Namikaze Minato stayed silent.
He could feel the sincerity in Uchiha Kai's words—and that was exactly what unsettled him the most.
If Kai had come with obvious intent to win him over, painting the Uchiha as victims, asking for favors when he rose as Hokage… then Minato could've just laughed it off.
But that wasn't the case.
Kai asked for nothing.
He didn't want favors, didn't demand promises.
The most he hinted at—was that if the Uchiha clashed with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Minato might… stay neutral.
And that was it.
Instead, Kai kept calling him "Minato-brother," kept insisting it was all "for your own good."
No request for repayment, not even for understanding.
Minato didn't think his neutrality was anything that important.
Yes, he had the Flying Thunder God and the title of Yellow Flash.
But he'd also heard, from Hiruzen himself, about Kai's Mangekyo ability—no chakra fluctuations, no seals, no need for contact. With a mere thought, flesh unraveled into dust.
Minato didn't believe in perfect jutsu.
But he couldn't imagine how to counter Kai's power either.
So was it really worth such a huge "investment" just to secure his neutrality?
The answer was clear—no.
And that in itself spoke volumes.
If Kai had nothing to gain from him, and his reasoning seemed sound… could it be true after all?
Minato sank deep into thought.
He didn't even know if he should consult his teacher about this.
Confusion clouded his eyes.
And Kai's final words had struck directly at his softest spot.
Beyond protecting Konoha, there was his family.
His wife. His unborn child.
He would never allow them to be harmed.
"…Alright. I understand.
I'll be more cautious from now on. But no matter what—thank you, Kai."
"Go home and rest. Tomorrow morning, we set out."
With that, Minato left, looking dazed and distracted.
It was obvious—he had listened.
Even if he didn't fully believe, he believed a little.
And that was enough.
Because once the crack of doubt appears, there is no turning back.
From now on, whether he believed or not, he'd subconsciously pay attention.
And as new perspectives took root, old overlooked details would resurface in his mind.
Future decisions would bend toward the new worldview without him even realizing it.
Truth cannot be faked.
And lies, if woven into truth, cannot be untangled.
This was another one of Kai's open-handed strategies.
"The seed is planted.
What kind of flower blooms, I'll leave to fate.
It's just a casual move—success or failure won't affect my plans.
But if Sarutobi Hiruzen ever learns of this… he'll probably cry himself to sleep on the latrine.
The very definition of 'lifting a stone only to smash your own foot.'
Heh. Minato's nature is too straightforward, too steeped in the Will of Fire.
Such a person is easy to use.
But strength always runs both ways.
If Hiruzen can use him, why can't I?
Willpower is the toughest shield—
but it's also the most fragile.
This world's grasp of power is so shallow.
Their methods, so lacking.
A mere nine years of compulsory education from my past life offers more counters than they could dream of.
Haven't they ever learned?
The free things are always the most expensive."
Kai murmured to himself.
Yes.
Nine parts of his words had been genuine—because that one hidden part of falsehood had to be buried deep.
He did respect Minato, and did like his character.
If possible, he wouldn't mind nudging his fate.
But the truth was, sincerity existed only to mask that sliver of manipulation.
Kai understood people.
The moment he revealed an agenda—be it to recruit Minato or seek his help—instinct would trigger wariness.
And you cannot reshape someone's worldview while they're on guard.
Resistance would ruin everything.
So instead, he wrapped his nudges in concern, urging caution "for your own good."
No requests. No conditions.
That lowered Minato's guard.
And because the concern was real, Minato couldn't detect the falsehood.
Step by step, fact by fact, Kai chipped away at his foundations.
In the name of goodwill, he quietly altered his perspective.
Yes—free advice is the most costly gift of all.
It seemed like Kai had gained nothing this time.
But if Minato's worldview shifted, the benefit was immeasurable.
Namikaze Minato—the Yellow Flash.
Future Asura reincarnate, father of Naruto Uzumaki.
Tied to Jiraiya of the Sannin, and behind him—Mount Myōboku itself.
If all of that could be turned… even into simple neutrality—
Sarutobi Hiruzen would be crippled.
Half an hour later.
When Kai returned home, two figures stood waiting outside the courtyard gate: Aburame Shibi and Aburame Ryoma.
"Kai-kun."
"Clan Leader Shibi, you're too polite. Come in—let's talk inside."
After a brief greeting, Kai led them into the courtyard pavilion.
Once seated, he excused himself to brew tea.
About ten minutes later, he returned with three steaming cups.
"This is fine tea from the Hokage himself.
They say in all the Land of Fire, there's only one tree of this kind—and only the daimyo has the right to drink it.
You two are in luck today. Don't be shy."
Ryōma blinked, utterly baffled.
Even Shibi, drinking it for the second time, wore an awkward look.
But he hadn't come here for tea.
After a token sip, he went straight to the point.
"Kai-kun.
I've already explained to Ryōma.
When you head to the frontlines, I hope you'll take him with you.
Because the moment you leave the village, I'm certain the Hokage's faction will act.
Thanks to your presence, they may not move against the Uchiha right away.
But clans like the Aburame… Sarutobi Hiruzen will definitely strike.
He needs a chicken to kill for the monkeys to see."
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