Minato blinked in surprise.
He hadn't expected Uchiha Kai to deliberately hold back the truth.
But after a moment's thought—remembering their earlier conversation about White Zetsu—he instantly understood what Kai was doing.
Still… Why?
With both Obito and Rin captured, why was Kai's attention fixed here?
He couldn't figure it out, but he still nodded.
"Mm, you're right.
Everyone's exhausted. Let's find a place to rest first.
Kakashi, don't burden yourself too much.
None of this is your fault. In war, things like this happen all the time.
And Kai-kun is right—we still have a chance.
Hidden Mist Village captured Rin for a reason. Otherwise, they would have killed her on the spot, not taken her away.
Isn't that so?
From this, we can be sure Rin is safe for now.
We'll have the chance to rescue her. Don't you agree?"
Minato spoke gently, clapping Kakashi on the shoulder, his smile radiating strength.
He knew his student all too well.
Without question, Kakashi would blame everything entirely on himself.
"Sensei, you're right." Kakashi's eyes grew firm, his voice cold. "I will bring Rin back!"
It was clear—that had become his obsession.
If not for Minato and Kai being here, he would already have charged headlong into the Hidden Mist encampment.
After all, Rin was his redemption.
It was his promise to Obito. He would keep it—no matter what, even if it cost his life.
"Don't be reckless, Kakashi," Minato said with a smile. "We'll save Rin, but we can't rush blindly.
First, we need to learn her exact location."
Kakashi was silent for a long time before finally nodding.
He knew his teacher was right. Without knowing where Rin was, his desperation was meaningless.
As night fell, the three of them found a spot, lit a campfire, and ate a simple meal.
Afterwards, Minato spoke first:
"Kakashi, go get some sleep. Kai and I will keep watch. You're carrying too much stress—you need rest."
Kakashi wanted to protest.
But seeing the determination on Minato's face, he grudgingly lay down.
Under the night sky, Kai and Minato sat before the fire in silence.
"Kai-kun," Minato asked gravely, "what should we do next?
Obito and Rin are both my students. I must save them—no matter the cost."
Kai did not doubt his resolve.
This was precisely why Kai dared to draw Minato into his camp, despite Minato being tied to the Hokage faction.
After a moment's thought, he replied:
"Brother Minato, don't worry.
Right now, we don't need to do anything. We just wait here.
Rin will come to us on her own.
I may not understand Uchiha Madara completely—but I understand Uchiha.
For Obito to awaken his eyes, Rin must die. And not just at anyone's hands.
She has to die by Kakashi's hand. Only such crushing despair could shatter Obito's heart, turning his boundless kindness into absolute darkness.
The one he loves most—killed by his best friend.
Only then could his extreme goodness flip into the purest evil.
It's the most certain way to awaken Mangekyo.
So don't worry. Rin will return on her own. That's when we make our move."
Hiss—!
Minato was utterly shocked.
Good heavens.
Such a method of awakening? Too twisted!
He could picture it—Obito, gentle and earnest, watching Rin die by Kakashi's hand.
It would break him completely.
But… thinking of how other Uchiha had awakened their eyes—it did line up.
Sigh…
With a helpless breath, Minato had no words left.
Whatever the case, though, he swore he would not let Obito or Rin come to harm.
Time passed.
The next morning, Minato summoned Anbu from the battlefield, ordering them to mobilize all resources to investigate Hidden Mist's encampment and track down Rin's location.
Of course—this was all theater.
Both he and Kai knew Rin wasn't in Hidden Mist's hands at all, but Madara's.
This play-acting was just to keep up appearances for Kakashi, and to fool the White Zetsu lurking nearby.
As for Kakashi—he might be a fine shinobi, but he was no actor.
If he knew the truth, White Zetsu would sniff out something wrong immediately.
So, better to keep him in the dark.
Meanwhile, Kai kept his Observation Haki active around the clock.
And sure enough, he detected five White Zetsu watching them.
But…
He pretended not to notice.
No choice.
Normally, if White Zetsu lurked near him, he'd destroy them outright.
But not now.
Madara and Black Zetsu were surely monitoring the whole act. If Kai slipped, who knew what else those two puppet-masters might unleash?
On the third morning—
Kai and Minato sat by the campfire, talking idly.
"Sensei, I'll gather some firewood," Kakashi said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I won't go far. I'll be right back."
Minato didn't stop him, just told him to be careful.
Once Kakashi was gone, Minato lowered his voice.
"Kai-kun, are you confident?
Kakashi's growing restless. If Anbu reports nothing soon, I fear he'll rush Hidden Mist's camp himself. His aura is getting more unstable."
Truthfully—it wasn't just Kakashi.
Even Minato himself was getting restless.
If not for Kai's track record of reliability, he would already have gone to scout the Hidden Mist camp.
Kai, however, smiled.
"Brother Minato, relax.
We may be anxious, but Madara is more so.
I give it a day or two at most… wait—
Madara moved."
"Rin has been released by White Zetsu. Seven kilometers to the left.
She's awake.
She's running this way—she'll cross paths with Kakashi in about three minutes."
"As expected, my guess was right."
"Brother Minato—I'll go on ahead!"
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