Another contract appeared, with the price tag of two chips.
Minato carefully pondered the other party's words. The information he cared about most was the power hidden within Konoha itself.
The hint was already obvious. According to the other party, he could borrow this power, which meant that the source of this power must be someone he was familiar with — or someone who had good intentions toward Konoha.
'And that piece of information... the one who will control the Nine-Tails is not Uchiha Madara, so...'
Although he could guess part of the truth, he still felt uncertain.
Minato looked at the leisurely black shadow sitting opposite him. The other party's intention was clear, but he still didn't dare to gamble recklessly.
This was not a battlefield, where information could be tested through attacks or gained by buying time. This matter concerned the future of Konoha, the life and death of Kushina, and... his yet-to-be-born child, Naruto.
"I… agree to the contract!" Minato's voice was firm, yet tinged with helplessness. The contract was sealed.
Uchiha Yun smiled and raised a finger, "The first person you can ask for help is Hatake Kakashi."
Minato's brow furrowed, confused. "?"
"How is that possible?" Minato's shock was evident. Despite the shocking information he had already received, his focus had never wavered from Yun until now.
This time, however, it was because he was too familiar with the person Yun had just named. From Kakashi's unique swordsmanship style to his mastery over the lightning element — a Lightning-style technique that could even sever lightning itself — all these abilities were clear in Minato's mind.
Comparing this to the enemy intelligence he had just received, Minato could not comprehend how Kakashi could be of help.
Yun waved his hand slightly. "Surprised, right? In fact, it's not exactly Kakashi himself. He probably hasn't yet realized his own abilities — the power of that Mangekyō Sharingan."
'Mangekyō Sharingan?' Minato's mind raced. His expression became uncontrollable for the first time.
Another Mangekyō Sharingan... From the words of the mysterious black shadow, it was highly probable the enemy was not Madara.
'But the summoning contract scroll of the Nine-Tails...'
'An Uchiha. A one-eyed Uchiha. An Uchiha who defected from Konoha. Or maybe missing?'
'Wait!'
'He! His body was never found!'
'...Obito!'
Yun continued, "Kakashi's Sharingan evolved to the level of Mangekyō a long time ago, but because he is not an Uchiha, he has yet to fully awaken or sense this power."
"Let me also tell you that his power has a very rigid restrain over that person. By the way, I think with your wisdom, Fourth Hokage, you should have already guessed who this person is."
"As for the second person — the hidden power in Konoha — it is Uchiha Fugaku, or... even Uchiha Shisui."
Yun looked at the shocked Minato and said, "Kakashi's ocular ability requires the guidance of the Uchiha. Fourth Hokage, you have a good relationship with the Uchiha clan, and if you continue with this alliance, perhaps in the future, Konoha will have three and a half pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan loyal to you."
"And this, as I said before, is about the future."
Without waiting for the turmoil inside Minato's heart to subside, Yun continued, "The Third Hokage, once hailed as a 'Ninja Hero' by the entire shinobi world, is now old. Watching children play happily in the village, he resists all forces that threaten peace."
"But in this era, yielding is weakness. Yielding to former comrades, to former disciples, to enemy nations..."
Yun fixed Minato with a sharp gaze. "You are the Fourth Hokage, known as the 'Yellow Flash', and only you can change all this. If you live, many tragedies will be averted."
"Every step you take in the future will profoundly impact the world. There is even a high probability that peace will endure longer because of your presence."
After these words settled, Minato relaxed and smiled helplessly at the black shadow opposite.
"Although I do not know who you are, I am truly glad to hear that peace will continue."
"And from what you said, it is clear you desire peace. It is because of this that I agreed to these contracts, totaling four chips."
"Then... do you have any more hints to give me?"
Yun shook his head with a small smile. "I have told you enough. You do not have enough chips to purchase further intelligence."
Minato smiled and nodded. "I have benefited greatly today... Thank you!"
As his voice faded, he stood up and vanished.
...
In the Uchiha clan's territory, Yun raised his head and glanced at the clock.
'Sure enough, no matter how long you stay in that space, in the outside world, it is but a moment.'
He thought to himself that the negotiation table was far too dull in atmosphere. It might be better to recreate the scene at the Hokage Rock next time. That would psychologically impact the customer more, and the special effects in the air would feel more believable.
...
Back at Minato's house.
Minato stood by the bedside, lost in thought over the information he had just received, while Kushina, lying on the bed, stared at him with growing irritation. The pregnancy hormones surged and her temper flared continuously.
"M-I-N-A-T-O!!!"
*Bang!*
With a punch, the Fourth Hokage was almost knocked out cold.
'Who am I? Where am I? What was I about to do just now?'
Minato, picking himself up from the broken furniture, scratched his head in confusion over these fundamental questions.
Kushina's eyes welled with tears. "I'm going to give birth tomorrow. I asked you to get me a glass of water, but you ran to the living room, stood there for a while, and then came back without bringing any. Is it too much to ask for a little of your time?"
Minato was stunned, then realized she was right — he had indeed intended to get water for Kushina but was distracted by the exchange.
"Uh... I'm really sorry, Kushina!"
She sniffled and softened. "I forgive you."
Minato went to the living room once more to fetch a glass of water, though his mind remained preoccupied with the information he had gained.
'There is only one day left...'
'The Nine-Tails' summoning contract...'
'To make it foolproof...'
'We must act now!'
"I have to go out."
Kushina, who had just sipped her water, looked up with concern. "Is there an emergency so late?"
Her husband was the Hokage, and now, on the eve of their child's birth, she could not help but feel nervous.
Minato smiled gently and took her hand. "Don't worry, believe me! I have made all the preparations. You rest first, and I will come back soon."
Kushina nodded obediently. She never resisted Minato in serious matters.
Whether it was the title 'Yellow Flash' or his many achievements before becoming Hokage, Minato's success was inseparable from Kushina's sealing jutsu.
Donning his Hokage cloak and hat, Minato disappeared in a yellow flash, appearing moments later at Kakashi's house.
It was by using the Flying Thunder God Technique Kunai—the gift Minato had given Kakashi when he became a Jonin—a kunai engraved with Minato's unique formula that enabled the teleportation.
*****
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