Chapter 40: Kumogakure's Complicated Feelings
The frontline fighting grew more and more brutal.
By this stage, Sand had already stopped clashing with Kumogakure, focusing only on surviving on its own. Konoha, meanwhile, was almost single handedly fighting three villages at once, colliding with three Great Hidden Villages: Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure.
Under that crushing pressure, Konoha was desperate to break the deadlock, so the village prepared to send out an elite squad for a surprise strike.
To ensure the squad's combat effectiveness, a medical ninja was essential.
That was why Minamikawa Yuu had been chosen.
"But Yuu is only eight years old…"
Someone from the medical division tried to argue. "Let me go in his place."
"There's no need, Murakami san."
Yuu spoke softly, answering directly. "As a shinobi of Konoha, serving the village is my mission."
"I accept this assignment."
His expression remained calm, as if the task did not touch him at all.
Because he understood clearly that the moment the order came down, nothing could be changed.
Rather than struggle in vain, it was better to accept it with composure.
Besides, he had not been idle during this time. He had prepared a few things as well.
Even if something truly happened, he believed he could handle it.
After accepting the mission, Yuu returned to his usual work. His overall demeanor did not change in the slightest.
He moved through the day as if it were ordinary, lacking any of the solemn tension most people would show before a life and death operation.
Before leaving, as always, he went to Kakashi's tent.
"Come in."
Kakashi's voice sounded from inside, and Yuu stepped into the ward.
Within, Kakashi still looked as despondent as ever. He sat on the bed, an aura of death clinging to him.
However, after spending so long with Yuu, he had gradually grown familiar with him. Occasionally, he would even respond.
"I'll be away for a while."
Yuu faced him with his usual smile. "While I'm gone, I hope Senior Kakashi takes good care of himself."
"Away?"
Kakashi's head snapped up, as if startled. "Where are you going?"
He had already endured the successive deaths of his teammates, and he was undoubtedly sunk deep in gloom.
But a shinobi's sharpness still remained.
He immediately sensed something wrong.
Under normal circumstances, Yuu, as a medical ninja, should remain in camp and treat the wounded.
If he was suddenly leaving now, there was only one explanation.
He was going to carry out an important mission.
The moment that thought formed, the tension in Kakashi's eyes sharpened, cutting through the sorrow.
"Ah, I'm going out on a mission."
Yuu's tone stayed calm. "Don't worry. It's just a routine mission, nothing major."
As he spoke, he left something behind for Kakashi.
A photograph.
In it, Yuu and Obito formed the Seal of Reconciliation together.
Behind them, the Ninja Academy's background was clearly visible.
Yuu had asked someone to take that photo after the test. At the time, he had only wanted a keepsake.
After all, if nothing unexpected happened, Obito would soon become a different person.
Preserving that bright, sunny version of him felt like a good way to remember.
That was what Yuu had thought then. He had never imagined the photo would be used like this now.
"What is this?"
Kakashi stared at the photograph in his hand, confused.
"I heard that the names of shinobi who die for Konoha are engraved on the village's Memorial Stone."
Yuu smiled gently. "If I can't return this time, then please, Senior Kakashi, place this photo in front of the Memorial Stone for me and for Senior Obito."
"If possible, it would be best if my stone and Senior Obito's were placed together."
"Maybe that would be a good resting place."
"Yuu, you…"
An indescribable feeling surged in Kakashi's chest.
At that moment, he looked at Yuu as if he were seeing him for the first time, and his throat tightened.
So many emotions welled up that he wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.
"There's no need to grieve for us."
Yuu spoke softly. "A shinobi's fate lies in battle. If someone can die honorably on the battlefield, that is not necessarily misfortune."
"The departed have already fallen asleep. The living have to keep carrying the weight forward."
He chuckled quietly. "Senior Kakashi, take care."
"After tomorrow, we may not meet again."
With that, he smiled and waved, then turned and walked out.
Behind him, Kakashi's eyes widened, locked on Yuu's retreating back.
If he could, he would have called Yuu back and told him not to go.
But shinobi discipline shackled him in place, and in the end, he said nothing.
All he could do was slump back onto the bed, staring at the photograph in his hand.
Without realizing it, the aura of death around him seemed to grow thicker.
[System: Gained 100 reincarnation points.]
Outside the tent, Yuu looked at the prompt and could not help smiling.
As expected.
Simply interacting with plot characters could earn reincarnation points, but how could that compare to directly provoking them and drawing out a stronger reaction?
Just like now.
He had not done much. He had only pressed on Kakashi's heart at the right moment, and Kakashi had paid out a heavy sum.
One hundred reincarnation points.
That was a considerable amount, enough for Yuu to do many things.
Unfortunately, this kind of operation could not be repeated too many times.
Otherwise, his life would become far too easy.
Perhaps he could even accumulate enough points to return to the Land of Ancestors, then go straight to the peak of everything.
The next day, Yuu prepared what he needed and arrived at the gathering point.
Many people were already waiting.
"Three person teams. Pay attention."
The leader swept his gaze over them and spoke coldly, assigning them on the spot.
Yuu was placed under a jōnin.
And he was given two teammates.
One of them had striking Byakugan eyes, a Konoha forehead protector visible and impossible to miss.
It was Hyuga Fu, a Hyuga Branch Family member and an elite chūnin.
The Hyuga Clan served Konoha, so it was not strange for a Branch member to appear among Konoha's forces.
And because the Byakugan brought enormous reconnaissance and tactical value, squads that included Hyuga members were generally considered elite.
But compared to Hyuga Fu, Yuu was even more surprised by the other teammate.
It was a girl.
Her name was Yuhi Kurenai.
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