Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 444: Accident

"You've worked hard these past few days, Minato."

Inside the tent, Kitsuchi poured tea for Minato, while Rōshi, who rarely smiled, had a faint grin on his face.

Over the past few days of battle, the three of them had managed to work together and successfully hold off Nagato.

"It was a team effort."

"I wouldn't dare take the credit."

Minato waved it off, his smile contagious.

"Don't be so modest. You're stronger than us."

Rōshi was a straightforward man, and he spoke bluntly.

"Not really, I'm just benefiting from my secret technique."

Minato remained humble, and the atmosphere in the tent was peaceful.

"My father also brought good news. Konoha's Nawaki has been completely suppressing the Kumo duo, A and B."

"He said the tide of victory in the next battle is shifting in our favor."

"This is the best news I've heard in a while."

Kitsuchi's honest smile reflected his joy.

Thankfully, Ōnoki didn't have the nerve to mention that Nawaki had extorted him—otherwise, Kitsuchi probably wouldn't be laughing.

"He has that kind of strength," Minato praised.

That look of pride on his face practically said: You don't need to tell me, I already know my brother is amazing.

"Konoha really is overflowing with talent. We Iwa-nin still have a long way to go."

If anyone was envious, it was Kitsuchi.

He knew that Minato and Nawaki were just the rising stars of Konoha's younger generation. There were still elite shinobi from the previous generation, like Kakashi, who had yet to even step into battle.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that no other village in the ninja world could compare to Konoha at this point.

"We'll work hard together."

Minato wasn't sure how to respond and just gave a polite reply.

You Iwa-nin still want to develop?

Keep dreaming!!!

"The blitz tactics we've been using have been quite successful so far," Kitsuchi continued.

"But Akatsuki has become more cautious lately. Let's take a few days to rest before making our next move."

"What do you guys think?"

Despite their conversation, their priority was still their mission. Kitsuchi was the first to voice his thoughts.

"I have no objections."

Minato didn't mind either way. As long as he played his part well, whether they fought daily or every three days made no difference to him.

"Agreed."

Rōshi nodded in approval.

"Then let's rest for a few days. Once my father recovers, the pressure on us will ease up."

To Kitsuchi, things were finally starting to turn in their favor.

He was convinced that it wouldn't be long before the war in the Land of Earth came to an end.

"When the time comes, we'll make Akatsuki pay for invading us."

Minato spoke with conviction, not even a hint of hesitation.

"Haha! That goes without saying."

Kitsuchi was clearly in a good mood. The three of them continued chatting late into the night.

...

After a few days of peace in camp, the battle resumed.

From any perspective, passive defense had never been Nagato's style.

This time, Akatsuki had finally located the Iwa-nin's hiding place.

At dawn, their subordinates rushed in to wake them.

Akatsuki forces were already approaching, and several sentries had been eliminated.

Upon hearing the news, Kitsuchi and Minato immediately gathered their troops to prepare for battle.

"You activate your secret technique first—we'll hold off Nagato."

Rōshi urged Minato to quickly enter Sage Mode. By now, they were completely reliant on it.

"Understood."

Minato acted decisively and began forming seals.

By the time he fully entered Sage Mode, Nagato had already appeared in his line of sight.

The ninjas in front of him barely lasted a second.

"Go!"

Minato flung a special kunai and vanished in an instant.

Rōshi and Kitsuchi followed immediately, and the three of them once again engaged Nagato in battle.

...

"Be careful out there."

Before Obito charged forward, Rin reminded him. As a medical-nin, she wouldn't be fighting on the frontlines.

"Got it."

Obito turned back with a grin, eyes squinting shut, before dashing off toward the enemy alongside his teammates.

"You and Rin have been getting close lately!"

Asuma's tone carried a hint of envy. His gaze drifted toward Kurenai, who stood beside Kakashi, and for a moment, a wave of disappointment hit him.

Guess I never had a chance.

"Heh, it's nothing."

Obito scratched his head shyly. His friends had been teasing him about Rin a lot lately—he was starting to get used to it.

"Go for it. I'm rooting for you two."

Asuma adjusted his mood and shot Obito a playful wink.

"Thanks."

Obito responded generously, wondering if it was time for him to confess his feelings to Rin.

You can't always wait for the girl to make the first move, right?

As they exchanged a few words, the battlefield erupted into chaos.

Ever since learning that Nonō was Nagato's fiancée, Kakashi had been fixated on her.

Fighting ordinary Akatsuki members didn't interest him—but sparring with Nonō at least posed a challenge.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

Kakashi mouthed the words with mock respect, but his blade showed no mercy.

Lightning crackled along his sword as he delivered a ruthless thrust, the glare nearly blinding Nonō.

"How cheeky."

Nonō smiled gently, but her chakra scalpel sliced against the side of Kakashi's blade, effortlessly parrying his attack.

"Watch out!"

Kurenai struck from the side, delivering a powerful, sweeping kick.

"Decent technique, but lacking power."

Nonō lifted her knee to block, unimpressed by the force behind the strike.

Against most shinobi, Kurenai's taijutsu was formidable—but that was all.

At the end of the day, she wasn't suited for close combat.

"Who are you looking down on?"

Kurenai huffed in frustration. After all, her taijutsu teacher was Might Duy.

Still, she knew better than to stubbornly force a losing fight. She backed off and shifted to supporting Kakashi, waiting for an opportunity to use genjutsu.

The three of them exchanged attacks in a dazzling display, each move countering the other.

Elsewhere, their teammates fought hard, each trying to make their mark on the battlefield.

Obito, mindful of Rin's warning, fought with more restraint, prioritizing his own safety.

But just as he defeated a few Akatsuki members, three more surrounded him.

At first, he didn't think much of it.

Then, as the battle dragged on, he realized something was off.

Their movements were a little stiff, but their attacks were brutal—clearly aiming to kill him.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Obito growled, barely dodging a fatal strike. A deep gash opened across his chest, and blood soaked his shirt.

"How naive."

In the shadows, Zetsu smirked mockingly.

The three controlled Akatsuki shinobi didn't respond. Seeing Obito wounded, they only pressed the attack harder.

At this point, Obito couldn't afford to hold back anymore.

Even with his Sharingan, he was struggling.

But his luck ran out fast. His opponents didn't care about their own lives.

Their suicidal attacks left him completely overwhelmed.

After taking down two of them, Obito could barely stay on his feet.

He collapsed to one knee, his Sharingan flickering out.

He tried to stand, but his legs refused to move.

Watching the enemy close in, a bitter thought crossed his mind.

So this is how it ends...

"Rin, I never got to tell you..."

"I like you..."

His whisper barely left his lips before pain exploded through his body.

The world faded.

"Mission complete."

As Obito collapsed, the last Akatsuki attacker delivered the final blow.

In the distance, Zetsu vanished into the ground.