Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

Chapter 15: The Good and the Bad News

News travels quickly in our village of Konoha. It has been several days since Team Minato departed on their perilous mission, and I've been a nervous wreck ever since they left. My hope rests heavily on Minato, praying that he made it in time to save Obito from falling into the clutches of Madara. Days seemed to drag on as I tried to keep myself occupied with intensive training, and it was during this time that my kaa-chan, Kushina, introduced me to the art of fuinjutsu, a skill that she believed came naturally to me due to my Uzumaki lineage.

As the days passed, I spent my time refining my skills and learning more about fuinjutsu, a subject that piqued my interest. Kushina was an excellent teacher, and her Uzumaki heritage seemed to have passed down some innate talent for this particular branch of jutsu. I delved deep into the intricate seals and patterns, finding solace in the complexity of it all.

During one of those long days, we received a wave of news that rippled through the village like a tidal wave, news about the developments on the Hidden Stone front. The news was nothing short of astonishing. The report stated that Minato had single-handedly decimated the Hidden Stone forces and turned the tide of the battle, pulling Konoha back from the brink of defeat to a resounding victory. The news spread through the village like wildfire, and it seemed like everyone was celebrating, none more so than Kushina herself. She was not only relieved that Minato was safe but also intrigued by the possibilities that this victory might bring.

The village was filled with an exuberant spirit in the days that followed, And Rumors began to circulate around the village that the Hidden Stone, had suffered devastating losses in the war against the Hidden Leaf and might be inclined to agree to a ceasefire. I couldn't help but recall that this event had transpired similarly in the original story, where the Hidden Stone eventually agreed to a ceasefire.

But as they say, good news is often followed by bad news. A week later, Minato and his team returned to Konoha, and my kaa-chan and I were at the village gate, eagerly awaiting their arrival. We had received information about their return date, and as they came into view, my heart sank. Minato led the way, with Team Minato trailing behind, but there was a conspicuous absence among them—Obito.

My heart clenched in my chest as I realized that things had unfolded just as they did in the original canon. Obito had been recruited by Madara and Zetsu. The somber expressions on their faces confirmed the heartbreaking reality. My kaa-chan, Kushina, upon seeing Obito's absence, burst into tears and rushed to comfort Minato.

Later, Minato explained what had transpired during their mission. It was an eerie parallel to the original story, where Rin was kidnapped, and Obito had given his life to save Kakashi. Kakashi was consumed by guilt, blaming himself for the tragedy that had unfolded. Rin, too, was devastated, and it was heartbreaking to see her in such pain.

However, it was Kakashi who seemed to bear the heaviest emotional burden,  His demeanor had undergone a significant transformation. Previously, he had been known for his arrogance and his strict adherence to rules, but now, he was a changed man. He became more detached and wore an aura of sadness around him. Rin, on the other hand, struggled to come to terms with the loss of her best friend, but she would eventually find the strength to move forward.

Despite the victory over the Hidden Stone, Konoha was far from being at peace. The village was still embroiled in a brutal conflict with the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Mist, and Hidden Sand villages. After only a few days of rest, Minato was dispatched to the frontlines in the Hidden Cloud region, leaving a heavy sense of foreboding in his wake.

For me, this turn of events held a grave significance. It meant that Obito would undoubtedly come after my kaa-chan, Kushina, on the day of Naruto's birth, seeking to capture the Nine-Tails. I knew I had to take matters into my own hands and come up with a plan to alert  Minato to the impending danger on the day of Naruto's birth, to prevent the death of my parents.

I couldn't afford to lose them. The safety of my family and my village depended on it.

To ensure that my plan was executed flawlessly, I needed to consider every detail and every contingency. The first step was to gather information about Obito's movements. I would have to be more observant, always keeping a watchful eye on any signs of his presence or activities in the village. I also remembered that he would visit the village frequently during Kushina's pregnancy and spy on Kakashi when he came to the village.

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