Hokage's Office
Today, Kiyosuke wasn't protecting Kushina. Instead, he was in Minato's office. Aside from the two of them, Kakashi and Rin were also present.
They had gathered here mainly to discuss the upcoming birth of Kushina's child.
Minato said:
"When a female jinchūriki is pregnant, the chakra used to maintain the seal transfers to the fetus in her womb. The Tailed Beast's seal will weaken, and on the day of childbirth, it'll be at its weakest."
Kiyosuke said:
"That's why Uchiha Madara will definitely make his move. But the one actually acting on his behalf will likely be Obito."
Minato and the others felt a heavy weight settle in their hearts. The one who'll attack… is Obito?
Kakashi said:
"No way. Obito wouldn't do something like that!"
"That's right! Even though Obito and Kushina-san bicker a lot, he still really cares about her deep down!" Rin added. They both refused to believe that kind-hearted Obito would do such a thing.
Minato, however, remained silent.
Kiyosuke also knew Obito wouldn't do it—at least not if Rin was still alive, since he wouldn't descend into darkness. But things were different now.
He said:
"The key issue is that Obito has been put under a genjutsu by Madara."
"What?!" The three were shocked.
"A genjutsu that can control a person's will," Kiyosuke explained. "Kakashi, do you remember during the battle in Kirigakure, when Shisui's eye was taken?"
"So you're saying…"
"Exactly. Shisui's Sharingan had already evolved into a Mangekyō, and it holds extremely powerful genjutsu. It can change a person's thoughts completely—with just a single glance, it can turn a good person into a villain without them even realizing it."
He continued:
"In the Kirigakure battlefield, his eye was taken by Madara's white subordinate. So I suspect Madara needed Shisui's eye to control Obito—turning him into a loyal puppet."
Though no one knew how Madara learned that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō, it was very likely that the one coming during Kushina's labor… would be Obito.
Kakashi and the others felt the pressure mount in their chests.
Rin even clutched her chest in fear, tears slowly welling up.
Then Kakashi suddenly said:
"Wait, if that's the case, can't we just have Shisui undo the genjutsu on Obito?"
"Exactly. That's why, on the day Kushina-san gives birth, the few of us will go into action—plus Shisui, of course. But since Shisui is from the Uchiha clan, he'll need to come in secret. No one must know."
Minato let out a breath of relief and said:
"Kiyosuke, I'll leave it to you, then. This afternoon, Kushina will be moved. Although the Third's personal ANBU will assist, I'm still counting on you all."
"It's no trouble, Minato-san. Also, assign Rin to go as well—to help with Kushina-san's delivery."
"Understood." Minato nodded, settling the matter.
Right now, Kushina's childbirth was the top priority. The moment the child was born would likely be the most dangerous. There could be no mistakes.
What Kiyosuke brought up weighed heavily on Minato's heart, leaving him with a pounding headache.
Obito was his student, a boy who once shared his ideals. Because of the war, he had suffered misfortune—and now he had been twisted by an ambitious manipulator, used to take revenge against the village.
Minato felt both grief and guilt. If only he had gone back a little sooner back then… would things have turned out differently?
...
Kiyosuke took his leave and immediately headed to the Uchiha district. Under the watchful stares of many red-eyed clan members, he arrived at Shisui's home.
Shisui opened the door, eyes falling on Kiyosuke. If one looked closely, it was clear that his left and right eyes were different. His left eye had an aged, almost elderly look to it.
Because of Shisui's incredible talent and his status as the future of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku had gone against opposition and had an eye from a deceased elder transplanted into him. It wasn't a Mangekyō, but it did make up for some of Shisui's loss.
"Senpai? Is something wrong?"
Shisui looked at Kiyosuke, surprised that he had come.
Kiyosuke said:
"Shisui, pack up. This is a confidential mission."
Shisui's expression turned serious at once. He said:
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Not long after, Shisui returned, equipped with his sword and ninja gear, and followed Kiyosuke out of the Uchiha compound. They headed toward the Hokage's office.
After Kiyosuke explained the situation—that Obito, under genjutsu control, would attack Konoha on the day of the Hokage's wife's delivery—Shisui responded seriously:
"If that's the case, Hokage-sama, then leave this to me. I'll use my Mangekyō Sharingan to undo the genjutsu."
"I'm counting on you."
"I won't let you down."
With Shisui on board, Kiyosuke finally breathed a little easier. With Minato, himself, Shisui, and Kakashi together—even if Obito appeared, they wouldn't be at such a disadvantage.
Suddenly, he asked:
"Minato-san, is Jiraiya-sama around?"
He was another strong asset. After all, Jiraiya could use Sage Mode.
Minato shook his head regretfully and said:
"Jiraiya said he needed inspiration for his new novel. He's out gathering material."
"Ah, seriously…"
So Make-Out Paradise was about to be born?
And soon Kakashi would become Konoha's little pervert...
If Jiraiya wasn't around, then forget about Orochimaru.
Who else in the village could they call upon?
"Summon the Third Hokage!"
Kiyosuke said:
"To avoid any surprises, we should have the Third join us."
He had a fear of lacking firepower. If he thought Orochimaru would actually come, he would've called him too.
Minato said:
"Isn't that being a bit too cautious?"
Kakashi said:
"Obito's strength shouldn't be so overwhelming that even the Third would need to step in."
"But what if he's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?" Kiyosuke looked straight at him. "If he has, then he'll possess unpredictable dōjutsu abilities. We might not be able to handle him."
Shisui added:
"The Mangekyō Sharingan grants unique dōjutsu, different for each person, but all incredibly hard to deal with. It's also possible he may have access to Susanoo—one of the Uchiha's most powerful techniques. It's considered an absolute defense."
Because Obito had lost one eye upon awakening the Mangekyō, he couldn't use Susanoo. The technique only fully awakened when both eyes were intact. After that, even without Mangekyō, it could still be used.
Minato thought for a moment, then said:
"Understood. I'll go in person to handle this. Rin, head over to Kushina now and accompany her during the move this afternoon. Kiyosuke, Kakashi, Shisui—you come with me. We're going to find the Third. Tonight will be a tough battle."
...
Everyone left the Hokage's office. Minato made his way to Hiruzen Sarutobi. After explaining the severity of the situation, Hiruzen once again donned his armor and departed alongside Minato and the others.