Kabuto's friend…?
As a Root operative during the war, and one who had earned the title of the Wandering Shrine Maiden as a master spy, Nono Yakushi knew exactly how important such a revelation was.
Uzumaki Shion. Even if this man wasn't directly under the Fourth Hokage's ANBU, he clearly had some kind of connection to the Yellow Flash. Otherwise, he would never have stood outside the orphanage doors openly speaking with Kabuto. That conversation—once overheard by Danzō and Orochimaru—had been dangerous, giving them leverage against the orphanage despite their caution.
And yet, when leaving, this man had sought her out again, revealed his identity, and even offered advice.
Kakashi… could it be?
At the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Konoha had gained two heroes with the Sharingan. One was Uchiha Obito, the other—Hatake Kakashi. Disciple of the Fourth Hokage, and a direct member of his ANBU unit.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, Nono stood before the Fourth Hokage himself. Kakashi was at her side, calmly reporting the situation that had brought them here.
"That's the full picture. The head of the orphanage claims that Lord Danzō threatened her with both the orphanage's funds and the children themselves, forcing her into Root's spy operations. The one who fought against Lord Danzō and Lord Orochimaru was a red-haired youth, who wielded the Flying Thunder God Technique. The name left behind in the formula: Uzumaki Shion."
Minato glanced at the special kunai Kakashi had placed before him, the formula etched on it almost identical to his own.
The Blade of Love… Uzumaki Shion.
The same person who, a year ago, had traded information with him—then cut off Obito's arm mid-escape using the Flying Thunder God.
That much had been confirmed even then.
In the year since, Minato had quietly collected all the intelligence he could on this mysterious figure.
He spread a file across the desk: reports from across the shinobi world. Red hair. Flying Thunder God. Weak in taijutsu. Killed, only to reappear alive.
That shadow… was he truly immortal?
"One year ago, Captain Fugaku…"
Kakashi trailed off, but Minato shook his head. "No. My conclusion hasn't changed. If Uzumaki Shion had wanted to save the masked man, he could have used the Flying Thunder God to whisk him away when he cut his arm. And when the Police Force clashed with them, I didn't sense any lingering distortion of space-time ninjutsu. My instincts tell me—this man doesn't harbor hostility toward Konoha."
Kakashi nodded slightly, then glanced at Nono. Understanding his signal, she bowed her head and began to speak.
"Lord Fourth, I…"
But Minato raised a hand to stop her, smiling gently. "I'll see to the orphanage's funding. As for Root, I'll issue a warning myself. As for security…"
He hesitated, seeing the pleading look in her eyes.
The children of the orphanage weren't Konoha-born—they were mostly war refugees. Orochimaru had pointed that out himself: children with no papers, no records, made the perfect test subjects.
That was what made things so difficult. Minato couldn't simply assign Leaf shinobi to protect them. These children weren't technically Konoha's, and the Third Shinobi War hadn't ended long ago. For all anyone knew, spies could already be among them.
"Sensei, Uzumaki Shion said something before leaving," Kakashi added quietly. "He said he was friends with one of the children at the orphanage. A boy named Kabuto."
Friend?
Minato's eyes narrowed slightly. That red-haired youth—the one who seemed able to glimpse the future—he was Kabuto's friend?
Thinking quickly, he turned back to Nono. "I'll have Kakashi set up a sensory barrier around the orphanage. And here—" He handed her the kunai. "Hang this inside the children's dormitory. If anything happens, Kakashi will contact me immediately."
Nono's heart swelled with gratitude. She bowed low, ninety degrees. "The children of the orphanage… we all thank you, Lord Fourth."
Minato smiled softly. "I was an orphan myself. I understand their hearts. As for this Kabuto boy—register him in the academy. Place him under Kakashi's household name. The Hatake Clan has only one member left… a little less loneliness might be a good thing, don't you think?"
Kakashi froze, dumbfounded. What? This is just giving me trouble!
He opened his mouth to object, but Minato pressed on. "According to reports, both Root and Orochimaru have shown interest in this child. And since Uzumaki Shion is his friend…"
So I'm supposed to keep watch, right? Protect the kid, and report if Shion appears.
Kakashi instantly understood. His teacher was being cautious—thorough even with an orphanage not technically under Konoha's care.
And the reason was clear: Uzumaki Shion.
This man was tied to every major incident in the past year. Even Minato himself seemed eager—almost desperate—to meet him again.
…
Once Kakashi and Nono had left, Minato rose and stared out the window.
Flashes from that "information exchange" a year ago came unbidden—the dark silhouette, Uzumaki Shion.
He truly wanted to see him again.
The Mangekyō's space-time abilities hadn't belonged to the final mastermind. The one who saved Obito, the one who silently killed Fugaku—who was he, really?
Knock, knock, knock!
"Enter."
The door opened. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō Shimura, and the two village advisors entered together.
"Regarding the incident at the orphanage tonight," Minato said bluntly, his gaze sharpening as it landed on Danzō, "I believe Root owes me an explanation."
The Third Hokage's brows furrowed. "We've heard reports that someone attacked Danzō and Orochimaru while they were discussing the orphanage's funding. The disturbance was small, but… the attacker used—"
"The Flying Thunder God," Danzō cut in, his voice cold. "The very technique of the Fourth Hokage himself. I expect you to explain this, as well."
The words were sharp, unyielding.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, then spoke in turn.
"The Flying Thunder God is not a jutsu anyone can simply learn. To my knowledge, only the Second Hokage and you, the Fourth, have ever used it freely."
Homura stroked his chin. "I also recall hearing you were teaching this technique to your personal guards. Have they mastered it, perhaps?"
One on the left, one on the right—their words didn't outright accuse Minato of orchestrating the attack, but every sentence circled closer and closer to that implication.
Ever since Minato had taken office and Hiruzen had begun ceding power, Koharu and Homura had sensed their authority slipping away. Minato wasn't one of their generation, wasn't part of their inner circle, and certainly not their teammate.
Power breeds darkness. The longer one holds it, the harder it is to release.
Danzō suited their aims. Minato did not.
…