The next day, at the entrance of Konoha Village, Minato Namikaze stood waiting with Zoro and Rin, as if expecting soone.
"Obito, you're late again! We're over here!"
Dressed in a green shinobi uniform, the young Minato raised a hand and waved.
"Sorry, Minato-sensei, I overslept."
Seeing the three already waiting for him, Obito Uchiha scratched his head, looking apologetic.
"It's fine. Just don't let your guard down during the mission."
Minato didn't scold him much. Instead, he began explaining the details of their assignnt.
"This mission is to escort the prince of the Land of Iron."
"A prince?"
Obito was visibly startled. He hadn't expected to co into contact with royalty.
"The Land of Iron and our Land of Fire have always maintained an alliance. This mission isn't just about diplomacy—it also reflects our village's capability in protection. Stay focused at all tis."
Minato didn't elaborate further, but the seriousness on his face made the importance of the mission clear.
If anything were to happen to the prince, relations between the two nations would likely plumt to freezing point.
And naturally, other villages wouldn't pass up such an opportunity to weaken Konoha.
"Your Highness, we may depart now."
The prince of the Land of Iron gave a cold snort before stepping into the carriage, clearly dissatisfied after being kept waiting.
Minato smiled awkwardly, then leapt lightly onto the front of the carriage and guided it forward toward the Land of Iron.
Zoro and the others took up positions around the carriage, keeping constant watch on their surroundings.
Obito stayed at the rear, while Zoro and Rin guarded the flanks.
As they traveled, escorting the prince, they soon entered a dense forest.
The trees here were unusually tall. Aside from a narrow dirt road cutting through the middle, everything else was thick vegetation.
The grass reached waist height—perfect terrain for an ambush.
From the other side of the carriage, Zoro noticed that Rin Nohara seed about to approach Obito to comfort him.
Zoro imdiately moved ahead of her, deliberately falling a few steps back to walk beside Obito.
"Obito, don't be so down. Minato-sensei won't mind."
"Really?"
Obito looked surprised. It was the first ti he had felt kindness from soone other than Rin.
After all, if his forr teammate Kakashi Hatake were here, he'd definitely be mocking him instead.
"Of course. Didn't Minato-sensei say he wasn't blaming you? Just focus and do your part in this mission."
Zoro smiled brightly, his easygoing deanor making Obito's eyes redden slightly.
"Thank you, Zoro. I'll complete the mission properly!"
Obito spoke firmly, suppressing the emotion in his chest.
"Do your best. I believe in you."
Zoro casually patted his shoulder. If one didn't know better, they might think Zoro was the older one.
"Wait—!! Enemies!"
Not long after, Minato's expression changed instantly. Acting without hesitation, he threw several kunai, knocking away the shuriken aid at the horses.
"As expected of a Konoha jōnin… your strength is not to be underestimated."
Cold, gloomy voices echoed from the surrounding treetops, as if enemies lurked in every direction.
"Don't act rashly. Protect the carriage. If enemies attempt a sneak attack, use explosive tags—I'll co to support you."
Minato tossed several kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique around the carriage—then vanished instantly.
Rather than passively defend against ambushes, it was better to strike first.
The best defense was often offense.
"Zoro, what should we do?"
Even though he had expected enemy ninjas, Obito still instinctively asked Zoro.
"Follow Minato-sensei's orders. You two stay by the carriage."
"Eh? The two of us?"
"Zoro-kun… what are you planning? We should listen to Minato-sensei."
Rin seed to realize his intent, her voice quickening with concern.
"It's fine. I know my limits. Don't forget to use the explosive tags."
Zoro smiled lightly at the two of them. He wasn't about to pass up such a perfect opportunity for real combat.
True strength was forged in life-and-death battles. Zoro understood this deeply. A hundred million sword swings had already solidified his resolve to grow stronger.
"Zoro-kun!!"
Rin tried to stop him, but before she could finish, Zoro had already disappeared from the other side of the carriage.
Suppressing her worry, Rin took out explosive tags from her dical kit and remained alert.
anwhile, Zoro leapt onto a thick tree branch, scanning his surroundings.
There was no need for him to search actively—his enemies would inevitably co for the prince.
Sure enough, before long, he spotted three adult ninjas in the distance.
Judging by their forehead protectors, they were from Kumogakure.
Kumogakure—the village ruled by the Raikage. If he rembered correctly, the Third Shinobi World War had been initiated by them.
Tensions between Konoha and Kumogakure had been escalating since the ti of the Tobirama Senju.
If mory served, the Gold and Silver Brothers were responsible for Tobirama's death.
No wonder the Raikage targeted Konoha.
Strike first, or be struck.
"Damn it, what the hell is that guy? So fast—it's like he's flashing around!"
One of the Kumogakure ninjas clutched his injured arm, his face pale as if he had seen a ghost.
Minato's title, the "Yellow Flash," hadn't yet spread across the shinobi world—it would only beco famous during the full outbreak of the war.
But soon enough, their village would probably adopt a new rule:
If you see the Yellow Flash—run.
Of course… that was assuming they survived.
"Luckily, we prepared a poison mist trap. It should hold him off for a while. Let's take out the target now."
Another ninja spoke quickly. Watching dozens of elite shinobi fall in an instant had left his spine chilled.
"Hey… don't get too confident."
Just as they approached the carriage's vicinity, a cold voice stopped them.
Leaning casually against a tree, Zoro drew their attention.
The three Kumogakure ninjas turned toward him.
A boy stood there—young, unmistakably so. A black bandana wrapped around his head, a dark coat draped over his fra, and at his waist hung three swords—impossible to ignore.
"A brat?"
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