In the end, Akashō was still forced to remain in the Hidden Leaf Village camp under Minato Namikaze's firm stance.
Heh, like you could watch me 24 hours a day anyway. This tiny Hidden Leaf Village camp—no way I can't find a chance to slip out.
Akashō scratched at his neck. Along the side of it was a familiar black marking.
That's right—the Flying Thunder God mark.
And not just his neck. Akashō could clearly feel that when Minato tapped his head earlier, he had definitely left another Flying Thunder God mark on his head too.
What the hell—this is completely insane. This basically counts as illegal imprisonment. Not that such a thing exists in this world, though.
And calling this "precaution" to stop him from sneaking off again, even dressing it up as "preventing Kokushibo from kidnapping him again"—what a load of bullshit!
Akashō sat in the main tent, glaring resentfully at Minato, who was seated at a low table flipping through intelligence reports, trying to kill the man with his eyes.
"Huh? Akashō?"
At that moment, three figures entered the tent, breaking the heavy atmosphere.
"Mm?"
Akashō glanced at them lazily. "Oh, Runtu."
"What do you mean 'Runtu'? It's Obito! Obito! Uchiha Obito!"
Obito stormed up to him, correcting him angrily.
"Alright, Uchiha Runtu. Got it, Uchiha Runtu."
Akashō ignored him completely, casually picking his ear, which made Obito's face flush red with anger.
"Akashō, it's really a relief that you're safe."
Rin Nohara stepped forward, gently patting Akashō's head.
"When I heard you suddenly went missing, I was terrified. Then they said it was a kidnapping—sensei's wife has been worried sick every day. Now that we know you're safe, she'll definitely be so happy."
Akashō glanced at Rin, then at Obito, who was shooting him sideways looks filled with faint jealousy. A slight smirk curled at his lips.
"Rin…"
Right in front of Obito's widened eyes, Akashō suddenly threw himself into Rin's arms.
"I was so scared! You don't know how I've been these past days—I didn't even have a blanket to sleep with, it was so cold and I was starving… I missed you so much, Rin…"
Rin froze for a moment. Their relationship wasn't that close, was it?
But Akashō was only five years old—and an orphan with no family. What bad intentions could he possibly have? He was just frightened and wanted a warm embrace.
Thinking that, Rin hugged him, gently stroking the back of his head.
"It's alright now… everything will get better."
Resting his head against Rin's chest, Akashō peeked through the gap of her arm and shot Obito a provocative grin.
From the very first day he saw the three of them at the Hidden Leaf Village hospital, Akashō had already roughly guessed their relationship—a cliché love triangle. Bullying someone as straightforward as Obito? Easy.
Obito stood there, teeth clenched, eyes wide. Damn it… Rin's hug… and the head pats… I want that too!
This Akashō—he's doing this on purpose, right? He's definitely doing it on purpose! Taking advantage of Rin and still grinning at me—damn it, I really want to punch him…
Meanwhile, Minato, who had been reviewing intelligence, had at some point already lifted his head. He had heard everything just now. Looking at Akashō in Rin's arms, he opened his mouth slightly, but didn't know what to say.
That's… not what you said earlier.
"Minato-sensei."
Kakashi ignored the lively trio and walked over. Glancing at Akashō, he asked,
"Has Kokushibo been dealt with?"
Minato shook his head. "Akashō was sent back by him."
"Sent back?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise, then quickly understood.
"Could it be he wants you to release that woman?"
Minato shook his head again. "Neferpitou has already escaped."
"Escaped? With that many layers of sealing techniques, how did she get away?"
"Who knows…"
"Oh, right."
Minato took out a Flying Thunder God kunai and handed it to Kakashi.
"Next, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Akashō."
Kakashi frowned slightly as he accepted the kunai.
"What is it? Are you leaving, sensei?"
"Not exactly."
Minato looked at the intelligence in front of him.
"Two days ago, when the Hidden Stone Village army attempted a sneak attack on the Hidden Cloud Village headquarters, they were repelled by the Third Raikage working together with Kokushibo. Since the Hidden Cloud Village forces that returned for support came back, they've stayed put without making any moves. There's nothing requiring me to leave right now."
"It's just that I'm the one in charge of the Hidden Leaf Village camp on the Lightning-Fire front. I can't watch Akashō all day—I still have a lot of reports and intelligence to handle. So during normal times, I'll have to trouble you all to keep an eye on him."
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "Understood. I'll keep a close watch on him."
"Mm."
Minato nodded, then looked toward Akashō, who was still acting spoiled in Rin's arms just to provoke Obito. His eye twitched slightly as he rubbed his temple with a headache.
"Take him away already. He's too noisy."
Kakashi replied flatly, "Got it."
He then grabbed Obito—who had finally lost his patience and was lunging at Akashō—and called for Rin and Akashō to leave the main tent together.
After Akashō left, Minato took out an intelligence scroll. He read it back and forth three times before finally closing it, letting out a quiet sigh.
"For the sake of the Hidden Leaf Village… for peace…"