Shinji gazed at the crimson Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye, a wave of complex emotions stirring within him.
"The Copy Ninja Kakashi officially makes his debut today."
His eyes shifted toward the cave entrance behind them.
"So, Rin and Obito are still inside."
He glanced once more at Kakashi, who was locked in fierce combat with Kōkō.
Kakashi already possessed Jonin-level strength, and now with the aid of the Sharingan, dealing with Kōkō shouldn't be a problem.
With a light tap of his toes, Shinji leaped several times and landed above the cave entrance that Kakashi had smashed through.
"Who's there?"
Nohara Rin's wary voice echoed from below.
The moment she recognized Shinji, the tears she had been holding back finally overflowed.
Shinji jumped down and immediately saw Obito, half of his body pinned beneath a massive boulder.
His heart grew heavy. "Obito, you…!"
To be honest, when Shinji had joined this mission, he had even considered trying to change something.
With his own abilities, combined with Obito and Kakashi's skills, they had nothing to fear from Ōishi and Kōkō.
With just a bit more vigilance, he could have seen through Ōishi's Camouflage Concealment Technique.
And with Asuma and Kurenai, even if they truly couldn't defeat the two Iwagakure Jonin, couldn't they at least retreat safely?
For Shinji, his own life was far more important than any mission.
But Shou's sudden appearance had instantly shattered all their plans and any hope of luck.
Rin staggered to her feet, grabbing Shinji's arm, her voice filled with near-desperate pleading:
"Shinji, please, save Obito!"
Seeing Rin on the verge of tears, Shinji finally let out a soft sigh and uttered an apology.
It was cruel, and it was helpless.
He looked at the heavy rock crushing Obito, his tone full of regret:
"My abilities… I can't save him without hurting him."
"I'm sorry, Rin."
Rin collapsed to her knees, burying her face in her hands. The sound of her quiet sobs echoed clearly in the confined space.
Obito coughed lightly, blood flecking the corner of his mouth. His face was frighteningly pale, yet he managed a weak chuckle.
"Heh! Never thought I'd see you one last time, Shinji. We're clanmates, after all… it's good to see you one last time."
"And… I'm sorry, Shinji. The favor I owe you… I'm afraid I won't be able to repay it!"
He was wracked by another violent coughing fit, his already pallid complexion growing even more ashen.
After a deafening clap of thunder, Kakashi leaped down from the cave entrance.
He had dealt with Kōkō.
But the moment he saw Obito's condition, his voice trembled uncontrollably:
"Obito!"
He immediately pressed both hands against the boulder, straining with all his might to push it away, but no matter how hard he tried, the massive rock didn't budge an inch.
"Obito, I will get you out of here."
Obito let out a feeble, low laugh, trying to dissuade him. "Don't waste your energy, Kakashi… I'm done for."
Kakashi slammed his fist against the rock, letting out a frustrated, low growl. "Damn it!"
Obito shifted slightly, then turned to Rin, who was still crying, and gently comforted her:
"Rin, don't cry."
"Don't ever forget me! And I don't want to keep being your little brother forever."
He let out a soft chuckle, recalling the comment Rin had made about him during their previous training match.
Obito wanted to say more, but a small pebble suddenly fell from above, clattering to the ground with a series of sharp clinks.
Like dominoes, the already precarious cave began to tremble violently once more, especially the ground beneath Obito, which cracked open with jagged, menacing fissures.
Sensing the cave was about to collapse completely, Obito urgently shouted:
"Kakashi, take Rin and go! You must protect her!"
"Obito!"
Kakashi murmured his name, trembling all over, unable to bring himself to look directly at the scene before him.
Rin was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Shinji hesitated no longer, forcefully pulling the two of them as he charged outward.
He glanced back, watching as Obito was gradually buried by the falling rubble, and a sharp glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.
"Was that White Zetsu just now?"
He wondered silently to himself.
From beginning to end, his Sharingan had remained active. At the very moment the cave collapsed, he had distinctly sensed an unusually eerie surge of chakra.
He knew very well that it was most likely White Zetsu's doing, as only he would come here at this time.
A while later.
Kakashi and Nohara Rin stood there, utterly devastated. Even when Shinji called their names, their reactions were sluggish.
He couldn't just tell them Obito wasn't actually dead—no one would believe him anyway.
Shinji spoke helplessly, "Let's go. Don't forget Asuma and Kurenai are still waiting for us. It's too dangerous here."
Kakashi and Rin exchanged a glance, silently nodding in agreement.
The three of them continued on their way, planning to reunite with Asuma and Kurenai first.
But they hadn't gone far before Shinji and Kakashi both halted simultaneously.
"Ambush!" they said in unison.
In the next moment, over twenty Iwagakure ninja emerged from all sides, wearing malicious smiles as they silently surrounded the trio.
Kakashi stepped forward, his spirits suddenly lifting as he declared firmly, "I promised Obito I would protect Rin."
He turned to Shinji. "Shinji, help me keep her safe."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he had already gathered Chidori in his right palm and charged straight ahead.
Shinji raised a hand to stop him, but it was too late.
He felt a headache coming on. Did they really have to fight so recklessly? Wouldn't a tactical retreat have been better?
Right now, Kakashi's mind was filled with Obito's death. Having witnessed his friend fall before his very eyes, his spirit had already suffered a severe blow.
Shinji turned to Rin, who wore a worried expression, and offered a reassuring smile.
"Rin, stay close to me. I'll protect you."
Rin nodded softly, gripping her kunai tightly. It was as if she had matured in an instant, her tone unusually resolute. "I'll fight too. I won't be a burden to either of you."
Most of the over twenty ninja who appeared were at Chunin level, with a few even being mere Genin.
Working together, the three of them eventually managed to defeat the entire group of ninja.
However, Kakashi had repeatedly used Chidori, pushing his body to its limits. After taking down the final enemy with Chidori, he could no longer hold on and collapsed straight to the ground.
Just then, space trembled slightly.
Minato appeared abruptly, accompanied by Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi.
Shinji breathed a sigh of relief in his heart: Big shot, you've finally returned.
He hurried forward. "Lord Minato!"
Minato gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield. He saw Kakashi unconscious, Rin looking dejected, but Obito was nowhere to be seen. An extremely ominous premonition instantly rose in his heart.
His voice tightened slightly. "Obito? Where is Obito?"
...
The silver moon hung high in the sky.
Nohara Rin stood alone on the open grassy field, her hands clasped behind her back, gazing up at the solitary moon on the horizon, lost in thought.
"Thinking about Obito?"
Rin's body stiffened slightly. She turned her head and saw Shinji walking over slowly, a flicker of surprise passing through her eyes. "Shinji, what are you doing here?"
Shinji smiled gently, his tone warm. "I was a bit worried about your state."
He pointed toward the direction of the tents. "Kakashi is fine. He just used up too much Chakra. He'll be okay after some rest."
Rin nodded lightly, forcing a faint smile. "That's good."
After speaking, she looked back at the moon, her eyes growing distant again, as if trying to see through that cold, full orb.
Shinji was silent for a moment, his voice softening further. "If you want to cry, just let it out. I can lend you my shoulder. Obito definitely wouldn't want to see you holding it in like this."
He reached out and gently patted Rin's back.
Rin slowly lowered her head, her slender shoulders beginning to tremble slightly. She sniffled and said quietly, "Shinji, could you turn around?"
Without another word, Shinji quietly turned his back to her.
The next second, a soft sensation gently pr
essed against his back.
Nohara Rin hugged him tightly from behind, burying her face deep into his back, her hands clenched tightly.
The sobs she had suppressed for so long finally began to sound softly in the quiet starry night, heartbreaking to hear.
"Shinji, is Obito really gone?"