"First, we find out who leaked the secret…"
Minato's eyes sharpened, his usual sunny gentleness gone, replaced by a cold killing intent.
Kushina's due date and location were Konoha's highest-level secrets. Only a handful of people knew.
For an outsider to have learned it, there had to be either a spy hidden in the village, or a traitor.
"We conduct a full investigation. Tonight."
"If we act quickly, we may catch a trail, gather more intelligence, and set an ambush before they move," Hiruzen said grimly.
"I already ordered the Anbu to question all insiders on my way here."
"The Anbu alone aren't enough. Bring in the Torture Corps as well."
Minato hesitated. "…This..."
"This is no time for mercy," Hiruzen cut in, voice sharp.
"…Understood."
The Torture Corps wouldn't just ask questions but they'd use interrogation ninjutsu, the kind that ripped away lies. Even restrained, their methods were brutal.
"We'll screen not only the medics who examined Kushina, but also the people she sees daily."
"But most of them don't know her due date, let alone the birth location," Minato countered.
"Caution won't hurt us. Let the Anbu handle the routine checks. Only confirmed suspects go to the Torture Corps."
"That's fair."
"On the day of birth," Minato continued, "I'll increase the Anbu presence and relocate the delivery site."
The exact date couldn't be controlled as Naruto would come when he came, but the location could.
"That's the right call."
"And I'd like you to be there with me, Lord Third."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that… inappropriate?"
"You're the elder. Standing guard outside won't be inconvenient. With you there, we not only protect Kushina and Lady Sarutobi, but we can crush the enemy together. If the scroll is true, their abilities will be dangerous."
"…Very well."
"Then I'll return for now."
"Mm."
In a flash of yellow light, Minato vanished, reappearing at his home.
Kushina hurried to him, eyes searching.
Minato reassured her, explained the arrangements, and pressed her for the names of everyone she'd recently interacted with. She answered without holding anything back as this was for her child and for Konoha.
Two names stood out: Kakashi, and Uchiha Mikoto.
Minato decided to handle Kakashi himself. His trust in his student was absolute; he would never believe Kakashi could be a traitor.
As for Mikoto, he assigned the task to Shisui. Sending a random Anbu would be inappropriate; Mikoto wasn't only the wife of the Uchiha clan head, she was Kushina's closest friend.
Mikoto knew Kushina was due soon, but not the exact date, much less the hidden location.
In truth, the leak had nothing to do with them. Obito had learned everything thanks to White Zetsu; creatures whose numbers, mobility, and infiltration abilities made them ideal for stealing secrets.
Once everything was in motion, Minato finally lay down. Though burdened, the battle-hardened Hokage fell asleep quickly.
That same night, the Anbu and Torture Corps quietly detained and interrogated a long list of people.
Shisui, summoned urgently, rushed to the Uchiha compound to question his clan head's family. His sudden visit startled the household—Mikoto roused her children, and little Sasuke cried loudly until Itachi soothed him to sleep.
The questioning was brief. Mikoto answered without hesitation; there was nothing suspicious. True friendship left no cracks to exploit, and the Uchiha had no reason to betray the village. Their future was bright, with the Hokage's student among their own. Only a fool would side with Madara's ghost.
Shisui departed soon after. Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged glances but wisely didn't pry further.
By the next day, Minato pressed for results.
The reports were clean. No signs of treachery from the medics or Kushina's acquaintances.
Minato frowned. Then how did the information get out?
He turned it over in his mind again and again, but no answer came. For now, he shelved it and returned to his duties.
Dusk, October 10th.
In the forest behind the Memorial Stone, Obito perched on a branch, black cloak draped over him, spiral mask hiding his face. One leg swung idly as if mocking the calm before the storm.
A White Zetsu slid halfway out of the tree trunk beneath him.
"Obito, the situation's changed."
"Oh?" Obito tilted his head slightly.
"Last night, the Fourth went straight to the Third Hokage. Medics who knew the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's due date were taken for questioning. People close to her were interrogated too.
"I spent all day tracking the birth site has already been moved. Anbu numbers have multiplied, and the Third himself is guarding the place."
The Zetsu's grin turned thin. "Whether you like it or not, your plan's been leaked."
Obito froze for half a heartbeat then laughed.
"Hahaha… Impossible. Absolutely impossible." His voice dripped with conviction. "Other than me, only you and Black Zetsu know my plan. There's no way it leaked."
But his laughter faded as a thought struck him. He turned, gaze narrowing behind the mask.
"Unless… one of your clones slipped?"
White Zetsu frowned. "Ridiculous. I never told those idiots anything. And all my clones are intact—none have been discovered."
"…Strange."
Obito rubbed his chin, unease flickering across his scarred face beneath the mask.
"Then what the hell did they find that made them launch all those investigations?"