Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer

'Is he a friend of Kabuto?'

As a veteran of Root during the war and the infamous spy known as the "The Wandering Nun", Yakushi Nono knew the value of information. The encounter with Uzumaki Sora lingered in her thoughts. Even if he wasn't a direct subordinate of the Fourth Hokage, his connection to Namikaze Minato was unmistakable.

After all, Sora had spoken to Kabuto at the orphanage gates as a friend, an act far too bold and deliberate. And though the encounter put Danzo and Orochimaru on guard, it also gave them the perfect excuse to target the orphanage further. Yet, after all that, the mysterious red-haired man returned to her privately, subtly advising her to reveal everything to someone.

'Hatake Kakashi?'

At the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, two heroes with the Sharingan had emerged from Konoha—Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi. The latter was the only living direct disciple of the Fourth Hokage and his trusted subordinate.

...

Inside the Hokage Building, Nono stood quietly as Kakashi relayed the full incident to Minato.

"That's the situation. Director Nono claims Danzo coerced her into handing over the orphanage's children and funds for Root espionage activities. The one who fought against Danzo and Orochimaru was a red-haired youth who used the Flying Thunder God Technique. The inscription on his kunai read: Uzumaki Sora."

Minato examined the kunai. The space-time formula etched on it closely resembled his own.

"Blade of Ninja Love... Uzumaki Sora," he murmured.

He was almost certain this was the same individual who had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to sever Obito's arm during a covert exchange a year ago. Minato had long compiled reports regarding the mysterious figure who appeared out of nowhere and vanished without a trace.

He retrieved a thin intelligence dossier from his desk. Within were scattered pieces of information gathered over the past year: red hair, mastery of space-time ninjutsu, weak taijutsu, and a seemingly impossible ability to survive mortal wounds.

'Was he the black figure from before?'

"Captain Fugaku—a year ago..."

Kakashi trailed off, and Minato gave a small shake of his head.

"No. My conclusion hasn't changed. If Uzumaki Sora intended to save the masked man, he could have used the Flying Thunder God to extract him after severing the arm."

"Moreover, during the incident at the Police Force, I detected no residual space-time chakra. My instincts tell me he harbors no hostility toward Konoha."

Kakashi gave a slight nod before glancing at Nono, who immediately understood her cue.

"Hokage-sama, I..."

Minato gently raised a hand to silence her, offering a warm smile.

"I'll personally investigate the flow of orphanage funds and warn Root to stay clear. As for the safety of the orphanage..."

His voice trailed off, hesitation evident in his eyes. The children weren't technically Konoha citizens but war refugees—an inconvenient detail that Orochimaru had clearly pointed out. Children with unknown lineage made ideal test subjects.

And therein lay the problem. Officially assigning guards was difficult. They weren't Konoha children, and the recent Third Great Ninja War left the village wary of potential spies among such orphans.

"Sensei." Kakashi interjected, "When Uzumaki Sora left, he mentioned being friends with a child named Kabuto from the orphanage."

'Friend?'

Minato's brows furrowed slightly. Uzumaki Sora, the man who seemed capable of glimpsing the future, considered Kabuto a friend?

He turned back to Nono. "I'll have Kakashi set up a perception barrier around the orphanage. Also, take this kunai and hang it from a rafter in the dormitory. If anything happens, Kakashi will be alerted immediately."

Nono bowed deeply, overwhelmed with gratitude. "The children and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Hokage-sama."

Minato offered a gentle smile. "I was once an orphan too. I understand how it feels. As for Kabuto, once he's registered, I want him enrolled in the Academy under Kakashi's name."

He turned to Kakashi. "What do you say? You've always been alone in the Hatake household. A little less solitude might do you some good."

Kakashi looked stunned, his expression half-incredulous.

"Is this... punishment?" he muttered under his breath.

Before he could protest, Minato added, "Root and Orochimaru have both taken an interest in that boy. And considering his friendship with Uzumaki Sora..."

'So this is a surveillance assignment.'

Kakashi understood instantly. His role wasn't just to guide Kabuto but also to monitor him. If Uzumaki Sora ever appeared, Kakashi would be the first to know.

The real objective was clear: Minato wanted to meet Sora again.

...

After Kakashi and Nono departed, Minato stood by the window. The memory of that shadowed figure resurfaced again—the conversation, the impossibly calm demeanor, the refusal to leave even a sliver of his chakra signature behind.

The Mangekyō user with space-time abilities wasn't the final player. Someone else had rescued Obito and killed Fugaku without a trace.

*Knock knock knock!*

"Come in."

The door opened to admit Hiruzen, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu.

"Concerning the incident at the orphanage." Minato began, his tone sharp and direct, "I expect an explanation from Root."

Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly, but before he could answer, Hiruzen spoke.

"It appears someone attacked Danzo and Orochimaru on their way to negotiate orphanage funding. While the skirmish was subtle, there's one key detail—"

"The assailant used the Flying Thunder God Technique," Danzo interrupted coldly. "I would like an explanation from the Fourth Hokage."

Koharu and Homura shared a glance, then added pointedly:

"That technique is no ordinary ninjutsu. In Konoha's history, only our sensei, its creator, Senju Tobirama and the current Fourth Hokage have been able to use it freely."

"Wasn't the Fourth recently training his personal guards in it?" Homura asked, feigning innocence.

The insinuation was clear. No one outright accused Minato, but every word pressed toward the same conclusion—that he had a hand in the attack.

Since Hiruzen had ceded control, Koharu and Homura had watched their influence slowly erode under Minato's new reign. He was not one of them, not a comrade from their era. Power, once tasted, was not easily surrendered.

Danzo, who embodied their unyielding ideology, remained their preferred vessel. Minato, youthful and idealistic, posed a threat to their legacy.

Minato stared at the trio, his gaze calm but resolute. The political weight in the room was palpable.

'So it begins again.' Minato thought. The true enemy is not always outside the village.

But he would not let Konoha be swallowed by the darkness they were breeding.

*****

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