"Interrogating for intelligence…?" Minato's eyes showed a pensive look.
He understood Shikaku's meaning: essentially, to make use of the Flying Thunder God mark he had left on the puppet and track down the woman with paper wings, then bring her back to Konoha, alive or dead didn't matter. With the Yamanaka clan's jutsu, they could obtain intelligence either way.
"Dead or alive makes no difference. After all…" Shikaku glanced at Haiichi beside him.
With the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques and technological support, the ability to extract memories from the dead was already mature.
If possible, Shikaku preferred Minato to bring back a corpse, it would avoid many complications.
Everyone present knew what Shikaku was implying... No matter what, they needed a source of information. The woman who had come with Akatsuki's leader was a viable target.
"I'll make preparations and set out today. I'll bring that woman back as soon as possible." Minato thought it over. Indeed, he could use the Flying Thunder God mark to find her, and then secure the necessary intelligence.
What was that monster radiating such terrifying chakra? And what was the purpose of capturing all the tailed beasts? Hopefully, they could learn everything from that woman.
"No rush. Before you leave, Hokage-sama, the summit arrangements must be settled. We have to account for the time this mission will take before setting the schedule," said Shikaku.
Minato nodded, calculating: even at top speed, a round trip to the Land of Rain would take at least a week. Unforeseen events were inevitable, so the time was uncertain, better to allow more, not less.
"The summit then, seven days from now. And the meeting place will be in the village." Though the time was tight, Minato believed this couldn't be delayed. Seven days was settled.
"Some matters take precedence over others. Reconstruction will have to be put on hold," the Third Hokage said grimly.
Minato and Shikaku fell silent.
Compared to the present crisis, rebuilding the village could wait. Neutralizing the threat of Ye Zi had to come first.
"The alliance has already been formed. In truth, this summit is a call to arms," Shikaku said evenly. "Though deciding each village's obligations via long-range communication is rather hasty, time is short. In these seven days, before Hokage-sama returns with the intelligence, every village must be ready to mobilize instantly."
His words carried certainty that Minato would bring the woman back and with her, crucial intelligence. Such was Shikaku's trust in him.
At the summit, the intelligence could be shared at once, then organized so the allied forces would all be informed.
"I doubt the other villages will object," Minato said solemnly. He looked at Hiruzen and Shikaku. "I'll leave these matters in your hands. I will bring her back."
"Mm." Hiruzen and Shikaku both nodded.
"This… may be another great war," the Third Hokage sighed heavily.
The others exchanged glances. After a pause, Minato said calmly, "I will not underestimate Amegakure. But with the power of all five great villages combined, even Ye Zi cannot stir up much of a storm."
Hiruzen blinked, then forced a smile. He hoped Minato was right. An unprecedented alliance of all five villages ought to be unstoppable.
After entrusting the summit preparations to Hiruzen and Shikaku, Minato went to see Kushina before departing for the Land of Rain.
In a makeshift tent, Tsunade was devouring food, while Kushina attended to her.
Just then, Minato entered.
Seeing him, Tsunade stopped eating, set down her food, and looked at him alongside Kushina.
Minato greeted them, then turned to Kushina. "Kushina, could you come outside with me? I have something to tell you."
Kushina blinked, then looked at Tsunade. The latter gave a slight nod, and Kushina rose. "Let's go."
Minato offered Tsunade an apologetic smile, then turned and left the tent with Kushina following.
Watching them go, Tsunade sighed softly, then resumed devouring the food before her. She had mostly recovered by now, and no longer needed so much nourishment, but the hunger remained. She had to eat to drive it away.
Days earlier, after Shinra Tensei, Konoha had suffered devastating casualties. Tsunade had recklessly unleashed not only her stored chakra but also her very life force, pushing the power of the Slug Technique to its limits.
Because of her, many who hovered on the brink of death had survived long enough to receive treatment.
But the price was steep: Tsunade's body had been worn down to an extreme degree, one foot in the grave. If Kushina hadn't arrived in time to pour the Nine-Tails' chakra into her, just a few minutes more and Tsunade might have died outright.
Even so, it still took her several days to recover.
Minato led Kushina to a deserted spot before stopping. She halted beside him.
"Kushina." Minato spoke without turning around.
She said nothing, simply waited quietly.
"Can you promise me something?" he asked.
Kushina blinked, then nodded. "Tell me."
"Can you truly see Ye Zi as an enemy?" Minato's gaze was serious, though she could not see his face.
Kushina fell silent. She already considered Ye Zi her enemy, yet, for some reason, when Minato asked so directly, she couldn't bring herself to answer outright.
Her silence made Minato sigh softly. Some things couldn't be forced. But he truly didn't want Kushina to keep hesitating.
"Ye Zi's final target is you. Without question, he won't show mercy. Seven days from now, the five great villages will unite. Their purpose is to eliminate the threat from Amegakure, or rather, the threat posed by Ye Zi himself." Minato's tone was calm, but grew heavier with each word.
"I know you still can't let go of him. But you must understand, he is no longer the Ye Zi you once knew. He is a terrifying enemy, one who wants your life."
His calm tone hardened into something grave.
Minato turned sharply, fixing his eyes on the faintly dazed Kushina. "You still can't treat Ye Zi as an enemy. And though you are strong, an indispensable force, I will not allow him to harm you."
"That is why… you cannot take part in the battle to bring Ye Zi down."
The combined might of the five villages was aimed at Amegakure.
But in Minato's words, the true goal was Ye Zi. He had seen the essence of the matter clearly: the real enemy to focus on was Ye Zi alone.
Kushina lowered her head, voice dim. "Does Ye Zi really have to die?"
Minato drew a deep breath, then said firmly, "Yes."
There was no personal emotion in his reply. No private feelings, only duty.
Ye Zi must die. That is the very purpose of the Five Villages' alliance.
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Currently on Chapter 606 - The Shadows Move