Chapter 41 - Konoha's Supply Delivery
The moon hung high in the sky, casting pale silver light over the battlefield. Under its glow, four figures emerged from the darkness, their movements swift and precise as they approached the entrance of the Konoha encampment.
The guards stationed at the gates had already been informed of their arrival, but they remained vigilant.
"State the passphrase," one of the guards called out. "The bright moon before my window..."
The leading figure, his golden hair catching the faint moonlight, answered without hesitation.
"Two pairs of shoes upon the ground."
With those words, the guards immediately stepped aside.
"Namikaze Minato!" One of the gatekeepers let out a surprised breath as the identity of the newcomers became clear.
Behind Minato stood three familiar figures: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin.
A veteran Konoha Jōnin, Getsu, stepped forward in greeting. His lips curled into a smile upon recognizing the blond shinobi.
"Jōnin Minato, it's been a long time! I never expected our next meeting would be here, on the battlefield," Getsu said, his voice carrying both warmth and surprise. "Considering how short-handed the village is, I'm a little shocked that the Hokage sent you all the way out here to deliver supplies."
Minato returned the greeting with his usual easygoing smile. His presence had a natural way of putting people at ease.
"It really has been a while," he said with a chuckle. "If I remember correctly, the last time we met was back in the village, when you took your squad to Ichiraku for ramen. Who would've thought our next reunion would be in a war zone?"
Getsu sighed. "Yeah… war has a way of doing that." He quickly composed himself and motioned toward the camp. "Come on, Minato. Lord Orochimaru has been expecting you at the command center."
The group followed Getsu into the heart of the encampment, passing rows of tents where Konoha shinobi rested, prepared weapons, or maintained their gear. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood, steel, and the lingering tension of war.
—
Inside the command tent, Orochimaru sat at the head of a large table, his piercing golden eyes scanning over reports. Flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across his sharp features.
Minato stepped forward, offering a respectful bow before producing a sealed scroll.
"Lord Orochimaru, it's been a while," Minato greeted. "This is the supply inventory, assigned to me directly by Lord Hokage. Please review it."
Orochimaru took the scroll, his gaze lingering on Minato for a brief moment before he unsealed it.
His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.
Ever since his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi had soured, Orochimaru had harbored a growing suspicion that he would never be chosen as the next Hokage.
Among Konoha's legendary shinobi, only three truly had the credentials: Tsunade, Jiraiya, and himself.
Tsunade's fear of blood and her reckless gambling habits made her an unlikely choice. Jiraiya, despite his strength, had no interest in leadership, too absorbed in his pursuit of literature and personal wanderings.
That left only Minato.
A shinobi without deep political ties, an easy figure for Sarutobi to control. Backed by Jiraiya, in a relationship with a jinchūriki, and possessing undeniable skill—Minato was the perfect candidate.
More importantly, Minato had a natural charisma that made him beloved by nearly everyone he met. Even Orochimaru had to admit, it was difficult to resent someone with such a sincere, warm presence.
Sending Minato to the battlefield now was likely part of Sarutobi's larger plan—to further bolster his reputation among Konoha's forces. A move so transparent, yet unavoidable.
Orochimaru, however, had his own reasons for confidence.
Despite Konoha's victories, they remained at a disadvantage in numbers. Iwagakure still held the strategic upper hand.
Did people truly believe Iwagakure had deployed their full might?
Onoki, the Tsuchikage, had yet to move. The dreaded East Deadman was still absent. Akatsuchi, the Four-Tails jinchūriki Rōshi, and the Five-Tails jinchūriki Han had not yet set foot on the battlefield.
For now, only Kitsuchi and his forces had engaged.
And yet, despite these overwhelming odds, Orochimaru was no longer concerned.
Because now, he had Kazane.
The battlefield reports detailing his strength should have already reached the Hokage by now, no doubt delivering quite the shock.
—
Minato remained ever composed as he spoke. "Lord Hokage has also assigned my squad to reinforce the front lines. We were instructed to follow your command once we arrived."
"Having you here will certainly be of great help," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "Iwagakure's main forces are expected to arrive within the next two days. Until then, I suggest you and your squad familiarize yourselves with the camp's layout and defensive positions."
Minato nodded. "Understood."
Orochimaru's gaze briefly flickered toward Kakashi. A thought crossed his mind, and after a moment of consideration, he gave a new order.
"Jōnin Getsu," he said, "arrange accommodations for Minato's squad near Kazane's tent. Kakashi and Kazane are blood brothers—this will give them a chance to catch up."
Getsu responded without hesitation. "Understood."
Minato smiled. "I'm sure they'll be happy to see each other again. Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll take our leave."
With that, Minato and his team followed Getsu out of the command tent.
As they neared Kazane's tent, excitement stirred within the group.
"Minato-sensei, let's go see Kazane!" Obito grinned. "Without me around to protect him, he must be terrified out here on the battlefield!"
Thwack!
"Ow!"
A sharp chop landed on the back of Obito's head, courtesy of Kakashi.
"You wanna fight, Kakashi?!" Obito shot back, rubbing his head.
"...Idiot."
Kakashi barely glanced at him before walking ahead.
"Hey! I was talking to you!" Obito huffed, chasing after him.
Minato and Rin exchanged amused glances. Some things never changed.
Before long, they spotted a lone figure sitting beneath a large tree, bathed in the soft glow of the moon.
Kazane, his back resting against the trunk, gazed at the night sky with an air of quiet contemplation. His presence, still and unwavering, carried a strange gravity.
As Kakashi and Obito drew closer, they heard him mutter under his breath.
"If the heavens had not birthed me, Hatake Kazane… the ninja world would have been lost in eternal darkness."
Silence followed.
Obito, who had been grinning moments ago, now stood utterly speechless. His mind struggled to process what he had just heard.
"...Wow. That's… incredible," he murmured, completely in awe.
Kakashi, on the other hand, was already palming his forehead. Secondhand embarrassment seeped into his bones.
Why was Kazane like this?
Meanwhile, Obito was still enraptured, his admiration soaring to new heights.
He even started imagining himself striking the same pose, gazing at the moon, and dramatically uttering those very words the next time he met Hyūga Enko.
Yes. That would definitely impress her.
Kakashi exhaled sharply.
Obito was an idiot.
And Kazane… Kazane was Kazane.