Naruto evolution system

Chapter 217: Diverting the Disaster

A few minutes earlier.

Konoha.

Inside the Hokage's office.

Minato Namikaze was handling paperwork when he suddenly sensed that the special kunai he had given Kakashi had been activated—indicating that the mission had gone awry.

Without hesitation, he immediately gathered Uchiha Shisui and Jiraiya, splitting them into teams for support.

The reason he could mobilize reinforcements so quickly was that this was not a last-minute decision—he had anticipated this scenario.

Although Baishi's movements were highly secretive and his capture of Jinchūriki was swift, the intelligence gathering before targeting the Four-Tails and Seven-Tails had involved many operatives.

Thus, after confirming that the Four-Tails and Seven-Tails had been taken, Konoha quickly tracked down those who had gathered intelligence at the time—Hotaru and Natsu.

Following that lead, it had taken a month for Konoha to narrow down Baishi's general location.

Then, Kakashi's Special Operations Squad was dispatched.

Minato knew the mission was dangerous, so he had planned multiple contingencies—and Kakashi had just encountered one of them.

So, when Minato sensed the activation of the marked kunai, he immediately teleported with Shisui to Moon Island.

By the time they arrived, Kakashi had just managed to escape into the forest with the injured operatives.

Shisui saw Baishi casting Wood Release: Flower Tree World Descent—and instantly realized that Itachi was in grave danger.

Thus, he and Minato rushed to the battlefield.

Even then, they had barely made it in time for the rescue.

---

Present Time.

Baishi observed the three shinobi subtly surrounding him.

After a brief silence, he suddenly spoke.

"Lord Fourth, we don't seem to have any deep grudges, do we?"

His tone was calm, but his words carried weight.

"I haven't held a grudge against Konoha for what was done to me in the past.

So why do you keep coming after me, time and time again?"

At that moment, Minato Namikaze stiffened slightly.

Not because of Baishi's words—but because he knew they were true.

Ever since taking over Root's archives, Minato was fully aware of what had happened to Baishi.

He could not deny it.

But for the sake of peace—and for Konoha's future prosperity—he had to order Baishi's capture.

Because, in his eyes, Baishi had gone down the wrong path—a path without restraint.

Ambushing Danzo.

Attacking Iwagakure.

Abducting multiple Jinchūriki.

These actions showed that Baishi did not respect the rules of the ninja world.

The current system may be flawed, but at least it maintained order.

If those rules collapsed, war would inevitably follow.

Thus, Minato believed that Baishi had to be stopped.

After thinking it through, Minato met Baishi's gaze.

Instead of addressing the past, he asked directly,

"What's your purpose in capturing the Jinchūriki?"

Baishi didn't hesitate.

"No big secret," he replied.

"I'm using them to train."

"Train?"

Minato's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone skeptical.

Baishi shrugged nonchalantly.

"Believe it or don't. Your call."

Minato fell into deep thought.

He then shifted the topic.

"What's your relationship with the Akatsuki?"

"No relationship."

Baishi's reply was even more direct.

Before Minato could speak again, Baishi continued,

"In fact, you should be thanking me."

Minato frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Baishi chuckled.

"I just want the Tailed Beasts for training."

"But they want the Tailed Beasts to conquer the world."

"So, don't you think you should be grateful?"

Minato ignored the second half of the sentence.

Instead, he asked,

"Conquer the world? What do you mean?"

From Baishi's demeanor, Minato could tell he wasn't lying.

But ruling the world just by collecting Tailed Beasts?

He found that hard to believe.

Tailed Beasts were powerful, but they were not invincible.

Every Kage had methods to subdue a Tailed Beast.

How could simply collecting them lead to world domination?

Baishi noticed Minato's doubt.

He sighed and laid out the truth about Nagato's plan.

This was not a rash decision—he had carefully calculated the benefits.

By revealing Nagato's intentions, he could divert attention away from himself.

This would force Konoha to focus on the Akatsuki, giving Baishi breathing room to continue his plans.

At the same time, Nagato and the Akatsuki would be forced to divert resources, slowing their progress in capturing Tailed Beasts.

A win-win situation.

Baishi had no reason not to do it.

As for the "canon story"?

Ever since he entered this world, the so-called "plot" had long ceased to exist.

—

Baishi spoke bluntly:

The Akatsuki planned to capture all nine Tailed Beasts.

They aimed to resurrect the Ten-Tails—a monster beyond imagination.

They wanted to turn it into a weapon of war.

Their goal was to rule the ninja world through fear and absolute power.

Minato, Shisui, and Jiraiya were stunned.

For a moment, they didn't know what to say.

It took several seconds before Minato managed to speak.

"You're serious?"

Baishi scoffed.

"If this already shocks you, I wonder what you'd do if I told you about Uchiha Madara or Black Zetsu?"

Of course—Baishi had no intention of revealing that information.

He was willing to share some intelligence, but he would never let things spiral out of his control.

Minato forced himself to remain calm.

He then asked,

"How much do you know about the Akatsuki?"

Baishi smirked.

Oh? You're shifting focus to the Akatsuki now?

After some thought, he decided not to expose all of their secrets.

Why?

Because it wouldn't benefit him.

If he gave everything away, the Five Great Nations would wipe out the Akatsuki immediately.

Then—Baishi would once again become the primary target.

Why bring that on himself?

So, instead—

Baishi turned to Jiraiya and casually dropped a bombshell.

"Maybe you should ask Lord Jiraiya about that."

Minato blinked.

"Jiraiya-sensei?"

He turned toward his mentor.

"What does this have to do with Jiraiya-sensei?"

Baishi smirked.

Jiraiya's expression darkened—he had already realized what Baishi was implying.

"Don't tell me…"

Baishi grinned.

"Oh yes."

"What you're thinking is exactly right."

"The Akatsuki's current leader—is one of Jiraiya's old students."

"And another interesting fact—Orochimaru is also part of the Akatsuki."

Hearing this, Jiraiya's face fell.

He didn't say anything—but the tension in his expression was visible to all.

Silence settled over the group.

Baishi glanced around.

The moment they were distracted—

He activated Flying Thunder God.

And vanished.

---

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