Chapter Four: Unraveling Bonds

Bambietta POV

They pressed forward through the forest, moving swiftly but cautiously. The thick canopy overhead made it difficult to tell how much time had passed, but Bambietta could feel the weight of each minute. The tension in the air was palpable, a constant hum just beneath the surface, as if the world itself knew they were walking into something far more dangerous.

Obito was keeping up, but just barely. His wound, though bandaged, was deeper than he'd let on. His steps were sluggish, and every now and then, she caught him wincing. Kakashi kept his usual stoic expression, but she caught his gaze flick back to Obito more than once.

"We need to find cover," Bambietta murmured to Gin as they moved. "Obito's not going to last if we keep pushing at this pace."

Gin, still the picture of calm, gave her a sidelong glance, his smile less pronounced now, more contemplative. "You're worried about him, huh?"

Bambietta narrowed her eyes at him, pushing aside the faint flutter in her chest at his teasing. "Of course I'm worried. You should be, too. He's your cousin."

Gin's smile deepened, just a fraction. "I know. But you seem especially... attached."

She shot him a look, half exasperated, half embarrassed. "Now's not the time for your games, Gin."

"Isn't it, though?" he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. There was something in his tone that made her pause—a quiet intensity beneath the teasing, something she wasn't sure how to read.

Before she could respond, Kakashi called out from ahead. "We're stopping for a moment."

Bambietta hurried over to Obito, who had collapsed against a tree, his breathing heavy and labored. She crouched beside him, her hands moving instinctively to check his wound. "How bad is it?"

Obito gave her a shaky smile. "I've had worse. It's... fine."

"Stop pretending," she said, more sharply than she intended. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I don't have a choice," Obito muttered, wincing as she tightened the bandages. "We can't stop now, not when—"

"You'll be no help to anyone if you pass out," Kakashi interrupted, kneeling beside them. His tone was even, but there was a quiet urgency in his voice. "We need to keep moving, but you need to stay alert. We can't afford to lose you."

Obito blinked, staring at Kakashi in surprise. It wasn't often that Kakashi spoke to him with such direct concern. Usually, it was just orders or criticisms. But now, there was a softness, a recognition of Obito's value that he hadn't shown before.

"I'm... fine," Obito said, his voice quieter now.

Bambietta glanced between them, a strange tension settling in her chest. This whole mission felt ominous as if death itself had loomed its nasty hands over them. It would be for the best if they finished up quickly and returned to Konoha.

She rose to her feet, her eyes catching Gin's from across the clearing. He was leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and focused. For a moment, their eyes locked, and she felt her pulse quicken. There was something about the way he looked at her—so knowing, so infuriatingly calm.

"Don't get lost in thought, Bambi-chan," Gin called out, his voice light but carrying a weight of its own. "We've still got a job to do."

She huffed, turning away quickly to hide the heat rising in her cheeks. For she would cast her worries aside if only temporarily.

Gin POV

He could feel it. The shift in the air, the subtle pull of fate drawing them closer to something inevitable. Gin had always trusted his instincts, and right now, they were screaming at him. The enemy wasn't done yet. This was just the calm before the real storm.

His gaze flicked over to Obito, who was struggling but doing his best to keep pace. Bambietta hovered near him, her concern evident despite the way she tried to mask it with her usual sharp tone. Gin's smile widened slightly. She was always so obvious, even when she was trying to be subtle. It was... endearing.

But there was no time to dwell on that. They were getting closer to the mission objective.

"Kakashi," Gin called, his tone casual as he pushed away from the tree and joined the group. "How long until we reach the bridge?"

Kakashi glanced over, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We're close. Another hour, maybe less."

Gin hummed thoughtfully, his gaze scanning the treetops. "I'd be surprised if they didn't try something before then."

Obito, still leaning heavily against the tree, looked up at Gin, his expression strained. "You think there's more?"

"There's always more," Gin said lightly, as if discussing the weather. "But don't worry. I'll make sure they don't touch that pretty head of yours."

Obito groaned. "I swear, you're insufferable sometimes."

"Only sometimes?" Gin's grin widened, but there was no real bite to the exchange. Obito's tension seemed to ease slightly, even if just for a moment.

Bambietta shot Gin a glare, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "You really can't help yourself, can you?"

Gin gave a mock bow. "I aim to please."

Before she could respond, Kakashi's hand shot up, signaling for silence. His gaze sharpened, and Gin immediately straightened, his own senses heightening. There it was again—that shift in the air, the tension that told him something was coming.

"Get ready," Kakashi muttered, his voice barely audible. "We're not alone."

The words had barely left his mouth when the trees around them exploded into movement. Enemy shinobi, masked and fast, dropped down from the canopy, kunai flashing in the dim light. Gin was already moving, his body reacting on instinct, dodging the first attack with a graceful ease that belied the danger.

Bambietta was at his side in an instant, her chakra flaring as she unleashed a barrage of explosive attacks, her eyes sharp and focused. She was quick, precise, her Uzumaki heritage shining through in the way she handled herself in battle. Gin couldn't help but watch her for a moment, impressed by the sheer explosive power behind her strikes.

But then his focus shifted, his gaze locking onto something—or rather, someone—moving in the shadows just beyond the immediate fray. It was subtle, but Gin could sense the presence of a far more dangerous opponent lurking nearby.

"Kakashi," Gin called out, his tone light but serious. "Our right flank."

Kakashi's eyes flicked in the direction Gin was looking, his expression hardening. "I see them."

Before anyone could react, a massive figure stepped out from the shadows, a hulking shinobi clad in dark armor, his presence looming like a dark cloud. He was unlike the others—stronger, more bloodthirsty, a rabid beast with only a modicum of intelligence.

The battle shifted in an instant. The enemy shinobi charged toward Obito and Kakashi, forcing them into a defensive position. Bambietta moved to intercept, her chakra flaring even brighter as she unleashed a series of explosions, her strange kekkei genkai at full capacity, but Gin could tell that the real threat was still the giant newcomer.

The hulking shinobi's gaze locked onto Gin, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow around them.

"Well, this could be fun," Gin murmured, his smile sharpening as he shifted into a more offensive stance. His hands grappled his wakizashi, his body relaxed, but his eyes sharp and calculating.

The enemy made the first move, lunging forward with a speed that was unnatural for his size. Gin dodged, slipping past the attack with the same fluid grace he always had. But this time, there was no playful quip, no teasing remark. This opponent was different—he required more focus.

"Don't get too close," Bambietta called out, her voice tinged with concern. She had dealt with the other shinobi quickly, and now her focus was on him.

Gin glanced over his shoulder, his smile returning. "Worried about me, Bambi-chan?"

She flushed, and even in the heat of battle, Gin found himself savoring the sight. But there was no time for banter now. The hulking shinobi attacked again, and this time, Gin was ready.

With a swift, calculated movement, Gin slipped behind his opponent, his sword flashing out in a quick strike to the back of the man's knee, nicking his thick armor. The shinobi stumbled, but didn't fall. Instead, he let out a low growl and swung his massive arm toward Gin in retaliation.

Gin ducked, avoiding the blow, and darted back to create more distance. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, his mind racing as he analyzed the situation. The brute wasn't just strong—he was durable. And that made him just the teeniest bit interesting.

But then, something shifted. Out of the corner of his eye, Gin saw Obito move—too far, too fast. And before anyone could stop him, the ground beneath them trembled.

It all happened in an instant. The shinobi Gin had been fighting seized the moment of distraction, slamming his massive fist into the ground unleashing a powerful Jutsu, creating a shockwave that sent Gin and the others sprawling.