"At that point, the Third Hokage's approach will collapse on its own, forcing him to take a harder stance against Iwagakure."
"And Yahiko's Akatsuki is currently traveling across the battlefield—rescuing the wounded and persuading others to cease fighting. They're bound to obstruct Danzō."
"Given Danzō's nature, targeting them is only natural."
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly.
Truthfully, he partially agreed with Danzō's stance.
Konoha had already conceded too much in its treaty with Sunagakure.
Now, with Iwagakure, it was happening again.
And once Kumogakure and Kirigakure saw this pattern, they would never yield.
Hiruzen's constant pursuit of peace would ultimately come at the expense of Konoha's shinobi.
Even those who had died in battle might never receive proper compensation.
A victorious village forced to accept losses—
it was nothing short of humiliating.
But agreeing with Danzō's stance did not mean agreeing with his methods.
First, reigniting a large-scale war would delay Minato's rise to Hokage—something Ren could not accept.
Second, forcing Iwagakure to concede didn't require war—only a firm stance.
Hiruzen and Danzō represented two extremes.
Neither was correct.
Ren's trip to the Land of Rain had two purposes:
Stop Danzō—and, if possible, eliminate him thereAttempt to change the fate of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan
And there was another reason—
Uchiha Obito.
Ren knew Obito should be near Nagato at this time.
In the original course of events, Obito had been manipulated by Madara Uchiha, presumed dead at Kannabi Bridge, and turned into Madara's proxy.
Ren had chosen not to interfere with that event.
Why?
Because changing it recklessly could create even greater unknown threats.
Better a known shadow than an unseen one.
And…
perhaps that experience was necessary.
Kakashi Hatake had been consumed by his father's death, becoming cold and rigid.
It was Obito's "death" that taught him the value of comrades over missions.
As for Obito—
His talent was undeniable.
But it required extreme circumstances to awaken.
Without Madara's manipulation, that potential might never surface.
Yet his greatest flaw wasn't his strength—
it was his mind.
After witnessing the death of the one he loved, his conclusion was to destroy the world itself.
That alone revealed how unstable he truly was.
Unlike Madara, who pursued a constructed ideal—
Obito acted on personal despair.
Even the Nine-Tails attack—the death of Minato and Kushina—
those were Obito's own choices.
Ren could not ignore that.
So he made a decision:
He would let Obito walk his path.
If Obito still chose destruction—
then he would be treated as an enemy.
If he turned back—
then perhaps everything could be saved.
Kakashi would remain on the right path.
Obito could become a true ally.
Madara's greatest contingency would be dismantled.
And Ren…
Ren had already intervened—just slightly.
For now—
she was both dead and not dead.
Everything depended on what Obito chose next.
As for Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan—
they were different.
They were victims.
Nagato, in particular, had every reason to hate Konoha:
His parents were killed by Konoha shinobiHis homeland was destroyed by warHis closest friend died due to Konoha's schemes
When Jiraiya later infiltrated Amegakure, it was no longer personal.
It was a clash of ideals.
Nagato wasn't heartless.
He even gave Jiraiya chances to escape.
Jiraiya chose to stay—and died for his beliefs.
Ren bore no ill will toward Nagato.
If tragedy could be prevented—
perhaps Akatsuki could remain what it was meant to be:
A force for peace.
Minato exhaled slowly.
"Danzō's methods are too extreme."
He understood Danzō's intentions—
but not his methods.
War would only bring more loss.
Turning comrades into tools was unacceptable.
Minato would not allow it.
Minato also realized—
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan would inevitably stand in Danzō's way.
And if they did—
their chances of survival were slim.
After a moment of thought, Minato took out several special kunai and handed them to Ren.
"I can't go there myself right now…"
"But I want to help."
"This isn't just about my teacher's students—"
"I want to stop Danzō."
He knew this was a critical time for his Hokage candidacy.
Leaving now could jeopardize everything.
But doing nothing—
was worse.
Danzō was dangerous.
A direct disciple of the Second Hokage.
A man who had operated in the shadows for decades.
And this time—
he wasn't alone.
Minato feared even Ren might face difficulties.
So he gave him the Flying Thunder God kunai—
a lifeline.
Ren understood.
Though he might not use them—
he accepted them.
"I've stayed long enough," Ren said, standing.
"I'll leave the Raikage and the Eight-Tails jinchūriki to you."
Minato nodded.
"I'll handle everything here."
"I'll have a Yamanaka shinobi alter memories so your involvement remains hidden."
Ren smiled.
"Then I'll see you back in Konoha."
With that—
he vanished.
Minato watched silently.
Only after Ren disappeared did a trace of concern appear in his eyes.
An Inuzuka shinobi patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. If it's Ren—even you might struggle against him."
An Akimichi shinobi added:
"And his mind is just as sharp as his strength."
Minato smiled faintly.
"…You're right."
"Let's move out."
At the same time—
a cloaked figure wearing a cat mask arrived at the Fire Daimyō's capital.
The city was lively—untouched by war.
The figure waited.
As night fell, they moved.
With a single glance, they mapped the entire defense:
Two guards to the eastThree to the northTwo to the south
All jōnin-level.
A sensory barrier was in place.
The figure slipped through effortlessly—unnoticed.
Hours later, under moonlight, the daimyō returned to his chambers, drunk and unaware.
The game had begun.