Chapter 273

[NEWS!! IT ALREADY ENDED IN P@TREON!!]

[RUSH TIME TILL THE END OF THIS FANFIC!!!]

[100 PS = 1 CHAPTER!]

Regarding Naruto, Kyomu also had a rough plan in mind.

If Naruto were willing to listen, Kyomu would gladly accept him, making him a significant asset.

Naruto, after all, possesses the chakra of Asura within him. His potential strength should be around the level of the Six Paths, making him a top-tier force.

Moreover, Naruto and Sasuke together might ignite a unique spark. If they combine their strength, they could likely topple many of the Ōtsutsuki clan members whose power is not overwhelmingly strong.

As Kyomu looked at Minato, who was kneeling on one knee, he slightly raised his arm, "Rise, Minato, there's no need for this between us."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Minato stood up and asked, "Your Majesty, I want to know..."

"Are you asking about Naruto?" Kyomu interrupted Minato. "According to the intelligence, Naruto was indeed taken into the Kara organization by Mabui.

The Kara organization is an extremely dangerous group, with unclear true intentions. However, it seems their goal is to overthrow the foundations of the Land of Dragons, which must be severely dealt with.

The primary culprits are the leader of Kara, Jigen, and several remnants of the Four Great Nations. As for Naruto, he hasn't done anything against our ninjas yet.

If Uchiha Madara and the others succeed in their mission, you and Kushina should have the chance to reunite with Naruto.

But whether you can convince him to turn back to the right path depends on the two of you; the rest of us can't help."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty," Minato bowed deeply. "As long as you give Naruto a chance, Kushina and I will do our best to convince him not to continue aiding evil."

Kyomu nodded, "That would be best. I believe Naruto will still come around."

However, despite saying this, Kyomu wasn't optimistic. Naruto had been taken away by Jiraiya at a young age and later joined Kara.

Kyomu knew well who was truly behind Kara, and he didn't believe for a moment that Isshiki wouldn't target Naruto.

Perhaps, Naruto has already been marked with the Karma seal by Isshiki. While giving Naruto power, the seal would simultaneously erode his mind and spirit.

When the time is right, whether Naruto remains Naruto is another question entirely.

In any case, Kyomu had already prepared for the worst and formulated a response.

First, let Madara and the others test the waters. Once the truth about Kara is clear, Kyomu would personally obliterate them in one strike!

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Having obtained the answers he sought, Minato did not linger. After respectfully bowing, he slowly left the hall.

Standing at the entrance, he took a deep breath, turned around, and quickly headed home to inform Kushina about Naruto.

"Is it true?!"

Kushina was emotional, clutching Minato's sleeves tightly, "When do we leave? Now or…"

Minato embraced Kushina, gently patting her back to comfort her. "We need to wait for Madara's signal. At such a critical moment, we can't lose our composure."

"Yes, we need to stay calm." Kushina released Minato, smiling as she wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. "After all these years, we finally have definite news about Naruto. I must not lose control."

Though she spoke words of comfort, Kushina had already lost her composure. With trembling hands, she entered the room that had been prepared for Naruto long ago but had never been occupied, sitting at the bedside in a daze.

After a while, Kushina remembered something and began pacing around the room, packing the things she thought she should bring, muttering about whether it would be hot or cold when she met Naruto, and how she should act.

Standing at the doorway, Minato watched Kushina's busy figure, his eyes unconsciously reddening. Clenching his fists, he thought of someone he hated deeply.

Jiraiya! Although Jiraiya was no longer alive, Minato still harbored resentment towards him, which he transferred to the toads of Mount Myōboku.

Releasing his fists, Minato did not enter the room to help Kushina. Instead, he gently closed the door and left the house.

He needed to talk to Kakashi.

…

The scene shifts.

In Ryū no Kuni's Thundercloud City.

This place was formerly the territory of the Land of Lightning, where the Hidden Cloud Village was located. After being conquered and brought under the rule of the Land of Dragons, it was renamed Thundercloud City.

The other four great nations had their cities similarly renamed: Earth Rock City, Wind Sand City, Water Mist City, and Fire Leaf City.

The five cities were respectively managed by Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy, Genma, and Ebisu, making them the undisputed regional ministers of the Land of Dragons.

"Madara, if you need any help, just say the word."

Kakashi greeted Madara and his team. With his status, there was no one in the current ninja world he felt compelled to address with honorifics unless he wanted to.

Even when it came to Kyomu, unless it was a formal occasion, Kakashi would simply call him by name.

Their relationship had reached a level that others could only envy.

Now, Kakashi had already settled down and was the father of two children. The Hatake clan was finally continuing its lineage through Kakashi.

Kakashi's two sons had just learned to walk this year. Though still small, they already bore a striking resemblance to Kakashi in his younger days.

At this moment, Shūichi and Mamoru were walking beside Kakashi, their serious little faces incredibly cute.

Especially their deadpan expressions, which were an exact copy of Kakashi's.

Looking down at his two little ones, Madara pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh, while Itachi and Shisui couldn't hold back, grinning widely.

"I don't need any help; just ensuring the accuracy of the information is the biggest help you can provide."

"It's accurate."

Kakashi handed a small piece of paper to Madara. Although it was small, the map and marked information on it were very detailed, professional, and accurate.

After glancing at it, Madara turned around and shot a look at Itachi and Shisui, who immediately stopped smiling and returned to their usual stoic expressions.

"Let's move."

With a wave of his hand, Madara led the group out of the city. Kakashi remained where he was, watching them leave without any further reaction.

This wasn't his task. If he could avoid extra work, he would, letting Kyomu reap the rewards for himself.

But this wasn't Kakashi slacking off; it was just that at this stage in life, his priorities had shifted. Now, he spent half his time with his wife and children, the other half training. Unless it was something crucial, Kakashi preferred not to get involved.

"Dad, that guy in the third row looks so full of himself."

Shūichi tugged on Kakashi's sleeve. "Look at the clan emblem on his back, is he a Uchiha?"

Before Kakashi could answer, Mamoru chimed in, "Brother, you don't need to ask. That arrogant guy must be the Uchiha genius that Uncle Obito always talks about."

"That's right, it's Sasuke," Kakashi confirmed.

The two little ones, though still young, were clearly cut from the same cloth as Kakashi in his youth—cool and extremely proud.

"Hmph, I'm going to challenge him one day!" Shūichi urged Kakashi, "Dad, let's go home. You promised me a wooden sword yesterday, right?"

"I don't want a wooden sword!" Mamoru shouted right after. "I want a real sword. Wooden swords are for kids, I'm not a kid!"

Looking down at his two sons, Kakashi shook his head, "There won't be any real swords or wooden swords. First, you need to learn to read with your mom. Once you've learned all the characters and can write them, then we'll talk about something else."

"Ah?!"

The two little ones immediately deflated and weren't as eager to go home anymore, reluctantly dragged back by Kakashi.

"Honey, you're back early today."

Now married, Hanare's figure had become more curvaceous, and Kakashi was indeed a lucky man.

"There wasn't much to do. After the handover with Madara, I came straight home." Kakashi patted his sons on the shoulders, and they immediately ran off into the house.

It was only then that Kakashi noticed the black cloth in Hanare's hands. "What are you making?"

"Nothing, really. Shūichi and Mamoru asked me to make them masks yesterday," Hanare said, covering her mouth as she laughed. "The boys copy everything you do, so I just go along with it."

Kakashi touched the mask on his face and sighed, "Let them be."

Actually, Shūichi and Mamoru had asked Kakashi why he wore a mask, but Kakashi was too embarrassed to tell the real reason, so he gave them a serious-sounding excuse.

But the boys believed him, and it seemed that starting from Kakashi's generation, wearing a mask might become a family tradition for the Hatake clan, one that Kakashi would have no control over.

Hanare chuckled a few more times before pulling Kakashi to sit in the courtyard. "Rin is coming over tomorrow. Obito won't be able to make it."

"If Obito's not coming, then you all can have a chat. I still need to train."

"Rin is bringing her two daughters."

"Haha, then you can look after Shūichi and Mamoru," Kakashi laughed. "Obito really did a good job giving me two lovely daughters!"

Kakashi and Obito had been at odds since childhood, and their rivalry had extended into every aspect of their lives.

After having children, their competitions became less frequent, but the focus naturally shifted to their kids.

In this regard, Kakashi completely outmatched Obito.

It wasn't about favoring sons over daughters; such thoughts didn't exist in the ninja world, where gender equality was well established.

But Obito's two daughters were very attached to Shūichi and Mamoru, and the boys got along great with them, making them the best of friends.

This gave Kakashi an idea, and Obito knew it. Frustrated, Obito couldn't bring himself to scold his daughters and could only avoid Kakashi, lest his sharp tongue get under his skin again.

"You're still competing with Obito," Hanare couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Hmph, I can't win against Kyomu, but I can handle Obito. He's always so defiant," Kakashi snorted and stood up, heading toward the backyard. "I'm off to train. You take care of the boys and prepare for Rin's visit."

Hanare nodded helplessly, and after Kakashi left, she shook her head with a smile, "Men really do get more childish as they grow older."

…

After exchanging information, Madara and his team left the city, led by White Zetsu's spore clone and two intelligence ninjas, quickly heading toward the Kara base hidden nearby.

Since the moment the Land of Dragons' intelligence network was established with White Zetsu at its core, Kara had been under surveillance. The number of their outer circle members and the locations of their bases were all known with certainty.

Additionally, with the space transport network researched and developed by Orochimaru at Kyomu's suggestion, the Land of Dragons' response time to emergencies, no matter how far away, would be within an hour as long as it was on this planet.

Therefore, from the moment Mabui and her contacts within Kara began their operation to the time Uchiha Madara and his team arrived, less than half an hour had passed.

"This is the place." Madara stopped, "Kara, we finally meet."

Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances and instructed Kimimaro and Kisame, who were following them, to prepare an ambush.

"No need!"

Madara stopped them, crossing his arms and standing boldly in the middle of the road, "We'll just wait for them to come."

"Madara-sama, if we alert them…" Shisui hesitated.

In the past, Madara wouldn't have bothered to explain, but now he had the patience to say one more thing, "Kara knows we're here, and we know they're there. This operation is tacitly understood by both sides."

Shisui nodded and didn't say anything more.

As Madara said, this time, Kara's actions were indeed premeditated, and their objective was similar to Kyomu's—they were both here to "train their troops."

However, on Kara's side, Isshiki clearly had another agenda.

Without frequently utilizing the power of the Karma seal, how could it rapidly erode Naruto's mind and body?

Without encountering danger in battle, how could Isshiki, as a "god," provide Naruto with legitimate assistance in terms of power?

Therefore, Isshiki needed Naruto to experience one intense battle after another so that he could, under the guise of help, gradually consume and take over Naruto's mind and body, ultimately using him as a vessel for his resurrection.

With this in mind, Isshiki didn't care what happened to Kara. His only goal was to resurrect and return, and Kara's purpose was to serve that end.

Now, the time was right, and Kara's sacrifice was due.

"Just as expected, they're here."

With his arms crossed, Madara's Rinnegan glowed with purple light as his gaze fixed on Mabui, who was leading the group.

"Strong chakra fluctuations, but trash that relies on external power remains trash."

Waving his hand dismissively, Madara's face showed only boredom. "You handle them; I can't be bothered."

(End of Chapter)