Chapter 161 — Temporary Alliance, Rookie Team
In the camp's resting area, two figures—one tall, one small—stood facing each other.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Minato was beginning to wonder if he had truly gone too far with his request.
Just then—
"Alright. No problem."
Taichi's calm voice broke the silence.
"If it's not possible, then forget it. I was being too—"
Minato stopped mid-sentence.
He blinked, as if unsure he had heard correctly.
"Taichi… what did you just say?"
Taichi didn't hesitate this time.
"I said it's fine."
"Let Kakashi and the others follow my team."
"As it happens, we're heading out on a mission tomorrow. They can come along."
Minato stared at him for a moment before breaking into a relieved laugh.
"Haha! Good junior brother, I owe you one!"
The burden that had been weighing on him for days finally lifted.
He had genuinely been worried that he might ruin those three children's future.
But now everything would be fine.
With Taichi guiding them, their growth would only accelerate.
After all, Minato knew Taichi better than most.
Ninjutsu, medical ninjutsu, sealing techniques—
There was practically nothing Taichi couldn't do.
Even in terms of bloodline abilities, his squad already had an Uchiha member.
For Kakashi and the others to join Taichi's team—even temporarily—was almost the perfect arrangement.
---
When Kakashi, Obito, and Rin learned they would be joining Taichi's team for missions, their reactions were very different.
Obito exploded with excitement.
He practically jumped three feet into the air and grabbed Rin, spinning her around.
Clearly, being stuck in camp for days had been driving him crazy.
Kakashi, on the other hand, remained calm.
Over the past two days he had been discussing Lightning Release techniques with Saori and had learned quite a bit.
Besides, he wasn't like Obito—a rookie still excited by every mission.
Even without assignments, Kakashi could always train on his own.
As for Rin, her days had been the most fulfilling of all.
Working in the medical camp had taught her countless practical skills.
Honestly, she hadn't been eager to leave.
But since the mission would be alongside Taichi's team—
She knew she could learn even more.
So she happily agreed.
With Minato's team having no objections, and Taichi's squad equally unconcerned, the temporary merger of the two teams was officially settled.
---
While the squad members chatted and laughed together nearby, Taichi quietly turned to Minato.
"Senior Brother… are you heading out on another solo mission?"
Minato glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before replying softly.
"Sensei's plan has already progressed to this stage."
"In a few days, the camp will likely begin withdrawing."
"During that time, the frontline must hold."
"If the retreat turns into a rout… the situation will become completely different."
Taichi nodded slowly.
"In that case, you should be careful, Senior Brother."
"Sunagakure will definitely send out their elite squads to hunt you."
"You're operating deep inside enemy territory. The risk has increased significantly."
Minato simply nodded.
Of course he knew that.
But he had the Flying Thunder God Technique.
His survival rate was much higher than most.
If he couldn't win a fight, escaping was always an option.
Others weren't so fortunate.
But this was war.
And in war—
People died.
Ordinary shinobi could die.
Even elite shinobi might have to sacrifice themselves when necessary.
---
Early the next morning, Taichi's team received another order from the commander.
But this time, they weren't being sent deep into Sunagakure territory.
Their assignment was simply to patrol Konoha-controlled areas.
Clearly, Minato had already spoken with Jiraiya and explained the situation of Taichi's team.
As a result, the squad that would normally be assigned high-risk missions was temporarily reassigned to a safer one.
Taichi had no complaints.
Connections and favors existed everywhere.
Besides—
He didn't believe patrol duty inside Konoha territory would necessarily be peaceful.
---
The morning light was just beginning to spread across the forest.
Six figures quietly departed from the Konoha camp and entered the dense woods of the Land of Rivers.
The temporary squad—
Taichi, Yōhei, Saori,
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—
Moved silently beneath the towering trees.
Their mission had begun.
Taichi walked at the rear of the formation.
Watching Obito and Rin ahead—both clearly excited—he immediately began assigning positions.
"Kakashi, Obito, Rin—you three will act as the vanguard. Scout ahead and clear the path. Kakashi will serve as temporary team leader."
"Saori, take the left flank. Yōhei, the right. Maintain twenty meters of separation and provide observation and cover."
"I'll stay at the rear and oversee the formation."
Then he added with deliberate emphasis:
"Unless you're facing a life-or-death situation, any enemy squads or traps you encounter are for the three of you to handle yourselves."
He turned toward Yōhei and Saori.
"Unless the front team calls for support or a high-level opponent appears, you are not to interfere."
"This is their real battlefield training."
Kakashi frowned slightly but nodded.
Obito, however, pumped his fist excitedly.
"Leave it to us, Taichi! Just watch!"
Rin took a deep breath and nodded firmly as well.
Seeing the optimism of his two teammates, Kakashi's frown deepened.
Unlike them, he was no rookie.
He knew very well how cruel and dangerous the battlefield could be.
With their current mindset, they were bound to suffer for it sooner or later.
"Obito, Rin—this is your first time on a battlefield."
"Be careful about everything."
"Especially watch your footing. Traps are extremely common during patrol missions."
But some people simply refused to learn until reality slapped them in the face.
---
The formation spread out.
Six figures moved swiftly through the forest.
Morning sunlight pierced through the gaps in the canopy, casting slanted beams of gold onto the ground.
At first the forest had been peaceful—only birds and insects.
But the rookies quickly shattered that calm.
What should have been a quiet patrol soon turned chaotic.
"Stop."
Kakashi suddenly called out in a low voice, studying the slightly disturbed ground ahead.
But Obito was still caught up in his excitement.
He failed to notice the irregularities—and failed to respond to Kakashi's warning.
A soft click sounded.
The trap was triggered.
Several sharp kunai shot downward from the treetops with whistling speed.
"Watch out!"
Kakashi reacted instantly.
He shoved Rin aside and drew his blade.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
His short sword deflected the rain of kunai with barely a margin to spare.
Only then did Obito jump back.
Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
He glanced at Rin, who had just scrambled up from the ground.
His face turned red with shame.
"Obito!" Kakashi scolded sharply.
"Trap detection is the first priority during patrol."
"Are you trying to get everyone killed?"
Obito didn't argue.
He simply lowered his head.
No one noticed that his fingernails had dug deeply into his palms.
This lesson had struck him harder than anyone realized.
---
The patrol continued.
After the scare, everyone became far more cautious.
Their speed dropped by nearly half.
Taichi, however, offered no reminders.
There was a saying:
People rarely learn from words.
But when experience teaches them—one lesson is enough.
Sure enough, the previously reckless Obito was now extremely careful.
Perhaps a bit too careful.
---
About an hour later, the constant tension began wearing on Rin.
As the weakest member of the group, her mental stamina was already fading.
Suddenly, the shadow of a tree ahead shifted.
Her exhausted nerves snapped tight.
"Movement!"
Before confirming the target, Rin instinctively formed hand seals.
"Water Release — Wild Water Wave!"
A surge of water burst forward, sweeping through the trees.
Birds exploded into the air in panic.
Something hidden behind a tree was flushed out—
A small wild boar.
Everyone froze.
Then they let out a collective sigh of relief.
Kakashi pressed his fingers against his temple.
"Rin… don't panic."
"Confirm the target before attacking."
Rin nodded weakly.
Her chakra reserves were already limited.
The sudden water technique—combined with hours of tension—had drained her badly.
Her face had turned pale.
---
Hidden not far away, Taichi had sensed the disturbance as well.
His chakra perception had detected nothing unusual.
Yet Rin had suddenly launched a jutsu.
Even he had been startled, briefly wondering if his own sensing had failed.
But then—
He noticed something else.
From another direction, a squad was rapidly approaching.
They had clearly been drawn by Rin's Water Release.
Taichi remained silent.
He simply observed as the two groups closed in.
This was also a test for Kakashi's team.
---
Meanwhile, Kakashi's group continued moving.
They were more cautious than before, but Obito and Rin still made occasional rookie mistakes.
This was normal.
That was why new genin usually spent months on low-rank missions first.
Unfortunately, war had forced these rookies onto the battlefield almost immediately.
A tragedy in itself.
---
Soon enough, the inevitable happened.
Just as Kakashi was correcting Rin's latest mistake—
They ran straight into the approaching squad.
Both sides froze.
Kakashi's group hadn't expected to encounter enemies so suddenly.
The opposing squad hadn't expected Konoha shinobi to be this reckless—charging forward after making such a loud disturbance.
But overall, the Sand ninja were more experienced.
They reacted first.
One ninja unleashed a barrage of projectiles to distract them.
Another stepped back to form hand seals.
Two others rushed forward for close-quarters combat.
A textbook coordinated attack.
By contrast—
Kakashi's team fell apart.
Obito froze, unsure whether to attack or defend.
Rin instinctively retreated, throwing shuriken for support.
Fortunately, Kakashi was there.
While running forward, he casually knocked aside the incoming kunai.
Lightning crackled in his right hand.
"Chidori!"
His speed exploded.
In a flash, he pierced the chest of the fastest Sand ninja.
Without stopping, he used the momentum to dash past another melee opponent and charge straight toward the two ninjas in the rear.
The enemy jutsu was ready.
"Wind Release — Wind Cutter!"
Blades of wind sliced toward him.
But Kakashi moved with uncanny precision.
He twisted, sidestepped, and shifted his body with minimal motion, narrowly evading every attack.
Within seconds he reached them.
His short blade lashed out in a deadly arc, forcing both Sand ninja into defensive panic.
---
Meanwhile—
Behind him, Obito and Rin were in serious trouble.
The melee Sand ninja ignored Kakashi and instead rushed toward them.
Only then did Obito finally react.
More accurately—
He had no choice but to react.
The enemy was already upon him.
Embarrassment flooded his mind.
His face burned red as he charged forward with a kunai.
The two clashed immediately.
But Obito was a complete novice.
His opponent was a seasoned battlefield veteran.
If Rin had been able to assist properly, they might have managed together.
Instead—
Rin could only watch helplessly.
---
From the right flank, Yōhei observed everything with his Sharingan.
His expression darkened.
This fight was a disaster.
There was no coordination.
They even got in each other's way.
And the biggest problem—
Was his troublesome cousin.
If this continued, Yōhei was certain of the outcome.
Kakashi might escape alone.
Obito and Rin would likely die here.
---
Just as Obito was about to lose—
A lightning-charged kunai flashed across the battlefield.
Clang!
It struck the Sand ninja's weapon.
Electricity surged through the enemy's body, paralyzing him instantly.
In the next moment—
Yōhei appeared beside them in a blur.
His kunai sliced cleanly across the enemy's throat.
At the same time, Saori joined the battle.
Seeing their intervention, Kakashi's tense expression finally relaxed.
Now fully focused, he quickly finished off the remaining enemies.
---
Only then did Taichi step out from behind a tree.
He surveyed the corpses on the ground.
Then looked at Kakashi's exhausted trio.
He shook his head slowly.
"How embarrassing."
"A special jōnin leading two genin… almost wiped out by two chūnin and two genin."
The three lowered their heads in shame.
Obito looked like he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Taichi pointed at Kakashi first.
"You ignored your teammates and focused solely on killing the enemy."
"Those who understand might say you were trying to eliminate threats quickly."
"But others might think you were using your teammates as expendable bait."
Then he pointed at Obito.
"You."
"Reckless. Impulsive. No self-awareness."
"You fought without any sense of control."
"You were completely useless."
Finally he looked at Rin.
He hesitated.
In the end, he said nothing.
Rin simply lacked the strength—and had been stuck with two foolish teammates.
"Remember every mistake you made today."
"This time, we were here to save you."
"But on a real battlefield, any one of those mistakes would have gotten you—or your teammates—killed several times over."
Seeing the shame written across their faces, Taichi didn't continue.
"Clean up the battlefield."
"We'll rest for thirty minutes."
"Use that time to think carefully about what you did wrong."
The three exchanged glances.
Their earlier excitement had vanished completely.
In its place was only heaviness—and shame.
This first lesson of the battlefield hadn't cost them their lives.
But it was more than enough to carve the lesson deep into their bones.