Facing Rin's gentle smile, Obito had no resistance and waved his hands repeatedly to show it was fine. At this moment, he was extremely nervous, and even his outstretched hand was covered in sweat.
"Everyone! Come out now!"
However, Rin Nohara did not pay much attention to her companion's abnormal behavior, nor did she notice the hand he had hidden behind his back. Instead, she called out to the surroundings.
"Everyone?"
Hearing this word, Obito was completely stunned. He had originally thought this would be a private moment between him and Rin. Why would there be anyone else?
"Guys! Kakashi has been promoted to Jonin, right? I think we should all, as his contemporaries, give him some gifts and celebrate together!"
Rin ignored Obito's change in expression and handed out a plan to their classmates, who had suddenly appeared under the cherry blossom tree.
[So that's what it was.]
Seeing the girl in front of him, enthusiastically distributing the plan and preparing to give Kakashi a surprise, Obito finally realized his own misconceptions. The rose in his hand slipped out uncontrollably.
This scene went unnoticed by Rin, who was busy, and even by the classmates who had been hiding and expecting to witness a confession. They were taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Each of them was astonished, yet they could only sigh at Obito's foolishness for another public embarrassment...
...
The third evening.
In a mountain depression, Toshiro and his team were observing a distant outpost with binoculars.
Even Toshiro, who was experienced in battle, felt a twinge of discomfort seeing the densely packed Iwa-nin.
The night before last and the previous night, using the cover of darkness, they had scouted along Iwa-nin's supply lines. Due to the sensory barriers, they couldn't get too close, and coupled with the night's obscurity, their observations were vague.
To ensure the accuracy of the information, Toshiro had left his comrades at a distance to observe the outposts through binoculars, just to get a rough idea of the situation.
"Shisui! These people are now in your hands. During our mission, you'll lead them!"
Toshiro was instructing Shisui not to bring too many junior team members on this mission. Their participation in scouting was sufficient; more would be unnecessary and dangerous.
Heading deep into the Land of Earth with so many burdens was too risky. He planned to take just a few, including En. The other juniors needed a task, so Toshiro assigned Shisui to find some secluded hideouts in the Land of Grass to use as refuge points if needed.
Though it was a seemingly simple task, it was by no means easy. If Iwa-nin detected them, they would be in a tough spot. But Toshiro believed Shisui could handle it. After all, he was destined to become 'Shisui of the Body Flicker'.
"Senior, are you sure just your group can handle it?"
Despite Toshiro's intention, Shisui seemed unwilling. Disheartened by being excluded from the mission, Shisui, a prodigy who had awakened his Sharingan at eight, couldn't accept being underestimated.
"Shisui, this mission is not suitable for many people. Besides, your stay here is not without purpose; you need to set up necessary traps to cover our retreat."
"Our escape routes are yours to guard."
This wasn't a lie since Toshiro had no certainty that he could bring everyone back safely.
"Indeed, Shisui. We might need your protection."
Beside him, a fully equipped Uchiha Asahi ruffled Shisui's wild curls and smiled. She adored this young clan member, always reminded of her younger brother when she looked at him.
"Let's move!"
After calming Shisui, Toshiro and his comrades were carried by three large, ink-colored birds towards the Iwa-nin outpost.
"Our mission is to divert the Iwa-nin's attention. Be careful during the task. Are the explosive tags ready?"
"Yes, checked them all. No issues."
"Good."
Toshiro reminded them, "Iwa-nin has flying ninjas. Though our aerial bombings are difficult to counter, they might have ways to bring us down, and then..."
This mission wouldn't be conventional; they planned airborne bombings to distract Iwa-nin.
"But such tactics might provoke them."
The likely heavy siege by Iwa-nin afterward and the myriad of jutsus in the ninja world meant that unexpected situations were unavoidable.
In his view, even Kannabi Bridge couldn't withstand heavy aerial bombardment. Using explosive tags could accomplish it quickly. He had proposed this in the Hokage's office, but for unknown reasons, the Third Hokage didn't approve his plan. Instead, the Third Hokage praised his strategy to distract the Iwa-nin and even supplied them with many explosive tags, also providing information on Iwa-nin logistics.
After much contemplation, Toshiro understood. As an Uchiha, he would never be allowed to end this war and claim the MVP of the battlefield. That kind of glory was never meant for him.