Fugako was disappointed — he had been expecting more of a reaction from Minato, not because he wanted to see him suffer or anything like that.
"You don't seem surprised. Did you know?"
"No, I just found out. Don't mind my face, I am surprised." Minato said, keeping his expression neutral. Then he continued speaking:
"Is there anything else?"
Fugako fell silent for a few minutes before rising from the chair he had been sitting in. His jet-black eyes never left Minato's deep blue ones. An awkward silence filled the Hokage's office.
"No, I just came to apologize for my lack of duty. I'm glad you're alright," Fugako said as he stood up. Before he could step out the door, he turned to Minato and asked:
"How's your son? Is everything alright? And Kushina?"
"They're fine too, thank you for asking," Minato replied as Fugako walked out of his office.
Minato just sat there, tapping his finger on the desk, the sound echoing in the silence. He was alone now.
"Danzo..." Minato muttered, a dangerous gleam flashing in his eyes. As far as he knew, Danzo was capable of anything to achieve his goals.
---
Sitting on a tree not far from Konoha, a ninja remained motionless, observing the village from afar. The lower part of his face was covered by a black mask, and no forehead protector adorned his head — he didn't belong to any village.
His eyes were closed, focused, when he felt the faint shift of air as someone landed on the same branch as him.
"Any opening?" the masked ninja asked without opening his eyes.
"Yes, just as the contact said," replied the newcomer, pulling a kunai from the pouch strapped to his leg. "You know what you have to do, right?"
The first ninja opened his eyes slowly, a cold glint in them.
"Of course I do. My team won't fail. And don't forget what you have to do."
He stood up on the branch and leapt smoothly to the ground, vanishing into the shadows.
"You don't need to remind me…" the other murmured, touching the small pouch tied to his waist, the faint clinking of coins sounding softly. His eyes turned toward the village. A greedy smile formed beneath the mask. "When this is all over, I'll earn much more…"
---
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha district, in front of the large house of the clan's patriarch, Kushina held Naruto, wrapped in a warm cloth. She took a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door.
A few seconds passed before the door opened, revealing Mikoto Uchiha — a beautiful woman with long black hair and equally dark eyes, holding a baby in one arm. A white apron covered her dark-blue dress.
"Kushina?" Mikoto asked, surprised. "Why aren't you resting? Are you alright? And your son?"
Kushina tried to smile, but the gesture came out shaky and tired.
"I'm fine… May I come in?" she asked softly, exhaustion and worry lacing every word.
"Of course, come in," said Mikoto, stepping aside to let Kushina pass. The redhead entered with a calm expression, though her eyes revealed a trace of weariness.
"I'm glad you're alright. I couldn't go to your house… I wanted to, but after what happened, I didn't know if you wanted to be alone with your husband or have someone around."
Mikoto lowered her gaze slightly, feeling guilty. Now she thought she should have gone to see her, no matter what.
Kushina froze for a brief moment upon hearing the word "husband," but soon took a deep breath and regained her composure, following Mikoto to the living room. The two sat side by side.
"Where's little Sasuke?" asked Kushina, making a faint smile appear on Mikoto's face.
"He's sleeping. And this little one? What did you name him?" Mikoto asked, gently touching the baby's nose, making the tiny nose twitch cutely.
"His name is Naruto," answered Kushina, a soft light in her eyes. "And little Itachi? I haven't seen him."
"He went out, my friend…" Mikoto replied, observing the redhead's expression closely. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Mikoto held Kushina's hand affectionately. For a moment, Kushina's body tensed, but she soon relaxed. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Yes, I'm fine," she said without changing her expression, keeping the same firm smile.
---
It was night. The moon faintly illuminated Konoha's walls as two silhouettes moved swiftly, crossing the barrier through a blind spot in the patrol.
"The information really wasn't wrong," murmured one of the ninjas, landing silently atop a tree.
The other only nodded.
"Where is she? At her house?" he asked quietly.
His companion shook his head.
"No. She's in the Uchiha clan. It'll be a bit more complicated… but the one who passed the information said he'll handle it."
"When will that be?" asked the first ninja.
Before the answer came, a blast echoed through the village — an explosion from the opposite side of the Uchiha district. The sound ripped through the night, briefly illuminating their masked faces.
Both smiled beneath their masks, understanding the signal. Without hesitation, they began running toward the Uchiha territory. One of them quickly formed hand seals, and soon dozens of shadows began to infiltrate the village walls, silent as smoke.
---
Minutes before the explosion…
Kushina was leaving Mikoto's house, little Naruto still sleeping in her arms. The night wind was cold, but the feeling in her chest was different — a mix of unease and melancholy.
"Are you sure you're alright? You know you can tell me anything, don't you?" asked Mikoto, her eyes full of concern for her friend. Ever since Kushina had arrived, Mikoto had avoided pressing her, but she could tell something was wrong.
"I told you I'm fine, Mikoto. Thank you."
Kushina tried to smile. When she came there, she had intended to open up, to tell her how she truly felt… but she couldn't. The fear of being treated like a madwoman — or putting her friend in danger — made her stay silent.
As she walked away, Mikoto remained standing at the door, watching her disappear among the silent streets of the clan. A strange premonition tightened her heart.