This time—
Uchiha Kai didn't hold anything back. For the first time, he laid his true plan before everyone.
Unlike before, the village now had many people he cared about.
And since he needed a secure rear base, and the people before him were all worthy of trust, it was time to be frank.
Almost instantly, the group showed different reactions.
Aburame Ryoma remained calm.
Having stayed in the village for some time, he knew well—Kai had no road of retreat.
He would either win, or die.
The same went for the Aburame clan.
They were already on the table as gamblers.
If Kai failed, their entire clan would perish.
And in truth, Aburame had taken this gamble largely because of him.
Without Kai stepping forward, there was no way Aburame alone could have forced Danzo to release him.
At that thought, a flicker of killing intent flashed in Ryōma's eyes.
At this stage, he had not yet been brainwashed by Danzo.
So there was no way he could be as loyal as in the original timeline.
Then there was Hyuga Aya.
Before today, she had no idea what Kai's true goal was.
But now?
Because of what Kai had done, she had already made her choice.
Even if it meant death, she was committed to following him to the end.
As for Nara Kazama—
there was nothing to explain.
He had been the very first to join.
Which was why his face was the calmest.
The only one unsettled was Shisui.
He had known part of the picture, but not the whole truth.
"Kai-kun, you…" Shisui began.
Kai only smiled.
"Don't worry, Shisui-nii. Everyone here is one of us. Kazama was the very first."
"This…" Shisui blinked. "Kazama, you…"
Kazama cut in without hesitation.
"The Nara clan has no place for me. Nara Shikaku will never allow me to rise."
"…Alright then." Shisui shrugged.
"I support you, Kai-kun," Aya said directly.
Right or wrong, it didn't matter.
Even if it ended in death, she would walk that path with him.
Kai smiled and nodded.
"Good. I understand."
He didn't say more than that. But in his heart, he resolved—anyone who put their trust in him, he would never betray.
And Aya—
Before, he had only seen her as a stranger.
But now?
It was different.
He would do everything in his power to break her Caged Bird Seal.
Once everyone had voiced their commitment, the atmosphere grew much easier, more open.
Taking the opportunity, Kai laid out nearly everything he knew of the Hokage faction's hidden cards.
Yes—
there were things even he couldn't fully piece together.
That was why he needed Nara Kazama's mind to analyze it.
Kazama thought in silence for a while before finally speaking.
"Kai-kun.
I won't ask how you learned this. But are you certain Danzo has a spy capable of swaying Hidden Cloud Village?"
Kai nodded.
Though uncertain, he replied,
"Her name is Yakushi Nono also known as The Wandering Miko. She's currently embedded in Hidden Cloud Village."
Indeed.
From Minato, he had learned certain scraps of intel from within Root—
specifically that Danzo had planted a top-class spy in Hidden Cloud Village.
And when it came to Root's most capable spies, only two names stood out:
Yakushi Kabuto and The Wandering Miko.
Kabuto was still a child at this time.
So it could only be Nono.
Cross-checking with what he knew from his previous life, he had pieced it together.
In the original story, Kabuto was adopted by Nono, who was said to have retired from Root and become director of an orphanage.
But here was the problem:
If Nono had already left Root by this time, how could she have been active on the battlefield to take on Kabuto?
That alone proved she hadn't left Root yet.
She must have still been operating as a Root member in the war.
Only that way could she encounter and adopt Kabuto.
Meaning—
she left Root only after the Third War, when she truly returned to being an orphanage director.
Later, Kabuto's medical talent at Konoha Hospital caught Orochimaru's eye. Orochimaru then went to Danzo, who used the orphanage as leverage to force Nono—the former "Walking Shrine Maiden"—back into espionage, this time infiltrating Hidden Cloud Village.
"Mm… in that case," Kazama said thoughtfully,
"I suspect that on your mission, Kai-kun, you won't just need to watch for Hidden Cloud, but also for Root and Hidden Cloud Village.
Given how much of a threat you pose to the village, they'll spare no expense.
I'm afraid Danzo will use this spy.
If she manages to lure the Third Raikage, or his son A, along with the Eight-Tails jinchuriki
Killer B and they coordinate with Root operatives and Hidden Cloud elites…
The outcome would be impossible to predict."
"And knowing the village, when the real strike comes, they'll definitely pull away us squad members—especially Minato.
So if you notice this happening… Kai-kun, you must be careful!"
Kazama's tone was grave.
He didn't know Kai's full strength.
But judging from what he had seen, Kai was not to be underestimated.
Especially when it came to Hidden Cloud Village.
No one could predict who the spy might draw out.
Whether the AB combo or the Third Raikage—neither would be easy foes.
Kai's expression darkened.
Even he felt a heaviness settle in his chest.
That scenario… was entirely possible.
For Danzo, it was the perfect play.
He could eliminate Kai in secret,
and at the same time, bury his spy deeper within Hidden Cloud Village.
There was no reason for him not to act.
"This is far too dangerous!"
"Kai-kun, don't go. Against such a force, your chances of survival are slim!"
"Kai-kun…"
The group spoke out one after another.
But after a pause, Kai only chuckled.
"Relax. It's fine.
Now that I know what to expect, it won't be so hard to counter.
Even if I can't win, I can always escape.
Trust me—I know my own strength."
"Ah, one more thing."
He turned to Kazama.
"Kazama, do you have any friends in your clan?
Right now, the Uchiha and Aburame are in a dangerous spot.
In terms of strength, the Uchiha don't fear much—
but when it comes to strategy, well… let's just say brains aren't their strongest suit.
So we urgently need a Nara clansman to infiltrate the Uchiha compound.
They don't need to do much—just advise the Uchiha and Aburame on countermeasures if something happens.
Even if they can't turn the tables, it'll be enough if they can ensure survival.
At the very least—
they just need to hold out until I return to the village!"
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