Minato Namikaze wasn't worried about Uchiha Kaien's safety. On the contrary, he was a bit concerned about whether the shinobi from Kumogakure would even survive the ordeal after Kaien was through with them.
He'd witnessed the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan during missions with Uchiha Kagami. Now Kaien had awakened the same eyes—and had the ability to fly. There weren't many in the ninja world who could capture someone like that.
Not to mention the existence of summoning jutsu.
The summoning beasts possessed intelligence close to that of humans and could cooperate with their summoners to perform reverse summoning.
If Kaien used reverse summoning while flying, his escape chances weren't just good—they were almost a guaranteed 98%.
And then there was the insurance policy: Lightning Flash Blade Creation.
Even though he'd only been studying the Flying Thunder God Technique for a few days, Minato had realized how vast the technique's applications were.
Mastery over both summoning and sealing jutsu was practically a prerequisite.
Fortunately, Minato was well-versed in both. The path ahead was becoming clearer by the day.
Once he fully grasped the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could use the ninja tools Kaien left behind—those imbued with Lightning Flash Blade Creation—to summon Kaien back. In essence, it would be similar to reverse summoning, with a closely related principle.
What reassured him even more was that Kaien had already copied the Four Symbols Seal before he left for his undercover mission. According to the Hokage, no other village had sealing techniques more advanced than the Four Symbols Seal.
Minato had faith in Kaien's traits—and just as much faith in his strength.
As long as Kaien had learned the Four Symbols Seal, he would be safe. His infiltration mission would go smoothly.
Besides, once Kaien reached Kumogakure, he'd probably be treated with a certain level of... hospitality.
Minato couldn't help but recall the objectives Sarutobi Hiruzen had outlined regarding Kumogakure's spies.
And that book Jiraiya-sensei had once shown him… Minato's expression turned a bit odd at the memory.
Those sorts of things… shouldn't happen until a few more years down the line, right?
Hopefully, no one mistook Kaien's gender...
If he were a guy, wouldn't that be more in line with what Kumogakure wants?
Regardless, those Kumogakure shinobi really weren't anything special. Even that jonin hadn't felt all that strong in Minato's sensory field.
It wasn't until the jonin slipped completely out of range that Minato realized something.
He was still holding Uzumaki Kushina in his arms.
Her face had turned completely red.
"Ah, sorry, Kushina. I was scanning for enemy chakra just now. Are you okay?"
Minato gave an apologetic smile as he gently began untying her restraints.
"Minato… Kaien still hasn't been rescued…"
"Don't worry. He already sent me a signal—he's got a plan to make it back on his own. As his best friend, I believe in him completely."
"Right now, I just need to get you back to Konoha. I'm still not proficient enough to unseal the jutsu—I'll need Lord Hokage's help with that."
With a light leap, Minato began darting through the forest, carrying Kushina in his arms.
"Why…"
"Hm?"
"I'm really not important at all, am I?" she murmured. "I'm just a drifting soul… something that could be picked up or thrown away at any time…"
Her eyes were still dim. If she were captured again, it would just mean another change in scenery—nothing more.
"I don't know why you're feeling down, Kushina, but to me… you're incredibly important."
"And especially… I really like your red hair."
His sincerity reached her ears. It was true—he'd always been drawn to that vivid red, and he had a genuine fondness for this strong, determined girl.
"Besides, we've made a lot of memories together in Konoha, haven't we?"
"I may not fully understand all the pain you've gone through, but I can walk with you through whatever comes next."
Light began to return to Kushina's eyes. This guy—who she'd once thought was just a pretty boy—was suddenly becoming… someone else.
"What if… one day I become a monster?"
She looked at him with a flicker of hope. Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
"No matter what you become, Kushina is still Kushina. That's one thing that will never change."
His warm, familiar smile spread across his face—and for once, it felt like sunlight itself.
"Mm…"
Without realizing it, Kushina let out a soft sniffle. Tears glistened faintly in her eyes.
Minato didn't say anything more. He just kept that confident smile on his lips and carried her bridal-style back toward Konoha.
Girls at this age… they really were beautiful. And Minato, well, he was at the age where falling in love was perfectly natural. If something was beautiful, why not protect it? Why not hold it tightly in your hands?
He didn't want the beautiful things in life to slip through his fingers.
Walking the path alone was always lonely. To become Hokage meant building bonds, cherishing those precious sights along the way.
Minato admitted he was greedy. Whether it was friendship or love, he wanted it all.
...
"Phew… Did we finally shake that terrifying guy?"
Motoi wiped the sweat off his brow and released his Lightning Release.
He had successfully escaped the Land of Fire with Uchiha Kaien in tow and crossed into the borders of the Land of Hot Water.
After thoroughly checking the surroundings and confirming there were no pursuers, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
That man must've used some kind of powerful forbidden jutsu to wipe out his own team in an instant… and without chakra left to track, they couldn't follow him.
Konoha… you let your guard down.
This time, the victory goes to Kumogakure!
Now that he had a moment to breathe, Motoi finally turned to check on Kaien's condition.
Kaien nonchalantly brushed the dust off his clothes.
"Hey, old man from Kumogakure… You seem to be out of chakra."
"You little brat! Even without chakra, you shouldn't underestimate the taijutsu of a Kumogakure shinobi!"
"Oh? But what if I had the Sharingan?" Kaien asked, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"The Sharingan?!"
Motoi's heart skipped a beat. A child this young—he'd already awakened the Sharingan?
But now was no time to panic. His chakra reserves were nearly depleted. If he got taken down by a kid, it'd be the biggest joke of his life.
Too late.
Kaien's eyes turned crimson, and the three-tomoe Sharingan spun into view.
Before Motoi could even avert his gaze, he was caught—completely ensnared in Kaien's genjutsu.
A combination of the three-tomoe Sharingan and the [Alluring Gaze] had him thoroughly under Kaien's control.
'Consider it an honor,' Kaien thought. 'You're the first target to be completely entranced by the [Alluring Gaze].'
As he watched Motoi's dazed expression, White Zetsu emerged nearby.
"This guy's way too weak, Kaien."
"In the face of the Sharingan, he's nothing more than a toy."
The [Alluring Gaze] didn't just boost genjutsu—it also dramatically enhanced Kaien's ability to control others.
"From now on, you're my underling."
"Yes, Boss."
Kaien was very pleased with that answer.
"Is this… your undercover method?" White Zetsu asked, intrigued. Normally, being captured and sent back as a spy would be a grueling process.
"Got a problem with it? If I just use genjutsu to control every person in charge, then I become the perfect infiltrator."
Being dragged back in chains was too humiliating. He'd be the laughingstock of the underground network. So instead, he'd just control this Kumogakure jonin directly.
"What's your name, anyway?"
"Motoi."
"Get it together. You look like an idiot."
Kaien frowned slightly. Had he overdone it with the genjutsu? Motoi was acting like a total fool. He narrowed his eyes and released some of the pressure on him.
"Yes, Boss!"
"When we get to Kumogakure, remember to act sharp. You barely captured me, understand? Your whole team died protecting you. Got it?"
"Yes, Boss!"
Still looked like a bit of an airhead…
Kaien told him to rent a room at a nearby inn, then turned and headed off to see Uchiha Madara.
Now that he'd left Konoha, no one was watching his every move. Distance didn't matter anymore.
Besides, he could use this time to fine-tune Motoi's behavior. Ideally, once they reached Kumogakure, he'd be indistinguishable from before.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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