Chapter 43: The Final Battle (Part 2)
Uchiha Kei never thought this mission would be easy—not even for a second. Even though it might have seemed relatively simple in the original story, reality was a very different beast.
The Kannabi Bridge mission had long since deviated from its original course. With the front lines collapsing and chaos erupting in the rear, how could the Iwagakure forces possibly miss Konoha's movements?
Even in the original timeline, things couldn't have been as smooth as they looked. Just because the details weren't mentioned doesn't mean Kakashi and the others had it easy after that mission.
Uchiha Kei took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening. Since battle was inevitable, there was no need for further words.
"I'll draw the Five-Tails away for now," Namikaze Minato whispered. "Your opponents are the four ahead. Handle them carefully… and hold out until I return."
"Don't worry, Captain Minato." Kei's voice turned cold. "I might not be on your level, but I'm not that easy to take down either."
"Then I'm counting on you," Minato nodded.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he vanished—reappearing atop the Five-Tails in the blink of an eye.
A blue Rasengan spun fiercely in his hand. This time, he was faster than when he fought Han. So, he'd been holding back before.
Kei smirked at the sight. Of course Minato had another gear—this was the man who went toe-to-toe with both the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki and the future Fourth Raikage. If he had struggled with just Han, Kei might have wondered whether this was a fake Namikaze Minato.
Under Minato's assault, the Five-Tails immediately shifted its focus to him. Perhaps Han's earlier defeat left a strong impression, because the beast locked onto Minato with unwavering hostility.
Kei had briefly considered luring the Five-Tails to destroy the Kannabi Bridge, but quickly discarded the idea. It was too risky.
Not only was the relationship between Han and the Five-Tails unpredictable, but the fact that Kenta was stationed beneath the bridge made it a nonstarter. Minato would never agree to such a reckless move.
Except for the Land of Wind and its notoriously poor sealing techniques, most major nations had solid control over their jinchūriki. The Land of Lightning even had the Eight-Tails and its jinchūriki on friendly terms.
Turning his head, Kei's eyes grew cold as several Iwa-nin emerged from the shadows. His grip on the kunai tightened.
"You're not easy to shake off," he said calmly as they landed.
"You must be here for the Kannabi Bridge," one of the Iwa-nin sneered.
"That's right," Kei said coolly, scanning their faces. "I have to admit, you strays reacted faster than we expected. How does it feel to be chased all the way back to your last stronghold? Or should I say… how does it feel to know this bridge is about to cut off your lifeline?"
"Words are meaningless, Uchiha brat," one of the Iwa-nin spat. "Take a good look at the bridge. It'll be your grave. I will admit, though—you managed to force out the Five-Tails. Not bad."
"You'll find out soon enough how capable I really am," Kei raised his right hand, placing the black kunai in front of his face. "You've wasted enough time boasting. Let's see if you're any better than the guy named Gari. Oh, wait—he's dust now."
Their expressions twisted with barely concealed rage—they clearly knew Gari.
But Kei didn't care. As his chakra surged, the Iwa-nin instantly shifted into combat stance, locking their intense gazes on him. Dangerous foes, no doubt about that.
Kei's Sharingan scanned them. Four enemies. Their chakra levels were evenly matched—clearly experienced killers.
He remembered this squad—Ishimizu Hiiragi Squad. A nightmare for many Konoha ninja. They'd left a trail of corpses in their wake.
But Kei wasn't fazed. With Minato and the Five-Tails pulling farther away, he made his decision.
In a flash of speed, Kei launched forward, targeting the first Iwa-nin. His three-tomoe Sharingan glowed, unleashing a burst of chakra.
The enemy hesitated, his mind momentarily disoriented by the genjutsu. Kei struck without mercy.
Clang!
Just before Kei's kunai landed, a wall of earth rose in front of him, blocking the blow.
Peering through the wall with his Sharingan, Kei immediately noticed something chilling—at least ten explosive tags had been plastered to the back of that wall!
Reacting instantly, he kicked the wall with all his strength and leapt backward.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the area just seconds after he escaped. Perched on a tree branch, Kei coldly watched the scene below. These Iwa-nin played dirty—setting a trap like that?
If it weren't for his Sharingan seeing through the chakra forming the earth wall, he might've been blown apart on the spot.
But he didn't have time to linger. More kunai flew at him—each tied with more explosive tags.
"Careful, Takeda!" one of them warned. "He's an Uchiha—don't make eye contact. Flank him from the sides and behind!"
Kei dodged the projectiles. The four enemies closed in again, clearly better prepared this time.
Still, Kei's expression remained calm. He hadn't faced a four-on-one before, but that didn't mean he couldn't handle it.
And he had a trump card in mind. If things got out of hand…
"If I have to… I'll use that power," Kei thought grimly.
He sidestepped one attack and countered with a fierce kick. But before he could finish, he had to leap away again as another enemy charged from behind.
"I never wanted to rely on that ability…" he muttered, landing back on the ground.
"But even if I go blind—better that than dead."