Chapter 186: Faked Death
The flank of the Land of Grass defense line.
With a sharp tug, Kitahara Kaede pulled out his kunai, watching as the last Iwa ninja collapsed, clutching his throat.
Expressionless, Kaede wiped and stored his weapon.
'Almost time.'
At the edge of the distant horizon...
BOOM!
A deafening roar shook the world. The earth beneath his feet trembled violently, sending birds scattering from the trees and dry leaves raining down in a flurry.
Kaede turned his head, looking toward the direction of Kannabi Bridge.
Their mission was complete.
Without a moment's hesitation, his figure vanished into the dense forest, racing at full speed toward the center of the explosion.
***
By the time Kitahara Kaede arrived at the scene, the battle had long since ended.
Kannabi Bridge had been blown apart in the middle, with massive boulders and twisted wooden beams strewn across both banks of the rushing river valley. What was once a vital supply route was now nothing more than a wreckage of ruins.
Minato Namikaze stood by the edge of the broken bridge. The warmth that usually defined his face had been replaced by deep self-reproach and exhaustion.
Kakashi stood behind him, his forehead protector now covering his left eye. His remaining right eye stared numbly at the ground.
Nohara Rin was crouched nearby, her head buried in her arms.
Kaede didn't say a word. He silently drew his kunai and stepped forward to assist Minato. Without speaking, the two worked in perfect synchronization to clear out any remaining Iwa stragglers in the vicinity.
***
Time passed.
A drizzling rain began to fall over Konoha.
The atmosphere in front of the Memorial Stone was oppressive. A crowd dressed in black, holding white chrysanthemums, filled the area.
Kakashi stood at the very front of the crowd, staring intently at the name that had just been carved into the stone.
[Uchiha Obito]
Nohara Rin gently placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums before the monument, tears mingling with the rain as they silently streamed down her cheeks.
Kitahara Kaede stood at the very back of the crowd. Separated from the others by a sea of figures, he watched the scene with a calm gaze.
***
In the high-level meeting room following the war, the atmosphere was even heavier than it had been at the Memorial Stone.
Faced with the staggering casualties and heavy losses brought about by the war, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took full responsibility. During the meeting, he announced his intention to resign from his position to the Daimyo.
The decision caught everyone off guard.
Immediately after, Hiruzen announced his choice for a successor.
For the position of the Fourth Hokage, he nominated Minato Namikaze.
Between turning the tide of the Battle of Kannabi Bridge and his distinguished record of clashing head-on with the A and B duo on the Kumogakure front, no one could oppose Minato's succession.
Kitahara Kaede sat at the far end of the meeting table. Due to his outstanding achievements at Mount Kikyo, against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, his status within the village had changed drastically.
***
At dusk, Kaede left the Hokage building and walked alone back toward his apartment.
As he passed through a secluded, dark alley, a raspy laugh suddenly echoed from the shadows.
Orochimaru slowly stepped out. He looked at Kitahara Kaede, his voice trembling with suppressed excitement.
"Kitahara-kun, I've thought it through."
"The direction you suggested... it's very interesting. I will begin the experiments."
Kaede looked at the man before him—an Orochimaru who, having found a new "truth," no longer harbored any desire for the title of Hokage.
His expression remained unchanged as he responded indifferently:
"Then I look forward to our cooperation, Lord Orochimaru."
"I will come to you when I have need of you."
The two passed each other.
***
Returning to his apartment, Kaede closed the door.
He didn't turn on the lights. He simply sat in the darkness, contemplating the coming events.
The Third Shinobi World War may have drawn to a close, but the real trouble was only just beginning.
Madara's "Three-Tails Plan," executed through Kirigakure, was about to launch.
In the original story, Rin would be kidnapped by the Hidden Mist, the Three-Tails would be sealed inside her, and she would become a walking time bomb. To prevent the Three-Tails from erupting within Konoha, she ultimately chose to throw herself onto Kakashi's Raikiri, sacrificing her life to protect the village.
Witnessing this scene caused Obito to fall completely into the abyss. His worldview collapsed, and from that moment on, he sought to create a world where Rin existed. It was only after confirming all of this that Madara felt secure enough to disconnect his life-support tubes and wait for the final realization of his plan.
Kaede faced a choice.
If he did nothing and let the plot unfold, Rin would die and Obito would turn completely dark. This was the safest path; he could continue to use his foresight to arrange his pieces.
But...
If he saved Rin, it would completely disrupt Madara's entire plan, and the consequences would become entirely unpredictable.
Therefore... he couldn't just save her.
A bold and meticulous plan formed in his mind.
He had to save Rin, but he had to make everyone *believe* she was dead.
Especially Obito.
Only if Obito witnessed Rin's "death" would he walk the predetermined path of darkness, allowing Madara's plan to continue moving forward. Once Madara was dead, Kaede could then use Rin to pull Obito back.
'A faked death.'
***
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village.
Inside a meeting room, several Kirigakure officials were coldly finalizing a top-secret operation.
"The Third Mizukage has just left; we must act now!"
"The target: a Konoha ninja, Nohara Rin."
"Dispatch elite ANBU to kidnap her, seal the power of the Three-Tails within her body, and then release her back to the village."
"She will be a... grand gift for Konoha."
In the corner, Terumi Mei kept her eyes lowered. But when the word "Konoha" reached her ears, she looked up.
Fragmented images flashed uncontrollably through her mind. A canyon, a duel... and a youth who had fallen into her arms, using his life to clear every obstacle in her path.
Kaede.
Recently, these vivid dreams had left her unable to distinguish between reality and illusion. Furthermore, the information she had received recently regarding Kitahara Kaede had thrown her heart into complete turmoil.
A Lightning Style spear... defeating the Seven Ninja Swordsmen single-handedly...
Could it be him?
Just then, an official at the head of the table spoke:
"For this operation, it would be best to have a powerful ninja accompany the delivery of the Konoha ninja back to their village to ensure nothing goes wrong."
An escort?
Does that mean there's a chance she would encounter Kitahara Kaede?
Terumi Mei made up her mind. Amidst the astonished gazes of those around her, she stood up.
"I'll go."
The official looked at Terumi Mei.
"Granted. Consider this your first mission as a Jonin."
Terumi Mei sat back down. She looked down at the map toward the Land of Fire, a single thought filling her mind.
This time, she had to go.
She had to confirm whether the "Kaede" of Konoha was truly the person from her dreams.
If he was... she would never allow anyone to harm him.