In the days that followed, Nakano Daisuke dared not to let his guard down, not even slightly.
He followed the main group obediently, focusing only on moving forward as quickly as possible.
The Konoha team marched boldly through the Land of Grass, making no effort to conceal their movements.
The Grass ninja didn't dare to block their path, or even ask questions.
They could do nothing but watch helplessly as the Konoha team passed through as if they were invisible.
Thus, the large team advanced unimpeded and smoothly entered the Land of Earth.
"Daisuke-kun, should we first meet with Tsuchikage-sama or go assist the Iwagakure forces fighting against Akatsuki?"
Hardly had they entered the Land of Earth when Nawaki eagerly sought Nakano Daisuke's opinion.
"We're near the Land of Rain now. What if we strike fear into those Akatsuki ninja first?"
Nakano Daisuke hesitantly suggested while glancing at Minato's expression.
"Fine, I'll go with your choice."
Nawaki readily agreed, and Minato didn't object either.
"Then I'll lead the way."
Delighted, Nakano Daisuke quickly stepped ahead of Nawaki and Minato, taking the lead.
However, he wasn't entirely confident in his mind. After so many days, he had no idea how Rōshi and Kitsuchi were faring.
If they were simply locked in a stalemate with the Akatsuki, that would be fine, but if they'd actually been defeated, there was no guarantee he'd find them at all.
Bearing the weight of anxious thoughts, Nakano Daisuke sped toward the Akatsuki's direction based on the original intelligence report.
From sunset to moonrise, under Nakano's leadership, the Konoha team never stopped moving.
"Do you really know where you're going?" Minato slightly frowned, showing his dissatisfaction.
He knew according to his teacher's instructions, Nagato wouldn't completely wipe out the Iwagakure forces.
But why couldn't this guy find them already?
"Lord Minato," Nakano responded respectfully.
"Wars change in an instant. Nagato of Akatsuki is also a formidable opponent."
"It's possible our Iwagakure forces have hidden themselves. Please give me just a bit more time."
While speaking these soothing words, Nakano quickened his pace, feeling as though a heavy mountain pressed upon his chest, making it hard to breathe.
At this moment, he desperately hoped that the next moment would bring Rōshi and Kitsuchi into view.
"There are signs of battle up ahead."
A Hyuga clan member noticed numerous craters left behind from what appeared to be a fierce battle in the distance.
"Let's go check it out."
Following the Hyuga's directions, Minato arrived at the scene first.
Looking at the terrain before him, it was clear a major battle had taken place not long ago.
"Arriving at the scene, Nakano Daisuke immediately recognized the lingering chakra of the Four-Tails, Son Gokū, and was instantly relieved."
At least Rōshi and Kitsuchi still had strength left—the situation hadn't spiraled out of control just yet.
"So what?" Minato maintained an indifferent attitude. He truly didn't see what was so encouraging about not having found them yet.
"They can't be too far now." Standing up, Nakano Daisuke declared confidently.
"You've got this," Nawaki said encouragingly, patting Nakano's shoulder.
"Rest assured, my lords," Nakano said, then turned and disappeared into the distance, leaving the group behind.
"I hope this old guy isn't up to something shady."
"Yo, think we're scared?" Nawaki said to Minato, glancing in the direction Nakano Daisuke had gone.
Minato met Nawaki's gaze. They shared a knowing smile.
So what if he tries something sneaky?
The minutes dragged on. About an hour later, Nakano Daisuke reappeared before everyone, struggling to hide his excitement.
"This way."
Nakano frantically waved them forward, lowering his voice.
"Let's move."
Nawaki and Minato led the team forward behind him.
"I've found their special marker. We'll find them soon."
Joy laced Nakano's voice.
"That's good to hear."
Minato replied coolly, while Nawaki gave Nakano an apologetic smile.
Silence fell over the group again, broken only by the rhythm of their footsteps.
No one could tell how long had passed when several Iwa ninja peered from hiding nearby.
Facing such overwhelming numbers, they were determined to intercept the group—even at the cost of their lives.
"Who goes there?"
It was a sentry keeping watch.
"It's me, Nakano Daisuke."
On Nawaki's signal, the Konoha team halted. Nakano stepped forward to show who he was.
"Lord Daisuke?"
Even after recognizing Nakano's face, the Iwa shinobi still didn't relax their guard.
"I followed the markers. This is the reinforcement sent by the Tsuchikage's orders from Konoha."
Nakano explained the origin of the group behind him and tossed over an object that proved his identity.
"It really is Lord Daisuke."
"He really went all the way to Konoha and came back with help."
Only then did the Iwa sentries relax and approach the group.
"Bring me to Rōshi and Kitsuchi."
Nakano didn't have time for idle talk with the guards.
"Alright."
One of the sentry captains agreed, though his gaze kept drifting toward the Konoha shinobi.
"I take full responsibility for those I brought."
Nakano finally asserted his authority.
"Yes, sir."
The sentry captain respectfully bowed before arranging the other guards and leading the Konoha team toward the camp.
The Konoha team's arrival stirred up the Iwa camp briefly, but soon afterward, with Nakano leading the way, Nawaki and Minato met with Rōshi and Kitsuchi.
"We are grateful for Konoha's aid."
"I, Kitsuchi, will remember this favor."
Whether sincere or just polite words, the tone in Kitsuchi's voice seemed genuine.
"Oh?!!"
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He'd been picked on relentlessly by Nagato lately. His face was pale and lifeless.
"You're welcome. We're merely following orders."
Minato remained politely distant, his tone even.
"What a ridiculous old fool, doing such ridiculous things."
Behind Kitsuchi, Rōshi muttered discontentedly, looking filthy and disheveled.
"Rōshi!!!"
"How dare you question the Tsuchikage's decisions!"
Normally, Nakano wouldn't speak to Rōshi like that.
But after everything had been explained, Rōshi still held that attitude—it was infuriating.
After all, Nakano had almost died making that trip to Konoha for help.
"Let's see how he gets out of this."
Rōshi snorted coldly, no longer bothering to hide his contempt.
"Alright."
"There's no point arguing about right and wrong now. Our priority now is to defeat the Akatsuki as quickly as possible."
Kitsuchi stepped forward to mediate, trying to restore peace.
Nawaki and Minato stayed indifferent—they weren't the ones being scolded, after all.
"This is Senju Nawaki from Konoha, the younger brother of the current Hokage."
"And this is Minato Namikaze, disciple of Kawaki Hatake."
Nakano Daisuke calmed himself down and introduced Nawaki and Minato to Rōshi and Kitsuchi.
"I'm Kitsuchi of Iwagakure. My father is Ōnoki."
"I'm Rōshi of Iwagakure. I'm the Four-Tailed Jinchūriki."
Kitsuchi introduced himself without a hint of pride—the words he had spoken as mediator had already given away enough.
Rōshi knew they'd be fighting together anyway, so he saw no point in hiding his identity—so he revealed it plainly.
At Rōshi's introduction, both Nawaki and Minato were momentarily stunned.
Isn't this man the enemy of the Uchiha?
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