Chapter 19: I'll Be the Bait
Sometimes, good fortune arrives without warning—just like when Uchiha Kei first awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan. Back then, it had caught him completely off guard. And now, the same could be said of his current situation.
Thanks to a series of smart decisions and well-executed plans, Kei not only earned the approval of Minato Namikaze, but also secured a spot on his team. This wasn't just any team—it was the key to survival. Kei vividly remembered that iconic scene from the original story, where Kakashi stood alone in front of the collapsed Kannabi Bridge, his silhouette steeped in loneliness. He also remembered Minato arriving afterward, watching from afar. That moment had left a deep impression on Kei.
What that scene told him was crucial: in the end, Minato would personally join the mission, ensuring its success. With the future Fourth Hokage as part of the team, Kei felt a sense of safety that far surpassed anything Hyuga Ayaka or Imai Kenta could have imagined.
Of course, Minato's presence didn't mean complete safety. They would still encounter plenty of danger and trouble along the way. But now, Kei had been granted temporary command of the team—an invaluable advantage. With this role, he could make decisions that prioritized safety and efficiency, significantly increasing their chances of success.
More importantly, even without possessing one of Minato's marked kunai, Kei now had the "authority" to summon him into action. As a shinobi, Kakashi had no choice but to follow his orders. If he didn't, not even being the White Fang's son or Minato's student would save him from disciplinary action.
Why had Kei been given command in the first place? It didn't take long for him to figure it out.
Besides Minato's reason of "forming a complete team," it was likely a measure to keep Kakashi in check. Despite Minato's guidance, Kakashi's mental state was fragile—he could easily act out or disobey orders. Having Kei, a fellow Uchiha and someone who had saved both Kakashi and Rin, in charge might ease Kakashi's overwhelming sense of guilt and help stabilize him. With that mix of gratitude and Kei's status, Kakashi would be far less likely to resist.
And in fact, that's exactly what happened. Kakashi showed no signs of protest when the orders were given.
Their mission turned out to be just as Kei had predicted, which made both Hyuga Ayaka and Imai Kenta glance at him in awe. This guy had anticipated everything from the start, orchestrating it all so they would end up in the safest position. It was impressive… and honestly, a little scary.
If Kei had known what they were thinking, he might've quipped: Do you guys know who Demiurge is?
With Kei's team handling infiltration, Minato departed for the front lines, likely believing that his skills were needed more urgently there.
Kei took command of the squad without any adjustments—he was already familiar with everyone's capabilities. Kakashi's strength was undeniable. Rin specialized in medical ninjutsu, and although Kei didn't expect her to contribute much offensively, she was essential support. Kei assigned Imai Kenta to protect her. As much as Kei wanted to take that role himself, he knew he'd be needed on the front lines.
Kenta's taijutsu and sensory skills made him a solid choice. Still, Kei had a sinking feeling. Once the enemy realized they had a medic, Kenta might actually become the most targeted member of the team.
The five of them traveled swiftly through the forest, encountering their fair share of Iwa-nin. Fortunately, thanks to Ayaka's Byakugan, they always spotted the enemy from kilometers away. On top of that, the decoy squads led by Yamanaka Masato had been doing a phenomenal job, drawing attention away from Kei's group. As a result, they were having the smoothest infiltration experience since the mission began.
But after a few days, pressure started mounting.
Though Iwa didn't have large forces stationed in the rear, Ayaka's Byakugan revealed that nearly every possible route they could take was blocked. Worse still, even the seemingly open paths were riddled with traps.
Just one trap—an explosive tag hidden in a book—was enough to wipe them out a thousand times over.
"This isn't working…" Kei thought silently as he sat in a concealed cave, hiding from patrols. He hadn't expected the enemy's rear defense to be this tight. "Maybe our previous assault on the prison camp and the disappearance of a few squads tipped them off."
Hyuga Ayaka sat beside him, her voice calm. "So what now? While it's true their rear guard isn't large, from their chakra signatures, they're definitely not pushovers."
Kei gave her a side-eye. Thanks for the useful info, Captain Obvious. If they were pushovers, Konoha would've taken care of them already. They wouldn't be stuck in this mess.
With no better option, Kei realized they might have to go with a direct assault—something he had wanted to avoid at all costs. Who knew what had become of the decoy teams by now? They couldn't afford to wait around.
"Can you tell which unit they belong to?" Kei asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"You're joking, right?" Ayaka shot him a look like he'd grown a second head. "You'd be better off capturing one and interrogating them. Aren't you an Uchiha now? Use that Sharingan."
Before Kei could respond, Kakashi suddenly spoke up.
"Captain, I think we should head toward the area with fewer enemies."
Kei and Ayaka both frowned as soon as he spoke.
Kakashi's face was calm as ever. "I know it's likely a trap. If we show ourselves, we might draw out more Iwa-nin. But…"
"Then why suggest it?" Kei asked, puzzled. Has he lost it?
"Because I'll go alone," Kakashi said flatly, standing up. "I'll use a shadow clone. Just like you guys played decoy before—this time, I'll be the bait."