Are you alright?
Araki glanced at Kushina, who was getting up from the ground beside him. He could clearly see that Kushina's face was deathly pale, and she looked very weak. It seemed that she had not recovered from the appearance of the Nine-Tails, but was instead very tired. This made him think silently.
"Hmm, it's alright, thank you."
Kushina gave Araki a meaningful look. Even though Jiraiya-sensei said that Araki seemed to have been unconscious at the base the whole time, she had a very strong feeling that Araki was involved in this matter, but she didn't have any evidence at the moment.
In an instant.
Kushina felt confused.
It was a reality she didn't know whether to believe or not, and at the time, she believed her own feelings.
"Have a Military Rations Pill!"
Araki took out a Military Rations Pill from his ninja tool bag. This was not Military Rations Pill in the traditional sense, but one that Orochimaru had researched in his laboratory. It contained extremely advanced black technology and not only provided a feeling of fullness, but also restored Chakra and physical strength. If there was no major consumption in a period of time, it would be enough to last for two or three days.
After observing Araki, Kushina realized that her physical strength and Chakra were greatly depleted, apparently because the Tailed Beast Transformation had consumed too much of her energy.
This was something he hadn't expected.
Based on Araki's understanding of the Tailed Beast, he originally thought that after the Nine-Tails 'Chakra surged into Kushina's body, it would allow Kushina's body to recover. After all, Naruto had experienced something similar. In addition, Kushina herself was a member of the Uzumaki Clan and possessed physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people, yet she still looked very weak.
Araki deduced that borrowing the Chakra of the Tailed Beast should have a restorative effect on the Jinchūriki, but the Tailed Beast Transformation should consume even more of the Jinchūriki.
"Thanks!"
Kushina thanked him again, took the Military Rations Pill Araki handed her, and stuffed them into her mouth without hesitation.
This scene caught Jiraiya's eye, and a glint of light flickered in his pupils.
trust!
This is an extremely natural form of trust!
Kushina's trust in Araki had reached a point where it was completely unquestionable!
Even if the two are partners, it is extremely rare for them to reach this level of trust, since the trust between many people is only superficial.
"Set off!"
Jiraiya didn't say anything more, pulled back the tent flap, and a blast of dark, cool air rushed in.
It was only then that Kushina realized that it was already night outside. Compared to the light inside the tent, the quiet darkness outside was filled with a strong sense of mystery.
"How long was I unconscious?" Kushina asked involuntarily.
"A few hours," Araki replied.
"That's alright..." Kushina nodded immediately. This timeframe was still within her acceptable range. She then slowly breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of the tent.
Immediately afterwards...
Jiraiya, along with his three disciples, traveled day and night back towards Konoha.
Perhaps because they hadn't encountered much danger on the way there, or perhaps because they had just experienced something like that, everyone was running at an extremely fast pace. However, during this process, almost everyone remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
The atmosphere became extremely oppressive.
Before they knew it, a night had passed. Jiraiya's team had been traveling all night, and it wasn't until the sunlight shone through the trees that they suddenly awoke from their trance.
Everyone is thinking about different things.
Jiraiya being questioned by Araki, Jiraiya realized that there was a mole within the upper echelons of Konoha who had leaked information about Kushina.
Of course, it wasn't just information about Kushina; their missions were also explained very clearly.
Only in this way can they be ambushed as soon as they arrive at Konoha's base, and only then will the subsequent events occur.
This made Jiraiya feel particularly heavy-hearted. He had always been a carefree person and understood that the village was not so simple, but he was unwilling to get involved in the vortex of power, as it was not suitable for him.
In contrast, he preferred to travel the world, see more scenery, meet more people, and find the chosen one that the Great Toad Sage spoke of.
But...
This mission has practically forced the darkness of Konoha into his head, compelling him to think about these issues.
Several large question marks appeared in Jiraiya's mind, pointing to a very crucial issue.
Was that person Hiruzen-sensei?
Why betray the Nine-Tails?
Is there some conspiracy involved that even he hasn't figured out yet?
Jiraiya spent the entire night thinking about this question, until his head ached terribly. At the time, he wasn't very good at scheming and plotting; he preferred thinking about the plots in his novels.
Minato's thoughts differed from Jiraiya's, but they were similar: he understood that someone within Konoha had leaked information, but he didn't point the finger at any particular high-ranking official or have a specific suspect. He simply found the whole thing unacceptable.
The information he knew greatly shocked his understanding, including the fact that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and that he was the last person to know this.
Based on the team's reactions, Jiraiya-sensei knew, Araki knew, and Kushina herself was certainly fully aware of it...
So he's the only one who just found out!
This information greatly shocked him. He had learned about the concept of Jinchūriki from his time at the Ninja Academy, and he knew that there was Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the village, but he didn't know who it was.
It must be said that the secrecy within Konoha was actually quite well maintained. The vast majority of villagers were unaware of the existence of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which led most people to believe that the Nine-Tails' Attack was some kind of demon fox invasion, resulting in Naruto bearing an extremely tragic childhood.
However, while the secret remained within the village, it was common knowledge among those outside, who in turn devised numerous aggressive plans, greatly displeasing Minato.
Unbeknownst to him, Minato had already silently made up his mind that when he became Hokage, he would definitely manage the chaos in the village, better serve the people of the village, and bring greater peace to the village.
All night long, Minato was thinking about Kushina. His mind was in turmoil, and there were still too many things he hadn't figured out.
Kushina, on the other hand, was completely trapped in a dead end within her own mind.
There was only one thing on her mind...
Was Araki actually present at the scene?
Kushina didn't think of the Nine-Tails. She knew that the Nine-Tails had inexplicably returned to the iron cage and had been successfully resealed by her. Its obedient behavior was something she had never expected, and it even felt unreal. She always wondered if it was just her imagination.
If she hadn't woken up inside the tent and overheard Jiraiya-sensei and the others' conversation, she might not have been able to distinguish between reality and dreams.
But...
Since it's true!
She clearly sensed Araki's presence and even tried to stop Nine-Tails.
Are all of these fake?
I don't believe it!
A hint of determination flickered in Kushina's bewildered eyes.
Deep down, she still believed that Araki had indeed been by her side, but she wasn't entirely clear on the specifics of what had happened, nor did she know how Araki had managed to cover it up. However, based on past experience, she knew that Araki was very skilled at this.
Araki, however, had a clearer understanding than these people. After all, he possessed more intelligence, and with the support of that intelligence, he had a greater degree of certainty in his thinking.
In his mind, a line had already been drawn, though of course, there were some parts that were not entirely clear.
The Kumogakure ninja have invaded!
Sunagakure ninja launched a sneak attack!
There's a mole within the village's upper echelons!
The Uzumaki Clan was not wiped out!
These interconnected events caused Araki to ponder silently. The first point was something that had happened in the past, but the latter three were things that had never happened before.
Based on past historical events, Sunagakure has never attacked Konoha, and the village's leadership does not seem to have any traitors who Jinchūriki. Furthermore, the Uzumaki Clan should not continue to exist.
Why did Sunagakure capture Kushina?
Is it really for the Nine-Tails?
But...
What use would Sunagakure have for the Nine-Tails?
At this point in time, Sunagakure couldn't even fully control the One-Tail Shukaku, let alone risk breaking with Konoha and fighting to ambush and kidnap Kushina.
This approach is exactly the same as that of the Kumogakure!
Is it really for the Nine-Tails?
But if it weren't for the Nine-Tails, what other reason could there be?
Araki couldn't figure it out.
He felt the key to the problem lay with the Nine-Tails. It was a hunt for Jinchūriki, but the news about the Jinchūriki had been leaked from within Konoha.
Who is that person?
Danzo?
Araki wasn't entirely sure!
Although Danzo orchestrated many dark events in Konoha, Araki understood that Danzo essentially wanted to become Hokage, and that some of the things he did were indeed for the better of the village in a certain sense.
Such a person might do shady, evil things for the sake of the village, but would not necessarily betray the village.
This is also an important reason why Araki did not completely point the finger at Danzo. However, this did not completely stop him from suspecting Danzo, because there was another factor: the conditions that Danzo did not have in the previous timeline, or rather, the conditions that had been created.
That is...
The Uzumaki Clan still exists!
Araki wasn't sure if the existence of the Uzumaki Clan had any impact on this matter, since Kushina was a member of the Uzumaki Clan.
Even though this involves the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and seems to have no obvious connection to the Uzumaki Clan, Kushina, in essence, could not be considered Konoha Ninja, but rather a ninja from Uzushiogakure. So, sending Kushina away wouldn't betray the dark justice he silently upholds in his heart?
Araki even considered the logical issues surrounding the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
If the Uzumaki Clan members hadn't died, would the Nine-Tails have been sealed inside the Uzumaki Clan member again when Kushina died of old age or met with some misfortune?
So...
Is the Nine-Tails a weapon of Konoha or Uzushiogakure?
Araki had never considered such a question before. Since he started watching the Naruto anime, he had no concept of the Uzumaki Clan, only knowing that they were descendants of Asura, possessed powerful life force like the Senju Clan, were very suitable to become vessels for Tailed Beast, that is, Jinchūriki, and could even withstand the Rinnegan, and also possessed Sealing Jutsu that were extremely fearsome...
If these reasons hold true...