"Kai, you're back?"
The scorching midday sun hung high in the sky when Uchiha Kai finally returned to the Konoha forward encampment. His gait was steady, though there was a trace of exhaustion in his eyes. Despite the fatigue, his spirit remained unshaken.
Word of his return traveled quickly, and it wasn't long before Minato Namikaze arrived with Kakashi Hatake, Kenta Imai, and Aya Hyuga by his side. Minato looked visibly relieved; Kakashi's expression was more reserved, burdened by recent memories. Aya kept her head down, still recovering, while Kenta maintained his ever-placid smile.
Kai gave a small nod. "Yeah, I'm back. There were complications, but I managed to clarify some things."
"I heard from Kakashi about what happened," Minato said, his voice low with regret. "Rin... it's a tragedy. I should've—"
"It's alright, Captain Minato," Kai interjected gently but firmly. He knew where Minato's guilt was headed. "Rin's death was an accident—no one could've predicted it. You had duties elsewhere. If anything, I should've reacted faster."
Kai's voice was calm, even. Though not one to bear unnecessary guilt, he understood that shouldering some of the responsibility could help ease tensions—especially with someone as empathetic as Minato and as guilt-ridden as Kakashi.
After all, casualties in war were inevitable. He had fulfilled the mission, and more importantly, brought back valuable intelligence. In the grand scheme of things, Konoha gained more than it lost—even if the cost was the life of Nohara Rin.
"Thank you, Kai," Minato said sincerely, though with a hint of lingering sorrow. "Were you able to confirm anything about the enemy's movements?"
"I did," Kai replied. "The Mist-nin aren't unified. There are at least two factions. One, likely rogue elements, seem intent on sabotaging peace talks between us and Iwagakure. They're dissatisfied with how the war's going and want to prolong the chaos."
"And the other?" Minato pressed.
"The other group appears to be loyal to the Fourth Mizukage," Kai continued. "I believe they were Anbu. Aya and Kenta can confirm—we encountered them together. I interrogated one, but burned the bodies afterward. Couldn't risk leaving any trace."
Minato nodded slowly. It matched the reports Aya and Kenta had already delivered. Though sending Kai to investigate alone had been risky, the intelligence he brought back was invaluable.
He recalled Kakashi's mention of scorched corpses found near the battlefield—clearly Kai's handiwork.
This boy... He's powerful, tactical. And yet still considered a minor figure in the Uchiha? Minato thought. Maybe the Sharingan really is that strong...
"Well, it sounds like the mission's complete," Minato said, a soft smile forming. "Take the day to rest. We return to the village tomorrow."
"Back to the village already?" Kai blinked, then chuckled. "I take it the negotiations went well?"
He was genuinely curious. Based on the intel he gathered from Loess of Iwagakure, this round of talks had to be different from how they originally unfolded in canon.
Minato's expression shifted to one of grateful amusement. "They went better than expected, thanks to your information. Ikeda Takeshi signed under pressure. Now it's just awaiting the Tsuchikage's approval."
Kai smirked. "So Ikeda's having a rough time, huh."
Aya and Kenta looked at Kai, curious about what kind of information could have shifted the tides of diplomacy so quickly.
Kai didn't elaborate, instead exchanging a knowing glance with Minato. He had no doubt that the Hokage-in-waiting made full use of the intelligence, subtly leveraging it to strike Iwa's morale. The mere idea that Konoha had intercepted and crushed internal resistance to peace—possibly through "rogue" Mist-nin—would have rattled the already war-weary Iwagakure.
In wartime politics, even a gentle man like Minato could strike hard. The future Yellow Flash might have looked kind, but the number of shinobi who fell to him said otherwise. Even Kakashi had earned the moniker "Cold-blooded Kakashi" in ANBU.
Kai glanced at the sky, amused at the thought. I wonder what nickname they'll give me one day...
"Gentle and wise Uchiha Kai?"
He scoffed internally. That didn't suit him at all.
Most who knew him would say cold.
Cold. Calculated. Ruthless.
To Obito, Aya, Kenta—even Loess—that was who he was. And maybe, that wasn't wrong.
"It's not easy for them," Minato sighed. "But it's better for us. Rest well—we head out at dawn."
"Yes, Captain," they all responded in unison, dispersing shortly after.
As Kai turned to leave, Minato held him back. "Kai, wait a moment. I need to speak with you. Sorry to interrupt your rest."
"No problem, Captain."
They walked a short distance until they were alone. Minato turned to face him, his tone more personal now.
"Thank you, Kai. Without you, the talks wouldn't have gone this smoothly."
"I thought we already covered that, Captain Minato," Kai said with a raised brow.
"That was me speaking as your superior," Minato said with a light chuckle. "This is me, privately. And not just about the mission. Kakashi… he's been through a lot. Thank you for being there."
Kai sighed. "We're collaborators, Captain. But more than that, Kakashi and Rin are my comrades—my friends. I'm sorry I couldn't protect them both."
Minato nodded quietly. Officially, he represented Konoha. Kai represented the Uchiha. But personally, they were just two shinobi trying to protect what they cared about.
"Rin was… impulsive," Minato admitted with regret. "She could've come to me. Or even Kushina. But she was too afraid, too loyal—and it cost her."
"Her loyalty to Konoha was real," Kai said. "It moved us all."
But deep inside, he knew the truth was far more complex. Rin never stood a chance. Madara's plan had been too precise, too cruel.