Chapter 21: Lite 7 End

That question stunned Minato. He had no concrete idea as to what the timelines were. That theme was too abstract for him.

True, he, as a specialist in the subject of space, had some idea that was what he was referring to, but beyond that not, after all, his knowledge was more practical and applicable, while what he mentioned was more theoretical.

— Although I first wanted to talk a little more about what you talked about with Kokoe-san, I guess there's no relevance to that anymore. To answer your question, I can infer something based on the name and background, but I don't know how correct it is. (Minato)

— Okay, I'll start from scratch so everyone's on the same page. First, I am sure you are very curious to know how it is that I possess information that, by common sense, I should not possess, and although I know that there is an old toad that can make prophecies, mine is something different. In short, timelines are choices, possibilities that exist within the same universe. That should be enough for you.

— If I understand correctly, it means that this may be a timeline, but are there others based on other dissections we have taken? (Minato)

— You got it quickly.

— So there's another one where I died? (Minato)

— That is, in fact, what would have happened if the little one had not intervened. Do you know what parallel universes are?

— Another reality? (Minato)

— Not exactly, now, let me explain how I could know about all of you and this world.

(In order not to repeat everything again and lengthen in vain, you can read the first previous chapters again)

— So in another universe we exist within a story? (Minato)

— Something like that, it's just the information that came to a person, maybe from the interaction between different universes, I have no idea what the exact reason is.

— But you are telling me that happened a long time ago over there. Did you travel to the past in any way? (Minato)

— No, that's why I told you about the timelines. That's because looking at an option is very easy in comparison.

— What do you mean? (Minato)

— Perhaps it will be easier with an example. When you launch a kunai, you can predict in your head the trajectory it will take, but that is only one possibility among many and it will not be the true one until the kunai lands at the point following the trajectory you previously imagined.

— It's like predicting the future. I see, and that's what this guy saw in your world somehow. (Minato)

— That's right.

— *Sigh* How annoying, time travel and prophecies are something much simpler. (Minato)

Although such knowledge was not common, it was possible to arrive at that result through some deductions. That's why Minato so easily believed Lite. But it didn't make it any less shocking. After all, knowing that there can be an infinite number of Minatos made him feel very uncomfortable, much more so knowing that at least one of them did die in the attack.

— So, what do you plan to do? I could show you what will happen in the future in case the little one doesn't wake up.

— That… is a pretty tempting proposition, but that would mean discarding him. If he prepared so much it is because there must be a very big threat, but it is precisely at these moments that I must show him greater trust. (Minato)

— …*Sigh* I always admired that kind of quality, I would have liked to see what you achieve as a Kage.

— That doesn't mean I can't do anything for my village. —Said a smiling Minato. (Minato)

— You understand that you may be endangering everyone you know, don't you?

— It's a bet I'm sure I'll win. (Minato)

Faced with these words, the people who accompanied them could not help but smile.

— Well, there's not much left for me to do then.

— Are you already leaving? (Minato)

— That's right, I've already left the groundwork for the little one.

Lite no longer had the strength to keep stable. The most affected, again, was Kokoe, who couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

— Is there anything I can do for you? (Kokoe)

— Huh? Mmm... No…" There's nothing.

He had already lived his life, and although he had regrets, he did not feel that it was in vain. However, there were two people to whom he felt he owed, but those are not burdens that the people here should carry. In addition, even if they had come with him, it is best that they live their lives in peace, even if it is difficult in this world, they are able to achieve it.

— I see... (Kokoe)

She said sadly. I felt like I wanted to do something for him, that I didn't want him to leave.

— We're not close enough for this to be a sad farewell, maybe you feel some pity for me, but it's unnecessary. Do you know? You were all people who inspired me in my childhood, people I admire very much, and I'm glad to know that didn't change after I met you. Take care of the little one, the reason why I only remained as someone from the shadows was because I had already been contaminated, I could not provide the light that people needed, but people like you, Minato, can, and in the future they will come more, be sure of that.

As he spoke his last words, Lite gathered the last of his energy and passed it on to the little one.

— Goodbye, I wish you luck...

Thus, the person who once carried the weight of his world simply disappeared forever.

— …Inoichi. (Minato)

— He's totally gone. (Inoichi)

— I see... (Minato)

Minato took a few steps forward and leaned slightly in respect. Tsunade, Inoichi, Kokoe and finally Kushina followed.

— Let's get out of here! (Minato)

.

.

.

— Are you sure about this?" (Minato)

— Yes, it is better not to know anything, I do not want to interfere with this, if I make any mistake I will not be able to remedy it. (Inoichi)

In the end, the full story was told to Inoichi and Kokoe, without omitting any details. They both had very different reactions, but they shared the surprise.

— The information is scary, that child played with everyone making good use of his knowledge, at the same time the consequences of something bad happening are too many, I do not consider myself as someone at the level of Shikaku to deal with this. Besides, it's not like I can talk to anyone about it either. (Inoichi)

— I was thinking of getting your help to have someone inside the village. (Minato)

— Hahaha That won't be necessary, you trust that kid, right? He never planned to call me on his own, so he must have a plan, if you're going to do something, do it until the end. — Inoichi said, hitting the back of what used to be his Kage.

— I guess you're right. — Minato replied with a smile.

With that, Minato made a seal in Inoichi so that he forgets everything he lived in these last hours.

— Tsunade, I'll have to bother you again. (Minato)

— Don't worry, I'll leave him lying somewhere with a bottle in his hand. (Tsunade)

— Do you want his wife to kill him? (Minato)

— Huh? What were you talking about? He disappeared for several hours without remembering anything, what else could I use as an excuse for his absence?

"What happened to the serious Tsunade I met? She didn't used to be so…like this…"

X X X

Konoha

Tower of Hokage

This building, work place of the most important person in the village, was at this moment with an atmosphere that only those of the high command could tolerate.

— What do you mean we can't do anything against the Uchiha? (Danzo)

— It's just as I say, besides, instead of reneging so much on this, you should worry more about how to clean up the mess you caused. (Hiruzen)

In the conference room, the four people with the most political power were arguing. On one side was the third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had retaken the Kage position, and the two councillors of the village, in opposition to them, was Danzo, the shadow man of Konoha.

— What do you mean? (Danzo)

— Look for yourself. (Sarutobi)

Saying that, a bundle of documents was thrown in front of Danzo, who was impatient.

— I don't have time for these things, don't you see that this is a unique opportunity to reduce the power of the Uchiha? (Danzo)

— First of all, that's a conclusion you came to simply because the nine tails showed signs of not being stable. You can work with that, but now it's impossible, you should check what just happened. (Sarutobi)

With a sigh, the third again asked his friend to review the documents. Honestly, he was tired. When the nine tails attacked, although it is true that he did not rush into battle, although it lasted some time, he did plan to help in the fight. After all, although he knew that he was no longer the same and looked after his own interests a little more, he understood well that his time was already passing and it was time for a generational change, so he could not allow Minato to suffer any damage, but by the time he was willing to intervene, it was too late.

Now that his successor had died, he looked for the good side of things and tried to make his return a great event in order to bathe in the glory of his people, however, all he found was resignation. After all, the entire village knew that the death toll had been minimal, and even though he used that propaganda to strengthen Konoha's standing in the world, it didn't change the fact that he didn't appear in a fight that happened in the center of the village. He was, in the eyes of the people, not the best option, but their only option.

People are forgetful, and no matter how well you've worked in the past, one mistake and it'll all be over, and even though he's still a highly respected person within the village, that could change at any moment if he doesn't do something.

— How important can this be? (Danzo)

With anger still on his face, he didn't try to argue anymore, but that didn't mean he would stop trying, maybe not directly, but he believed that, if he insisted enough, he could get some result.

— !!! (Danzo)

However, after seeing the papers, he realized that not being able to meet his goal was going to be the last of his problems.

— Danzo, *sigh* from now on Root activities will be suspended until further notice. This is the most I can do for you. (Hiruzen)

What was in the documents was nothing more than a list of the identities of some root members with a simple description of some of their missions and a message calling for calm, next to the photo of a woman with black hair and eyes.

— Damn! Who dared? (Danzo)

That was, obviously, courtesy of Tsunade. From the moment she began to be followed she took the job of researching a little.

It was not very difficult to find out the identity of, at least, those who followed her. After all, by then she was no longer a broken woman, and she wasn't going to let anyone try to take advantage of her.

— (Hiruzen) Can't you see what this means? Those Uchihas have already begun to act. We can't afford to waste any more time with them! (Danzo)

— *Sigh* Do you think I don't see your point? But you should calm down and analyze the situation better. That information is too important. It means that they somehow infiltrated your base to steal information, something that is much harder than the Ambus. Not to mention that we don't know if that's all they have. (Hiruzen)

— …

— Tell me, is there any relationship between the names shown there? (Hiruzen)

— …No. (Danzo)

How could there be? Obviously, Tsunade wouldn't be dumb enough not to take precautions. She might not have cared much before, but now she realizes that with people like Danzo, her village faces hidden dangers.

Worse now, as far as she knew, she couldn't allow any kind of instability within Konoha. If something needs to be done, it will only be done when she understands the situation well enough.

— Well, for now there's no way to find out who he is, but at least, in my opinion, I don't consider it to be the Uchihas who are behind this particular thing. (Hiruzen)

— Will you take their side? (Danzo)

— I just want to avoid making mistakes like the one that brought us into this situation. (Hiruzen)

— Tsk, good. I'll accept your decision. (Danzo)

With those words, he quickly left the room without waiting for any response.

"Whoever you are, you will pay for this." (Danzo)

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Give me some stones, it's good for my motivation.

:D