"But for Kakashi, the meaning of this is completely different…"
Minato Namikaze let out a long sigh.
"I'm afraid that one day Kakashi might suddenly tell me he doesn't want to live anymore. If that happens, I really wouldn't know what to do…"
"If he actually said that, it might be better."
Akashō took the teacup Kushina handed him and took a sip.
"After all, people who constantly talk about wanting to die aren't truly trying to die."
"They're just longing for love."
Minato frowned. "You mean Kakashi's current state is very bad?"
"Definitely."
"Then what should we do?"
Minato leaned a bit closer to Akashō.
"Originally, I thought that since Kushina is pregnant, letting Kakashi witness the birth of a new life might help restore some of his spirit."
"That would probably make things worse. After all, without comparison, there's no harm."
Akashō thought for a moment.
"He definitely can't keep doing this kind of mechanical, dull work in the Anbu. Isn't he close with Might Guy? Give him some time off and let the two of them train together. With Might Guy's personality, he'll influence Kakashi soon enough."
"I see…"
Minato nodded thoughtfully.
...
"Again…"
At night, Akashō stood in front of his remote residence. He had already inserted the key, but pulled it back out.
He turned around and narrowed his eyes.
"Only one this time?"
"Because bringing trash like that—no matter how many—doesn't make a difference."
A figure stepped out from the corner. The one-eyed appearance, reminiscent of cyclops, made Akashō squint slightly.
"You're Danzo?"
"That's right. It is I."
Leaning on his cane, Danzo stood facing Akashō from afar, who held an oil-paper umbrella.
"Your talent is truly astonishing. At just seven or eight years old, your strength is already on par with quasi-Kage level."
Danzo sighed. "If I had known earlier, I should have captured you and planted a curse seal before you left the Hidden Leaf Village."
"Enough. Since you came alone, I assume you're not here to fight. Just spit it out."
Akashō interrupted impatiently.
"Heh."
Danzo let out a sinister chuckle.
"I want you to act as a bridge between me and the Dark Council. I can provide them with everything they want, and in return, they only need to lend me a little help—crush a few annoying insects."
Cooperation?
Akashō raised an eyebrow. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because I have a cooperative relationship with Orochimaru."
Danzo spoke confidently.
"You may not know this, but over a year ago, Orochimaru already collaborated once with Kokushibo. Both sides were very satisfied."
Satisfied my ass. When did I ever say I was satisfied? Sure, the scrolls Orochimaru gave were useful, but that was only because my perspective was limited back then.
Akashō inwardly scoffed at Danzo's self-praise.
"And now, Orochimaru has been exposed for kidnapping village children for experiments and has defected. That makes me the best partner for the Dark Council."
Akashō nodded calmly. "Fair enough. That makes some sense. In that case, show me your bargaining chip first."
"If you wanted to kill Minato Namikaze, how would you do it?"
A gust of wind swept through, rustling the roadside branches. Akashō had already expanded his Observation Haki to the maximum, ensuring no one else would overhear the conversation.
Danzo's eye widened involuntarily, his breathing quickening.
"They're going to make a move on Minato Namikaze!?"
"You're practically begging for the Anbu to notice you."
Reminded by Akashō, Danzo calmed down slightly, pacing back and forth to suppress both his shock and excitement.
"Although this should be the Dark Council's decision and not yours, I still want to ask."
After regaining composure, Danzo voiced his doubt.
"As Uzumaki Kushina's only known clansman, and considering how well Minato and the others have treated you—one could say they've spared no effort—now that the Dark Council plans to act against Minato, can you really just stand by and do nothing?"
"Heh, no need to rush your answer. Let me answer your earlier question first."
Danzo continued, answering himself.
"Didn't you ask how I would kill Minato Namikaze? The answer lies with his wife—Uzumaki Kushina."
"You seem to have sensory abilities as well. You should have noticed that your clanswoman is surrounded by countless Anbu, rotating shifts to guard her."
"Aren't you curious why?"
Akashō replied calmly, "A Jinchūriki going berserk."
"Half correct."
A chilling light suddenly burst from Danzo's exposed eye.
"More precisely, when a female Jinchūriki becomes pregnant, the seal weakens. Especially at the moment of childbirth—that's when the seal is at its weakest. The Nine-Tails could break free at any time!"
"And that moment… is also the best opportunity to kill Minato Namikaze!"