Kaede's strength was formidable, almost terrifyingly so.
Danzo knew this very well. He also understood just how difficult it would be to control Kaede. But every ninja had a weakness, and Kaede was no exception.
Based on all the intel Danzo had gathered so far, he was certain about one glaring flaw: Kaede's perception was poor. That was a weakness!
Poor perception meant it was hard for him to detect hidden ambushes.
Secondly, Kaede was weak in genjutsu and had hardly ever shown any skill in sealing techniques. This meant his ability to counter genjutsu and sealing jutsu was inevitably lacking.
If Kaede were allowed to unleash his full power, he would be an unstoppable force. But if his movements were restricted from the start and controlled through sealing techniques, the task would become much simpler.
The Hyuga clan had their Caged Bird Curse Seal, and Danzo had his own secret technique similar to it, only much stronger. Once fully set, it could be activated with just a thought, instantly killing the ninja marked by the curse.
"Engraving the Caged Bird Curse Seal requires ten minutes…" Danzo muttered.
"Silver Flash lives with the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and Kakashi Hatake. Genjutsu can control Silver Flash and Kakashi, but not the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. That means once the plan begins, we must be prepared to hold off the Three-Tails' rampage for ten minutes."
"The Three-Tails isn't the strongest of the tailed beasts. We can contain it with a barrier, but the commotion will definitely alert Sarutobi and Minato…"
Danzo's eyes gleamed as he mentally rehearsed the plan he had long devised.
Step one: Use genjutsu for the initial control.
Step two: Trap the uncontrollable Three-Tails Jinchuriki within a barrier.
Step three: Lock Kaede and his target inside the barrier using the Four Violet Flames Formation, so even Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato won't be able to break in to stop it.
If they could hold out for ten minutes until the curse seal was fully engraved, everything would be over.
At that point, Kaede's life would be in Danzo's hands, becoming his power. Even facing Sarutobi and Minato head-on, Danzo would be confident.
After running through the plan again and adding some details, like handling emergencies, and confirming there were no loopholes, Danzo began summoning his operatives.
….
Meanwhile, at Kaede's home…
An odd atmosphere filled the living room.
Kakashi sat across from Kaede with a serious face, silently eating, occasionally shooting a glance at Kaede filled with a trace of schadenfreude.
At the sides of the square dining table sat two others: Rin, who had been inseparable from Kaede lately, and recently returned from a mission, Uzumaki Kushina.
Both wore smiles, giving the room a surprisingly harmonious vibe.
Kaede ignored the strange atmosphere, but after noticing Kakashi's smirking glances, he calmly decided who would wash the dishes and take out the trash after dinner.
"I heard Rin was captured by the Kirigakure shinobi during your mission? That sounds dangerous. Luckily you were rescued. They didn't hurt you, did they?" Kaede asked.
"Yeah, thankfully Kaede was there. Otherwise, I might not have made it back," Rin replied with a smile.
"Kirigakure wanted to use me to sabotage Konoha, so I'm currently under strict supervision here. I have to be monitored by Kaede at all times."
Kushina tilted her head and said, "So you're still not entirely out of danger, huh?"
"Cough, cough…" Kakashi coughed twice, seeming unable to hold back. "I'm done eating. I'll head to my room to rest."
He threw Kaede a 'good luck' look as he stood.
Kaede glanced at him and said calmly, "Don't sleep too early. I'll need you later."
After Kakashi left, only three remained in the living room. Rin and Kushina continued cheerfully chatting about the mission, their relationship clearly close.
Kaede sighed.
At this age… already clashing swords and blades? What would happen when they grew older?
"I'm done eating," Kushina said, setting down her chopsticks.
Rin followed suit with a smile. "Me too. I'll walk you home."
Kushina looked at Kaede and said, "My parents are still on missions. I don't want to go back alone. Can I stay here for the night?"
Rin tilted her head. "Hmm? That doesn't sound right. Kushina, you're a girl…"
"It's okay, you live here too," Kushina smiled gently.
Rin spread her hands. "I'm only here because I was ordered to stay. I'm sorry, but there's no other choice."
Kushina nodded. "That's why I'm here to keep you company. With me around, it won't be awkward. So, Kaede, is that alright?"
Kaede was focused on finishing his meal but noticed their eyes both finally settled on him. He took the last bite, then calmly said, "If you stay, someone will have to sleep on the couch. But that's fine, we can have a full mahjong table. Hmm, I need to talk to Kakashi later. You two go ahead and chat."
With that, Kaede got up and headed toward Kakashi's room.
Kakashi was lying in bed reading. Seeing Kaede come in, he sat up. "I'm impressed you can stay so calm."
"What's there to panic about?" Kaede said, looking at him curiously.
He sat down by the bed and calmly asked, "Did Minato tell you to monitor me and report back to him?"
That question instantly froze the room's atmosphere.
Kakashi's hand holding the book stiffened awkwardly.
Kaede stared quietly at him.
After a few seconds of locked eyes, Kakashi gave in. "Yeah… but it's just routine reporting. Mainly, it's about Rin's condition."
Namikaze Minato had indeed instructed Kakashi to report not only on Rin but also on Kaede's situation. Kakashi had been torn over whether to tell Kaede, but now that Kaede had figured it out, hiding it was pointless. He knew he couldn't fool him.
Kaede looked at Kakashi a few seconds longer, then chuckled lightly. "I thought you were going to lie to me for the first time ever."
Actually, Kaede hadn't caught Kakashi's actions, just a slight oddity in his behavior.
Having studied psychology deeply, Kaede was sensitive to unnatural body language, especially from those close to him. It was easy for him to spot the smallest inconsistency.
He quickly deduced Kakashi had been given a difficult order and guessed its content, though he wasn't sure if it came from Sarutobi or Minato.
Kakashi remained silent for a moment.
He wanted to say Minato was just concerned about Rin, but he knew that was self-deception. Minato, as Hokage, simply needed to know everything about the village, but reporting also meant distrust.
"Remember this, Kakashi," Kaede said, standing and heading toward the door. "No matter what happens, I will always be your big brother."
With that, he left.
After a few seconds of silence, Kakashi murmured toward the direction Kaede had gone, "I know."
When Kaede returned to the living room, Rin and Kushina were already cleaning up the table and dishes. He tilted his head.
He was just about to call Kakashi to help.
This was fine, too.
==========
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