"Sasuke's relatives?"
Kitagawa Minamoto's face darkened as he stared at the quest notification. He knew the rewards would be substantial—exclusive quests never disappointed.
"But why are they always such morbid assignments?"
Despite his extensive experience handling unsettling tasks, having them come in succession was giving him a headache.
Of course, the mission itself wasn't particularly difficult—Edo Tensei would suffice.
But the real issue was...
"His relatives are all rather... complicated figures, aren't they?"
Take Fugaku Uchiha, for instance. The man was more indecisive than Hiruzen Sarutobi—a neurotic old man whose paradoxical blend of rigidity and weakness was utterly baffling.
"Though he was also betrayed by Itachi Uchiha, I suppose..."
Minamoto suddenly recalled something significant. As a double agent, Itachi Uchiha's activities couldn't have been unknown to the Third Hokage.
Yet Hiruzen had Kakashi escort Itachi to the ANBU surveillance room, showing him how the entire Uchiha clan was under constant monitoring.
"He probably wanted Itachi to warn the clan: 'We're watching your every move. Don't try anything reckless!'"
But Itachi had remained silent.
"And when Itachi came to slaughter the clan, Fugaku just sat there waiting for death? Really?"
Defeat might have been inevitable—after all, his own son had become a traitor.
But as clan leader, shouldn't he have at least tried to protect the others?
Minamoto couldn't comprehend it, and he wasn't the irrational one here.
"Then there's Shisui Uchiha—carelessly revealing his Mangekyō ability without recognizing the danger, then jumping into a river after Danzō attacked him. Honestly..."
Minamoto massaged his temples, sensing this home visit would be challenging.
Moreover...
"For a proper home visit, everyone should be present. But Itachi's Edo Tensei isn't under my control. Unless..."
His gaze shifted toward Naruto, who from a chakra perspective, could be considered Sasuke's "spiritual brother."
"Or perhaps Obito and Nagato are planning something, and Itachi's reanimation might appear?"
Minamoto's quests, despite their absurdity, typically possessed a degree of foresight—a quality that had proven invaluable in preparing him for future events.
His first encounter with Itachi had been preceded by a peculiar quest, and when he met Obito Uchiha, the system had explicitly warned him!
"So this might be both a warning and an opportunity to complete Sasuke's exclusive quest?"
As Minamoto stroked his chin thoughtfully, Kakashi emerged from his own contemplation.
"Let's see how the village handles it. And what are you thinking about? You're unusually quiet."
"I'm considering whether to exercise my influence. These matters aren't particularly challenging for me," Minamoto replied with a smile.
"If they won't authorize it, I'll handle it myself. I know Edo Tensei too, after all!"
"Eh?" Might Guy's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and excitement evident in his expression.
Meanwhile, Kakashi massaged his temples in frustration.
"I think you should refrain. Let's await the village's decision. Don't act recklessly, Minamoto."
"Tch, Kakashi-sensei, you're behind the times," Minamoto scoffed, tilting his head back arrogantly with arms crossed.
"Though you're my mentor, I am the future Hokage!"
"..."
"Aren't you missing a line?"
"?"
"You should add: 'You'll regret this.'"
"..."
Kakashi couldn't even muster a retort, completely baffled by his student's thought process.
The phrase did sound familiar—hadn't he said something similar to Minamoto before?
"Also, Kakashi-sensei," Minamoto continued as Kakashi pondered.
"What do you think would happen if Sasuke's father, mother, and Itachi all appeared together?"
"..."
Kakashi scratched the back of his head, troubled by the question as realization dawned.
"Wait—you're not planning to resurrect Sasuke's parents with Edo Tensei and then confront Itachi, are you?"
"That... seems inappropriate," Guy interjected, sensing Minamoto's proposal was extreme.
"Though Itachi is a criminal, he's still their son. This..."
"What's inappropriate about it? Itachi slaughtered the entire clan, including his own parents!" Minamoto countered, adopting a compassionate expression.
"I'm offering them a chance for personal vengeance. Though he's their son, he's also the perpetrator who massacred their entire clan!"
"..."
What are you really hoping to see? Kakashi thought, his deadpan expression returning while Guy rubbed his forehead in confusion.
"Besides," Minamoto continued, "Sasuke has defeated their murderer. Shouldn't they be informed so their grieving spirits can find peace?"
"Well..."
While Kakashi remained skeptical of Minamoto's reasoning, Guy was more straightforward.
"That does make sense. Minamoto truly has a kind heart."
"..."
Kakashi glanced sideways at Guy, thinking "kind-hearted" was the last adjective he'd use to describe Minamoto.
If he hadn't intervened three years ago in the Land of Waves, this kid would have hired assassins to eliminate their client—and the client's entire family!
What kind of kindness was that?
Though admittedly, he was genuinely compassionate toward fellow villagers...
"One more thing, Kakashi-sensei," Minamoto added while Kakashi was still contemplating his student's selective compassion.
"As mentors, we've been quite negligent—we've never conducted a proper home visit for Sasuke!"
"..."
"Now that we have both the technology and opportunity, why not complete a home visit?"
"..."
"Everyone else has had one. Surely you don't want Sasuke to be the only student without a proper home visit?"
"Enough. Say no more," Kakashi sighed, no longer attempting to reason with his student. He knew Minamoto was definitely up to something.
Besides, they were all familiar with Fugaku Uchiha's profile—they knew exactly what kind of man he was!
"We'll discuss it with the Third Hokage. Perhaps he'll approve."
"Fair enough."
Minamoto nodded, confident there wouldn't be significant obstacles.
Especially since the Second Hokage would likely support his idea...
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Minamoto noticed several ANBU approaching.
"It's Tenzō," Kakashi immediately recognized his former subordinate from ANBU and stood with a smile.
"What brings you here?"
"Kakashi-senpai, it's been a while," Tenzō replied, his smile evident despite his mask.
"Lord Hokage requests your presence at ANBU headquarters."
"Oh?" Kakashi nodded thoughtfully as Guy rose to his feet.
Only Minamoto maintained his knowing smile.
"It seems they've finally unearthed it..."
Several days had passed since Minamoto planted his false information, and the village had been diligently excavating. That they were only now getting results was actually rather slow.
"Though I wonder—will they be able to decipher the information?"
Suddenly, Minamoto's expression turned peculiar.
With both the First and Second Hokage reanimated through Edo Tensei, what if neither could interpret the findings?
Now that would be quite the spectacle...
"Black Zetsu, Obito—they've unearthed it," White Zetsu's partial form announced within the Akatsuki hideout, grinning mischievously.
"So they've actually found it!" Obito's gaze sharpened as Black Zetsu calmly nodded.
"Not surprising. I had identified several potential locations but couldn't confirm them definitively. I also couldn't risk drawing attention with extensive searching, but they—"
"I understand," Obito acknowledged.
Meanwhile, White Zetsu suppressed a smirk—after all, they were the ones who had planted those clues!
Oblivious to this, Obito turned to Orochimaru. "How are your preparations progressing?"
"While I find this plan dubious, since you insist, I'm happy to participate," Orochimaru replied, his tongue flicking across his lips as he laughed hoarsely.
"Edo Tensei has been fully upgraded, and you've provided excellent materials. I believe we'll achieve impressive results this time."
"Let's hope so," Obito responded, his expectations measured. His requirements were practical.
"As long as it can keep Kitagawa Minamoto occupied, everything else will fall into place!"
"Keep him occupied, you say?" Orochimaru nodded, appreciating Obito's pragmatism. At least he wasn't delusional enough to believe Edo Tensei could completely turn the tide.
"Rest assured, that much is achievable."
"Then, Obito, let's prepare to depart," Black Zetsu interjected, concerned Orochimaru might reveal something inappropriate.
"Time is of the essence; we can't afford delays."
"Very well. I'll check on Nagato first," Obito decided before vanishing instantly.
Nagato remained within his Kamui dimension, requiring Obito's attention.
"We'll reconvene in five minutes and then move out!"
As Obito disappeared, Black Zetsu waited until he was completely gone before speaking softly.
"Orochimaru, everything you requested has been prepared. What about your end?"
"The Hyūga clan... You believe they're the key?" Orochimaru inquired, licking his lips curiously.
"Similar to the Senju and Uchiha relationship—is it the same with the Ōtsutsuki and Hyūga?"
"Highly probable. Don't forget the connection between Kaguya and the Hyūga," Black Zetsu sighed, reluctant to elaborate but resigned to necessity.
"Acquiring the Byakugan should resolve Kimimaro's condition. As for Madara Uchiha..."
"Don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing," Orochimaru assured him, his face radiating confidence.
"Provided nothing goes awry, I guarantee you a Madara Uchiha at the peak of his powers!"
"That will suffice..." Black Zetsu smiled, though inwardly contemptuous.
Do you truly comprehend what Madara at his peak even means?
While the Akatsuki prepared their assault, the Second Elder of the Ōtsutsuki clan arrived outside Konoha with Toneri.
"Grandfather, where are we?" Toneri asked curiously.
The Second Elder chuckled softly. "A place where we can acquire suitable eyes for you."
The Elder could have given his own eyes to Toneri, but he preferred to expend his remaining life force searching for superior ones—especially since they had long identified the "Byakugan Princess."
Originally, they had hoped she would become Toneri's bride, ensuring the continuation of the moon's Ōtsutsuki lineage.
"Given our current circumstances, we must focus on more immediate objectives."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the silver moon hanging in the sky.
After three years, surely that person had ceased monitoring them?
"Well then..."
The Second Elder murmured, suddenly sensing something that caused him to instantly activate his Byakugan.
"How fortuitous—those individuals have arrived, and it seems they have their own agenda?"
"Perfect. I shall use these inferior beings to obtain what I desire."
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