Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the woman before him—barely twenty years old—and a shadow passed through his eyes.
If Akatsuki discovered the secret of the Dragon Vein, they could use it to travel between different worlds.
Hiruzen understood very clearly what that would mean.
In truth, ever since Kakashi and Naruko had arrived in this world, he had already begun thinking about the Dragon Vein.
Especially after hearing fragments of future information from Kakashi.
Unfortunately, the Dragon Vein was located in what used to be the Land of Wind—and was now under Akatsuki's territory.
He had no way to interfere directly.
But now…
Even if it was inconvenient, he had no choice.
After a long silence, Hiruzen opened his eyes.
"Blue Phoenix."
"Call Kaoru ."
Normally a mission like infiltrating enemy territory and gathering intelligence would be best handled by Hatake Sakumo.
But the White Fang had already been sent to Hōzuki Castle.
At the moment, Kaoru was the most suitable candidate.
Her experience might be lacking.
But the mobility of the Flying Thunder God Technique ensured her safety.
"Yes."
A deep voice answered from the corner of the room.
The shadow disappeared instantly.
Sakura glanced briefly at the spot.
She knew Hokage ANBU always remained close to the Hokage.
Moments later, a heroic-looking blonde girl entered the meeting room.
"Hokage-sama."
Kaoru bowed respectfully.
Sakura's gaze fell on her.
Namikaze Minato had been famous for his handsome appearance.
And Kaoru , his counterpart, was equally striking.
Sakura herself was considered one of Konoha's beauties.
But compared to the golden-haired, blue-eyed Yellow Flash, she still seemed slightly inferior.
Of course, Sakura didn't care about such things.
What interested her was Kaoru 's identity.
Kaoru was Minato's counterpart.
Which meant her lover was Kushina's counterpart—
Uzumaki Kyūsei.
And unlike Kushina, Kyūsei was the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
A perfect jinchūriki, just like Menma.
If Kaoru were in danger…
Would she use the reverse Flying Thunder God to summon Kyūsei to the battlefield?
While Sakura was thinking about this, Hiruzen finished explaining the situation.
Kaoru frowned.
Just yesterday, they had been discussing how to use the Dragon Vein for multiverse expansion.
And now this had happened.
Even if they decided not to pursue that plan—
They still had to stop Akatsuki.
Because if Akatsuki discovered the Dragon Vein's power…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
"I'll go prepare and depart immediately."
Her expression was serious.
"If you need teammates, you may choose anyone in Konoha."
Hiruzen added.
Kaoru 's eyes lit up.
"Except Kyūsei."
Her excitement visibly faded.
Kyūsei was the strongest combat power in Residual Sun.
If he appeared in the Land of Wind, tensions between both factions would immediately escalate.
If things went wrong, the war that had just ended might ignite again.
The previous invasion of the Land of Fire by Lightning and Earth forces had already caused enormous losses.
Now the population strongly opposed another war.
If fighting resumed, Hiruzen would have to manage both military logistics and domestic unrest.
It would be extremely difficult.
"However…"
"If it's an emergency, you may still summon Kyūsei."
Hiruzen added.
Kaoru 's special circumstances made him leave the option open.
When she was twelve, Hiruzen had believed Kaoru was the perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Her only weakness had been Kyūsei.
But now—
Their positions had reversed.
Kaoru had no weaknesses.
But Kyūsei now had one.
"Yes!"
Kaoru 's eyes brightened again.
Sakura watched her with a strange expression.
Minato had always been calm and reliable.
Yet his counterpart…
Was strangely adorable.
After Kaoru left, the room became quiet again.
Hiruzen sipped his tea and looked at Sakura.
"What have you decided about the previous matter?"
He was referring to Menma.
He wanted to see what price they were willing to pay for a Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
Sakura was silent for a moment.
Then she looked at him steadily.
"In terms of resources or techniques, nothing can compare to the Nine-Tails."
"But…"
"We can exchange it for a technology."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Let's hear it."
Sakura spoke slowly.
"Wood Release cell transplantation."
Beneath her collar, a strange mark briefly glowed.
"You're going on another mission?"
Kyūsei asked helplessly as he watched Kaoru pack her equipment.
"Yeah."
"This mission is important."
"I might even need your help."
She replied while organizing a new batch of Flying Thunder God kunai.
Kyūsei frowned.
If Kaoru needed his help…
That meant something serious.
With Flying Thunder God, Kaoru already had near unmatched mobility.
Even if she couldn't win, she could always escape.
Unless…
There was a reason she couldn't run.
"Don't push yourself."
"If anything happens, call me."
Kyūsei said seriously.
"You're not even going to ask what the mission is?"
Kaoru looked at him curiously.
"…Can you tell me?"
Kyūsei asked in surprise.
Normally ninjas weren't allowed to reveal mission details.
And Kaoru had never told him before.
"Well…"
"You might need to help anyway."
"So it's fine if I tell you secretly."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and began explaining.
As she spoke, Kyūsei's expression grew darker.
His thoughts were the same as hers.
Just yesterday they had discussed multiverse expansion through the Dragon Vein.
Now Akatsuki had discovered it.
Even if their side abandoned the idea—
They still had to stop Akatsuki.
But there was a problem.
Uchiha Hikari.
From their brief clash before, Kyūsei knew she held an important position inside Akatsuki.
If Kaoru encountered her again…
Kyūsei looked at the girl before him.
His eyes hardened.
Even if it was Uchiha Hikari—
He would kill her.
"Hey, don't worry."
Kaoru laughed lightly.
"If I can't beat them, I can still run."
She smoothed the crease between his brows and kissed his cheek.
"I'm heading out."
"Wait for me at home."
"Alright."
"Be careful."
Kyūsei said quietly.
"Bye~"
As she turned to leave, Kyūsei suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"What is it?"
Kaoru asked curiously.
Kyūsei leaned closer.
"If you meet that Uchiha…"
"Don't let her touch you."
Kaoru blinked.
"Why?"
"She has a dōjutsu called Yachihoko."
"If she makes contact, she can mark you."
"Once marked, your memories and chakra can be controlled."
Kyūsei finally said it.
"W-What?"
Kaoru looked shocked.
"Where did you get that information?"
Kyūsei stayed silent.
How could he explain?
That this world had once been a manga in his previous life?
That he knew the characters and their abilities because he had read the story?
"I see…"
Kaoru sighed softly.
"It's okay."
"Everyone has their little secrets."
She pinched his cheeks gently.
"But Kyūsei will always stand on my side… right?"
She smiled warmly.
For a moment, Kyūsei almost told her everything.
But the words wouldn't come out.
"Anyway, I'll be careful."
She said lightly.
Then disappeared.
Kyūsei stood there for a long time.
He didn't understand why he hadn't told her.
Looking at his hands, his gaze lowered.
"Hey."
"Why are you blocking the door?"
Kakashi's voice came from behind him.
"…What did you call me?"
Kyūsei asked.
"…Fine."
"Big Brother Kyūsei, you're in the way."
Kakashi said with dead eyes.
"Oh… heading to school?"
"Today's Sunday."
"It's Rin's birthday."
"We promised to celebrate it."
"September 27…"
Kyūsei suddenly felt that date sounded familiar.
"Yeah."
Kakashi pushed past him and left.
"That kid…"
Kyūsei sighed.
Young Kakashi was really not cute at all.
But…
September 27…
Wasn't that Nao's birthday too…?
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