Kakashi Hatake POV
I was trying to push away the argument I'd had with the Uchiha a few minutes ago and not think about Rin's situation after being captured, but that completely failed when I felt the wound on my arm start throbbing, forcing me to stop.
Nohara's words of concern for me hours earlier, telling me not to push myself because of my injury… what Obito told me about all the times Rin had healed us when we got hurt… along with Minato-sensei's words…
I want… to save Rin, I thought. But by doing that, I…
The memories I had of my father came to my mind, and I closed my eyes. The words of the villagers and their looks, everything directed at me because of the decision he had made…
– Stop it!
Those scolding words echoed in my mind. And the owner of the voice who said them to me was Amaya.
That was… at the Hanami Festival, I remembered. She told me that because I'd said the same thing to her, for always giving up on saying and doing what she wanted because of others…
– You should know I couldn't just stand by when someone important to me is going through the same thing I went through…
Once again her words came to my mind. Even though the context was different, they seemed to apply to other moments too. Even on missions, Amaya always made her stance toward her teammates clear…
The day that stood out most in my memory about that was when I went with her and Shisui to the lab where she was created. From start to finish, she prioritized our safety, always putting herself aside for us, even though her goal at the time was to investigate that place.
And this time another question came to my mind, but this one wasn't from Amaya or from long ago it was from Obito, just minutes before.
– Are you serious? Do you really believe that?!
I told him yes, but…, I thought and clenched my hands.
Unlike the moment Obito asked me that, it wasn't a memory of my father that came to me, but of Amaya.
I hadn't told the redhead or anyone else about it, but after she lost consciousness from the fight with one of her creators, a terrible feeling hit me.
That feeling… from leaving her behind without even trying to argue when she asked me and the weasel guy in the maze to abandon her and run. After that, in a way, I tried to make up for it by staying by her side until she woke up…
I didn't abandon the mission, but I felt awful for not doing it…, I admitted to myself. The thought of letting her die in that moment by following her order ate me up inside.
– To continue with the mission, useful tools are essential for a ninja. Emotions are useless.
This time my own words came back to me, and I let out a weak, completely humorless laugh. What a huge idiot…, I thought. How could I say that to Obito when I don't even follow it myself?
I brought my hand to my neck, pulling out from under my shirt the necklace I wore. A white tomoe—half of the same symbol Amaya carried.
How could a necklace be useful to a ninja?, I pondered rhetorically, and squeezed the pendant in my hand. Especially when seeing it makes me happy? It reminds me of Amaya and everything we've been through these years, how much we've grown together…
– When are you gonna stop making me better, you weirdo? – I asked aloud and felt a faint smile form on my lips, then tucked my necklace back under my shirt and stood up again.
Amaya Uzumaki POV
– Renji-san! Hiroki-san! – I shouted to the two Anbu advancing with me against the enemy squad in that area.
– Yes, ma'am! – The two replied in unison, already forming hand signs for their jutsu.
– Wind Style: Breakthrough! – Renji used his first, followed seconds later by Hiroki.
– Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
The fiery curtain hit the earthen walls raised by our Iwa opponents. But as I knew, that wasn't enough to destroy them.
– Hayato-san! – I called for the third member of the squad who was acting offensively.
– Water Style: Wild Water Wave! – Hayato didn't waste time, and I did the same, joining him with my own jutsu.
– Lightning Style: Electric Discharge!
The first attack by Renji and Hiroki was just to occupy the enemies, while the real strike would come from me and Hayato.
Since water was a natural conductor, using Lightning Style alongside it would maximize the power of my jutsu. And lightning is the only chakra nature strong against earth…
The enemy's defenses fell as planned, and Renji and Hiroki finished off the Iwa ninja who weren't caught by the electric current that destroyed the earth walls.
My chest rose and fell rapidly. I'd been fighting for hours since the previous day, moving from one place to another constantly to support the Anbu under my command and help our fellow villagers, most of whom were wounded.
– Looks like we've cleared this area, Captain – Hayato informed me as he stopped by my side, and I looked at him.
– What about the ninja who were here before? – I asked.
– We managed to save them, but most are badly injured – I nodded.
– Take me to them – I requested – I'll treat as many as I can before moving on to the others – The Anbu nodded promptly and started running, and I followed.
I already imagined the severity of the injuries of the village ninja who'd been facing the Stone ninja earlier, but some were much worse. I assessed everyone quickly and started with those at greatest risk.
Being the only one using medical ninjutsu there, the treatment ended up taking longer than I wanted, whether because of the situation of the other wounded or thinking about those still fighting.
Will I be able to handle everyone?, I wondered. Probably not… I won't have enough chakra for all this. The Hiraishin alone consumes a huge amount with every trip, plus all the jutsu I use in battles with the Anbu…
I felt several chakra signatures approaching where I was with the Anbu squad I'd sent to that part of the Grass Village, along with the Konoha ninja, and signaled my men to stay alert.
But a moment later, I felt relieved as I recognized one of the chakra signatures approaching. Reinforcements are arriving…, I noted.
– Don't attack – I warned the Anbu, my attention still on the shinobi I was healing – They're allies.
A few seconds later, a small squad appeared where we were, and among them was someone who could help me right then.
– Tsunade-sama – I called her, and the blonde turned her gaze toward me.
She just nodded, immediately moving to my side and starting to treat another ninja from our village.
– Sweep the area – I told the members of my squad nearby – Make sure the path is clear to evacuate the wounded – They nodded.
– You too, you heard her – Tsunade said firmly to the ninja who'd come with her, and they agreed, disappearing from view – Didn't expect to see you acting as a medic ninja instead of being in combat – the Sannin commented quietly to me shortly after, and I looked at her, smiling weakly under my mask.
– I'm doing both. I'm splitting myself between five other battlefields right now – I explained – I just haven't gone to another yet because they needed immediate attention.
– They were lucky you're a medical ninjutsu user – the blonde said with a more serious tone – A few more minutes and they likely would've died – She looked at me – If you want to go help the others in combat, I'll handle the rest here – I lowered my head slightly.
– Thank you – I started to stand up, and a dryness rose in my throat, making me cough a little.
But if it was just the cough, I wouldn't have worried. It was the blood that came with it that forced me to stop for a moment. Forgot to take them…, I realized, and grabbed the small vial of blue pills Tsunade herself had prepared for me.
I took two of them and put the vial away. Lifting my mask just enough, I swallowed the two pills without much thought, then wiped the bit of blood I felt on my chin.
– How much chakra do you have left? – Tsunade asked, and I looked at her, seeing her eyes still on the shinobi she was healing.
– Enough for the teleports and combat jutsu.
– And for healing? – She glanced at me sideways, serious, and I gave a weak shake of my head – And I imagine you won't be able to ignore others like this – She indicated with her eyes the wounded we'd already treated.
– I'll do everything within my power.
– Even if it's worsening your condition? – she asked sharply, but I kept my gaze steady on her.
– Yes.
The Sannin gave a weak smile and stopped the treatment she was giving the man in front of her, standing up.
– That stubbornness and unique obstinacy of the Uzumaki clan members… – She brought her hand to her mouth, biting her finger and smearing the blood from the wound on her other palm – It's something I respect – The blonde then slammed her blood-marked hand on the ground – Summoning Jutsu!
A puff of smoke appeared between us, and soon I could see something there. It was a… slug? The creature was less than a meter tall, with a white and bluish color.
– Tsunade-sama, how may I assist you? – The slug greeted the Sannin, and I couldn't help but be surprised.
– Katsuyu, go with Amaya – Tsunade said and then pointed to me.
– Yes, ma'am – Katsuyu replied promptly, and from her body, a version slightly larger than my hand detached and came over to me.
I knelt down, even without fully understanding, and picked up the small slug identical to the larger one near Tsunade.
– Place Katsuyu on your shoulder, and she'll share my chakra with you – the Sannin explained, and I looked at her again – Use it as you see fit, but don't push your body beyond its limits, understand? I didn't put all that work into those pills to treat you, just to lose you because of the other village ninja…
My lips parted in surprise. But then I smiled and gave a weak nod to the Senju. I carefully settled the smaller version of Katsuyu on my shoulder. That's when an idea came to me.
– Tsunade-sama, Katsuyu-san… – The Sannin and the larger version of the summon turned their attention to me again – Would I be asking too much to request four more like you? – I pointed to the small slug on my shoulder.
– No, you wouldn't – the blonde replied promptly – But what are you thinking of doing?
I raised my hands in a single seal and created four Shadow Clones. The Sannin watched me carefully and smiled, understanding my idea: Even though it would cost more chakra to create those clones, it would reduce how much I needed to use for teleporting.
Sending one clone to each battlefield with a piece of Katsuyu will let me act the same way I'd have to alone…, I thought.
With the smaller versions of Tsunade's summon on each of my clones, they all teleported to one of the battlefields where my Anbu squad members were operating.
That idea had occurred to me before, but when my clones' chakra ran out, they'd disappear. But with the chakra share from Tsunade through Katsuyu to them, I could use them as I wanted.
And before I teleported elsewhere myself, I looked at the blonde.
– When this is over, I'll ask Otousan or Okaasan to buy you some good sake as thanks for everything – The Sannin looked at me and laughed.
– I'll hold you to that promise, Uzumaki – I smiled under my mask before finally teleporting away.
__________________________________________________________________________
I let out a heavy sigh after finishing treating the last shinobi in that battlefield. I stood up and looked at the others there.
– The path is ready, Captain – one of the Anbu informed me, and I nodded.
– Evacuate everyone who's still injured – The Anbu nodded, as did the village ninja in better condition.
– We're done here – I stated, then looked at the small slug on my shoulder – How's Tsunade's chakra holding up?
– She's fine, she can keep sharing with you without major issues – I gave a weak nod.
– Thank you, Katsuyu-san – I thanked her and started running.
Not long after I began healing the other Konoha ninja across various battlefields, I asked Tsunade's summon to warn me if I was using too much of the Sannin's chakra.
– The wounded in the other fields are almost all healed, and the surviving enemies have retreated – Katsuyu informed me shortly after.
As she'd explained, the pieces of her original body divided among my clones could communicate with each other, so she kept me updated in real time.
– Does any other field need immediate support?
– No, Amaya-san. Your Anbu teams handled the situation efficiently, and none are seriously injured. The other village ninja are being treated and returning to Konoha as requested – I agreed.
– That's great to hear – I said with a weak smile on my lips.
– Wait… – I saw Katsuyu move her antennae and go silent for a moment – One of your clones, in the southeast battlefield, noticed something strange. She said it was the chakra… of someone named Kakashi.
– What? – I asked, confused – Southeast? But he, Rin, and Obito should be northwest, at Kannabi Bridge – I looked at Katsuyu – What else is my clone noticing? How many chakra signatures are there?
– She said the only ones she can recognize are Kakashi's and Rin's. But there seem to be at least thirty more near them, all strong – My chest tightened at that, and a kind of anguish rose in my throat.
– Enemies… – I said nervously.