"How did the negotiations go?"
In the Hokage's office, Minato stood facing the window, his gaze sweeping over the village of Konoha spread out below. The deep blue of his eyes reflected the afternoon light, sharp with focus and contemplation.
Behind him, an ANBU operative with a distinctive cat-faced mask and tall, imposing figure responded, "We've finally managed to make contact and deliver the message, but she remains hesitant."
The ANBU paused briefly before continuing, "However, it appears she hasn't reported our communication to the leadership of the Hidden Mist Village."
There was a note of surprise in the ANBU's voice. The woman in question was clearly an elite among Kirigakure's ANBU forces and held in high regard by the Fourth Mizukage. Her decision to neither trust nor reject Konoha's overture was puzzling.
When first briefed on this mission, the ANBU had been shocked by its implications, but the Hokage had moved forward with absolute confidence. Minato had somehow known that even if the contact refused to cooperate, she wouldn't expose their approach.
There must be secrets here that I'm not privy to, the ANBU thought.
"She's likely still weighing her options," Minato replied, his voice carrying a deeper resonance than usual. "After all, she remains a shinobi of the Hidden Mist. It's difficult to expect her to readily believe what we've told her."
In reality, the information Minato had provided was largely based on informed speculation. He could still vividly recall the determination that had burned in the eyes of that five-year-old girl all those years ago.
Despite the connection they shared, he was still the Hokage of Konoha, and the intelligence he'd sent her way concerned the stability of the Hidden Mist Village itself. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn't make such a momentous decision lightly either.
Finishing his thought, Minato turned slightly, catching the unmistakable glint of curiosity in the dark eyes visible behind the ANBU's mask.
He gave a small, knowing smile. "You must be wondering about my relationship with the 'Shadow of Kirigakure ANBU' and why I'm so certain she won't betray us."
The ANBU hesitated momentarily before offering a confirming nod.
"It relates to a classified mission from many years past," Minato explained, his brow furrowing slightly as he studied the ANBU before him. After a moment of contemplation, his expression softened. "Since I've entrusted you with this sensitive matter, it's only fair that I share the complete context."
"If it's information I shouldn't possess, there's no need to divulge it, Lord Hokage," the ANBU said respectfully.
"No," Minato countered, with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Knowing the full story might prove vital to your safety if complications arise."
A hint of nostalgia crept into Minato's eyes as he began, "This happened roughly twenty years ago."
"At that time, Kirigakure and the Land of Water maintained an isolationist stance. The Third Hokage dispatched numerous shinobi to infiltrate Kirigakure, but almost all attempts failed. The sole operative who successfully penetrated their borders eventually lost all contact with the village."
"The Land of Water's offshore location makes infiltration extraordinarily challenging. Even if one manages to enter the Hidden Mist Village, escaping undetected is nearly impossible. That's why the Third Hokage assigned the mission to me, as I had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Minato proceeded to share the details of his infiltration mission in Kirigakure, holding nothing back as he recounted the experience to the attentive ANBU.
"Now I understand your confidence," the ANBU remarked with a slight sigh after Minato concluded his account. "Such a connection explains everything." The operative recalled the contact's unusual reaction at the mere mention of Minato's name.
During infiltration missions, even with the advantage of the Flying Thunder God Technique, maintaining cover was paramount. Yet, to save Mei Terumi, Minato had exposed his identity and subsequently narrowly escaped an ambush.
The ANBU contemplated this for a moment, eyes troubled by the implications. "So the message you asked me to deliver was based on inferences from that past incident?"
"There are indeed many peculiar elements at play."
"Yes," Minato confirmed with a nod. "But there's more. Do you recall the events you, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito experienced during the last war?"
"Those occurrences might seem ordinary at a glance, but the coincidences are too perfect."
The ANBU's eyes widened as understanding dawned. Indeed, certain aspects of those events had been strangely convenient.
It wasn't just the mysterious method Kirigakure had employed to deal with the Byakugan. Why had Kakashi and Rin specifically been the ones captured? And how had their guard happened to be Mei Terumi—the very person Minato had saved years before?
"Could it be..." The ANBU's eyes narrowed sharply as the pieces began to align.
"That Obito and Rin's deaths weren't accidental, but orchestrated by someone working from the shadows."
Minato's gaze darkened instantly, radiating killing intent. If his suspicions proved correct, all these machinations had been the work of the masked man alone.
The full extent of his objective, however, remained unclear.
Obito... Rin...
The thought of his former students unleashed a surge of murderous rage within Minato that he couldn't suppress.
"Indeed."
The ANBU's eyes flashed crimson, hands slowly clenching into tight fists. Obito and Rin had been more than comrades—they were his dear friends.
"To orchestrate such elaborate schemes requires more than mere strength," Minato continued, his voice measured and grave. "To manipulate Kirigakure's shinobi forces at will suggests someone secretly controlling the Mizukage from behind the scenes."
"Though these events occurred during the Third Mizukage's tenure, his subsequent abdication under suspicious circumstances, the Fourth Mizukage's appointment, and Kirigakure's recent activities all point to a troubling conclusion."
"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, is likely nothing more than a pawn being controlled by another."
Such an assertion would horrify anyone hearing it for the first time. The Mizukage—one of the most powerful shinobi among the Five Great Nations—reduced to a puppet? The very notion seemed impossible.
"If anyone possesses such capability," the ANBU said gravely, "it must be the masked man who attacked Konoha seven years ago."
As these words left the ANBU's lips, his formerly black pupils transformed into a brilliant scarlet, with three tomoe slowly rotating within them.
"Only he would command such ocular power," Minato agreed with a solemn nod.
"I see."
Having learned the complete story, the ANBU now grasped the complexity of the situation.
"The responsibility is immense," Minato acknowledged, stepping closer to place a hand on the ANBU's shoulder. "I've entrusted it to you because you're the only one in the village capable of handling it. Thank you for your dedication, Shisui."
Shisui shook his head. "This is my duty as a Konoha shinobi."
His voice hardened with resolve. "And for the sake of my fallen comrades, I will crush that man's plans with my own hands!"
He, Rin, and Obito had once been Minato's students, participating in the Chunin Exams together as a team.
At this memory, the three tomoe in Shisui's Sharingan began spinning more rapidly. Eventually, the distinctive comma-shaped marks began to blur, as if on the verge of coalescing into an entirely new pattern.
"Yes."
Minato nodded with approval but added with genuine concern, "However, your safety remains the paramount consideration in all of this."
"I understand, Lord Hokage," Shisui responded heavily, but then paused briefly before continuing with a more personal tone.
"Don't worry, Minato-sensei."