Asuma and Shisui were exhausted.
Both of them specialized in close-quarters combat.
Compared to Kurenai Yuhi, their physical exertion and chakra usage were significantly higher.
Nearby, Kakashi glanced at them, then looked over at Obito and sighed.
"Oi, stupid Kakashi! What are you looking at? I fought plenty, alright?!"
"Humph."
Obito turned away, sulking.
He wasn't the type to overthink things, but in a direct fight, Obito never slacked. He often created openings through sheer tenacity.
However...
If it weren't for Rin and Kurenai backing him up with medical support and genjutsu, Obito would've been seriously injured several times already.
What's more, the coordination between himself and Obito was still clunky nowhere near the synergy shown by elite teams. Kakashi had put in the effort, actively cooperating with Obito on tactics.
So why did it still feel off?
That's what puzzled him.
"Sensei..."
Kurenai Yuhi braced herself and stood up, visibly winded.
Jingyi glanced at the captured enemy shinobi and waved a hand. "No need to push yourselves. Everyone, rest."
"Is the situation up front settled?"
Minato's shadow clone hadn't returned yet, so they had no updates from the vanguard.
"Almost. The rest's up to you."
"...?"
Minato blinked, sensing something amiss.
A second later, the air rippled.
His shadow clone appeared along with someone else.
Yahiko looked around in confusion.
The world spun briefly, and then he found himself surrounded by Konoha ninja. Blood hung in the air. In front of him stood jingyi ,calm and composed.
"What... kind of jutsu is this?"
Yahiko was shaken.
Real teleportation.
What startled him most was that Minato Namikaze's jutsu could bring others with him. As the leader of the Akatsuki, Yahiko knew how devastating such a technique could be on the battlefield.
This was a jutsu that could shift the tide of war.
Konoha... was terrifying.
He thought he understood Omura's strength through jingyi but now he saw he had underestimated them, especially Konoha.
Kakashi gripped his kunai tightly.
He recognized Yahiko's attire Ame-nin.
"My name is Yahiko. I'd like to speak, if that's alright."
Though these were young shinobi, their team leader was not.
Jingyi had already sensed their presence earlier.
With his chakra sensory abilities, he had already detected Konan and Nagato's positions. Before returning, he had deduced what Minato's clone was likely doing.
Minato had Jiraiya as a mentor, and jingyi was himself a renowned rising jōnin. This situation wasn't out of control.
And besides
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato had once been Jiraiya's students. If someone was going to bear responsibility for their actions, it wouldn't be jingyi.Why should he take the heat for something an outsider created?
That thought relaxed Jingyi.
No problem.
"Jōnin jingyi," Yahiko began hesitantly, "could you… repeat what you said earlier?"
Jingyi paused and glanced at his system interface. He'd already been rewarded for the earlier conversation he hadn't expected Yahiko to pursue it further.
Still?
He considered, then replied, "I'm from Konoha. My perspective is shaped by that. Instead of me giving you an answer, maybe it's better if you ask questions and seek the answer yourself. Think it through. You're older than Asuma, but sometimes, even more naïve."
Asuma flinched. "Huh?"
He glanced at Shisui, then at Kurenai.
Both nodded seriously.
Defeated, Asuma rubbed her nose and said nothing.
Yahiko took in jungyi's words thoughtfully, though still clearly unsure.
"I just don't know what to do…" he admitted.
"If peace were easy, the First or Second Hokage would've achieved it already. But think,why was the ninja world peaceful during the First Hokage's era?"
"Because he was overwhelmingly strong. No one dared start trouble."
Yahiko replied immediately.
The legend of Senju Hashirama was known throughout the ninja world.
Even Hanzo of the Salamander only dared call himself a demigod because the gap between him and Hashirama was still enormous. No one dared compare themselves to the God of Shinobi.
Though Yahiko wasn't from Konoha, he had immense respect for Hashirama.
"Exactly. If you want peace, you need strength. Not to bully, but to command respect. Only then will people even be willing to talk."
"Just like you and me, now."
Jingyi's words weren't just surface-level,he meant every one.
And Yahiko could feel it.
He nodded slowly.
Especially the part about strength it hit home. If Jingyi hadn't stopped Nagato single-handedly, they wouldn't even be talking right now.
"Sometimes, if one path doesn't work, try another that leads to the same destination. Detours can help you reach the goal more effectively."
"I understand now. Yahiko will never forget your guidance!"
Suddenly, Yahiko dropped to his knees and performed a deep bow.
Minato, beside him, was startled.
But now that he had reabsorbed his shadow clone, he knew the whole situation.
Jingyi's advice might have seemed simple, but it held deeper implications.
Minato had a sinking feeling
Would this lead to major changes in Yahiko's goals?
He couldn't tell if that was good… or dangerous.
"Minato-senpai, please don't worry," Yahiko said seriously. "I'll never do anything to shame our teacher."
He understood Minato's concern. After all, Konoha was a superpower. Any move Yahiko made could potentially threaten its interests.
Even Yahiko couldn't guarantee otherwise.
But he could promise never to betray Jiraiya's ideals.
In the distance, Kakashi and the others exchanged glances.
Wait, did Minato-sensei have some connection to this guy?
"To be honest," Jingyi said, "I don't know what you've understood. But you have many under your command wnd satisfying them all won't be easy. Go back and think on it."
He gestured to Asuma and the others.
"Time to move—"
"Hold on," Minato said. "jingyi, don't leave just yet. There are still pockets of bandits around. Team One won't be able to handle them all. Stay and help, would you?"
Seriously?
He'd finished his part and even picked up a reward along the way.
Now Minato wanted him to clean up the mess?
No escaping it now.
Jingyi sighed.
Minato smiled faintly, then turned to Yahiko. "I'll speak to Jiraiya-sensei about all this. I hope you understand."
"I do. Please send my regards to him."
Yahiko bowed once more.
"I will."