High-Level Gambit

A friend of Kabuto's?

As an elite of the Root Division during wartime, and bearing the title of the Wandering Miko—a spy of great renown—Nonō understood the gravity of being told this.

Uzumaki Sora; even if this man were not a direct Anbu under the Fourth, he shared some connection with him.

Otherwise, he would not have conversed with Kabuto at the entrance as a friend. Once Danzo and Orochimaru learned of this interaction, while it might have served as a temporary deterrent, it also provided them with leverage against the Orphanage.

Yet, when this man finally departed, he sought her out to offer advice and reveal his identity...

Kakashi?

During the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Konoha birthed two Sharingan heroes: one was Uchiha Obito, and the other was Hatake Kakashi.

He was a student of the Fourth, and also a direct Anbu under the Fourth.

Inside the Hokage Building, Nonō looked toward the Fourth Hokage, while Kakashi, who had brought her here, reported the specific details of the incident.

"That is the situation. The director of the Orphanage states that Lord Danzo threatened her with the Orphanage's funding and the children to force her into joining the Root Division for espionage. The person who fought against Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru, and the others was a red-haired youth who possessed the power of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. The name left behind by the technique was: Uzumaki Sora."

The Fourth glanced at the Flying Thunder God Kunai that Kakashi had just handed over; the formula on it was remarkably similar to his own.

Blade of Ninja Love, Uzumaki Sora.

This person had to be the same one who, after trading with him a year ago, had severed Obito's arm mid-battle using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.

This had been essentially confirmed a year ago.

Over the past year, intelligence on this individual had been collected and summarized early on.

Namikaze Minato pulled out an intelligence report, which contained all the information gathered on Uzumaki Sora over the past year in the ninja world: red hair, Flying Thunder God, mediocre taijutsu, and the ability to reappear after being confirmed dead.

Was that black shadow from back then truly immortal?

"A year ago, Captain Fugaku..."

Before Kakashi could finish, the Fourth shook his head slightly: "It is not that. My conclusion remains the same. If Uzumaki Sora had wanted to save the Masked Man, he would have had the opportunity to take him away with the Flying Thunder God when he severed that arm."

"Furthermore, I did not sense any residual space-time ninjutsu at the Military Police Force at that time. It is just an intuition; this person does not harbor malice toward Konoha."

Kakashi nodded slightly and looked at Nonō, whose quick understanding of his gaze signaled her to speak.

"Lord Fourth, I..."

Namikaze Minato raised a hand to stop her, smiling comfortingly: "I will see to it that the Orphanage's funding is secured as soon as possible, and I will also issue a warning to the Root Division. As for the security of the Orphanage..."

Watching the hopeful look in Nonō's eyes, Minato found himself in a difficult position.

The children in the Orphanage were not Konoha's children; they were mostly war refugees. Orochimaru's threats had highlighted this status—children of unknown origin were the best test subjects.

It was precisely because of this that Minato found it hard to arrange protection. After all, they were not Konoha's children, and the Third Great Ninja War had not ended long ago; it was unknown whether there were spies among these orphans.

"Teacher, when Uzumaki Sora left, he said that he was friends with a child in the Orphanage named Kabuto," Kakashi added.

Friends?

Minato focused his thoughts. Uzumaki Sora, the man who seemed to possess the ability to see the future—was this his friend?

Thinking of this, Minato looked at Nonō: "I will have Kakashi set up a Sensory Barrier at the Orphanage. Furthermore, you may take this kunai and hang it on the rafters of the Orphanage dormitory. If there is any trouble, Kakashi will contact me."

Minato's words left Nonō deeply grateful; she bowed ninety degrees and said, "All the children in the Orphanage will be grateful to you, Lord Fourth."

Namikaze Minato smiled: "I am an orphan myself; I understand how those children feel. As for the child named Kabuto, once he is registered, send him to the Ninja Academy, and list him under Kakashi's guardianship."

At this, Minato looked at Kakashi: "What do you think? The Hatake household has always been just you; sometimes, being too lonely is not a good thing, is it?"

Kakashi, wearing an absurd expression, was stunned. Was he being saddled with trouble?

Just as he was about to refuse, Minato continued: "According to some previous intelligence, both the Root Division and Orochimaru seem to have taken an interest in this child. And since Uzumaki Sora is this child's friend, therefore..."

So I have to report back at any time, right?

Protect this child, and if Uzumaki Sora appears, notify the teacher.

It seems the teacher is very concerned about the existence of this Uzumaki Sora...

A thought flashed through Kakashi's mind, and he guessed the Fourth's intentions. The fact that he had made such meticulous arrangements for an orphanage that did not belong to Konoha was largely due to Uzumaki Sora.

This man was connected to every major event in Konoha over the past year; it seemed that even his teacher, the Fourth Hokage, was desperate to meet him.

Kakashi and Nonō both departed, and Minato stood up to look out the window.

The scenes from that so-called Information Exchange a year ago flashed through his mind once more. That black shadow, Uzumaki Sora—he truly wanted to see him again!

The Mangekyou user with space-time abilities was not the final mastermind. Who exactly was the entity that rescued Obito, and who was the one capable of killing Fugaku without a sound?

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Please, come in."

The sound of knocking echoed, and after the door opened, the Third, Danzo, and the two Advisors arrived together.

"Regarding what happened at the Orphanage tonight, I believe the Root Division owes me an explanation."

Minato's words were direct, and his gaze toward Danzo was heavy and exceptionally stern.

The Third, standing to the side, asked at this moment, "It seems someone attacked Danzo and Orochimaru while they were on their way to the Orphanage to discuss funding. Although the commotion wasn't large, it appears the attacker used..."

"The one who attacked this old man used the Fourth's signature technique, the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. On this point, I also hope the Fourth can provide an explanation."

Danzo's reply was equally unyielding, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, standing nearby, exchanged a glance before speaking in succession: "The Flying Thunder God Jutsu is not a ninjutsu that an ordinary person can learn. I recall that throughout the entire history of Konoha, only the Second and the current Fourth have been able to use this space-time ninjutsu with ease."

Mitokado Homura pondered aloud, "I heard previously that the Fourth was teaching this ninjutsu to his guards. Was it a success?"

Coming from both left and right, these few sentences did not explicitly point to Minato sending men to deal with Danzo, yet every word circled back to that core implication.

In truth, ever since the Fourth took office and the Third began to gradually relinquish power, these two high-ranking Konoha officials, who stood alongside the Third, had already begun to sense that their own authority was slowly slipping away.

The Fourth was not in the same boat as them, nor was he like the Third; he was not their teammate.

Power breeds darkness and multiplies human desire. Having held power for so long, they were already unwilling to let go of what they held in their hands.

Therefore, Danzo aligned with the goals buried deep within their hearts, while the Fourth did not.

Begging for follows and recommendation tickets.