Chapter 4

"Good, Tetsu is really magnanimous." Suimen smiled slightly and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

He glanced at Tobi again, sighing, people can be so envious of each other.

Tetsu Uesugi wasn't magnanimous; he just saw Tobi as a little kid with some twisted values, and he had no intention of competing with him.

Besides, he wasn't really a medical ninja, so why waste words?

After this, Yamanaka Rin and Tobi no longer argued, but they both sulked silently, ignoring each other.

Kakashi, on the other hand, didn't say a word from start to finish.

Tetsu Uesugi found it hard to imagine that this was the future perverted uncle who would always hold "Make-Out Paradise" and use the Body Technique Secret: Thousand Years of Death.

"Well, Tetsu just arrived, he must be tired. Let him rest well, we'll go back first."

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit stiff, Suimen immediately decided to take Kakashi and the others away.

Yamanaka Rin waved and smiled, "See you later, Tetsu."

Tobi: "Hmph."

Kakashi: "…"

"See you later." Tetsu Uesugi also smiled and waved, then said to Suimen, "Teacher Suimen, if there's a combat mission, just let me know."

"Alright, rest well." Suimen smiled and left with Kakashi and the others.

After they left, Tetsu Uesugi didn't say a word and lay down on the bed.

Forget about being a great demon, a fuse, or the Sixth Hokage, he needed to sleep first.

...

The next morning, Tetsu Uesugi woke up leisurely.

Golden sunlight shone on the ground in front of the tent. Looking up, the camp outside was bustling with activity, with Konoha ninjas in green armor coming and going.

Tetsu Uesugi stretched and felt his energy and spirit restored after a full day of sleep.

He got out of bed, put on his shoes, and walked to the basin, washing his face with clear water. The warmth of the sun and the coolness of the water made him feel refreshed and invigorated.

Tetsu Uesugi left the tent and walked towards Suimen's tent, looking around. There were many ninjas he didn't recognize.

When he reached Suimen's tent, Tetsu Uesugi was about to go in, but saw Kakashi come out, still expressionless.

Of course, with his mask on, even if he had any expression, Tetsu Uesugi couldn't see it.

Kakashi passed by Tetsu Uesugi without stopping, his eyes never looking at him.

Well, that saved the trouble of greeting.

Tetsu Uesugi, puzzled, walked into the tent and saw Suimen sighing deeply.

"Captain Suimen, Uesugi Tetsu reporting for duty!" Tetsu Uesugi said solemnly.

"It's Tetsu, good. I have a mission for you." Suimen turned around and smiled.

"What mission?" Tetsu Uesugi asked.

Suimen replied, "The Hokage has decided to capture the large city of Yama in the southwestern border of the Grass Country. The attack is planned for three days from now. You will join Tobi and Rin in the battle, led by me."

Tetsu Uesugi nodded thoughtfully but suddenly remembered something. Suimen didn't mention Kakashi.

He pondered silently but didn't ask.

Suimen gave some more instructions and then had to go to a meeting. Tetsu Uesugi didn't say much and left Suimen's tent.

At this moment, everyone in the Konoha camp was in a hurry, their faces serious.

War was imminent.

...

Three days later.

Grass Country, the border of the large city of Yama.

Tetsu Uesugi was hiding in the grass, with Uchiha Tobi, Yamanaka Rin, and Minato Namikaze beside him.

"Hey, why are you here?" Tobi frowned and looked at Tetsu Uesugi, "Where's Kakashi?"

He had been practicing and wanted to challenge Kakashi, but didn't expect Kakashi to be replaced by this annoying guy, Tetsu Uesugi.

Although he disliked Kakashi, he didn't want to miss this rare chance to beat him.

Of course, this was just his wishful thinking.

At this moment, Uchiha Tobi hadn't awakened his Sharingan and was just a useless kid.

"Kakashi-senpai…" Tetsu Uesugi glanced at Suimen, who was looking ahead with a serious expression, focused on the enemy's movements, and said, "He's injured, so I'm filling in for him."

At this, Tetsu Uesugi suddenly remembered the encounter with Kakashi outside Suimen's tent three days ago.

No wonder he looked so unfriendly and had a sour face; it was because Suimen had used Kakashi's injury as an excuse to let Tetsu Uesugi take his place.

This mission had nothing to do with Kakashi.

For the competitive and young Kakashi, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow, and it was no wonder he didn't give Tetsu Uesugi a good face.

"Tch, you?" Tobi sneered, "You're not a combat ninja, what use are you? Even if you were a medical ninja, we already have Rin."

Rin, who was standing nearby, frowned and looked at Tobi, her tone disapproving.

"It's true…" Tobi muttered reluctantly, not wanting to conflict with Rin.

Rin looked at Tetsu Uesugi with concern, seeing that his expression didn't change, and she sighed in relief.

Thankfully, Tetsu Uesugi didn't mind what Tobi said, otherwise the situation would have become extremely awkward. Rin really couldn't understand why Tobi had such a strong animosity towards Tetsu Uesugi.

"Movement!"

At this moment, Suimen suddenly said in a serious tone.

Tetsu Uesugi's eyes became alert, quickly noticing the unusual movement nearby.

Tobi, no longer mocking Tetsu Uesugi, focused his attention on the front.

Not long after, four figures appeared from the dense forest, rushing towards them.

"Prepare for battle!" Suimen said sternly.

A rustling sound was heard, and Tetsu Uesugi, Tobi, and Rin were ready, their kunai tightly gripped.

Although they were only around ten years old, they had experienced war and their combat awareness wasn't bad.

"They're here…" Suimen's eyes narrowed.

The four figures were now within a few yards of Tetsu Uesugi and the others, each wearing the forehead protector of the Hidden Rock Village and dressed in the village's earth-colored ninja armor.

The leader looked a bit older, and the other three were adults in their early twenties.

This lineup wasn't something a single jōnin and three genin could easily handle. If it were another Konoha team, they might not act rashly.

But their jōnin leader was Minato Namikaze.

This wasn't a situation to be judged by normal standards.