Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Taking Obito, Kakashi, and Rin on a mission in the Land of Earth, Namikaze Minato suddenly received a new directive from the frontline troops at the border of the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth.

After examining the information retrieved from the Ninja Taka's courier, Minato's expression grew solemn.

"We may need to divide into two teams for the next mission."

Minato looked at Kakashi and the others with a hint of sadness on his face. Under their questioning gazes, he explained:

"I just received a mission. I need to support a Konoha team that is besieged by Iwagakure forces. That team has critical information about Iwagakure's front-line deployment."

"Currently, the village is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of combat power."

"For efficiency's sake, I've decided to divide our group into two teams: Kakashi and I will lead separate units."

A comforting smile appeared on Minato's face as he noticed Obito and Rin couldn't hide their worry upon hearing his words.

Hearing Minato's plan, Obito frowned in confusion and asked, "Divide into two teams? Then what?"

"Yes, that's right! Captain Kakashi will lead you and Rin as a three-man team, while I'll operate alone."

"Now that Kakashi is already a Jonin, he's capable of leading a team on his own."

As Minato spoke, Rin tugged on Obito's sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Obito, didn't we talk about giving Kakashi a gift earlier?"

Rin's words reached Minato's ears as well. Hearing this, Minato smiled warmly.

"Speaking of which, I haven't congratulated Kakashi on becoming a Jonin yet."

"Even Raiden gave you a gift, so I can't lag behind."

"My gift is this!"

"Though this kunai is heavier than a standard one, once you get used to it, you'll find it incredibly useful."

"This time, you'll take it with you on your mission."

Minato smiled as he pulled out a special Flying Raijin Kunai from his pouch, showed it to the group, and handed it to Kakashi.

Seeing Minato present his gift, Rin began rummaging through her bag. Shortly, a small medical kit appeared in her hands.

"This is my gift—take it!"

Rin handed the small medical kit to Kakashi with both hands and explained:

"This is a personalized medical kit."

"I've modified it to be more convenient and practical."

Receiving the medical kit from Rin, Kakashi smiled and thanked her, "Thank you."

After Kakashi finished speaking, he glanced at Obito Uchiha and extended his small hand, holding it out in front of Obito.

"…"

"What do you mean by that?" Obito asked, confused. "I don't have anything to give you!"

Sweat trickled down Obito Uchiha's face as he spoke. When Rin had mentioned giving Kakashi a gift earlier, Obito had been too preoccupied arguing with Kakashi to hear her. Now, with Minato and Rin both having given their gifts, Obito felt guilty and embarrassed, clearly lacking the confidence to respond properly.

"Forget it," Kakashi said dismissively, with his usual sharp tongue. "It's not like you'd give me anything useful anyway. Something useless would just weigh me down."

Kakashi's words made Obito feel even more awkward. Pointing angrily at Kakashi, he exclaimed, "I don't understand how someone like you became a Jonin!"

"You don't have the right to criticize me," Kakashi retorted with his trademark deadpan expression.

Kakashi's remark hit Obito like a dagger, shattering his composure. Bowing his head, Obito stood silently, his body trembling slightly.

"I am Obito Uchiha of the Uchiha clan," he finally declared, his voice resolute. "One day, I'll surpass you! Once my Sharingan awakens, I'll prove I'm stronger than you!"

Obito had always viewed Kakashi as his rival. Although he was far weaker in comparison, his determination to surpass Kakashi never wavered. Their relationship was much like that of a future prince and Sasuke—close friends, yet fierce competitors.

"Aren't all Uchiha supposed to be elites?" Kakashi said with a smirk. "Even without awakening anything, you should already be powerful, right?"

The Uchiha clan's reputation was well-known throughout the ninja world. As the son of Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi was familiar with their legacy. He had also heard of Shisui Uchiha, a prominent figure from the Moon Kingdom battlefield.

"What did you just say?" Obito shot back, his demeanor suddenly serious. The pride of his clan was something he held dearly and wouldn't tolerate being mocked. His determined gaze reflected his unwavering resolve.

"Enough, you two! Stop arguing," Rin interjected, stepping between them. Her voice was firm yet kind. Seeing the tension, she hoped to diffuse the situation.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato unfolded a map on the ground and began to explain their mission. His words quickly drew everyone's attention, and both Kakashi and Obito set aside their quarrel to focus on their teacher.

"This is the route the Land of Earth is using to invade the Land of Grass," Minato began, pointing at the map. "Our enemy, Iwa Shinobi, has stationed nearly a thousand troops along the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth.

"To counter them, our reinforcements are already lagging. The fact that they've gathered such a large force so quickly indicates their supply lines are incredibly efficient."

Minato continued, "To disrupt their advance, we'll destroy their key supply bridge: the Kannabi Bridge. This will create significant delays for Iwa Shinobi and support Orochimaru-sama's main forces. Once the bridge is destroyed, you'll retreat and regroup at our base in the Land of Rain."

Minato's explanation set the tone for the mission, and the group responded with unified determination. Obito, however, looked at Minato curiously and asked, "What about you, Sensei? Where will you be?"

"I'll first assist a frontline team that's under siege," Minato replied. "Afterward, I'll meet up with you. From today, Kakashi will lead the team as its captain."

Minato folded the map, his plan clear. Since Kakashi would lead the team through the heavily guarded border, Minato's role was to help them infiltrate the Land of Earth before they proceeded independently. With most of Iwa Shinobi concentrated on the frontlines, the hinterland would be easier to navigate.

After a night of rest in the grasslands, the group resumed their journey. By midday, they reached a dense forest filled with strange vegetation. As they walked, Kakashi suddenly stopped, raising his hand to signal the group.

"Well done, Kakashi," Minato said with a proud smile. Minato had sensed an enemy presence as they entered the forest but had kept silent to observe Kakashi's abilities as a captain.

From the shadows, an Iwa Shinobi watched them, his face pale. Even among Iwa forces, Namikaze Minato's reputation as the "Yellow Flash" was legendary. Orders were clear: if you saw him, retreat immediately.

As the enemy spied on them, Minato squatted down, placing his hand on the ground to sense vibrations. "It's just one person," he thought but said aloud, "There are over twenty enemies—likely shadow clones."

Kakashi nodded, his senses sharpening. "Sensei, I'll rush in. Cover me."

"Patience, Kakashi," Minato said calmly. "You'll have support."

"Today, I'm the captain," Kakashi replied, determination in his eyes. Forming hand seals, he declared, "Chidori!"

Lightning surged around Kakashi's hand, emitting sharp, bird-like chirps. Startled, the hidden Iwa Shinobi realized he'd been discovered. As Kakashi charged, several kunai flew toward him. Ignoring them, Kakashi pressed forward. At the last moment, Minato intercepted the kunai with precision, allowing Kakashi to strike.

In a flash, Kakashi neutralized several shadow clones. However, an enemy clone sneaked up on Obito, preparing to strike. Frozen with fear, Obito couldn't react. Just as the blade was about to land, Minato intervened, eliminating the threat with ease.

"Don't let your guard down!" Minato chided.

Minato snorted as he saw Kakashi closing in on the Iwa Shinobi, who was preparing to retaliate by drawing his blade. Sensing the danger, Minato decided to end the test of Kakashi's skills and disappeared in a blink. At the same moment, Kakashi lunged forward, aiming his Chidori at the enemy's heart.

However, this time, the opponent reacted swiftly. His blade slashed downward toward Kakashi, striking him directly. Just as the Iwa Shinobi was about to follow through, Namikaze Minato appeared, grabbed Kakashi around the waist, and delivered a swift kick to the enemy's lower abdomen. Minato then gently set Kakashi down and vanished again.

"Thud!"

A soft sound echoed as Minato's kunai pierced through the Iwa Shinobi's chest. In a single swift encounter, the enemy was killed by Namikaze Minato.

After the battle, Minato efficiently cleaned the battlefield and led Kakashi and the others away from the area. They stopped at a clearing in the forest, with a wide view, to rest temporarily.

Kakashi's shoulder had been slashed during the confrontation, leaving a deep wound. Rin, the team's medical ninja, began using medical ninjutsu to treat the injury and stop the bleeding.

"Ahh!" Kakashi groaned in pain as Rin worked on his shoulder.

"Kakashi's wound is severe. Let's rest for a while before moving on," Minato said, observing the injury.

"I'm fine," Kakashi replied quickly, determined not to delay the mission.

Before Minato could respond, Obito interjected excitedly, "Fine? It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't ignored Sensei's instructions and acted recklessly!"

"You're one to talk!" Kakashi shot back, not missing a beat. "You're the so-called Uchiha elite who almost cried from fear just now!"

"Ninja Rule Number 25: Ninjas must never shed tears," Kakashi added mockingly, clearly referencing Obito's earlier reaction.

Before the argument could escalate further, Minato intervened. "That's enough. Both of you, stop."

Minato's voice was calm but firm. "Rules are important for a ninja, but they aren't everything. Kakashi, you're too rigid about them."

He turned to Obito. "And Obito, you need to strengthen your resolve. Your self-esteem is fragile. On the battlefield, you won't always have someone to save you. Rely on your own strength."

Minato continued, "Didn't Raiden remind you when we left the Land of Wind that survival on the battlefield ultimately depends on your own abilities?"

Finally, he addressed Kakashi, "And you, I warned you about using that technique. The Chidori is still incomplete. Using it recklessly in combat will only get you killed."

Minato concluded, "We'll rest here for the day. Tomorrow, we'll resume the mission. And let me emphasize once more: the most important thing for a ninja is teamwork."

After delivering his reprimand, Minato moved away to set traps around the area as a precaution. The group, now subdued by Minato's words, fell silent. Once Rin had finished treating Kakashi's wound, they resumed their journey, taking a different path.

Emerging from the forest, they reached an open grassland, where Minato finally stopped. By then, the sky had begun to darken, and night was approaching.

At night, the injured Kakashi ate a small meal to fill his stomach before falling asleep. Rin, exhausted from using so much chakra to treat Kakashi's wounds, also went to rest early. Seeing the two of them asleep, Minato found a nearby stone platform, sat down, and stared up at the night sky. At the same time, he remained alert, keeping watch.

"Sensei…" Minato was lost in thought, gazing at the stars, when Obito's voice came from nearby. Moments later, Obito climbed up onto the stone platform and sat beside Minato. After calling out softly, Obito stayed silent for a while, and Minato didn't respond either, continuing to look at the sky.

By now, the night had fully fallen. The sky was clear, and the stars twinkled brightly above.

"Sensei, I know teamwork is important, but… Kakashi always makes fun of me, saying I'm useless," Obito muttered. "It's because I'm part of the Uchiha clan, known for being elites, but…"

"But I'm not good enough."

"I'll admit that Kakashi is strong. But…"

Obito's words were tinged with frustration, embarrassment, and guilt. Minato remained quiet, giving a soft "hmm" as he continued to look up at the sky. Minato, being emotionally perceptive, easily saw through Obito's insecurities. He understood how Obito felt—being the weak one in a prominent family often made one overly sensitive and self-critical.

"Kakashi is the son of Hatake Sakumo, the genius ninja known as the 'Konoha White Fang,'" Minato began. "Even the Legendary Sannin hold him in high regard."

"Kakashi grew up with a father like that. Living in the shadow of such a legend isn't easy."

Obito's eyes widened. "The White Fang? I've heard of him. A great ninja who did so much for Konoha… but Kakashi rarely talks about him."

Minato nodded. "The village held Mr. Sakumo in high esteem. But then…"

He paused before continuing, "I shouldn't tell you this, but as Kakashi's teammate, you deserve to understand."

Minato recounted Sakumo's story. Years ago, during Konoha's war with the Land of Wind, Sakumo had led a critical mission as the commander. However, during the mission, Sakumo was faced with a difficult choice: prioritize the mission or save his comrades. Sakumo chose to save his comrades, abandoning the mission.

"Unfortunately, that decision prolonged the war, costing the Land of Fire and Konoha dearly. The village turned against him, blaming him for the losses, and even the comrades he saved condemned him. The Fire Daimyo punished Sakumo, exiling him to the frontlines, where he has remained ever since. Kakashi hasn't seen his father since then."

Minato's tone grew somber. "As a child, Kakashi heard people slander his father, calling him a failure. It's why Kakashi is so obsessed with rules and missions."

"Obito, I hope you can understand him. Kakashi's words aren't always meant to hurt."

Obito fell silent, processing the story. He could empathize with Kakashi's pain. "To save someone, only to be blamed by them later…" Obito murmured. "If I helped an old lady only for her to hold me responsible for her troubles, I'd probably never help anyone again."

After sitting quietly with Minato for a while longer, Obito went to rest. That night, however, his thoughts kept him awake.

The Next Morning

Minato woke the group early, and Rin re-bandaged Kakashi's wound. They resumed their journey, eventually reaching a bamboo grove. Checking the map, Minato stopped and said, "This is where we'll separate."

He reminded them, "You may encounter enemies. Remember, teamwork is essential."

"Yes, Sensei," Obito said, folding his arms behind his head. Then, with a glance at Kakashi, he added, "Lead the way, Captain." His tone was lighter, reflecting a newfound understanding of Kakashi.

Minato smiled slightly, relieved by the change. "Good. Let's move."

With that, Minato vanished, leaving the three to proceed toward their mission. Kakashi led the way, guiding the team along the designated route toward the Kannabi Bridge. By noon, they had crossed the bamboo grove, replenished their energy, and arrived at a forested area.

Their pace was swift, and Obito and Kakashi seemed to get along better. However, they failed to notice the eyes watching them.

"Hey, that guy hasn't returned. Did those brats take him out?" Behind a rock, two Iwa Shinobi observed Kakashi's team. One was a young man with an afro, and the other was a long-haired middle-aged man.

"Let's find out," the older man whispered, turning invisible and creeping toward the group.

Kakashi, leading the way, sniffed the air and caught an unusual scent. Raising his hand, he signaled a halt. The team quickly adjusted their positions: Kakashi at the front, Obito in the middle, and Rin at the back—a formation designed to protect Rin as the medical ninja.

Suddenly, kunai rained down from above. Obito reacted swiftly, forming seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive fireball shot up, intercepting the kunai mid-air. While the team scanned the area for enemies, a transparent figure silently approached Rin from behind.

From the front, the afro-haired youth leaped down toward Kakashi, who countered with his kunai. The two clashed in mid-air, their fight carrying to the ground.

A scream suddenly pierced the air. Kakashi and Obito turned to see Rin unconscious, held by the middle-aged Iwa Shinobi.

"We'll be taking this girl," he sneered, tossing a smoke bomb that quickly obscured their escape.

"Rin! Damn it!" Obito shouted, preparing to pursue, but Kakashi stopped him.

"Obito, don't chase them!"

"What?! Are you serious?!"

Kakashi's voice was steady but firm. "I know. But right now, our mission comes first."

(End of this chapter)