While the political theatre played out, Minato was in a world of his own. He didn't hear the insults or the accusations. His blue eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, were locked onto Kushina. He took a step forward, his hand reaching out instinctively.
"Kushina..." he whispered, his voice trembling. "You're... you're back. I thought... I've missed you so much."
He waited for the flash of her smile, the "dattebane" that usually followed her outbursts, the warmth that had always been his anchor.
But Kushina didn't move. She wanted to see if she still had any feelings for Minato. Instead, seeing him only solidified her resolve to throw way everything for the Uzushiogakure.
A few feet away, Orochimaru licked his face with his long tongue, his golden eyes scanning Renga. "So," the Sannin hissed. "You're the one who's been fought my subject. That Chinoike clan... such fascinating blood. I intend to personally capture every surviving member for my collection."
Renga met Orochimaru's gaze with a jagged grin. "You can try all you want, snake-man. But you'll never find them."
The Raikage finally stepped forward, his massive presence silencing the bickering. He looked at the Konoha gate, then back at the five leaders, his eyes landing on Danzo with a look of pure, unadulterated boredom.
"Enough talk," the Raikage growled. "I'm done with the pleasantries. Take me to my grandson. Now."
~~
As the group walked towards the Hokage tower. "Katsuyu," Tsunade's voice echoed in the Katsuyu's mind network. "Report. How is the boy? How is Kaien?"
The response was instantaneous. "The physical repairs are complete, Tsunade-sama. The cellular regeneration worked perfectly. But…" Katsuyu paused, a rare flicker of hesitation in her mental tone. "His eyes are hollow. It is likely he is facing severe psychological trauma."
Tsunade suppressed a grimace. "And his motor functions? Can he move? Can he speak if prompted?"
"The nervous system is intact and he can move just fine. There is no problem with that," Katsuyu replied.
Tsunade's eyes flickered toward the woman walking several paces ahead... Aya. She was a mother on the verge of a breakdown. If she saw her son in a catatonic state, the fragile peace treaty would dissolve before they reached the Hokage Tower.
"So, the trauma is the only problem," Tsunade mused bitterly. It was a problem she can't fix. "Listen carefully, Katsuyu. I need you to contact Inoichi Yamanaka immediately. Have him use the Mind Body Switch technique on Kaien. He is to inhabit the boy's body and pilot it. He must mimic Kaien... feed every scrap of behavioral data, we have directly into Inoichi's mind."
There was a long silence from the slug. "Tsunade-sama, this is incredibly dangerous. It might trick a casual observer, but the Raikage and Aya are Kaien's direct kin. If they realize the child is being used as a puppet… they will not just leave. They will level this village as they still have the Kushina."
"I am well aware of the risks," Tsunade snapped mentally, her jaw tightening. "But we have no leverage until we have Kushina back and secured. Once the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is within our walls and under Konoha, Kumo will have to think twice before swinging a fist. We just need to get through the exchange. Convey the plan to Danzo. He needs to play his part."
A kilometer away, in a hidden chamber beneath the administrative wing, Inoichi Yamanaka sat cross-legged, sweat beading on his forehead as he received the orders from Katsuyu.
A moment later, Danzo Shimura, walking alongside the Raikage has gotten the state of Hostage and the plan of action from Katsuyu on his collar. He caught Tsunade's gaze and a nearly imperceptible nod passed between them.
Danzo knew he needed to be the distraction. He needed to keep the Raikage's sharp eyes away from the nuances of the boy's behavior. He adjusted his robes, his voice rasping with a feigned casualness.
"Raikage," Danzo began, his tone bordering on condescending. "I couldn't help but notice... why is your hair so intensely red? I wasn't aware a man of your stature found it necessary to indulge in such vanities as hair dye."
The Raikage didn't even break his stride. He let out a low, rumbling chuckle that sounded like stones grinding together. "What are you getting at, Danzo?"
Danzo's eye twitched. The lack of honorifics was a disrespect... it still stung his pride. "Well, I merely wondered if the pressures of leading Kumo were finally showing. Are you getting old, A? Are you ashamed to show the gray hair that surely must be creeping in?"
As the banter continued, Katsuyu's voice whispered directly into Danzo's ear, hidden by the high collar of his cloak. "Hokage Danzo, everything is ready. Inoichi has taken control. But be warned: direct contact may foil the plan. Make sure Kumo doesn't get too close to Kaien until Kushina is firmly in our hands."
"I know what to do," Danzo muttered under his breath, disguised as a cough.
"By the way, Danzo," the Raikage said, his voice dropping an octave. "Let's get down to the brass tacks of this 'exchange.' What exactly are you gonna exchange? Do you want the Nine-Tails, or do you want Kushina?"
Minato Namikaze, walking bound nearby, flinched. His heart hammered against his ribs. He understood the subtext immediately.
Danzo feigned a look of confusion, his eyes narrowing. "Aren't they both the same?"
The Raikage laughed, but there was no mirth in it. "What are you talking about? They are very different. If you want the beast, I can make things simple. I'll kill the girl right here, extract the Nine-Tails."
Minato's breath hitched. He looked at Kushina, expecting to see terror, but her face remained calm as it was.
"However," the Raikage continued, "if you want Kushina Uzumaki, the one who can actually contain that biju... then the price goes up. Significantly. How about... five billion Ryo?"
~~
A/N: Kaien is perfectly healthy as far as anything physical is concerned thanks to Tsunade. However, the continuous death by maiming gave him trauma.So, Inoichi comes to resuce the day.
And the terms for discussion has started.
Upto 20 Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0