohara Rin was surprised, not expecting Young Master Ryo to say that.
After a moment, her face turned red.
She wanted to deny it, but then she realized... she had already transferred her affections.
Well, her childhood crush didn't count for anything.
Thinking Kakashi was an elite and therefore liking him was just a child's mistake.
And in terms of true elites, Young Master Ryo was clearly the one...
As Kakashi became less and less successful, Nohara Rin's feelings for him naturally faded.
On the other hand, Sarutobi Ryo's careful attention, as well as his full-on charm, backed by money...
With this combination, a young girl like Nohara Rin would naturally fall for him quickly.
"Yes... yes..."
Then, she lowered her head and nodded slightly, her voice as quiet as a mosquito's buzz...
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 293 (Vol 2 Ch 235) (+149 Chapters Ahead!)
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-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]