"Mito-sama has passed away."
Inside the Hokage's office, the ANBU's report caused a flicker of memories to surface in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
The ANBU ninja waited silently.
The question of how Uzumaki Mito's body would be handled required direct instruction.
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally spoke.
"I understand."
Then he added calmly,
"Have Clan Head Makoto and Tsunade handle Mito-sama's remains. Choose a suitable burial place. Make sure you convey that word clearly—suitable."
He paused again.
"And… summon Danzo."
"Yes."
Danzo had already received the news and was fully prepared to take possession of Uzumaki Mito's body.
But when he arrived at the office, the killing intent in Hiruzen's gaze made him stop cold.
"Back then, I permitted your actions only because they completed the First Hokage's Wood Release experiments," Hiruzen said coldly.
"You already defiled the bodies of the First Hokage and our teacher."
"But this time—"
"Mito-sama's body—"
"You will not touch it."
"Hiruzen!!" Danzo snapped. "Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?!"
"To restart the Wood Release project, to recreate the First Hokage's miracle—success is right in front of us! How can you—"
BANG!
"Enough!" Hiruzen slammed the desk.
"How many Senju clan members and volunteers died in those experiments—have you forgotten already?!"
His chakra surged, forcing Danzo back a step.
"I will not allow you to desecrate Mito-sama's remains.
If I find you involved—
I will kill you."
"For Konoha.
And for the Will of Fire."
Silence filled the room.
Danzo's expression slowly cooled.
"Hmph. You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen replied flatly.
Not long after, Danzo sought out Orochimaru—recently released from confinement.
A single question.
"Interested?"
"Of course."
They both understood.
Danzo needed Orochimaru's mind.
Orochimaru needed Danzo's resources—and test subjects.
Kaito, of course, knew nothing about any of this.
Even if he had read the news, at most he would have sighed quietly at the funeral.
"Life really is fragile," he would think.
"It ages. It dies."
"Immortality is not a sin."
Rain Country
The wooden hut—the original base of the so-called Toad Squad.
With the Fire and Earth Countries signing a temporary ceasefire, the Rain Country was enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were still growing.
In Jiraiya's records, however, the trio were listed as dead.
Whether the toads stationed here had been fooled by genjutsu—or whether someone deliberately erased them—Kaito didn't know.
But one thing was certain.
Someone benefited greatly from Jiraiya never returning to this land.
Kaito held Honglian's hand as he approached the hut.
This time, he could clearly feel it—
White Zetsu's gaze.
So Madara really was watching.
Nagato was too important to be left alone.
The Rinnegan couldn't be lost—not even one eye.
Madara and Black Zetsu were the most diligent babysitters in the shinobi world.
Kaito deliberately triggered the warning line around the base.
Inside the hut, the three watched through cracks and shadows.
"A strange man and a strange little girl," Yahiko whispered.
"Father and daughter?"
"They're human," Nagato said quietly. "And… the man's chakra is terrifying."
Kaito's pale blue eyes met Nagato's gaze through the mask.
"Someone with unusual eyes…" Nagato murmured.
Even Konan felt uneasy.
White Zetsu trembled.
"That pressure… it's almost like Madara-sama's."
Black Zetsu stiffened.
Then Kaito glanced sideways.
Both Zetsu froze.
Moments later, Kaito looked away as if nothing existed there.
Serves you right for messing with Konoha, he thought.
He stopped in front of the hut.
"Come out. I can see you."
The door opened.
Only Yahiko stepped outside.
"This is our base," he said firmly.
"Please leave."
He even pointed them toward a town fifteen kilometers away.
Honglian tugged Kaito's hand.
"Teacher, is he my future teammate? He looks really poor."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Everyone went silent.
Yahiko nearly snapped.
"What are you two even here for?!"
Then Kaito spoke lightly.
"Long time no see, little thief."
Yahiko froze.
"…That voice—wait! You're that wandering samurai from four years ago?!"
Kaito smiled thinly.
"What if I told you I was never a samurai?"
A clone burst from the ground and grabbed Yahiko.
"Caught you."
"I'm not Jiraiya," Kaito said calmly.
"I have one name."
"The Surgeon."
"You may also call me—Omni."
Konan and Nagato rushed out, surrounding him.
Paper shuriken spun.
Nagato trembled.
Then—
"Kill the blue-haired girl," the clone said.
"Or the orange-haired boy dies."
Yahiko shouted,
"Run! As long as you live, our dream lives on!"
Konan smiled sadly, raising a kunai to her own neck.
"Goodbye… Yahiko. Nagato. Jiraiya-sensei…"
Snap.
A cold hand stopped her.
Kaito stood behind her.
"You gave up too easily."
The clone vanished.
"Do you want power?"
"Do you want to change your fate?"
Silence.
Then Kaito spoke the truth.
"The Third Shinobi World War is coming."
Black Zetsu's mind exploded.
How does he know that?!
"I observe the stars," Kaito said casually.
"The Third Kazekage will die."
Yahiko gasped.
"Then we'll just save him!"
Kaito's mouth twitched.
Still too naive.
Wars weren't started by deaths.
Deaths were just excuses.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito