Inside the command tent.
Nara Shikaku kept his composure, but Commander Mimura Hamaki's expression was hard to read as his gaze fell on the young—no, practically childlike—Uchiha Kai.
Yes.
War or no war, Mimura was the appointed commander of the frontlines.
Unless a special order recalled him, he would remain here until his retirement five years from now.
Because of that, he rarely paid attention to the politics in the village.
Which meant—
He truly had no idea who Uchiha Kai was.
And so he couldn't understand it.
How could someone this young, practically a boy, have the qualifications to sit at this table and participate in war planning?
Minato, being young himself, didn't notice the subtle tension.
But Shikaku did.
He instantly read Mimura's doubts, and, smiling suddenly, he broke the silence.
"Kai-kun, I never expected this.
The last time I saw you, you were just a mere Genin.
And yet in such a short span of time, you not only awakened Mangekyo and became a Jounin—you even rose to the rank of Uchiha elder, and on top of that, the head of the Police Force.
Your talent is truly astonishing."
Shikaku's tone sounded like admiration, but in truth—
He was warning Mimura not to underestimate this youth because of his age.
Konoha's situation was precarious.
The last thing they needed was discord among the commanders at the front.
Minato frowned slightly.
Why the sudden flattery, right in the middle of discussing strategy?
But he wasn't stupid.
Catching Mimura's look, he realized instantly what Shikaku was doing.
"Yes, that's right," Minato said, nodding.
"Don't underestimate Kai-kun, Commander. He is the Uchiha clan's foremost expert."
Mimura blinked.
He hadn't expected Kai's background to be so impressive.
Then, understanding Shikaku and Minato's message, he gave a courteous smile.
"Kai-kun, welcome."
"Greetings, Commander Mimura," Kai replied easily with a smile.
As an old schemer himself, he saw straight through their posturing.
But he didn't care.
Mimura might hold the title of frontline commander and boast the rank of elite Jounin, but to Kai, he was nothing special.
His true enemies were the Hokage and Danzo.
The rest? Just background players.
So he played along, nothing more.
Minato seized the chance to redirect the meeting.
"Alright, now that we're acquainted—let's get to business.
Kai-kun and I are here to assist, but strategy should be set by Shikaku.
Go on, Shikaku."
Minato was straightforward.
Now that he was at the front, nothing else mattered—winning the war was the priority.
Shikaku gave a small cough, then gestured toward the map on the table, his tone turning grave.
"Everyone, look here.
Our primary target is to cut off Hidden Cloud Village's supply route.
After much deliberation, I've chosen this place: Kannabi Bridge.
If we can destroy it, Hidden Cloud won't be able to recover quickly.
With their supply line severed, their forces here will lose morale.
That will give us the chance to rally and drive them back into the Land of Grass.
But here lies the problem.
To reach Kannabi Bridge, we must break through Hidden Cloud's forward camp.
That requires a strike force led by top-class shinobi.
I was troubled by this… but with Minato-kun and Kai-kun's arrival, I can finally rest easy.
This mission cannot succeed without you two.
Of course—
To ensure success, both Minato's team and Kai-kun's old squad will participate.
I leave this mission in your hands."
His tone was solemn.
Minato, of course, agreed immediately.
To him, there was no hesitation—this was his duty.
But Kai's eyes narrowed.
So it really was the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.
The evidence was ironclad.
But his thoughts ran deeper.
Where was the village's hidden blade?
Destroying Kannabi Bridge… Minato alone could handle it.
Why drag him into it as well?
With Sarutobi and Danzo's style, they had to be plotting to use this chance to eliminate him.
But could they?
Just with these three thousand Cloud-Ninja?
Even if surrounded, he could fight his way out.
After all, Onoki and the other Hidden Cloud leaders weren't here.
The commanders were only elite Jounin—Magari, Tōshinin, and Suma.
Could those men really kill him?
Unlikely.
That was what puzzled Kai.
He knew the village meant him ill, but he couldn't yet see the shape of their killing move.
Still—
Though uneasy, he smiled and nodded.
"I have no problem.
I'll coordinate with Minato-nii and make sure the mission succeeds."
Shikaku smiled.
"Good. Then it's settled.
Shisui's squad is resting in camp, and Minato's team will return tonight.
It will take two days to recover. Then we strike."
With the business concluded, the group began casual talk.
Kai exchanged a few polite words, then excused himself to find Shisui's team.
After all, aside from Minato, he had no rapport with the others.
Shikaku was a sly old fox—clearly an enemy.
Mimura was Sarutobi's loyalist, otherwise he wouldn't hold his current post.
Why waste words with enemies?
Shikaku made no comment, instead sending a shinobi to guide Kai to Shisui's tent.
Minato, after a moment's thought, stayed behind and made small talk with Shikaku and Mimura, looking as if nothing was wrong.
But of course—
he wasn't foolish.
He kept his true thoughts tightly hidden.
He knew full well these two were not on his side.
—
Meanwhile,
Five minutes later, Kai arrived at Shisui's squad's camp under the escort of a Chunin.
"Kai-kun?
What are you doing on the frontlines?
The Hokage allowed this?"
The resting members of Shisui's squad leapt to greet him with smiles.
Shisui and Kazama, of course, were his closest allies.
Even Hyuga Aya, with whom his relationship had been distant, now looked at him with open gratitude.
Clearly, she had received the news.
That nightmare of hers—
the Hyuga clan head of the main family—
was dead.
And dead in the most miserable way imaginable.
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