The Third Hokage looked at Kurogane Ren and hesitated for a moment.
After all, Kurogane Ren was only a Special Jonin who specialized in sealing techniques. Even his usual missions were of that type, so small-scale sudden skirmishes like this typically had no need for sealing jutsu. That was why he hadn't been called along.
Even if he went as support, his contribution might not be significant.
However, the Third Hokage quickly made his decision. Kurogane Ren wasn't just skilled in sealing—he had also mastered advanced medical ninjutsu like the Mystical Palm Technique. Moreover, he had survived the most intense periods of both the Second and Third Shinobi Wars.
He had participated fully in the Second War and only withdrew from the Third after the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, when sealing techniques were no longer particularly useful on the battlefield. Coupled with his value as a researcher, his combat role had diminished, which was why he had been allowed to return to the village.
Still, anyone who had survived war had their own combat experience and understanding.
Even a rising talent like Kakashi Hatake might not be able to defeat him so easily.
"Alright, Ren. You'll go ahead as advance support. Your mission is to rescue Nohara Rin and safely bring back Kakashi Hatake. Reinforcements will follow. This mission is classified as—A-rank!" the Third Hokage said.
"Yes!" Kurogane Ren responded, immediately using the Body Flicker Technique to depart, following the signals left by the ANBU.
This time, he didn't need to conserve his limited chakra as he usually did. Chakra surged continuously beneath his feet, propelling him forward at high speed as he quickly overtook the pursuing ANBU and began searching ahead.
After surpassing them, he altered his direction, following the path indicated by his crows.
However, his speed slowed down at this point.
Because he didn't need to arrive too early.
Saving Nohara Rin held no benefit for him.
By now, Rin was likely already under a sealing technique—one placed directly on her heart. Even Obito Uchiha in the distant future had needed Kakashi to pierce her chest again to break it.
It was essentially an unsolvable seal. And at this moment, even if he went all out, he couldn't surpass Kakashi's speed.
Kakashi himself hadn't been able to stop Rin from becoming a human tailed-beast bomb. There was no way Kurogane Ren could do so unless he had intervened from the very beginning.
But that was impossible.
And arriving too early carried its own risk. What if he ran into Obito? If Obito hadn't left yet and decided to silence him, things would get troublesome.
Kurogane Ren advanced at an unhurried pace. He only needed to arrive before Rin completely died.
...
Elsewhere, Kakashi Hatake had already caught up with the Mist ninja and used shuriken to kill the one carrying Rin.
At that moment, crackling lightning gathered in Kakashi's right hand, chirping like a thousand birds.
Strangely, the Mist ninja made no attempt to recapture Rin, which left Kakashi confused.
Then, Rin seemed to say something to him.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Rin smiled at him gently… and then charged forward, aiming her heart directly at the lightning-wrapped Chidori.
Blood filled his vision.
Kakashi stared in horror at Rin before him.
Had he… just killed her?
"I'm sorry, Kakashi."
As her consciousness faded, Rin spoke her final words. She knew about Kakashi's fragile mental state, knew that dying by his hand would carve yet another deep wound into his already shattered heart.
But she had no other choice.
The seal prevented her from harming herself, and the Three-Tails sealed within her was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
The Mist ninja would never kill her.
So this was the only option she could think of.
Even if it was unbearably cruel to Kakashi.
Kakashi stood there, as if all strength had left his body. He couldn't even hold Rin up. He watched as she collapsed, blood pouring from her chest, while he swayed as if he might fall at any moment.
Behind the Mist ninja, a figure suddenly burst through the grass.
It was Obito Uchiha, his face half-destroyed.
The moment he broke through, he froze.
He didn't know what had happened.
All he saw was Kakashi's hand, wrapped in his self-created technique, piercing through Rin's heart.
In that instant, both Kakashi and Obito's eyes widened.
Their shared pair of two-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly. A third tomoe formed instantly… but the transformation didn't stop.
The pattern twisted and evolved—
Until it became a Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kakashi, having awakened the Mangekyō, finally collapsed, falling beside Rin.
Obito stood there, his mind blank.
For a moment, it felt like what he saw wasn't real.
Then, before he even realized it, his body had already moved.
He charged forward.
Toward the Mist ninja.
Slaughter erupted.
He unleashed everything he had, even drawing upon the power of the White Zetsu fused with him, releasing Wood Style that tore enemies apart in an instant, shredding them into countless pieces as blood drenched the ground.
When it was over, Obito staggered toward Rin.
His steps were unsteady, as though he might collapse at any moment.
Finally, he reached her.
He looked down at her body, lying in a pool of blood.
His eyes had lost all light.
…This must be hell.
That was the only thought left in his mind.
Time passed—though he no longer felt it.
Suddenly, the White Zetsu on his body spoke.
"Obito, there are Konoha ninja approaching! We need to leave!"
At those words, the Mangekyō Sharingan in Obito's eye rotated once more. His expression remained empty as he looked toward the direction they were coming from.
Again… too late?
What was the point of arriving late like this?
"Obito, let's go! We don't know how many are coming!" White Zetsu urged anxiously.
"…Okay."
Obito withdrew his gaze, giving Rin one final look.
He didn't even know how he left.
In a daze, he found himself back in the cave, standing before the aged Uchiha Madara.
Madara, observing through Black Zetsu, curled his lips into a faint, unseen smile.
Yes… this was perfect.
Only such despair could be controlled.
The plan was proceeding flawlessly.