Kakashi wasn't wrong—this matter was indeed very complicated.
Of course, from Natsuhiko's perspective, the complexity wasn't quite as intense as it seemed.
He wasn't worried that reporting information within the ANBU would bring him trouble. In fact, internal surveillance within the ANBU over its members was relatively weak.
"Weak" was only relative, of course. Necessary inspections were by no means lax—but Natsuhiko simply didn't care about those checks.
For one, there was the question of whether anyone would even notice. The location he chose was sufficiently secluded.
Besides, he actually hoped someone would see it and report the matter to the Third Hokage. It wouldn't be overly dangerous.
That said, he wouldn't be too blatant about it. Making things too obvious would leave crude traces and make his intentions too transparent.
Since Natsuhiko had already reached an agreement with Minato, he naturally intended to prepare proper material—such as what he had seen and heard within the ANBU.
For example, the Root members he and Kakashi encountered after returning from a mission.
He would even report the existence of that underground laboratory.
He hadn't mentioned these matters during his previous meeting with Minato, and Minato hadn't pressed him for details either.
Minato knew Natsuhiko was still on guard duty. Night patrols were handled not only by Konoha's standing defense forces, but also by the ANBU.
And the ANBU's duties were far more dangerous and troublesome—primarily to prevent spies within the village from transmitting intelligence, even if such efforts weren't always effective.
Every village had a large number of spies. It was an open secret—an unspoken rule everyone understood.
Sometimes, even the Kage would make use of those spies.
Still, cleanup operations were necessary—especially targeting those who had gone undetected but managed to obtain valuable intelligence.
If they encountered such individuals, Natsuhiko and the other ANBU's mission was simple:
Eliminate them.
Engagement always carried risk. Letting such targets escape was dereliction of duty.
Thus, Minato hadn't wasted too much of Natsuhiko's time.
Besides, Minato himself had slipped out secretly—he needed to return to accompany his wife.
Natsuhiko's preparations now were for his next meeting with Minato. When Minato taught him the Flying Thunder God Technique, Natsuhiko would present this "sincerity" in return.
"Once I master the Flying Thunder God, my strength should increase dramatically again. I just wonder what my overall power rating will become."
He was genuinely curious.
His current evaluation had already reached the level of a jōnin—mainly because his base attributes were exceptionally high.
In addition, he possessed two chakra fruits, along with Earth Release and Water Release techniques. Altogether, this elevated his overall combat strength to jōnin level—even though his usable chakra reserves were only at the level of a chūnin.
The Flying Thunder God's chakra consumption depended entirely on distance.
This meant that if Natsuhiko limited himself to close-range combat, even with chūnin-level chakra reserves, he could absolutely sustain it.
Though the number of times he could use it would be somewhat limited.
And the combat power of the Flying Thunder God was terrifying.
Natsuhiko even wondered whether, after mastering it, his overall strength rating would rise to elite jōnin—or perhaps even reach Kage level.
Of course, that was only speculation. The actual result would have to wait until he learned the technique.
Even then, his application of the Flying Thunder God would likely be restricted to close-range combat for now.
As for long-distance escape?
Better not think about it—unless he could obtain additional sources of chakra.
"Speaking of chakra sources, there are quite a few options. The Tailed Beasts are an excellent one. But with my current strength and status, it's impossible for me to lay a hand on them. Even if one were released, it wouldn't change anything."
At the thought of Tailed Beasts, Natsuhiko couldn't deny he was tempted.
If he mastered sealing techniques, then during the Nine-Tails Incident half a year from now, he might actually be able to do something.
However—
He didn't dare.
He had no intention of defecting to the Akatsuki.
And with his ambitions already set on the Hokage's seat, how could he possibly run away?
He himself was a member of the Senju clan—firmly rooted in orthodoxy, of unquestionable lineage. As long as he handled things properly, Natsuhiko believed his chances were considerable.
There was no way—nor had he ever considered—stupidly going off to side with Uchiha Madara, the same man who had once been hung up and beaten down by Hashirama Senju.
So even if the Nine-Tails were released, he wouldn't dare lay a hand on it.
The other Tailed Beasts were just as troublesome.
Either they hadn't been revived yet—like the Three-Tails.
Or they were sealed within jinchūriki, heavily guarded by their villages.
Or Natsuhiko simply didn't think he could defeat those wandering jinchūriki—such as the one from Iwagakure.
And who knew whether that Four-Tails jinchūriki had already fled or not? The ANBU might have access to intelligence, but one should never underestimate a village—or a powerful shinobi's ability to conceal themselves.
"So the Tailed Beasts are out of the question… then… hmm?"
As he thought, Natsuhiko suddenly paused.
He remembered something.
There were actually two other possible chakra sources.
One seemed to be the Zero-Tails inside Amaru of the Land of Sky—though that woman was probably not even born yet.
Moreover, he had no idea when the Zero-Tails was created, how it came into existence, or what exactly Shinno had done. He only knew such a thing existed.
Beyond that, he didn't know much about the Land of Sky. He only knew about its massive fortress. The rest was unclear.
After all, the Land of Sky had been destroyed many years ago, and Natsuhiko's interest in such "side-story" material was fairly limited.
The fact that he remembered the characters' names, some general information, and details about the Land of Sky fortress was already impressive.
As for the other option—that was much simpler.
Even though it was also a "side-story," it involved Minato meeting a time-traveling Naruto. Natsuhiko's interest in that was significantly higher. Who wouldn't be interested in time travel?
Because of that, he remembered the details clearly. He knew the name of the source, its nature, and its exact location.
The Ryumyaku.
And he knew its specifics—its condition and its precise location.
Most importantly, Natsuhiko knew that at present, this chakra source likely had no owner.
Konoha might once have had interest in it, but Minato had already sealed it away—and even sealed his own memories of it. Many details had been forgotten as a result.
As for Sunagakure, their sealing techniques were… difficult to praise.
Even though their One-Tail sealing was strong, their overall sealing capabilities were lacking.
Just look at Gaara's condition—it was said he had never truly slept properly.
The Ryumyaku, hidden in Rōran...
Natsuhiko's eyes narrowed slightly.
Once I've mastered sealing techniques, I should find an opportunity to take a proper look."
After all… something ownerless like that could be of tremendous help to me.