A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-ar4ngel
-Cain
-Ryan biggins
-Kreios
-Hotsuma68
-Sabo
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Don't worry," Minato stepped forward with a smile. "I also have half of the Nine-Tails inside me."
"You only sealed half of the Nine-Tails inside Naruto?" Jiraiya was hearing this for the first time.
Tsunade and Shikaku also looked at Minato in surprise.
"Naruto had just been born at the time, and he was too young," Minato patted his stomach. "So I split the Nine-Tails into two halves based on its yin and yang attributes, leaving the yang half with him."
"You brat!"
Tsunade opened her mouth but only managed to say, "You've been hiding this well!"
"Hahaha…" Minato laughed awkwardly. "The fewer people who know about this, the better."
"Are you saying you're willing to sacrifice the Nine-Tails inside you?" Tsunade frowned.
"No, no," Minato waved his hands anxiously. "If I did that, the Nine-Tails would definitely get angry, and Naruto would suffer."
"Then what exactly are we supposed to do?" Tsunade looked at the communication paper figure on the table.
"This problem is quite simple," Kaito's voice came through. "I don't know if you remember the Gold and Silver Brothers from Kumogakure."
"Those two who killed my grandfather?" Tsunade certainly remembered.
"Exactly. Those two brothers were swallowed by the Nine-Tails but ended up consuming its flesh and blood, gaining its chakra."
Kaito began to explain his plan.
"Although those two brothers have been dead for a long time, I'll have Orochimaru make a deal with the Akatsuki."
"Orochimaru?!" Jiraiya and Tsunade immediately became alert.
That guy is also connected to Kaito?
"Correct. Orochimaru is quite sharp," Kaito didn't hide it. "He got some information from Ryūchi Cave and took the initiative to come to me for cooperation."
"Right now, Orochimaru is my ally."
"That damn snake, always finding loopholes!" Jiraiya was annoyed that Orochimaru had beaten him to the punch.
"Are you saying…" Tsunade, equally displeased with Orochimaru, guessed, "The Impure World Reincarnation?"
"Exactly," Kaito confirmed her guess. "However, the Gold and Silver Brothers are just a backup plan for the Akatsuki. They will definitely still invade Konoha, so you should prepare as soon as possible."
"I understand," Tsunade sighed.
"It's all your fault for stirring up the Hyūga clan earlier!" Her temper flared. "Now I'm completely overwhelmed!"
"In that case, would you like to make a deal with me, Tsunade-sama?" Kaito ignored the accusation and instead made a gentle proposal.
"I feel like you've been waiting to say this all along," Tsunade sensed something.
"I'm only proposing this deal because we're future comrades," Kaito's voice was full of grievance. "Please don't think that way."
The Hyūga clan's Caged Bird Seal needs to be removed as soon as possible. If we take it slow, the descendants of Hamura on the moon might catch on and cause trouble halfway through.
Tsunade didn't bother arguing with him and asked directly, "Tell me, what's the deal?"
Kaito's voice returned to normal: "I can send a clone to help the Hyūga clan remove the seal. When the Akatsuki invades, all I need is for you to cooperate a little. I need to take something from Nagato."
"You want the Rinnegan?" Jiraiya asked sharply.
"Of course not," Kaito feigned grievance again. "The Rinnegan is crucial for the Ten-Tails' revival. I won't touch it."
"What I want to take is just a summoning object."
"What is it?" Jiraiya wanted a clear answer.
"The King of Hell statue summoned by the Naraka Path of the Six Paths of Pain," Kaito told the truth.
Jiraiya recalled the information Kaito had given him earlier.
"Is that the technique that can fully restore the Six Paths of Pain?"
"Exactly," Kaito confirmed. "Since you need to destroy this restorative technique to defeat Pain, why not let me seal it away?"
"Is that thing important to you?" Tsunade asked.
"Not that important. It's just helpful for some of my research," Kaito, of course, didn't tell the truth.
"Why make a deal?" Tsunade sensed that Kaito was hiding something.
Given the strength this guy has shown before, he could easily act on his own.
"I just want to be lazy," Kaito stubbornly insisted.
Of course, it's because I don't want to reveal myself and let Nagato know I've taken the King of Hell statue.
"Tch!"
Knowing that Kaito was being evasive, Tsunade immediately started bargaining.
"In that case, add one more condition to the deal," Tsunade said firmly. "When the Akatsuki invades Konoha, you must also provide us with assistance."
"Is that so… No problem!" Kaito agreed readily. "I can provide you with very accurate intelligence support."
"Just intelligence?" Tsunade wanted more.
"Isn't intelligence enough? Shinobi battles are essentially a contest of information," Kaito held his ground. "The intelligence I can provide will be very advantageous for you. It includes the exact timing of the Akatsuki's attack, their personnel, and detailed information on their abilities."
In short, don't expect me to take direct action.
Seeing that she couldn't squeeze more out of him, Tsunade simply said, "Fine, the deal is settled!"
"Then it's decided," Kaito concluded. "I'll send a clone to Konoha as soon as possible."
"Goodbye, everyone!"
The communication paper figure's lively features returned to a lifeless state, and it fell lightly onto the table.
The Hokage's office fell into silence.
After a long while, Tsunade broke the silence.
She rubbed her temples wearily. "Let's stop here for today. We've received too much information. Everyone should go back and process it."
"Alright," Jiraiya felt he indeed needed some time to digest everything.
"I'll head back first. Naruto might have gone off to train on his own. I need to keep an eye on him."
Minato walked forward, picked up the communication paper figure, and disappeared in a flash using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"You two can go as well," Tsunade waved her hand. "We'll continue discussing the village's evacuation and defense tonight."
"Understood."
Shikaku turned and walked out, feeling utterly drained.
Sigh, I just wanted to live a peaceful life until old age. Why am I suddenly involved in so many earth-shattering events?
It's all because of this clever brain of mine.
Maybe I should have started playing dumb from a young age.
But I shouldn't share this trick with Shikamaru.
Once that kid grows up, this old man can finally retire.
Wait, thinking about it, my future still looks bright!
Shikaku couldn't help but smile in satisfaction at the thought.
"I'll just rest here for a bit," Jiraiya pretended to sit down on the sofa. "Don't worry, I won't disturb you!"
He winked and grinned.
"If you're tired, you can always admire this sage's handsome face."
"Get out!"
Tsunade grabbed a thick book from the table and hurled it at Jiraiya's head.