Chapter 19: Scolding Namikaze Minato
At dawn, outside the Konoha outpost on the border of the Land of Grass.
Over five thousand Iwagakure prisoners were confined within a temporarily erected barrier.
When Ōnoki's figure appeared on the horizon, the captives erupted in commotion, hope igniting in their eyes.
"Third Tsuchikage-sama… he's here!"
"He's come… to save us!"
"Third Tsuchikage-sama… he really wouldn't abandon us!"
Cheers rose one after another. Though defeated and captured, these Iwagakure ninjas' morale had not completely shattered.
They believed their leader would find a way to bring them home.
But hope arrived quickly—and vanished even faster.
Ōnoki entered the central command tent. Less than half an hour later, he emerged with a grim face, immediately activated Light-Weight Rock Technique, and flew away without even glancing toward the prisoner camp.
"Third Tsuchikage… abandoned us?"
"Three hundred billion ryō… even Tsuchikage-sama couldn't come up with it?"
"We… were treated as disposable pawns…"
Despair spread like plague. Some pounded on the barrier; others cursed under their breath; most collapsed to the ground, eyes vacant.
The unrest escalated. The Konoha ninjas guarding them gripped their kunai tightly. Word quickly reached the central tent.
An Uchiha ninja knelt on one knee: "Clan Head Fugaku, unrest has broken out in the prisoner camp. They seem to believe Ōnoki has abandoned them."
Uchiha Fugaku was reviewing the armistice agreement details. He spoke calmly: "Sanpō, go handle this."
"Understood."
Minutes later, Uchiha Sanpō arrived at the prisoner camp.
He stood with arms crossed and cleared his throat: "Iwagakure comrades! Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki just went to the Land of Earth to request war reparations from the daimyo. By noon, three hundred billion ryō will be delivered in full. Once that happens, you will all be allowed to return safely."
Murmurs rippled through the barrier.
"Liar! How could negotiations end that fast? Three hundred billion ryō—not three hundred million! How could the daimyo hand that over so easily?"
"Evil Uchiha… you must be playing some trick again!"
"They won't even give us breakfast… are they planning to starve us to death?"
Hearing the accusations, Uchiha Sanpō's smile didn't falter.
He had anticipated this reaction. After more than a year of war and accumulated blood feuds, how could a few words easily resolve everything?
Raising his voice solemnly, he declared: "This war has lasted over a year. Both sides have suffered losses and grievances—that's only natural. But please face reality… right now, it is we of Konoha… who have defeated Iwagakure Village."
Some Iwagakure ninjas shouted defiantly: "Haha~ Has Konoha run out of people? Sending a baby-faced kid like you!"
Uchiha Sanpō showed no anger. He shifted his tone: "The fact that you've survived this long in the war proves you are no ordinary shinobi. We Uchiha have always respected the strong. Even though you are prisoners now, we have not subjected you to mistreatment or humiliation. Because we know… this defeat… is not your responsibility as frontline warriors!"
He paused deliberately, letting the words sink in like a spinning shuriken striking the captives' most vulnerable spot.
Seeing many expressions soften, he pressed further: "If Iwagakure had not killed the Third Raikage three days ago, the Fourth Raikage would not have declared war on you. If not for the pressure of fighting on two fronts, you would not have risked a desperate assault on our outpost last night—and you would not have fallen into our ambush."
Uchiha Sanpō raised his right hand and spoke passionately: "In fact… based on the Third Raikage's death… we of Konoha had already predicted… that you would launch a sneak attack last night. So this defeat was inevitable—a failure of high-level decision-making. It has nothing to do with the bravery of you frontline soldiers."
The atmosphere inside the barrier subtly shifted.
Captives whispered among themselves; many showed expressions of relief. Yes—they had fought bloody battles until now. How could they suddenly collapse? It must have been a mistake by the higher-ups…
Uchiha Sanpō inwardly sneered. He had prepared this rhetoric long ago.
In his previous life, when games were lost, people often blamed teammates.
It worked just as well in the Naruto world.
Seeing the unrest gradually calm, Uchiha Sanpō nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
But from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of three familiar figures heading toward the central tent.
"Namikaze Minato, Kakashi, Nohara Rin—what are they doing here?"
Namikaze Minato bowed deeply and apologized earnestly: "Clan Head Fugaku, regarding Obito… I'm truly sorry… I failed to take care of him."
Behind him, Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin also bowed… especially Rin, whose eyes were red and swollen—she had clearly been crying.
Uchiha Fugaku, long accustomed to life and death on the battlefield, spoke coldly: "On the battlefield, life and death are fated. Minato-kun… there's no need for self-blame… it was Obito's fate."
Namikaze Minato raised his head, his blue eyes filled with guilt: "But… if I had dealt with the enemy faster… if the plan had been more thorough…"
Hearing these words, Uchiha Sanpō strode into the tent and sneered: "Namikaze Minato, drop the act! You're the overall commander of the eastern front—you've fought the Fourth Raikage so many times. Are you really telling me you didn't know his personality?"
Namikaze Minato froze: "Sanpō-kun, what do you mean by that?"
"Iwagakure killed the Third Raikage—the Fourth Raikage would inevitably seek revenge and declare war on Iwagakure. So Iwagakure redeployed forces to the Land of Waterfalls border to defend against Kumo. In that situation, the Shinobazu Bridge mission had zero benefit for Konoha! You knew this and still carried it out—weren't you just trying to steal credit from us Uchiha to pave your way to becoming the Fourth Hokage?!"
Hearing the accusation laid bare, the tent fell deathly silent.
Hatake Kakashi's eyes widened; his breathing quickened.
He remembered Obito's dying words, that stupid, always-late idiot's final brilliant smile… and now… it had all just been political theater?
"Is what you're saying… true?" Nohara Rin covered her mouth, tears streaming down: "No… Obito… he…"
Namikaze Minato's face turned deathly pale: "Sanpō-kun, you've misunderstood… I never thought that way…"
Uchiha Sanpō pressed relentlessly: "The war has lasted over a year—Konoha's supplies are already tight. If Iwagakure really planned to transport supplies through Shinobazu Bridge, you would have received a mission to seize those supplies—not destroy a bridge!"
"To cooperate with your show, they sent Mimura Hamaki-jōnin with 100 civilian ninjas to garrison near the Land of Waterfalls border. And Hiruzen Sarutobi gave you the Shinobazu Bridge mission as a solo operation. Yet you brought three students along—they slowed you down, causing the 100 ninjas meant to support your performance to die in vain—96 of them."
Namikaze Minato staggered back, face ashen: "I… I didn't know the truth… really!"
Uchiha Sanpō showed no mercy: "Iwagakure excels at Earth Release—they could rebuild a bridge in under a minute. Ninjas can leap through trees and run on water—what's the point of blowing up a bridge? Such a clumsy excuse—don't you think it's laughable?"
Uchiha Fugaku stood up, eyes sweeping over everyone: "Enough! The war isn't fully over yet. Internal disputes are meaningless right now."
Uchiha Sanpō reluctantly stepped back but still glared fiercely at Namikaze Minato.
Uchiha Fugaku walked to Minato and spoke calmly: "Obito died for Konoha. The Uchiha take pride in him. I believe you didn't intend this…"
Namikaze Minato bowed deeply and led his two dazed students out of the tent.
Uchiha Sanpō muttered indignantly: "Clan Head, you're too lenient! That Namikaze Minato clearly—"
Uchiha Fugaku cut him off: "Sanpō. Remember—a true strong one doesn't need to prove himself by blaming others."
Outside the tent, Kakashi remained in shock.
He followed Minato mechanically, Uchiha Sanpō's words echoing in his mind.
If the Shinobazu Bridge mission… had truly been meaningless… then what had Obito's sacrifice been?
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