The Land of Grass was in utter disarray.
Konoha's long-planned counteroffensive had struck deep and wide. The combined operations of ANBU, Root, and elite units had shattered Iwagakure's grip on the region. Critical outposts were left in ruins. Supply depots were turned into smoldering craters. And at the center of this havoc, cutting through enemy lines with the speed of a thunderclap, was one man—
Minato Namikaze.
The Yellow Flash had arrived.
With him were the last two members of his original team: Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara. Their actions alone had crippled Iwa's momentum, long before ANBU's silent blades began their assault. Each strike had been deliberate, precise—a symphony of sabotage, orchestrated by Minato's brilliance and executed with unwavering loyalty by his team.
But none of it came without cost.
In the shadow of their victories, a deep wound still lingered. The name Obito was never spoken aloud, but it echoed between them all the same.
A small clearing near a quiet pond, nestled deep within the dense forest, served as their temporary camp. The morning sun pierced through the canopy in thin golden beams, casting light upon the reflective surface of the water. It was a peaceful place, almost sacred.
Minato stood near the treeline, eyes narrowed as he scanned the area.
"Move quickly. We need to leave before any Iwa scout patrol picks up our trail," he said firmly, voice calm but sharp. His hand rested near a kunai pouch—a reflex, even when at rest.
Kakashi and Rin moved in silence, packing their gear without question.
"Yes, Sensei," they responded in unison, though the spark in their voices was dull. The fire that once defined Team Minato had dimmed.
Minato's gaze lingered on them. Ever since Obito… he had changed. No longer just their leader, he had become their protector in a far more personal way. He couldn't afford to lose them too.
After a few minutes, he called out again.
"Come here. Before we leave, I want to go over the situation one last time."
The two young shinobi stepped forward and knelt beside their teacher. Minato unrolled a worn map, marked with red ink and small notes scribbled in haste.
"As you know, we've already done serious damage to Iwa's position in this region," Minato began, pointing to several red X's drawn across the terrain. "These marks represent enemy positions we've taken out. Sabotaged supply lines, ambushed patrols, destroyed outposts—this is what one small team can accomplish when working in perfect sync."
Kakashi stared at the map. So much destruction… so much loss.
"It's all because of you, Sensei," Kakashi muttered. His voice was cold, distant. "We were just slowing you down. If it had only been you… maybe Obito would still be alive."
Minato's expression softened.
"Don't say that," he replied firmly. "You've done more than you realize. Kakashi… you took out three targets on your own. Your tactical decisions saved lives. And Rin—your medical ninjutsu kept us alive, again and again. I couldn't have done this without either of you."
Kakashi remained quiet, his lone eye dark beneath his headband. He didn't argue, but the burden he carried couldn't be lifted so easily.
Minato exhaled and rolled up the map, his tone shifting.
"We're finished here. Our primary mission is complete. Now, we head back to headquarters."
He paused.
"But before we do, I need to tell you something important."
Both students straightened, attention focused.
"You weren't told this before," Minato continued, "but a large-scale operation—one planned by Orochimaru and several high-ranking strategists—has already been set into motion. I wasn't given every detail, but I know enough to understand that we're past the point of no return."
He stood up, his back to the light. His voice was serious now—filled with the weight of responsibility.
"From this moment forward, the forests between us and Konoha are no longer safe. Battles are likely raging everywhere. And on our way back, our final task will be to assist any Konoha forces we encounter. Whether it's ANBU, regular shinobi, or even root… we help them drive Iwa out of our lands."
He looked at them both, eyes fierce but kind.
"I know you're tired. I know you've already given more than anyone should ask of you. But if we want this war to end, we all have to give 200% of ourselves."
Kakashi's eye met Minato's. There was still pain, still guilt—but also resolve.
"We understand, Sensei. We'll do what we must," he said.
Rin nodded beside him, her voice steady. "We're ready to finish what we started."
Minato gave a small nod of pride. His team was bruised. Scarred. But not broken.
He pointed to a new spot on the map.
"We'll exit the Land of Grass through this corridor," he explained, tracing a line through a section marked by dense forest and a winding river. "According to the last intel I received, the ANBU already neutralized the Iwa outpost in this zone. If that's true, it should be clear."
"And once we're across the border," he added, "we travel at mid-speed through the forest. No flashy chakra use, no unnecessary noise. The enemy is occupied with large-scale battles. Tracking specialists won't be wasted trying to follow small trails. But even so, we don't take chances."
Kakashi tightened the straps of his flak vest. "We'll stay low. Quiet."
Rin smiled faintly, for the first time in days. "And together."
The sun was rising now, casting golden warmth across the pond, the clearing, and the three shinobi preparing to vanish into the trees once more.
With a final glance at the land behind them—the land they had burned, bled, and nearly died in—Minato turned away.
"This chapter ends here," he said softly. "Let's make sure the next one is ours."
And just like that, Team Minato disappeared into the forest, the wind rustling the leaves as if whispering a farewell.