Naruto…The name came from the only serious novel Master Jiraiya had ever written. It was also the name Kushina had chosen for the child still growing inside her.
And tomorrow… tomorrow was the expected day of Kushina's labor.
This wasn't something that could be gambled. Not with her life. Not with their child's.
In that instant, Namikaze Minato's eyes sharpened as he fixed his gaze on Shion.
"I want to know everything about Kushina's death!"
The shadowy figure of Uchiha Shion smiled faintly and raised his hand, gesturing.
"Contract."
A contract seal descended. Minato picked it up, scanned it carefully, and shook his head.
"Why is there a time restriction? And why does the trade require five bargaining chips?"
Shion wagged his finger slowly.
"Because 'everything' is too vague. According to the rules of the Exchange, the price for knowing all the details of Kushina's death is too great. You can't afford it."
"In other words, not even all your ninjutsu, illusions, and every talent flowing through your bloodline is enough to pay for that kind of information."
"So the Exchange reduced it—limited to a single day—and priced it at five bargaining chips."
Everything? That was far too broad.
Who killed Kushina? The Nine-Tails.
But who unleashed the Nine-Tails? Obito.
And how did Obito survive? Uchiha Madara saved him.
But how was Madara still alive? Because he had used Izanagi as a delayed safeguard, and even devoured a piece of Hashirama Senju's flesh. With the gathered power of all things, he awakened the Rinnegan.
Where was Madara now? Dead.
And how did he die? …
The problem was obvious: asking for "everything" dragged in too many threads, and through one man's story you'd unravel nearly all the world's hidden truths. Minato's bargaining power simply wasn't enough.
For a long moment, Minato was silent, weighing how to phrase his question.
Who killed Kushina? No—that only led to the Nine-Tails.
Why did Kushina die? No—that answer would only be "because the Tailed Beast was ripped out."
Who was responsible for Kushina's death? No—knowing the culprit's name meant little. What mattered was the process, the enemy's capabilities.
Then…
"What kind of abilities did the enemy who caused Kushina's death possess?"
The moment Minato spoke, a new contract appeared—this time requiring only two bargaining chips.
Across from him, Shion exhaled softly, meeting the Hokage's gaze with calm eyes.
As expected of the man who had become Hokage. He had cut the price down to only two. He hadn't asked for the enemy's name—just their abilities.
Abilities could be traced back to a person, after all. With skill and preparation, one could counter them. And given Minato's own confidence, obtaining this intelligence gave him a real chance of capturing the intruder himself. The name would reveal itself later, without cost.
"I accept the contract."
Minato's words sealed it, the glowing contract dissolving into the void.
Shion considered for a moment, then began to speak.
"The one responsible for Kushina's death possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. Although it was only in a single eye, his body contained Hashirama's cells, which allowed him to use his ocular powers freely, without restraint."
"His Mangekyō genjutsu is powerful. To what extent? That's another question. But it is formidable. And thanks to Hashirama's cells, he can also use Wood Release—though nowhere near the level of the First Hokage himself."
"Because of a summoning contract, his Mangekyō Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails directly. And in addition, his ocular jutsu grants him the ability to 'phase' his body—sending any part of himself, or even his whole form, into another dimension. During that interval, no attack in the real world can touch him."
"Of course, genjutsu targeting his mind would still work. But using illusions against a Mangekyō wielder with Hashirama's cells? That would be unwise."
"Take note of this: each phasing interval lasts for five minutes. And whenever he attacks, he must become solid. With the reflexes of the Fourth Hokage, that window of opportunity is one you can exploit."
"…Izanagi… Izanami…"
By the time Shion finished speaking, Minato's heart was still pounding.
So many abilities—Mangekyō, Wood Release—powers straight out of legend. Unbelievable. Terrifying.
After a pause, Minato's eyes narrowed.
"Controlling the Nine-Tails. A Mangekyō Sharingan. The First Hokage's power. Every part of this intelligence points toward a single identity for the intruder. But… how is that possible?"
Shion shook his head slightly.
"This… if you want the truth spelled out, you'll need to pay one more chip."
Minato's gaze swept across the table before meeting Shion's again.
"It isn't Madara, is it? You can't lie, but you still haven't given me a definite answer."
Shion sighed. Hokage really weren't fools. Well—except maybe that blockhead who became the Seventh.
Even though Minato had been born a civilian, even though he smiled like the sun, he had survived the Great Ninja War. He wasn't naïve.
"The fact is, you know it yourself. If Kushina dies, your own death will soon follow. Now… do you want the enemy's identity? One more chip, and I'll tell you."
But Minato didn't take the bait. He shook his head.
"The information you've already given me is enough. The enemy's name doesn't matter. Even if it truly is Uchiha Madara, the reality doesn't change."
"As for what you said about my death—the truth in this space must depend on one condition: that I never came here, never learned these things. With this knowledge, the outcome can change."
At that, Shion scratched his head. Two chips really were too few…
As the Fourth Hokage, Minato had far too many things Shion coveted:
The talent for space-time ninjutsu.Those lightning-fast reflexes.The sealing techniques inherited from Kushina, and through her, from Uzumaki Mito herself.And finally—the Flying Thunder God itself, perfected all the way to its Second Stage.
After a moment of thought, Shion continued.
"I don't believe Konoha has the power to defeat this man. And as for Kushina, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki… because of that summoning contract, even with this intelligence, her survival is not guaranteed."
"And remember this, Fourth Hokage: if Kushina dies, you will choose to follow her. That will be your own decision. And your death will trigger a chain reaction that leaves Konoha weakened for more than a decade."
"You, who survived the wars, should know better than anyone: if the wealthiest of the Five Great Villages, already surrounded and envied, suddenly falters… the starving wolves nearby won't hesitate."
"The Third Hokage… he is like an old, rotting tree. He cannot bear the weight of Konoha's prosperity any longer."
"You may take these words as bait, if you like."
Minato's chest tightened. Since his appointment as Fourth Hokage, this was the first time Konoha had seen two Hokage alive at once. Along with two advisors, Danzō of the Root, and Minato's own youth—far too young—the entire structure was meant for balance, not strength.
"Can you protect Kushina yourself?"
Shion shook his head lightly.
"This is the Exchange. I will not intervene. But there is power within Konoha you do not know about—power that can stop this man. And if you request aid from that power, it will shape Konoha's future for the better."
"This intelligence—because it touches on something you deeply care about, and because it concerns a hidden strength within the village—will cost you two bargaining chips."