232.Novel Conception
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As twilight approached, the first snow began to fall.
Tiny snowflakes fluttered down, melting quickly and dampening the ground bit by bit.
Inside the Hokage's office, silence filled the air.
Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi, and Shikaku all stared skeptically at Minato, who stood awkwardly in the center of the room.
"Haha..."
Minato let out a few awkward laughs, breaking the silence.
"So..." Kakashi said, his face half-lidded with exasperation. "Teacher, are you planning to follow in Jiraiya's footsteps and start writing novels too?"
He clapped his hands half-heartedly.
"I have to admit, you do have some talent," he said dryly. "At the very least, the story's plot is quite compelling."
"Oh, so this was a novel idea?" Shikaku let out a sigh of relief for reasons unknown and stroked his chin. "Combining history and folklore—it's an interesting way to explain history. Sounds like a book worth reading. I'm intrigued."
He gave Minato an encouraging look. "Good luck, Minato. I'll be the first to buy it when it's published."
Shizune also relaxed and laughed. "You really scared me just now. I didn't expect even the Fourth Hokage to joke like this."
"Alright, Minato," Tsunade snapped, glaring at him. "Stop wasting our time with your novel ideas. Let's get to the real business."
"Yeah," Kakashi chimed in with his usual dryness. "Though Kaito's mention of the moon might have some deeper meaning, you actually managed to come up with a story about Princess Kaguya being sealed on the moon."
"You all…"
Minato suddenly dropped his awkward demeanor, his usual warm and radiant smile returning.
"Lady Tsunade, Shikaku, Kakashi, Shizune—you're the ones avoiding the truth here."
"You…"
Tsunade's expression darkened. She slammed the desk with her palm, her voice rising. "If everything you're saying is true, then what's the point of being a ninja? Living like this for generations—it's utterly tragic!"
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune looked at her with concern.
"Don't think of it that way, Lady Tsunade," Minato said gently but firmly. "Ninjas have always been struggling to survive amidst battles. Perhaps this is an opportunity to break free from that endless cycle of fate."
Shikaku mulled over Minato's words, speaking calmly. "This is all coming from Uchiha Kaito, right? While his logic is coherent and convincing, I'd still like to see definitive evidence before forming an opinion."
"That guy Kaito," Kakashi said, shifting from tense to nonchalant in three seconds. "Does he think he's some kind of savior? Fine, let him save the world. If the sky's falling, let the tall ones hold it up."
"Well, saving the world does sound interesting."
Minato's eager expression caused everyone else's faces to stiffen.
"But…" Minato waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just keeping an eye on things as a precaution."
"In that case, there's no need to be overly anxious," Tsunade concluded. "Such far-fetched ideas shouldn't be taken too seriously."
"Besides…" She propped her chin on her hands. "The Akatsuki's existence is the real issue. Unlike Kaito, we can't just sit back and watch them collect all the Tailed Beasts."
"Of course not," Minato said resolutely. "I'll protect Naruto no matter what."
"Alright, let's set this topic aside for now." Tsunade redirected the discussion. "For now, our immediate concern is the Hyuga clan."
"According to Kaito, whatever his motives are, his goal is to eliminate the Caged Bird Seal," Kakashi said. "This aligns with the Hokage's goals, so he probably won't interfere further."
"That's good." Shikaku turned to Tsunade. "Lady Hokage, our next steps should proceed methodically."
"Tch!" Tsunade scowled. "There are so many in the Hyuga clan. Even if I get used to it, removing all the Caged Bird Seals won't be quick."
"Lady Tsunade, I'll do my best to help," Shizune offered quickly.
"It's useless." Tsunade slumped in her chair. "Not to brag, but no one else has the level of chakra control required—not even close."
"Not even Sakura?" Shizune asked in surprise, knowing Sakura had surpassed her in some ways.
"Sakura still needs more time," Tsunade said, sounding drained. "This is no easy task."
"We appreciate your efforts, Lady Hokage," Shikaku said. "I'll handle organizing the Hyuga clan's seal removal order as efficiently as possible."
Tsunade nodded and gave her next orders. "Kakashi, take my directive to the Anbu. You and Yamato will each lead a team to the border units and inform the commanders to keep an eye on Hyuga members. Make sure they don't return to the village without permission."
"Yes."
Kakashi took the signed orders and left the office.
Minato, concerned about Naruto training alone, followed soon after.
Once Minato was gone, Tsunade's expression grew heavy again.
"Shikaku," she said seriously, "how likely do you think Minato's claims are true?"
"A single testimony isn't evidence," Shikaku replied calmly. "But we can't dismiss the possibility entirely. It's not impossible."
"I understand." Tsunade sighed deeply. "Given Kaito's past actions, this could very well be true."
"Which is why we can't let the Akatsuki gather all the Tailed Beasts," she emphasized. "If everything Kaito says is true, and he really intends to release this 'Princess Kaguya,' we can't condone such a reckless gamble."
"Lady Tsunade, Minato would never let Naruto be put in danger," Shizune said reassuringly.
"That's true," Shikaku agreed, though he remained uneasy. "But we can't be certain of the dynamic between Minato and Kaito. We need to ensure Kaito doesn't manipulate Minato's will."
"I'll contact Jiraiya," Tsunade said firmly. "He mentioned in his last letter that the Akatsuki has already captured seven Tailed Beasts. Only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails remain."
"Have Jiraiya return," Shikaku suggested. "With him here, Naruto's safety will be better ensured."
"Alright." Tsunade made her decision. "I'll shift my focus to the Hyuga clan for now. It's time for Jiraiya to come back."