Jiraiya and Minato's figures rose and fell silently across the roof tiles, their years of shinobi experience having long since taught them how to melt into the night. A heavy silence hung between them. It wasn't until they reached a training ground on the edge of the village that the two figures suddenly came to a halt.
"You guys actually believe me just like that?"
A voice came from atop Jiraiya's head, sounding somewhat lazy. Jiang Chen kicked Jiraiya's head with his back leg. "Aren't you afraid I'm lying to you?"
Jiraiya paused for a moment and looked at Minato. Minato's gaze drifted toward the village. After a moment, he released the hand seal for his sensory ninjutsu.
"I trust Sensei."
Minato trusted Jiraiya just as Jiraiya trusted Jiang Chen's prophecy. Moreover, Jiang Chen's predictions had never been significantly wrong in the past. In a matter of this magnitude—one capable of overturning the village—there was no room for luck. By working backward with the assumption that the enemy was Obito, many suspicious points suddenly became clear.
Minato's simple words caused the taut strings of Jiraiya's heart to relax slightly, followed by a surge of warmth. He raised a hand and slapped the top of his own head. "Did you hear that? Quit your yapping!"
"How boring."
Jiang Chen settled back down.
Minato's gaze returned; his senses detected nothing unusual. "Sensei, Mr. Jiang Chen... if we consider the worst-case scenario, our entire plan might need to be rebuilt from scratch. First, the location we originally prepared can no longer be used."
Minato held up a finger. "If he knows the date of the delivery, it means the location and time are likely no longer secrets. We must assume the intelligence has already leaked."
Jiraiya's expression turned solemn. "The people who know about this..."
Minato shook his head, signaling that now was not the time to hunt for a mole. He held up a second finger. "I will prepare a new location. I'll personally set up the barrier and cover the surrounding area with my Flying Thunder God formulas. When the time comes, I'll transport you all there using the Flying Thunder God."
"I'll guard the outside," Jiraiya interjected without hesitation. "If anyone wants to get in, they'll have to step over my dead body."
"No, Sensei." Minato shook his head. "You have a more important task. On the surface, you're still back to 'gather inspiration.' Secretly, I need you to use your information network to keep a close eye on everything suspicious in the village—especially the Uchiha sector. It's not that I don't trust Fugaku, but Obito's surname is Uchiha. If he returns, the most likely place he'd go is Uchiha territory."
Minato explained further, "I can't move easily; people are watching my every move. Only you, Sensei, can use 'research' as an excuse to move around freely without raising suspicion."
Jiraiya understood that Minato was preparing a two-pronged strategy. "Then who will guard the delivery room?" Jiraiya was still uneasy. "If it's just you, what if he lures you away..."
Minato pondered for a moment. "I plan to station several elite Anbu at the fake location, along with Kakashi. As for the real delivery room," Minato's voice lowered a few shades, "aside from the necessary medical staff, I'm afraid I can only rely on you and the Third Hokage."
Jiraiya nodded. He mentally approved; this arrangement was thorough. With the Third Hokage presiding, it was enough to suppress any situation. As for Kakashi—Minato's most prized student—the unparalleled bond between him and Obito was the perfect bait to deceive the enemy.
Except... Minato's true concern was likely Obito's current strength. Jiraiya sighed inwardly. He only hoped this mission would provide a sliver of closure for that silver-haired boy who always lived in the shadows.
"Alright, let's do it!" Jiraiya clapped his hands. He looked at Minato but couldn't help whispering, "But Minato... who exactly leaked the information? If we don't find them, it'll always be a hidden threat."
Minato's eyes dimmed. This question was like a poisoned thorn stuck in the core of the plan, making it impossible to rest easy.
While both were silent, Jiang Chen, who had been lying flat, suddenly spoke up. "Oh, that? I actually know who it was."
The surroundings went dead silent. A vein popped on Jiraiya's forehead as he said speechlessly, "You know? Why didn't you say so earlier!"
Jiang Chen let out a yawn. "You guys didn't ask."
Jiraiya was choked into silence by that righteous, lazy tone.
"Sensei." Minato reached out and placed a hand on Jiraiya's wrist to calm him down. "Let him speak."
Jiraiya suppressed his frustration, though his chest felt tight. Minato turned to Jiang Chen and requested calmly, "Please, tell us."
Jiang Chen cleared his throat and asked a question in return: "Kakashi Hatake has been visiting the Memorial Stone a lot lately, hasn't he?"
...
Jiraiya froze. Minato's face turned pale.
The combination of the names 'Kakashi' and the 'Memorial Stone' instantly connected every piece of information, revealing a clear narrative. He could almost see that silver-haired boy standing before the stone monument.
'I'm useless. I'm sorry, Rin. I'm sorry, Obito.'
Then, he would talk about his new mission. He'd say he was going to risk his life to protect his master's wife and the unborn child, treating it as a form of atonement.
Minato understood it all. He understood Kakashi's guilt and the boy's obsession. As a teacher, his heart ached for him. But at this moment, that understanding felt like a plunge into an icy abyss.
He could see another image—Obito, wearing a mask, standing silently in the shadows, listening. Listening to his friend's confession, piecing together the intelligence he needed, and turning Kakashi's desperate attempt at protection into a blade pointed at his own master's wife.
It was too cruel.
Minato's body swayed slightly. This truth was more painful to him than the fact that Obito was still alive.
The training ground was terrifyingly quiet. Jiraiya looked at Minato's deathly pale face under the moonlight and couldn't say a word. To him, this felt more agonizing than being stabbed in the back.
After a long time, Minato looked up, composure returning to his deep blue eyes.
"Sensei," he spoke, his voice regaining the steadiness befitting the Fourth Hokage. "Let's proceed with the plan as intended."
Jiraiya looked worried.
"On the surface, everything remains the same. The missions for the Third Hokage and Kakashi won't change. The location will be the 'fake' one we've prepared for Obito."
Jiraiya looked at Minato and understood immediately. If they changed too much, someone as smart as Kakashi would surely guess that he was the one who leaked the secret. That self-reproach would likely crush him completely. Minato was going to keep the secret for him.
"Obito will go to the place we prepared first." Minato's gaze shifted toward the distant Hokage Rock. "And we will be waiting for him at the real delivery room. Just when he thinks everything is going smoothly, I will appear..."
Minato's voice was soft, yet carried an unwavering resolve. "And I will pull him back with my own two hands."
"I understand." Jiraiya nodded heavily. He looked at his student, the Fourth Hokage who had arranged everything perfectly, yet a pang of sorrow rose in his heart. How much pain must Minato be in, having to fight while carrying such a truth?
"Minato, you..."
"I'm fine, Sensei." Minato turned and gave Jiraiya a small smile, but within that smile—beyond the exhaustion and weight—was a sharp, decisive edge.
He had to save his former student, protect the student being kept in the dark, and guard his wife who was about to give birth and their unborn child. The entire burden rested on Minato alone.
"Before becoming the Fourth Hokage, I was their teacher, after all."