Minato's expression changed instantly!
He immediately grabbed the mission scroll that had just been handed to Obito.
Rin and Kakashi leaned in to take a look.
The scroll, which had originally contained only an S-rank mission, now unmistakably had an additional A-rank mission!
"Mission Rank: A"
"Mission Details: Disguise yourself as the Fourth Mizukage and converse with Zabuza Momochi."
"The mission is rated A-rank, meaning it has a certain level of difficulty and involves aspects of international conflict," Kakashi's youthful voice recited, following the protocol mechanically.
Obito: "Seriously, man! Can't you focus on something besides the rules?! The mission says I have to impersonate the Fourth Mizukage! I don't even know who the Fourth Mizukage is or what he looks like! How am I supposed to impersonate him?!"
"Obito, how did you know this mission was for you?" Rin asked curiously.
"Huh?" Obito Uchiha responded matter-of-factly, "Since this mission scroll was specifically placed in my ninja pouch and doesn't explicitly say who should take it, it must be meant for me, right?"
Rin chuckled. "That really fits your character, Obito—always wanting to help anyone in need."
Obito flushed slightly at her teasing.
Kakashi grumbled, "That's why trouble always finds this idiot!"
"What did you say?! Stupid Kakashi!"
"Talking about you, got a problem? Bottom of the class!"
Rin quickly stepped between them. "Enough, enough. Let's hear what Minato-sensei has to say first."
Amid their bickering, the trio momentarily forgot their earlier disappointment, now fully engrossed in the scroll's mystery.
Minato examined the scroll repeatedly. "The instant Obito opened it, I sensed a sudden surge in the space-time energy within. Yet now, that power is slowly fading."
Obito: "Is it because I opened the scroll?"
"I believe so," Minato replied. "This scroll feels as though it contains countless Fūinjutsu, beyond even my ability to decipher. They've sealed away the contents, only to be unlocked when the time is right."
"!!!"
"So... this content was written beforehand?"
"We can't be certain yet, but as Obito said, since this new mission appeared after he opened the scroll, and the scroll was originally found in his bag, it's quite possible this mission is meant for him to complete."
Obito deliberately glanced at Kakashi. "Hear that?" He waved the mission scroll in his hand. "I'm taking this A-rank mission! Call me Captain Obito~ Stupid Kakashi~"
"Pfft! What kind of captain are you?! Just a Chūnin!"
"I say I am! This is an A-rank mission! And what's wrong with being a Chūnin?! Are Jōnin so great?!!"
"It doesn't even specify the mission fee—what kind of A-rank mission is that?! Idiot! Of course Jōnin are better than Chūnin! Stupid!"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Obito stubbornly insisted, "It's still an A-rank mission even without the reward! Didn't you hear Minato-sensei say?! The rest is sealed! Maybe once I complete it, I'll see the reward!"
"Hmph." Young Kakashi shrugged. "Keep clinging to your naivety."
Obito was so infuriated he stomped his foot.
Seeing their interaction, Rin whispered to Minato, "Great, they've perked up again."
Minato looked slightly surprised, then gathered his thoughts and asked, "Rin, aren't you afraid?" Because based on this future they were in, she would die too.
"I am." She replied.
"But compared to us leaving one by one, isn't Kakashi, left behind alone, even more pitiful? Sensei."
Yes.
Had he not met Kakashi, who was several years older, Minato believed he could never have imagined that Kakashi, after years of hardship and the trials of life, would become someone who resembled both Rin and Obito Uchiha.
No longer wielding a ninja blade or practicing Hatake Kenjutsu, he now relied on Sharingan eyes his body couldn't adapt to.
Endless excuses for his chronic tardiness.
Even the way he sometimes looked at Naruto seemed like he was recalling the Obito from his memories.
Mentioning Naruto, Minato remembered to tell them—
"Oh, right. There's something I need to tell you."
Obito and Kakashi, who had been tugging at each other's collars, turned to look at him.
Minato: "A mission scroll suddenly appeared in Naruto's ninja pouch too."
Rin froze. "Naruto-chan?"
Whether it was because Naruto seemed smaller or because she subconsciously compared herself and the adult Kakashi as Naruto's teacher, Rin liked to call him "Naruto-chan." Not having a younger brother herself, she couldn't help but feel a strong urge to dote on him like a little brother.
"Yes." Minato nodded and then told them about the SSS-rank mission on Naruto's scroll.
"Rescue the Masked Man?!!"
"But that conflicts with our mission?!!"
...