Another contract appeared—two chips.
Minato Namikaze pondered the other party's words: an important piece of intel and a hidden power within Konoha.
The hints were already obvious. If this power was something he could borrow, then clearly its source must be someone familiar to him, or at least someone who still held goodwill toward Konoha.
And that intel…
Someone was controlling the Nine-Tails, but it wasn't Madara Uchiha, which meant…
He could guess part of it, but...
Minato looked at the composed shadowy figure before him. The other party's intention was also clear, but Minato still didn't dare gamble.
This wasn't a battlefield, where he could test the accuracy of intel through combat. This involved the future of Konoha, the life and death of Kushina, and Naruto!
"I agree… to the contract!"
The helpless but resolute voice rang out. The contract was sealed.
Uchiha Yun smiled and raised a finger."The first person you can ask for help… is Kakashi Hatake."
"…?!"
"What?!"
Minato was stunned for the first time. No matter how shocking the intel had been earlier, he'd never once taken his eyes off Yun.
But this time, the name that came out of Yun's mouth was far too familiar to him. From the Hatake Sword Technique to the Raikiri that could cut through lightning, Minato knew Kakashi's abilities inside out.
Compared to the intel he had just received about the enemy, he simply couldn't imagine how Kakashi could possibly help.
Yun lightly waved his hand. "Surprised, aren't you? In truth, even Kakashi himself doesn't yet realize his own ability, the power of that Mangekyō Sharingan."
'Mangekyō Sharingan?'
A flood of thoughts raced through Minato's mind. For the first time, his expression faltered.
Another Mangekyō Sharingan. And based on what this shadowy figure had said, it was highly likely that the enemy was not Madara Uchiha.
But the summoning contract with the Nine-Tails…
A Uchiha with a single eye. A Uchiha who had defected—or perhaps gone missing. No! Someone whose name was missing from the memorial stone!
'…Obito!'
Yun continued, "Kakashi's Sharingan had actually evolved into Mangekyō a long time ago. But since he's not a Uchiha, he never noticed this power."
"And now I can tell you, this power is highly effective against that person. As the Fourth Hokage, with your intelligence, I'm sure you've already figured out who he is."
"As for the second individual within Konoha holding this hidden power… it could be Uchiha Fugaku, or… Uchiha Shisui."
Seeing the shock on Minato's face, Yun added, "Kakashi's eye requires guidance from a Uchiha. But as the Fourth Hokage, you have a bond of goodwill with the Uchiha. Forge goodwill with the clan now, honor that debt, and perhaps Konoha will one day boast three and a half loyal Mangekyō wielders."
"And that is what I meant earlier about the future."
Without giving Minato time to collect his thoughts, Yun continued, "The Third Hokage, once known as the 'God of Shinobi,' is now old. Watching the children play joyfully in the village, deep down, he resists anything that might disrupt peace."
"But in this era, compromise is weakness. Yielding to old comrades, to former students, even to enemy nations…"
Yun locked eyes with Minato."You are the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash. Only you can change all of this. As long as you're alive, many tragedies may never come to pass."
"Every step you take from now on will leave a deep mark on this world. There's even a high chance you could prolong peace once more."
When Yun finished speaking, Minato visibly relaxed. He smiled wryly at the shadow across from him.
"Although I don't know who you are, to make such a judgment—that I might be able to prolong peace… I'm flattered."
"But from what you said, I can see it… You must be someone who also longs for peace. Those four chips, that's why I agreed to the contract."
"So… any more bait? It smelled pretty good." ^_^
Yun shook his head with a chuckle. "I've already told you enough. And frankly, you don't have any more chips left to offer."
Minato smiled and nodded. "I've gained a lot today… Thank you."
With that, he stood up and disappeared.
Uchiha Compound
In a room, Uchiha Yun looked up at the clock.
Click.
Sure enough, no matter how long you stayed in the Intelligence Exchange, only a moment passed in the outside world.
Though the negotiation room felt a bit heavy in atmosphere, maybe next time it could be held at the Hokage Rock? That might exert more psychological pressure on clients, and the ambient effects would feel more believable, too, right?
At Minato's House
Standing beside the bed, Minato was deep in thought about the intel he'd just received.
Kushina, lying on the bed, stared at him. Pregnancy hormones surged, and her anger was rising.
"Mina—TO!!!"
BOOM!
With one punch, Konoha's Fourth Hokage… was KO'd!
'Who am I? Where am I? What was I just about to do?'
Crawling out of the broken furniture, Minato asked himself the three great life questions, totally confused. He scratched his head, bewildered.
On the bed, Kushina's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm giving birth tomorrow. I asked you to get me a glass of water, and you just stood in the living room for a while and came back empty-handed. How could you be so half-hearted?"
Minato blinked, finally recalling that before being pulled into the Exchange, he was about to get water for Kushina.
"Uh… I'm sorry!"
"Siiiigh Okay… you're forgiven."
Minato went back to the living room, got her the water, but his mind was still preoccupied with the intel.
Only one day left…
The Nine-Tails summoning contract…
If he wanted to ensure everything went perfectly…
He had to act now!
"I need to head out for a bit."
Kushina had just taken a sip of water and blinked in confusion. "This late? Is something urgent happening?"
As his wife, hearing that he had to go out, especially with her due date tomorrow, made her feel anxious.
Minato held her hand and smiled."Don't worry. Trust me. I've made all the necessary preparations. You get some rest. I'll explain everything when I get back."
Kushina nodded obediently. When it came to serious matters, she never dragged him down.
Whether it was his title as the Yellow Flash or his many feats before becoming Hokage, Minato's success owed much to Kushina's sealing techniques.
Minato donned his Hokage cloak, put on his hat, and with a golden flash, appeared at Kakashi's home.
It was a gift he had given Kakashi when he became a Jonin—a Flying Thunder God kunai etched with Minato's unique formula.