Hearing this, everyone present fell silent. They had no objections to Namikaze Minato's decision.
Nohara Rin, despite being a medical ninja with relatively weak combat strength, fully understood that in their current team, leaving aside Minato-sensei, Uchiha Yuma was undoubtedly the strongest among them.
"So, Brother Yuma will be the captain…" Uchiha Obito muttered to himself, feeling both conflicted and relieved. For the jealous Obito, as long as Kakashi wasn't the captain, he was content.
Besides, over the past two days since returning to the village, Obito had learned of the incredible feats Uchiha Yuma had achieved. His grandmother had told him that Yuma had taken control of Uchiha Setsuna's power. This revelation left Obito shocked.
He had spent the next day questioning other clansmen, only to uncover even more astonishing news—Yuma had taken control after defeating and killing Uchiha Setsuna!
The news left him numb. While Obito wasn't particularly close to Setsuna, nor did he care about his death, the idea of Yuma defeating such a notorious elder filled him with a mix of awe and pride. Despite his cheerful exterior and constant acts of kindness, Obito was fiercely loyal to his own people. For him, Yuma's strength and decisiveness made him an admirable figure.
"Brother Yuma is more than qualified to lead us," Obito thought to himself, fully approving Minato's decision both privately and publicly.
Kakashi, standing nearby, cast a sidelong glance at Yuma. He too was convinced of Minato-sensei's choice. After all, Kakashi had witnessed Yuma's growth firsthand. From the weak moments of Yuma's past to the formidable figure he had become, Kakashi knew better than anyone how powerful Yuma was.
However, despite his admiration, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. Yuma had achieved the rank of Jōnin more than six months before him, and as much as Kakashi tried to excel, the gap between their abilities only seemed to widen.
He clenched his fists as he recalled the recent news spreading through the village. Yuma had defeated Uchiha Setsuna—an elder known for his cunning and careful planning. Even Kakashi's late father, Sakumo, had mentioned Setsuna as a formidable adversary. That Yuma could defeat him and seize power was a testament not only to his strength but also to his intelligence.
Yuma wasn't just stronger than Kakashi; he was sharper in every sense. This realization only deepened Kakashi's resolve to improve.
"I'll be the captain? No problem!" Yuma responded to Minato calmly, his confidence unshaken.
For this mission, he felt sure of success. With his own strength, combined with Kakashi's skill and Obito's potential, he was confident they could complete the task with ease.
Minato, seeing Yuma's composed demeanor, felt reassured. However, his thoughts drifted to the front lines, where thousands of Iwa-nin were pressing their forces.
With a grave expression, Minato said, "The situation at the front is critical. Now that the teams have been assigned, I'll head out to provide support immediately."
"Don't worry, sensei. Leave this mission to us," Yuma replied firmly.
Minato nodded at his team and, in a flash of the Flying Thunder God, disappeared.
After several days of trekking, Yuma's team crossed the border of the Land of Grass and began their operation deep behind enemy lines.
That night, they stopped to rest near a large boulder. As team leader, Yuma took the first watch. Sitting cross-legged atop the boulder, he closed his eyes, activating his enhanced sensory abilities.
Yuma had recently adapted to the improvements in his perception. His sensory range had expanded significantly—a full 100 kilometers in radius. While it wasn't as vast as Senju Tobirama's legendary range, Yuma's precision far surpassed his predecessor's. He could sense chakra signatures and even detect their emotional fluctuations with startling clarity. In Sage Mode, his abilities were even more refined, capable of discerning good from evil.
As he scanned the area, Yuma detected nothing unusual, save for Obito's restless movements nearby. Sensing the boy's tangled emotions, he opened his eyes with a sigh.
As expected, Obito climbed onto the boulder and sat beside him.
"If you've got something on your mind, just say it," Yuma said, breaking the silence.
"Brother Yuma… what's going on with Kakashi?" Obito asked hesitantly. "We've been getting along okay as teammates, but… he's so obsessed with rules, and it drives me crazy."
Yuma chuckled lightly. "I see. Kakashi's fixation on the rules frustrates you, doesn't it?"
"Exactly!" Obito exclaimed, brightening at Yuma's understanding. "I want to be the first in this team to really connect with Kakashi, but I don't know how."
"Well," Yuma began with a sigh, "to understand Kakashi, you need to know about his father. It's a long story."
"Then make it short!" Obito replied impatiently.
"Alright, alright," Yuma said, smiling faintly. He proceeded to explain the tragedy of Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang of Konoha—how he had been ostracized for prioritizing his comrades over the mission, and how that betrayal had led to his suicide.
Obito listened intently, his expression darkening. "So Kakashi clings to the rules because of his father's death… I didn't know…"
Yuma nodded. "That's why he acts the way he does. It's his way of honoring his father's memory, even if it seems rigid."
Obito looked up at the moon, his face somber. "It's such a sad story… I'll try to understand Kakashi better from now on."
"Good. Now go and get some rest. We've got work to do tomorrow," Yuma said, patting Obito on the shoulder.
"Understood, Brother Yuma," Obito replied, hopping off the boulder.
Watching him go, Yuma shook his head with a quiet laugh. He had shared the story partly to clear Obito's doubts, but he was also curious to see if this knowledge might influence Obito's eventual awakening of the Sharingan.
The next morning, the team continued their journey. As they moved through a dense bamboo forest and approached the edge of a deep woodland, Yuma raised his hand, signaling the team to stop.
Kakashi immediately tensed, his instincts sharpening.
"Is there a situation?" he asked, his voice low and serious.