"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 136: Conversation by the Campfire
"Hey, haven't I told you before, Itachi? Stop looking so gloomy all the time."
Feeling the stiffness and awkwardness of the little guy on his back, Feng Bai smiled as he glanced at the small head resting on his shoulder.
How rare—he could actually see a shy expression on Itachi's face.
At this moment, Itachi had completely lost his usual composed demeanor.
He hadn't expected Feng Bai to pick him up so decisively without even asking for his opinion.
But still...
This was the first time anyone other than his parents had carried him like this.
Feeling the warmth of Feng Bai's shoulder, Itachi struggled briefly before ultimately surrendering to the gesture.
Shisui wanted to help, but Feng Bai declined, so he could only walk ahead, occasionally glancing back to check on them.
Before long, Danzō received a report from his subordinates.
Learning that his son was carrying the Uchiha kid around the camp, Danzō said nothing—he simply continued working on his strategic plans.
The last remaining Kirigakure unit on Land of Fire territory had been completely surrounded by Konoha shinobi.
At this moment, Danzō was contemplating whether to annihilate this unit entirely or leave them some hope to lure Kirigakure reinforcements and secure greater military achievements.
Putting himself in the enemy commander's position, Danzō studied the map before him. After multiple confirmations, he finally reached his decision.
"It's time to end the war here."
In his assessment, the remaining Kirigakure forces had become expendable pawns. If he were their commander, he would never dispatch troops to rescue them.
"Send word to Jiraiya—launch the full assault at dawn!"
After issuing his orders, Danzō finally turned his attention to his son's situation.
"This boy has been far too idle lately. However, the Tailed Beast shows no signs of rampage, so it's time to return him to the battlefield."
Feeling that Feng Bai had been excessively relaxed recently, Danzō decided to assign him combat duties to earn some final merits in this concluding battle.
When the messenger arrived at Feng Bai's tent, he was taking full advantage of Itachi's injury-induced immobility to torment him even more thoroughly.
After receiving his orders, Feng Bai immediately released Itachi, clarified his mission details, then turned to the two behind him.
"Looks like the rest of our training will have to wait until we return to Konoha."
Feng Bai shrugged. "I'll be heading out to fight alongside my teammates. Shisui, thank you for all your assistance these past days. While I'm away, please look after Itachi for me."
Since Danzō's orders contained no mention of Shisui or Itachi, Feng Bai assumed both would remain at camp on standby.
"But the orders I received state—"
Feng Bai waved off Shisui's words: "I don't know what Fugaku is thinking, but since he entrusted his son to my care, Itachi must follow my arrangements."
Seeing Feng Bai's firm stance, Uchiha Shisui could only nod in agreement.
...
Nighttime, by the campfire.
After receiving their orders, Team 7 members finally reunited, sitting together in a circle.
Uchiha Shisui and Itachi sat nearby as well.
"Your injuries have completely healed?"
Kakashi asked Feng Bai with feigned nonchalance.
"Beating up Obito won't be a problem."
Flashing a mischievous grin, Feng Bai patted Obito's shoulder—the latter seated to his right.
"Yesterday wasn't my fault, Feng Bai! It was all that peeping pervert's idea!"
Obito hurriedly offered his grilled skewer with a flattering smile.
"Your intelligence really has improved, Obito—you actually know I'm referring to yesterday's incident."
Feng Bai didn't even glance at the meat skewer Obito offered, simply passing it to Kakashi on his left before continuing to tease Obito.
"I've already decided—tomorrow's battle plan has you splitting into three groups by yourself. No Shadow Clone Technique allowed, and you'll attack the Kirigakure positions."
No Shadow Clone Technique, yet split into three groups?
How was that supposed to work?
Even the newly intelligent Obito couldn't figure out how to execute such a plan.
"Simple enough—just divide yourself into thirds and send each piece down a different attack route."
Feng Bai said this while theatrically reaching for White Fang behind his back.
Rin, who had been quietly eating her skewer, finally couldn't suppress her laughter: "Alright, Feng Bai, stop scaring Obito and hurry up and eat."
"Rin!"
Seeing Rin come to his defense, Obito was so moved he nearly threw himself at her in gratitude.
"Fine, here you go."
With Rin providing him an graceful exit, Feng Bai didn't torment Obito further. He turned and selected a skewer from his own plate to hand over.
"This is..."
Obito stared at the skewer, stunned.
"I heard from others that my rescue was thanks to you."
This was Feng Bai's first time thanking Obito, and he felt somewhat awkward and unaccustomed to it.
Seeing Obito hesitate to take it, Feng Bai simply shoved the skewer into his hand and turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.
"I was the one who carried you back."
Kakashi also reached out for his share.
"Didn't I just give you one?"
Feng Bai protested, but still handed Kakashi another skewer—and naturally didn't forget Rin.
Thanks to Kakashi's interjection, he hadn't felt quite so embarrassed.
However, Obito's mood didn't seem particularly elevated.
"What's wrong? Don't worry, I won't actually make you split into three groups—"
Thinking Obito was still dwelling on the earlier joke, Feng Bai scratched his head, preparing to comfort him.
"That time really terrified me..."
Gripping his meat skewer tightly, Obito once again recalled the scene of Feng Bai on the brink of death.
"It was the first time I'd ever seen you injured so severely. Honestly, I genuinely hoped it was just one of your Ice Clones..."
Seeing Obito display that pitiful, wounded puppy expression, Feng Bai felt a flicker of guilt.
Wait, why am I feeling guilty? I'm the one who got hurt!
Shaking off his guilt, Feng Bai delivered a forceful slap to Obito's back: "Come on, why are you being so melodramatic? I'm perfectly fine, aren't I!"
Just as Feng Bai dispelled the melancholy atmosphere in his own way, he received a solid blow to his head.
Kakashi had delivered it.
"Hey, Kakashi, what was that for!"
Tears welling from the impact, Feng Bai clutched his head and wailed alongside Obito.
"Hmph, nothing special. Just wanted to teach a lesson to someone who doesn't value his comrades."
Kakashi mimicked Feng Bai's tone while shaking his fist:
"We're teammates in the same squad. Next time something like this happens, you must bring us along, understood?"
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