Fu returned to the village. She was the military strength of the village. Even if the ninjas in Longyin Village were not strong, wandering ninjas or those from great ninja villages could not plunder it easily.
Great ninja villages could not interfere in the politics, military, or development of other villages. This was the ninja world's rule. They could influence but not control.
This was how small ninja villages survived. They acted as buffer zones between great ninja villages. Without small ninja villages, wars between great ninja villages would erupt directly, leaving no room for peace between great countries.
During the Second Ninja World War, great countries fought, but small ninja villages, like the Land of Rain, suffered the flames of war.
Minato finished his arrangements. He took out several Flying Thunder God Kunai and handed them to the group. "Take these kunai. I will find you after I handle things here."
Minato pulled a scroll from his ninja pouch and gave it to Kakashi. "This psychic scroll activates with chakra. I will arrive as fast as I can."
Minato created several shadow clones. They transformed into the group and followed the original route.
Kakashi watched Minato walk away. He checked the new route again.
"Let's go. We cannot slow Minato-sensei down. We must get Fu back fast," Kakashi said. He waved his hand, and the group vanished instantly.
Rin put Fu, who was in her arms, onto her back. "Fu, hold on tight. Want to feel the wind with me?"
"Okay!" Fu said happily, resting on Rin's back.
By the river, figures darted between trees at high speed.
The sun slanted westward.
Kakashi, Dosuke, and the others stopped before a towering rock wall.
Kakashi pulled out a map. "This rock wall marks Longyin Village."
"Wow, how do we climb this?" Obito shouted, staring at the steep cliff.
"Obito, have you and Rin learned tree climbing?" Dosuke asked, touching the rock wall. It was rough, good for climbing with chakra.
"I can, but I am not steady," Obito said, scratching his head under Dosuke's gaze.
"I am fine, but my chakra might not last," Rin replied.
Dosuke thought for a moment. "I will carry Fu and Obito. Kakashi, you take Rin."
Kakashi nodded. "Let's move. If you cannot keep up, say so. Dosuke and I will help."
Dosuke took the sleeping Fu from Rin's back. He pulled clothes from his backpack, wrapped Fu to his chest, and secured her. He formed a water film over his chest, shaping it like a vest.
"Dousuke, is that the ninjutsu that blocked my attack during the ranking match?" Kakashi asked, pointing at the water film.
"Yes, but it is not perfect yet," Dosuke said.
"She can sleep through this? What a carefree kid," Dosuke said, smiling as he touched Fu's face. She was grinding her teeth in her sleep.
"Minato-sensei said Takigakure's sealing technique is flawed. Fu gets attacked by Nanao's chakra, so she is always sleepy. She is too young to be a Jinchuriki," Rin said. She took a rope from her ninja pouch and tied it around her waist.
Dosuke and Kakashi glanced at each other. Obito and Rin were ready.
"Let's go!" they shouted.
Chakra coated their feet. They ran up the cliff.
Halfway up, Obito's chakra vanished from his left foot. He lost balance and fell.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" Obito screamed, plummeting.
Rin slowed down, wanting to look back.
"Rin, don't look back. Keep running," Kakashi said firmly. "Dosuke's got him. Trust him."
* My team... I can trust them, * Kakashi thought, his heart steady.
Rin nodded. Her feet sped up, rushing upward.
Dosuke heard Obito's scream and paused. He spat a thin stream of water from his mouth. It stretched downward, wrapping around Obito's ankle.
"Phew, I am saved," Obito gasped, relieved.
"Relax, Obito. Hold on," Dosuke called, controlling the water stream.
Obito exhaled, grabbed the water stream, and steadied himself. He stepped onto the cliff and walked up to Dosuke.
"Okay, let's go," Dosuke said, dispersing the water. He nodded to Obito.
Kakashi glanced at them from above, relieved they were safe.
The rest of the climb went smoothly. They reached the top.
"Rest here," Kakashi said, looking at Rin and Obito, who collapsed, exhausted.
Kakashi walked to Dosuke, who was scanning the area. "Need a break?"
Dosuke waved him off. "No, I know my limits."
Dosuke's chakra control was precise, better than the others. He used every bit of chakra carefully, wasting none.
After resting, Obito and Rin recovered.
Obito looked at Dosuke and Kakashi, who were studying the terrain. "No surprise they tied for first in our class."
"You are doing great, Obito," Rin said, smiling sweetly.
Obito grinned, lost in a silly fantasy.
Kakashi interrupted. "Dosuke and I found a safe path down. Let's go."
They got up and headed down the mountain.
Kakashi and Dosuke led the way. The descent was smooth.
They walked along a field path. Waterfalls flowed everywhere, their streams forming ponds of different sizes. Ditches carried water to the fields. Insects chirped in the quiet night.
"Kakashi, how do we find Takigakure's ninjas?" Dosuke asked.
Sending Nanao's Jinchuriki back was their goal, but entering the village uninvited was an invasion.
"I don't have a plan yet. We will figure it out as we go," Kakashi said, spreading his hands helplessly.