Minato and Jiraiya's gazes fell upon the small purple toad resting on the coffee table.
The light in the living room was warm, yet that warmth felt utterly severed by the barrier. The sound of vegetables being chopped echoed from the kitchen, becoming the only living sound in the dead silence, which only made everything feel hauntingly surreal.
After a long silence, Gamakon was the one to break the stagnation.
He stretched lazily, speaking in an obnoxious, drawling tone. "What a pity. I didn't get to see the panicked expression of the 'naming genius' Yellow Flash when he heard the news of his own death."
"Shut up!"
Veins pulsed at the corner of Jiraiya's eyes, his voice thick with suppressed rage. "Get to the point!"
His current mood was like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Any jab from Gamakon could be the spark that ignited the fuse. How could he not be anxious when those close to him were facing death? More terrifyingly, during his time with this toad, he realized that every prophecy had basically come true!
However, to Jiraiya's surprise, Minato remained exceptionally calm.
He even seemed to brighten up for a moment upon hearing the title "naming genius," and the tight corners of his mouth twitched into a faint, upward curve. But the smile vanished in a flash. He reached out, gently pressing down on Jiraiya's tense shoulder.
"Sensei, calm down."
Minato's voice was steady, fully displaying the composure of a Hokage.
He turned toward Gamakon on the coffee table. Showing no sign of being offended, he spoke seriously, in the posture of a student seeking guidance. "Please, continue."
This was Minato Namikaze. No matter how desperate the situation, he could immediately discard all distractions to focus on finding a solution.
Gamakon watched him and gave a mental nod of approval. 'As expected of the Fourth Hokage. This level of mental fortitude is far beyond that of an ordinary ninja.'
"Very well."
Gamakon nodded, no longer beating around the bush. "You should already understand that this is a calculated conspiracy. They intend to take the Nine-Tails by using Kushina's childbirth, forcing you into a dilemma: protect the village or protect your family. Regardless of what you choose, one will be destroyed."
Minato nodded in silence. He had already surmised as much the moment he heard the "news of his death."
However, he still had two questions.
"First, who is this masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara? How could that legendary ninja still be alive? Second, and most crucially, how does he know the location and time of Kushina's delivery? That is a top-secret matter within the village. No more than five people know."
Since confirming Kushina's pregnancy, the village had already begun planning for the future. In fact, just recently, the village was close to finalizing the exact location for the birth.
As the second question was voiced, the temperature in the living room seemed to drop further. This implied that there might be a traitor among the highest ranks of Konoha.
Jiraiya's pupils shrank violently as he instinctively looked at Minato. Having just returned to the village, he didn't know exactly who those five people were, but he could clearly feel the cold, sharp killing intent radiating from his disciple after he spoke those words.
Minato's expression had turned unprecedentedly grim.
Gamakon looked at the two of them—one filled with suspicion and the other with internal killing intent—and slowly tossed out the first answer. "Regarding the attacker... I can tell you that he is related to the Uchiha."
"The Uchiha?"
Minato and Jiraiya exchanged a look, seeing the shock and confusion in each other's eyes.
Minato immediately countered, his brow furrowed. "Since I took over as Hokage, with the support of the Third Hokage, the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan has mellowed significantly. The authority of the Police Force has been restored and respected, and the talented ninja within the clan have been given more opportunities for promotion. Although the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, is proud, he is not a man without a sense of the bigger picture. At a time like this, the Uchiha have no reason to launch an attack capable of subverting the village. It isn't logical."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement. "That's right. Fugaku might always have a stiff face, but he has a sense of belonging to the village. Besides, Madara is a name that even the Uchiha are tight-lipped about; they wouldn't do things under that banner."
Their analysis was sound. Anyone who understood the situation in Konoha would think the same.
Gamakon simply listened quietly, waiting for them to finish before explaining.
"Everything you said is correct."
"The problem is that your logic, your analysis, and all the efforts you've made... are completely meaningless in that person's eyes."
"He doesn't care about the future of the Uchiha, nor does he care about the peace of the village."
Gamakon's voice paused, letting the chill thoroughly seep into their bones.
Jiraiya sensed a deeper level of despair in the atmosphere. He grabbed Minato's arm and roared at Gamakon, "Stop talking in circles! Gamakon! Who exactly is he?!"
Fear and unease had caused this Legendary Sannin to nearly lose his composure.
Facing Jiraiya's roar, Gamakon merely grinned, revealing a mischievous, wicked smile. His gaze drifted past Jiraiya, staring straight at the pensive Minato.
"Jiraiya, Minato, before I answer that, I'd like to ask you a question in return..."
His voice was full of mockery. "Do you really want to know who the opponent is?"
"The answer might be even more despair-inducing than the name 'Uchiha Madara.' It will shatter your beliefs and turn everything you protect into a joke."
In the kitchen, the sound of Kushina humming a song drifted over.
"Minato, Sensei, dinner's almost ready!"
That voice, full of happiness and anticipation, was like the sharpest blade, stabbing deep into the hearts of the two men in the living room.
Jiraiya's anger died down in a strange way at that moment. He let go of Minato and stepped back, looking dazed. He was afraid. He was truly afraid of hearing a familiar name. No matter who it was, it would be someone he couldn't accept.
Minato stood his ground, motionless. His blonde hair hung down, obscuring his eyes. His fist, hidden at his side, suddenly clenched, the knuckles emitting a soft cracking sound.
After a long time.
He slowly raised his head. In those blue eyes, the light of the Fourth Hokage was shining. He looked at Gamakon, his voice raspy yet incredibly firm.
"Tell me."
The smile on Gamakon's face vanished, replaced by a look of pity. Heaven only knew how a toad's face could manage such a rich range of expressions.
Gamakon continued, his voice as soft as a whisper, yet as heavy as a mountain. "Since you are prepared, then I shall tell you the truth of what is about to happen..."
He looked at Minato, enunciating every word clearly.
"The masked man who is coming to destroy everything you have..."
"...is the hero you once buried with your own hands."
"Uchiha Obito."