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White Zetsu listened to Obito Uchiha declare he would stop Qianyu and Minato Namikaze all by himself. The thought crossed his mind: This guy's getting a bit too full of himself.
Forget Qianyu for a moment. Just Minato Namikaze alone would be a nightmare for Obito to handle.
His intangibility wasn't flawless. Both Qianyu and Minato were top-tier fighters forged in the fires of the Third Great Ninja War. And speed? That was their signature. They'd find the gaps.
Obito had been on a streak lately. A smooth run of operations. It was warping his judgment, making him overestimate what he could actually do.
"Since you've decided," White Zetsu said, his voice flat, "I won't argue. But have a backup plan. What if you fail to stop them? I think… you need a way to make one of them stand down."
Obito gave him a weird look. "Make one stand down? I'm using Madara's name. I'm invading the Leaf. Why would either of them hold back?"
"Make a deal with Qianyu," Zetsu proposed. "He's not loyal to the Leaf. His disagreements with Minato are deep. He's a pragmatist. If the price is right, he might just… watch from the sidelines."
The real reason for the suggestion? White Zetsu was worried Obito would get himself killed the moment he set foot in Konoha. Sure, Qianyu had a deal with Madara—to keep Obito's identity secret, to offer assistance. But words were cheap. That deal had no real teeth.
Besides, Obito needed a reality check. A lesson in his actual limits.
Obito fell silent, considering. Qianyu had said it before: he saw potential in Obito. A future at the pinnacle. Come to me for anything, he'd offered. But it'll cost you.
The man fit Zetsu's description. Disloyal. At odds with Minato. A potential partner.
But…
"What do we have that he'd want?" Obito frowned. "Our 'price' might be worthless to him."
Zetsu shrugged. "How do we know unless we ask? Maybe we have exactly what he's looking for."
Obito thought it over. If Qianyu stayed out of it… releasing the Nine-Tails would be infinitely easier.
"Fine," he nodded. "We'll talk to him."
"Good." Zetsu pressed on. "What about Nagato? Should we notify him?"
"Probably." Obito didn't trust the Rinnegan user's temper. "He doesn't trust us as it is. Go tell him. Save us the headache later. Then meet me back here. We'll head for the Leaf together. I have some loose ends to tie up here in Kiri anyway."
"On it." White Zetsu sank into the ground.
But his destination wasn't the Rain Village. Not yet.
First, Konoha. He needed to gauge Qianyu's stance. If the man would honor the deal, perfect. If not… he'd have to stop this suicide mission before it began.
As for safety? Black Zetsu, the will of Kaguya herself, was unkillable. He wasn't afraid of Qianyu.
Not one bit.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi found Minato. "About Miyuki's upcoming delivery," the former Hokage said, his tone grave. "We need a meeting. A formal discussion."
Minato's brow furrowed. "Third Hokage, is that… necessary? I know sealing jutsu. And according to ANBU, Qianyu is back in the village. I plan to ask for his help. If the Nine-Tails breaks free, I can re-seal it. And as a last resort, there's Qianyu's Mangekyō Sharingan to control it."
"Minato," Hiruzen's voice was stern. "No complacency. This isn't just your personal matter. It's a matter of national security for the Leaf. We prepare for the worst-case scenario. Always."
Minato sighed inwardly. He couldn't refuse. "When? Now or later?"
"Now. I'll summon the others. Have ANBU notify Qianyu. We'll convene in the conference room."
"Understood." Minato nodded.
As Hiruzen left, Minato let out a tired breath. He hated this. The idea of a room full of officials scrutinizing his wife's childbirth… it would make anyone tense, even without the tailed beast.
But it was unavoidable. The life of a jinchūriki was never private.
Qianyu's Home.
An apron was tied around his waist. The hands that wielded ninjato and kunai now held a spatula.
"Almost done, Kushina! Dinner's ready!"
"Okay!"
Kushina Uzumaki turned off the television. She was just pushing herself off the couch when a knock echoed through the house.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Qianyu's eyes narrowed.
Kakashi wasn't off duty yet. With Kushina to care for, Qianyu had happily dumped all Leaf Village Defense Force paperwork back on his student, letting Kakashi serve as acting captain again.
And Orochimaru? He'd visited the lab that afternoon. The next check-up was in five days.
Neither of them would come at this hour.
So who?
He went to the door, spatula still in hand, and blinked in surprise.
Minato Namikaze stood on his doorstep.
Hiruzen had told him to send an ANBU. But Minato thought coming himself was better. He'd need Qianyu's cooperation, after all.
Then he saw the apron. The spatula. The domestic scene. The cognitive dissonance was so strong, Minato almost wondered if he had the right house.
He recovered with a faint, awkward smile. "Long time no see, Qianyu."
Qianyu gave a curt nod. "What do you want?"
"Lord Third and the council are convening a meeting," Minato explained. "I'm here to invite you. It's about Miyuki."
"A meeting?" Qianyu's tone was flat. "Why me? Lady Biwako already mentioned it this morning. If you need my help, you have it. The meeting? Pass."
From the living room, Kushina's voice piped up. She'd heard 'Miyuki' and 'help'. She connected the dots instantly. Worry for her fellow Uzumaki flared.
"Qianyu," she said, firm. "Go. If it's for Miyuki's safety, and they're trying to plan, then every bit helps. Go to the meeting."
Kushina had spoken.
Qianyu's resistance vanished. "Fine. Let me plate the food. You eat first."
He completely ignored Minato still waiting at the door. He scooped the stir-fry onto a plate, set it on the table, and carefully helped Kushina to her seat.
Only then did he untie the apron, tossing it over a chair.
He walked back to the doorway, where a slightly stunned Minato still stood.
"Let's go," Qianyu said, his voice all business. "The sooner we start, the sooner it's over."
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