Naruto: An Informant from the Uchiha

On the streets of Konoha, Jiraiya walked alongside Minato, casually chatting.

With some time to spare, Minato brought up events from nearly two years ago. Compared to the Third Hokage, Minato trusted Jiraiya much more.

After explaining everything in detail, Minato voiced his concerns:

After explaining everything in detail, Minato voiced his doubts: "From what we know so far, this so-called 'Intelligence Exchange' has granted Uzumaki Ku not only my combat techniques but also some of the First Hokage's power."

'An Intelligence Exchange? Another dimension?'

Jiraiya's expression turned grave. As a student of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, he might not fully understand the First's power, but he knew his own pupil, Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage.

Minato's Flying Thunder God, his near-instant reflexes, and his rare space-time ninjutsu talent, one of only two in Konoha's history.

Now adding some of Hashirama's powers on top of that? The man known as Uzumaki Ku had already reached a terrifying level of strength.

"What about Sage Mode?" Jiraiya asked.

Minato paused, then answered,

"It doesn't seem like he ever learned it. I'm not sure what ability he chose in the end, but Sage Mode wasn't it."

That, at least, was the only bit of good news.

Still, both Jiraiya and Minato were puzzled by the same thing: Hashirama's power.

If this bizarre yet real information hub could even connect with the Pure Land, then why had Hashirama agreed to a trade?

Seeing Jiraiya deep in thought, Minato spoke apologetically:

"Back then… it was because of Kushina… and the Nine-Tails…"

Jiraiya understood the hesitation in his disciple's voice. He knew Minato well. Though he bore the responsibility of a Hokage, Minato placed family above all.

"No need to explain. Whether it was the Nine-Tails or your own life, losing either is a massive blow to the village. In fact, if the Nine-Tails had been truly released, the consequences for Konoha would've been unimaginable."

Jiraiya sighed and tried to ease the tension:

"Besides, Uzumaki Ku may not be ambitious at all. From the intel you've gathered, he seems to harbor goodwill toward Konoha, just not toward some of its higher-ups."

'Goodwill?'

Minato scratched his head. That incident with the orphanage… wasn't Ku trying to kill Danzo?

"Actually, it's not just Danzo and the two advisors. He seems to have major issues with the Third Hokage, too. About the Uzumaki Clan's past… even Kushina and I don't know much. Sensei, do you…?"

Jiraiya thought for a moment, then replied:

"The Second Hokage's sudden death forced Hiruzen-sensei to take over unexpectedly. At that time, I was too young to know everything that happened, but it's clear Konoha didn't uphold its duty as an ally when the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out."

The fall of the Land of Whirlpools had happened too long ago. With the previous generation in charge, details were never officially recorded.

Back then, when Kushina had just arrived in Konoha, she'd been a sensitive child, a princess without a kingdom, wandering without a home.

They stopped walking in front of Jiraiya's house. Jiraiya smiled and joked,

"You've been with me so long, Kushina might think I dragged you off on some research trip. You'd better head back."

Minato replied smugly,

"I left a Flying Thunder God kunai downstairs earlier, it's fine. So, how long are you planning to stay this time, sensei?"

Jiraiya stroked his chin:

"I'll probably stick around a few days. I'm thinking of heading to Mount Myoboku to ask about Uzumaki Ku."

Minato nodded.

"You're going to ask the Great Toad Sage for a prophecy?" Minato nodded. "That's actually a good idea. I hadn't thought of that."

"The Great Sage's visions aren't something you can request. I'll just ask if there've been any prophecies besides the one about the 'Child of Prophecy.'"

"By the way, do you have a photo of Uzumaki Ku? While I'm out, I can keep an eye out for any info. One reason I came back this time was actually because of him."

"Over the past two years, the name 'Red Flash' has become quite infamous on the black market. Every major village knows that's your space-time ninjutsu."

Minato chuckled wryly:

"I know. Some of Kumogakure's diplomatic intentions have been put on hold lately. I guess Ku's activities on the black market made them think something's going wrong here."

Jiraiya thought for a moment:

 "Kumo's motives might be more complicated. From what I've heard, since the Third War, they've developed a strong interest in kekkei genkai and secret techniques."

Minato nodded:

"I understand."

He then took out a booklet and handed it to Jiraiya, it contained everything they knew about Uzumaki Ku, including the existence of the intelligence exchange center.

Seeing Jiraiya take the booklet, Minato said his goodbyes:

"If I stay out any longer, Kushina will worry. I'll be heading back now."

And with that, Minato vanished from the street.

Jiraiya smiled and returned to his residence with the booklet in hand.

Though he was rarely in the village, Jiraiya, as one of the Legendary Sannin, had a home here. Minato even paid to have it regularly cleaned.

After washing up, Jiraiya sat down and opened the intelligence file on Uzumaki Ku, and immediately froze.

"Yahiko…?"

He muttered the name in disbelief. His gaze fixed on the red-haired youth in the photo.

The resemblance was uncanny.

Not just the hair, there were subtle differences in many features. Uzumaki Ku looked strikingly like Yahiko. But Yahiko didn't have red hair… nor was he an Uzumaki.

Jiraiya thought of his three students from the Land of Rain.

'How were they doing now?'

'Konan must have grown into a beautiful young woman by now, had she confessed to Yahiko?'

'Was Nagato now able to control his power?'

'How far had they gone in pursuit of their dreams?'

'Maybe… it was time to visit the Land of Rain again.'

If Ku resembled Yahiko so much, he might as well ask Yahiko if he had any cousins or relatives.

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha district, Yun gazed out the window at the moon.

Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed by the Six Paths' Chibaku Tensei…If he could obtain a medium connected to her, maybe, just maybe, he could achieve his goal in one step.

Shaking off the unrealistic idea, Yun began planning his next move.

His clone, "Ku," could take a trip to Amegakure. Two months of slow training would pass, and by then, the chakra nature transformations of Earth and Water should be nearly complete. With the yang chakra from the Sage Body, he could begin testing that jutsu.

In two months, the intelligence exchange center would open for the third time. Whether he would get the Rinnegan or Obito's Kamui…That would depend on how things went on the clone's end.