Early the next morning, Tsunade held a brief meeting. She announced the mission for the two young shinobi to lead a surprise attack on the Land of Earth's supply route. Some raised objections, arguing that while the two were skilled, they were not yet ready for such a critical and dangerous task.
Kawakaze overrode the dissent, and with the strong support of the Uchiha Clan Head, the decision was finalized. To strengthen the team, Fugaku Uchiha joined the mission alongside the two young shinobi.
"Be careful on your way. Safety first," Kawakaze advised. He was not overly stubborn, prioritizing lives over mission success. To him, failure would never outweigh the importance of survival.
"Got it, Sensei," the two youngsters replied respectfully.
"You follow orders," the Uchiha Clan Head instructed Fugaku firmly. He clearly understood how much Kawakaze valued Minato and Nawaki.
"I understand, Uncle," Fugaku replied without any hint of offense. He recognized the talent and potential of his young teammates.
"Good. Complete your mission and return safely," the Clan Head said, patting Fugaku's head approvingly. His nephew had grown significantly.
"Let's go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll return," Tsunade said as she watched Fugaku rejoin the team, signaling their departure.
"Wait for our good news," Nawaki called back confidently before heading off.
The team consisted of elite members from various clans, each excelling in combat and intelligence.
"Let's go back," Kawakaze said, patting Tsunade's shoulder as the team disappeared into the distance.
"I'm still a little worried," Tsunade admitted, her face shadowed with concern.
"Don't worry. They're not children anymore," Kawakaze reassured her. He had seen the true lethality of techniques like the Flying Thunder God or advanced Water Release jutsu.
"They've already gone. Worrying now is just tormenting myself," Tsunade said with a bitter smile before following Kawakaze back to camp. There was much work to be done, even with the mission just beginning. She allowed herself only a moment of sentimentality before turning her focus back to her responsibilities.
...
The Konoha ninja continued their battles against the surprise attack forces from the Iwasuna villages in the Land of Rain. The situation had shown no signs of improvement since the two young shinobi had departed on their mission.
Kawakaze and Tsunade counted the days anxiously, hoping for good news. Both had faced Ōnoki and Bunpuku several times in recent days. Avoiding a direct confrontation was proving troublesome, leaving Kawakaze frustrated.
Meanwhile, the two young shinobi were entirely focused on their mission, undistracted by events back at camp. They had left their base and journeyed north, now entering the Land of Grass. The path through the vast grasslands was quiet and deserted, the only sound being the echo of their troops' footsteps.
As they walked, the two young shinobi experienced a mix of emotions. This was only their second time in the area, the first being when Kawakaze had brought them here to capture the Seven-Tails on their way back. Back then, they were merely children, following their elders to gain experience. Now, they were leading a team on a vital mission.
"Time really flies," Nawaki said with heartfelt emotion, recalling the day he first met Kawakaze. He had wondered about the origins of this seemingly arrogant man who was already giving him instructions.
"Yes, and now we've begun to shoulder our own responsibilities," Minato replied, his gaze fixed ahead as he pressed forward, keeping pace with the others.
It was during that first mission, seeing the Seven-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball, that Minato had a breakthrough in developing new Ninjutsu. That technique was now nearing completion.
Nawaki lightly tapped his toes against the ground, leaping far ahead with each bound. Even on the move, he continued practicing the Light-Weight Rock Technique.
"On this mission, we are only allowed to win, not to lose," Nawaki said firmly. Minato turned his head toward him, their eyes meeting. They nodded to each other, a silent vow to deliver a satisfactory outcome. This mission marked a farewell to their past selves and the start of a new journey.
"Have you thought about what to do after entering the Land of Earth?" Fugaku asked. By now, he had grown familiar with the two young shinobi and had set aside the innate arrogance often associated with the Uchiha. He admired the bond they shared, something he secretly longed for.
Fugaku carried the weight of his uncle's high expectations and had lived under constant pressure. At this moment, however, he felt somewhat relieved.
"Of course," the two answered in unison. To them, heading out on a mission without at least this much preparation was unthinkable.
"That's good then," Fugaku said, his serious demeanor softening into a smile. He decided not to press further.
Nawaki had never harbored ill feelings toward the Uchiha and treated Fugaku kindly. Respect was mutual, and their camaraderie had grown naturally. Now, with the Uchiha aligning with Tsunade's side, they were allies with a shared goal.
Their primary objective upon entering the Land of Earth was to locate Iwagakure's supply routes as quickly as possible. The two had devised three plans for the mission, knowing they would have to rely solely on their own ingenuity without external information.
"Fugaku, I'll need your help then," Minato said. He wasn't one to call others his brothers lightly, as his bond with Fugaku wasn't yet that deep.
In the original story, Fugaku's wife and Kushina would share a close friendship, hinting at a harmonious relationship between them.
"Of course, I'll follow any orders," Fugaku said, keeping his uncle's words in mind. From his observations over the past few days, he had come to recognize Minato's sharp intellect, despite his younger age. As for Nawaki, Fugaku could only think, haha.
"It's all for the mission, no need to say that," Nawaki said, completely unaware of Fugaku's low opinion of his intelligence. He laughed cheerfully, oblivious.
"I hope everything goes well for us," Fugaku said seriously. He hadn't come alone—several members of his clan were accompanying him, and he bore the responsibility for their safety as well.
The Hyūga Clan's Kanami glanced at them a few times but remained silent, focused on her own task. While this route was well-hidden, the team stayed vigilant, occasionally using Byakugan to scan their surroundings. Tsunade had indeed chosen skilled ninja for the mission, demonstrating how critical its success was.
The entire team, led by Minato and Nawaki, moved quickly, stopping only for brief rests. After a few days, they finally reached the border of the Land of Earth.
Minato, ever cautious, signaled the team to halt before proceeding further. He knew Iwagakure would likely be on guard during wartime.
"What's the situation up ahead?" Minato asked.
This was Kanami's moment to contribute. After using her Byakugan, she confirmed, "There are people, but they're just ordinary civilians."
"Avoid them and infiltrate," Minato instructed. Nawaki remained quiet, allowing Minato to lead.
The team split up, slipping past unnoticed by the civilians, and successfully entered the Land of Earth. When they regrouped atop a high mountain, the plan for the surprise attack officially began.
"What's the plan? You can tell us now," Fugaku asked calmly, waiting for the next instructions.
"It'll be easier if there are people around," Minato replied. "You'll come with us into the town to gather information. The rest of you stay here, hide, and rest while waiting for our news."
Fugaku nodded in agreement, and the three of them departed. Using the Transformation Technique, they altered their appearances before entering the border town of the Land of Earth to begin their reconnaissance.