"Classified mission?" the Third asked doubtfully. "Isn't that just the excuse Danzō publicly claimed?"
Seiki didn't answer directly. Instead, he brought up another matter. "Third Lord, do you remember the ambush I encountered at Hōzuki Castle two years ago?"
"How could I possibly forget?" The Third took a puff of his pipe, exhaling swirling smoke. "That was the turning point of the Third Great Ninja War!"
Recalling the incident, Seiki continued, "During that event, I discovered a shadow manipulating the shinobi world from the darkness!"
The Third's pupils slightly constricted. "You mean... this current incident too..."
Seiki nodded gravely. "Exactly. I sensed that guy's aura again during last night's chaos!"
"One occupying shinobi bodies from the shadows, inciting the Tsuchikage to start war; another scheming to manipulate the Nine-Tails, plotting to destroy Konoha—such dangerous figures gathering together are bound to draw attention!"
Seiki spoke solemnly. "But what worries me even more is, are these really only two members of such an organization?"
Minato also grew serious. "While fighting the Masked Man, he let slip a piece of information—there may already be Kage from other villages under their control!"
"What?" Now even the Third couldn't remain calm. "Other villages already have their Kage turned into puppets?"
Such information leakage... Could Obito really be that foolish? Seiki inwardly criticized while showing shock on his face. "This could be a tremendous event shaking the entire shinobi world!"
The Third quickly suggested, "Then we should issue warnings to other villages immediately!"
"Wait a moment." Seiki stopped the Third. "Putting aside whether this is an enemy trap meant to reignite tensions between Konoha and other villages, even if they truly slipped up, they've probably already prepared countermeasures—like removing control and erasing those memories from the Kage's minds."
"If we issue warnings and get no response, it could be used as an excuse for others to attack us! After all, the Kage are too important to the villages. This could easily escalate into a diplomatic incident!"
Minato began reconsidering too. Although that guy seemed foolish, could someone capable of manipulating the Nine-Tails and attempting to destroy Konoha really be that foolish?
"Could this be intentional leakage? Even that panicked look in his eyes might have been faked just for my benefit?" Thinking thus, Minato couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
If even his reaction was part of their plan, then this enemy's mind is incredibly cunning and terrifying!
"So, you want to secretly investigate them using this opportunity?"
Seiki's expression was stern. "Starting wars, destroying villages, secretly manipulating Kage—any one of these actions proves the existence of a powerful organization with terrifying ambition within the shinobi world!"
"My suggestion is we investigate thoroughly without alerting them first."
Minato exhaled heavily. "You're right. This kind of matter indeed cannot be ignored!"
The Third frowned deeply. "But while you investigate secretly, won't you also be giving those people more chances to act?"
"By the time you figure things out, the other four great ninja villages might already be secretly controlled by that group!"
After a moment of thought, Seiki spoke, "In that case, let's keep quiet about the possibility that some of them might already be controlled. Just mention someone's attempt to control the Hokage and let them raise their own vigilance."
Minato nodded in agreement, "If rumors spread about any Kage in other villages being manipulated, regardless of truth, the entire shinobi world would fall into mutual suspicion. Just warning them to be cautious should suffice."
"Never thought this incident would have such complicated underlying relationships!" The Third's expression turned complex. The shinobi world he thought he understood suddenly felt unfamiliar. "Sigh! It's really troubling you two!"
"There's no need to worry about me, Third Lord," Seiki smiled wistfully, "Ever since I arrived in Konoha, every other moment has been nothing but missions and battles. I've never truly seen the world. This time, I might as well travel freely and explore this world with an open heart!"
Minato chuckled, "That's true. This kind of unrestrained life is something many people would envy."
The more they talked, the more troubled the Third looked. "Sigh! Konoha is truly fortunate to have you two!"
...
An hour later, at Minato's home.
First came the sound of clattering pots and pans, then a furious shout exploded from the room.
"Ahhh! I'm going to beat that bastard Danzo to a pulp!" Kushina grabbed a spatula and stormed toward the door.
"Kushina, calm down, calm down!" Minato hugged her waist, planting his feet firmly on the ground, yet still being dragged along by her.
"How can you expect me to stay calm?" Kushina raged, "That bastard wants to drive you and Seiki out of Konoha!"
"I'll just say Kurama wasn't happy about how badly he lost in that fight at the School Festival." Kushina declared boldly, "Isn't spreading rumors something anyone can do?"
Minato laughed helplessly, "But weren't you the one who actually won that time?"
"Oh right!" Kushina said innocently, then quickly changed her tune, "Then we'll say he intentionally held back, making Kurama feel humiliated!"
Minato sighed, "I know you don't want us to leave, but it's for Naruto's sake — I have to do this."
Hearing Naruto mentioned, Kushina calmed down, uncharacteristically revealing a rare moment of vulnerability, "I'm just so worried, worried that you'll leave and never come back!"
"How could that be!" Minato pulled her into his arms, "I'll come back to visit every month, won't I?"
"I had a dream last night — a world where Seiki didn't exist. You and I were pierced through our chests by the Nine-Tails, bleeding so much blood..."
"Don't think too much, it was just a dream!"
"Yeah! It was just a dream!"
...
Back home, Seiki sat upright in the chair before the table with impeccable posture.
Even when he was alone, he never allowed himself to appear lazy or sloppy.
"Finally, we've come to this. Now, it's just a matter of waiting and letting things unfold!"
He'd always planned to take a break from Konoha, but even a short absence needed to be turned into the biggest win possible!
Just like now — with a little maneuvering, his image as a tragic hero would be firmly planted in everyone's minds.
Plus, the Uchiha would probably see him as the only savior who could resolve the conflict between them and Konoha!
As for Danzō, he had already been chosen as the perfect tool to dismantle the established authority.
Once Danzō had played his role to the fullest, he'd then step in to turn the tide.
Whether Danzō would act precisely as he expected didn't concern Seiki — he had full confidence in Danzō's political savvy.
At worst, he could always secretly push the Akatsuki to lend Danzō a hand.
"The pieces in Konoha are almost all in place — time to move on to the next stage!"
Thinking about his plan, Seiki quietly sighed to himself, "While they're still busy laying plans for a single village or clan, I'm already thinking on a global scale... Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss."
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!