"The intel was brought back by an intelligence operative, who had just completed an evacuation. According to her, she was already close to being exposed, and the only reason she managed to retreat safely was thanks to assistance from the other side. The scroll has already been examined, and there are no additional jutsu or toxins attached."
The Root ninja gave a brief report on what he knew.
"Hm." Kei nodded slightly.
With a strange expression, he opened the intelligence scroll in his hand. Looking back now, his technique for manipulating her memory at the time was still immature and crude. It was pure luck that Pakura didn't suffer a complete mental breakdown and turn into a lunatic from the mental exhaustion.
This... Did she completely side with Konoha? Was it her self-preservation instincts that made her choose this perception?
Or... Was it a trick?
After reading the contents of the intelligence scroll, he frowned slightly, already believing about eighty percent of what Pakura had reported.
Half a month ago, Kiri had secretly sent several high-ranking officials to Suna and reached an unknown agreement with Chiyo and Ebizō, who were now leading Suna's affairs. Although she didn't know the exact details of the agreement, she inferred from bits and pieces spoken by high-ranking Suna officials that their target was directly aimed at Konoha!
Not long ago, Chiyo even hinted to her that in the upcoming war, she should protect Rasa and help him gain more military achievements to pave the way for his promotion to the Fourth Kazekage.
Kiri... first allied with Iwa, then reached an agreement with Suna, and now they're at war with Kumo in a delaying strategy... Thoughts rapidly flashed through Kei's mind.
Although he didn't know what price Kiri had paid to secure the deal with Suna, one thing was clear—once their preparations were complete, Suna and Iwa would launch a simultaneous attack on Konoha!
As for Kiri and Kumo...
Kumo wasn't much of a concern. Unless something drastic happened, they would likely choose to remain on the sidelines, waiting until the three factions had exhausted each other before deciding whether to intervene. But Kiri, due to its agreements with Iwa and Suna, would undoubtedly be expected to help contain Konoha's military strength...
A three-front war... I really need to figure out a way to send Hiruzen to the battlefield... He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
After the White Zetsu impersonating Danzō left the Hokage's office, Kei used the chakra fluctuations from the Root ninja's teleportation to transfer his consciousness into the impostor's body. He then secretly commanded White Zetsu to return to the Hokage's office with the intelligence scroll.
Meanwhile, his real body, after exchanging a few words with familiar Konoha higher-ups and core jonin, headed home with Inoichi.
That night passed without further incident.
The next morning, Kei felt Kushina stir in his arms and slowly opened his drowsy eyes.
Directing the White Zetsu in a verbal duel with Hiruzen last night had really drained his brainpower. Although he hadn't been able to get the Hokage to make an immediate decision to head to the front lines, it was clear that the old man was tempted.
And once temptation set in, action wasn't far behind. All he needed to do was create a situation where Hiruzen felt like victory was assured—a scenario where he could earn effortless military achievements while reaffirming his title as the "Strongest Hokage."
"Why are you up so early?" Kei rubbed his still-tired eyes as he watched Kushina begin to get dressed.
His hand instinctively reached out, brushing over the skin of her lower back. Kushina pouted and playfully slapped his hand away.
"It's New Year's Eve today. I made plans with Honoka to go clean up the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple."
"?" Kei's mind immediately recalled the original timeline, where Orochimaru performed Edo Tensei at the Uzumaki clan's storage temple, summoning the First and Second Hokage.
And the forbidden jutsu that required signing a contract with the Shinigami before it could be used—Dead Demon Consuming Seal Fūjin!
Glancing out the window at the already risen sun, he rubbed his face to shake off the sleepiness and sat up from the bed.
"You're being so nice? Hehe~ Mwah~" Kushina grinned and leaned in to plant a playful kiss on his cheek. It was clear that she thought her busy boyfriend taking the initiative to make time for her was well worth a reward!
The two of them got up, washed up, and headed out together. After buying some breakfast from a shop near their home, they made their way to the storage temple.
The high-level meeting last night had put the issue of war directly on the table, and Konoha's strategic arrangements had been disclosed to the higher-ups. However, for the sake of maintaining stability, the Third Hokage had issued strict orders forbidding anyone from discussing the meeting's contents outside.
This might not be enough to completely prevent intelligence from leaking to other villages, but at least, for now, the residents of Konoha had no idea that war was about to break out.
They were still busy preparing for the upcoming New Year. The festive atmosphere had spread throughout the village, filling every street with a heartfelt longing and anticipation for a peaceful and happy life.
"How have things been between you and the Nine-Tails lately?" As they walked along the path to the temple, Kei casually asked Kushina.
"W-Well, not bad, I guess." Kushina hesitated, scratching her cheek with her index finger.
"With Mito-obaachan's sealing techniques and my transformation abilities, it can't beat me right now. So... I guess we can talk properly now? But lately, it's been acting all sarcastic and passive-aggressive."
"And then you beat it up?"
"No, no! Hehe~ I just make funny faces at it when it smirks at me."
"Pfft— you... Next time it acts like that, just say: 'Nine-Tails, your power is so overwhelming!' and then do this motion."
Kei chuckled, playfully knocking on Kushina's head before raising his hand and miming a gripping motion in the air.
"Huh? I'll give it a try."
Letting her boyfriend lead her by the hand, Kushina focused her mind and connected to the seal inside her.
A moment later, she burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her stomach—clearly, the Nine-Tails had a huge reaction.
"Hehehe~ That fox says it wants to see you. Do you want to meet it?"
"Hmm, sure." Kei nodded and was about to use his clan's secret technique to enter the sealed space.
But before he could, Kushina grabbed his hand.
She closed her eyes, sensing the surroundings. Only when she confirmed that there were no other chakra signatures nearby did she speak.
"Don't be scared, okay?"
Golden-red chakra flickered to life around Kushina's body. In an instant, it coated her clothes, giving them a shimmering, radiant glow. The dark spirals of the sealing formula became visible, and her red hair lifted slightly as energy surged.
Standing before Kei now—was the Perfect Jinchūriki Mode!
"I... Is this what you mentioned before?"
"Yup! Hehe~ But now it's an even more invincible, bigger golden form! The Nine-Tails Mode combined with the magical girl transformation! Mm, though I can't fully control it yet. I'll show you properly next time!" Kushina's face was full of pride, clearly enjoying showing off.
Kei felt his scalp tingle slightly at her words.
Question: This thing… doesn't reduce lifespan, right?
A small mass of golden-red chakra gathered on Kushina's shoulder, shaping itself into a tiny, palm-sized version of the Nine-Tails. It bared its teeth, trying its best to look fierce.
"How did you know about this?!"
"I've been talking with Hashirama a lot recently."
Kei raised an eyebrow, watching as the Nine-Tails' expression involuntarily twitched. His mood lifted immediately. A smug little fox acting cute is really adorable, huh?
"Heh— did you get sent to the Pure Land and back or something? You sure recovered fast!" The Nine-Tails sneered, clearly not buying such a ridiculous excuse.
"Hey, hold something in your mouth for a sec. I'll show you something cool."
Kei formed a single hand seal and extended his sensory ability to the underground flora. Flowers from various seasons suddenly sprouted and bloomed across the lightly snow-covered forest floor. Plucking the most beautiful one, Kei handed it to a dazed Kushina.
The Nine-Tails glanced at the flowers, then at Kei—before instantly vanishing.
"Tch—! This place is filthy! I won't be back!"