Kai Uchiha never thought this mission would be simple.
Even if it didn't appear too difficult in the original manga, reality was far harsher than the story portrayed.
By this point, the Kannabi Bridge operation had already begun to unravel. With the frontlines collapsing and things going awry behind them, how could the Iwa-nin possibly not detect Konoha's movements?
Even in the original timeline, things weren't as smooth as they seemed. Just because the manga didn't go into detail doesn't mean Kakashi and his team had it easy.
Kai Uchiha took a deep breath, his eyes sharpening with focus. Since battle was inevitable, there was no point in wasting words.
"I'll draw the Five-Tails away for now," said Minato Namikaze in a low, calm voice. "You have four enemies. Be careful. Hold out... until I return."
"Don't worry, Captain Minato," Kai said, his voice turning cool. "I might not be on your level, but I'm not that easy to deal with."
Minato nodded once. "Then... I leave it to you."
In the next instant, Minato vanished. When he reappeared, he was already above the Five-Tails, Rasengan spinning fiercely in hand. His speed now was even faster than when he took on Han earlier.
So he was holding back.
Kai watched the scene with narrowed eyes. After all, this was the man who would go toe-to-toe with both the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki and the future Fourth Raikage. If he'd struggled with just Han, Kai might've suspected he was facing a fake Namikaze Minato.
Under Minato's aggressive assault, the Five-Tails focused entirely on him. Perhaps Han still remembered the previous pain Minato inflicted—and now, the beast had locked onto him again.
Kai had briefly considered luring the Five-Tails toward the Kannabi Bridge himself. But he dismissed the thought just as quickly.
Not only was it unclear if Han and the Five-Tails could be separated like that, but Kenta Imai was still under the bridge laying explosive tags. Minato would never approve of risking his comrade's life like that.
"A man who's more likely to mess things up than help..."
Kai wouldn't stoop that low. He was the one who'd asked Kenta to plant the tags under the bridge. None of them had anticipated the Five-Tails showing up.
Sealing techniques in places like the Land of Wind might be sloppy, but other great nations—especially Kumogakure—had reliable fūinjutsu. The bond between Killer B and Gyūki was even said to be unusually close.
Kai's attention snapped back as a squad of Iwa-nin landed nearby. He gripped his kunai tightly.
"You're not very subtle," one of them sneered upon spotting him. "Looks like your target's the Kannabi Bridge."
"That's right," Kai said flatly, eyes cold. "I have to admit, your reaction speed isn't bad—for fleeing dogs. How does it feel to know that your lifeline, the Kannabi Bridge, is about to be severed?"
"Save the talk, Uchiha brat," the Iwa-nin growled. "That bridge will be your grave. Still… I'll give you credit. You forced out the Five-Tails. You've got guts."
"You'll see just how much," Kai replied. "This will be your grave. You're not leaving alive."
He raised his kunai, obscuring half his face. "You two have talked enough. Time to prove you deserve your arrogance. There was a guy named Kari who talked big, too. He's ash now."
At the mention of Kari, the Iwa-nin's expressions twisted. They clearly knew him.
But Kai didn't care. As his chakra surged and his Sharingan spun, the Iwa-nin took fighting stances, eyes burning with focused hatred.
Four enemies.
Through his Sharingan, Kai could see their chakra signatures—strong, evenly matched, and dangerous.
The Ishizuhira Squad. They were infamous for ambushing and eliminating Konoha teams. But Kai wasn't intimidated. With the Five-Tails and Minato drawing attention farther away, this was his moment.
In a flash of movement, Kai activated the Body Flicker Technique and lunged toward the closest Iwa-nin. His Sharingan flared, releasing a burst of chakra that threw the enemy off for just a second—enough for Kai to strike!
Clang!
His kunai was deflected by a sudden wall of earth. Kai's eyes widened—the wall was layered with at least ten explosive tags!
He immediately kicked off the wall and leapt back, chakra surging.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the forest. Kai landed on a tree branch, watching coldly.
They're playing dirty.
If not for his Sharingan detecting chakra through the wall, he might've been caught in that trap.
But there was no time to reflect. A volley of kunai—each strapped with more explosive tags—came hurtling at him.
"Takeda! Don't meet his eyes!" one Iwa-nin shouted. "Attack from the flanks!"
Kai dodged the kunai just as the four of them closed in again—now moving in sync, better coordinated.
He didn't panic. Four-on-one wasn't new for him.
If it comes to it... I'll use the Mangekyō.
He didn't want to—but better blind than dead.
He dodged one attacker and kicked him hard in the chest—then spun away as another Iwa-nin lunged from behind.
"Even if I lose my sight… I refuse to lose this fight."