"Iwagakure Village has suddenly mobilized thousands of ninjas to raid the front line! So..." Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Namikaze Minato with heavy eyes. "This time, Minato Squad is needed as an elite team to harass their rear and intercept their supply lines!"
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen handed a scroll to Minato. "The details of where to cut them off and the mission specifics are in this scroll."
"Minato... and Yuma, I believe in your strength. Don't let me down!"
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama!" As the squad leader, Minato Namikaze took the scroll and replied in a firm voice, "I will definitely complete the mission!"
Yuma, standing silently to the side, observed the two with serious expressions.
He understood the gravity of the situation.
The Ninja World War had now reached its climax.
Iwagakure Village's sudden push was overwhelming for Konoha, which was already besieged by four great villages.
Konoha was stretched dangerously thin...
The deployment of the entire Uchiha clan to Kirigakure's front line for over a year was proof of this.
It was worth noting that Konoha's leadership, following Senju Tobirama's "containment" policy toward the Uchiha clan, had confined them to the village in the name of maintaining security.
This policy ensured they could not take on external missions, thereby preventing the proliferation of Sharingan users through excessive stimulation.
But now, with Iwagakure's intensified aggression, Konoha's position was precarious.
If Yuma's memory from his past life served him correctly, this was the infamous Kannabi Bridge plotline.
Yuma felt surprisingly relaxed about the mission.
After all, his current power...
Ōtsutsuki-level beings aside, no one could match him!
This knowledge gave him confidence that there was no possibility of failure in this so-called "Super S" mission.
What troubled him more, however, was Obito.
Specifically, how Obito's Sharingan would awaken.
After all, Obito's eyes were unique.
Even at the two-tomoe level, his Sharingan wielded the power of Mangekyō's Kamui.
It defied logic.
In the original timeline, his body and eyes had survived catastrophic injury—a testament to their uniqueness.
Among the Uchiha clan, it was widely known that the key to awakening the Sharingan was pain.
Yuma recalled Uchiha Itachi explaining this repeatedly to Sasuke.
For instance, Itachi's awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan was triggered by the heartbreak of Shisui's death.
But Obito was an exception to the rule.
In the original timeline, his Sharingan awakened in a moment of intense resolve—to save Rin and protect Kakashi, whose eye had been injured.
Upon awakening, his Sharingan already had two tomoe, surpassing even Indra's reincarnation.
The [Eye of the Divine Realm (Red)] entry Yuma had obtained from Obito further validated this notion.
Thus, Yuma was curious.
What if Obito's fate was altered?
If Obito awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan under different circumstances, what kind of power would his eyes reveal?
Given that Yuma had obtained his only red entry from Obito, he was confident that even if it wasn't Kamui, Obito would awaken an extraordinary pupil technique that surpassed conventional divine arts.
The day after Sarutobi Hiruzen's briefing, Minato finished his preparations and gathered his squad outside the Hokage Building.
"Everyone, this mission will be carried out as a small team."
"As a unit, our mobility far surpasses Iwa Ninja's massive forces, so we have the advantage of time."
"Prepare your supplies, and we'll meet at Training Ground No. 1 the day after tomorrow!"
"Yes, Minato-sensei!" the team chorused.
The next day, deep in a dark cave beneath a colossal demon statue, Uchiha Madara sat with white tubes attached to his back.
Black Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"How's the situation?" Madara asked.
"Madara-sama, White Zetsu in Konoha has uncovered useful information and relayed it through our psychic link," Black Zetsu replied.
"Any news on the individual we're monitoring?" Madara narrowed his eyes.
Black Zetsu hesitated before responding, "Everyone else is as expected... But that brat Uchiha Yuma has learned Sage Mode. White Zetsu can no longer monitor him."
"Sage Mode?" Madara's irritation was evident. He was all too familiar with the technique—his rival Senju Hashirama had wielded it masterfully.
He knew that Sage Mode granted heightened perception, making it impossible for White Zetsu to go unnoticed.
"Enough bad news. Any good news?" Madara asked with a frown.
"Yes, there's good news," Black Zetsu replied with a sly grin. "The Minato Squad is preparing for a deep infiltration mission behind enemy lines."
Madara's eyes gleamed. "This is indeed good news. So..."
"We can proceed with the plan to capture Obito," Black Zetsu interjected. "That will be the first step toward launching the real plan!"
Madara nodded in agreement. "My time is running out—I need an heir."
"However, Madara-sama," Black Zetsu cautioned, "with Uchiha Yuma in the squad, it won't be easy to isolate Obito."
Madara's expression darkened.
Yuma was indeed troublesome.
A Mangekyō Sharingan user with the Flying Thunder God technique was not someone to be taken lightly.
After a moment of contemplation, Madara's expression grew colder.
"It seems I must intervene myself. White Zetsu!"
The peculiar White Zetsu named 'Afei' appeared.
"Madara-sama, what do you need?"
"Fuse with me. I need your abilities," Madara commanded.
White Zetsu chuckled. "Finally! I've been waiting for this. Time to experience what it feels like... to 'merge' with Madara-sama!"
Within moments, the white liquid enveloped Madara.
When the fusion was complete, Madara flexed his fist.
"Fifty percent of my strength restored. That will suffice."
Turning to Black Zetsu, Madara ordered, "Let's go!"
"Where to, Madara-sama?"
"The Iwa Ninja camp. Preparations must be made."
In the tranquil spring air, the Minato Squad gathered at Training Ground No. 1, awaiting their final member.
As usual, Obito was late.
"Obito is late again!" Kakashi grumbled. "He never follows ninja protocols."
"Be patient, Kakashi," Yuma said, patting him on the shoulder.
At that moment, Obito came jogging toward the group.