No matter what, the Third Hokage still didn't want to see Kushina leave the village—especially not with Takuya.

Who knew what kind of trouble they'd stir up once they were outside?

So, he tried one last time to stop it.

"Ridiculous."

Takuya scoffed, not even bothering to argue.

He turned around and walked off.

"The Nine-Tails has a unique ability. Even if other Tailed Beasts could do the same, it would require a perfect jinchūriki to pull it off.

Which other village has one?"

Same old stubborn fool.

Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples.

Sakumo stared at the ceiling, rolling his eyes.

They all knew exactly what the Third Hokage was trying to do.

But afterdecadesof clinging to the same ideas, why couldn't he justlet go?

No wonder Takuya didn't even bother acknowledging him.

Honestly, if it were Sakumo, he wouldn't either...

Well, maybe he wasn't that bold.

Takuya wasn't worried about any backlash.

Even if the Third Hokagewantedto retaliate, he'd have to get through Tsunade first.

And Konoha wasn't the same as it used to be.

Nobody could just pull strings behind the scenes anymore.

Takuya headed straight to Kushina's place.

She had just returned from shopping with Pakura, the two of them lounging on the couch, excitedly discussing what outfits to wear for their next outing.

"You're here."

Kushina greeted him with a bright smile.

Before she could get up, Takuya swept her pile of clothes off the couch.

"Hurry up. Pack some nice clothes. I'm taking you on a trip to the Land of Earth."

"...Seriously?"

For a moment, she was stunned.

Then, sheleapedto her feet.

"More real than diamonds! And you too, Pakura. Get ready—I'm giving you ten minutes."

"On it!!!"

Forget clothes, forget shopping—none of that mattered anymore.

She wasgoing on a trip!

Why she was allowed to leave the village?

Why they were going to the Land of Earth?

Didn't matter.

What mattered was that Takuyaneverlied to her.

That was enough.

"...A trip?"

Pakura barely held back an eye-roll.

Still, ten minutes wasn't a lot of time.

She needed to hurry.

Most people, when packing for a long trip, focused on clothes and supplies.

Not Takuya.

His priority?Food.

Luckily, that was Pakura's job now.

And with that, the three of them set off for the Land of Earth.

—

"Man... I wanted to go, too."

Perched atop Konoha's wooden gate, Minato let out a wistful sigh.

He turned to Nawaki with alookof disappointment.

"This isyourfault.

If you hadn't dragged me out today, I could've gone with them."

Sure, Takuya already had Pakura as a travel companion.

But what harm would one more person do?

He could've at leasthelped out.

Most importantly?

It would've gotten him away from all theboringvillage missions.

Too bad Takuya movedfast.

"You?"

Nawaki gave him a skeptical look.

"Do youreallythink Takuya would bring you along?

He's taking Kushina out on a 'mission.'

It's just him and Pakura.

Use your brain—would you really tag along as a third wheel?"

Minato clicked his tongue.

"You wouldn't understand.

No wonder you're stuck in the village all the time."

"Bullshit. Ijustgot back from a mission."

"Oh, yeah? Escorting aletter?"

"..."

—

As they walked, Kushina suddenly giggled.

"The big fox just sensed Minato and Nawaki watching us from the village gate.

They definitely wanted to come."

"Whowouldn'twant to leave the village right now?"

Takuya smirked.

"With the way things are, nobody can just go wandering around.

They must be dying from boredom."

Minato wasdefinitelytrying to avoid being assigned a squad.

And Nawaki?

That poor guy had beentraumatizedby all the matchmaking his family kept pushing on him.

Takuya's words sent Kushina into a fit of laughter, while Pakura just shook her head, half amused, half exasperated.

Nawaki had gone onso manyarranged dates at this point.

Sure, some progress had been made, butwho knewwhen he'd finally get married?

As for Minato...

Tsunade had been trying to make him a jōnin instructor.

If that happened, he'dneverget to roam around freely again.

A jōnin instructor had to prioritize their students, even choosing missions that wouldn't put them at too much risk.

That kind of structured life?

Notwhat Minato wanted.

Too bad for him—Tsunade only had tolookat him, and he'd fold.

"Being a jōnin instructorisa hassle."

Takuya wouldnevertake on that job again.

Minato could have it.

The blonde was way more patient with kids than he ever would be.

"You realize this means poor Suzune will be left alone in the village, right?"

"Eh, she'll be fine."

Kushina suddenly asked,

"So, what's our actual mission?"

She wasn't dumb.

She knew Takuya wastechnicallytelling the truth.

Theyweretraveling.

But theyalsohad a mission.

"...Hmm."

Takuya rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing with amusement.

"We're on an important mission...

To save the Land of Earth."

Kushina: "..."

Pakura: "..."

Yeah, sure.

Neither of them believed him for a second.

—

Konoha had chosen to assist Iwagakure.

And they weren't the only ones.

All the great villages had sent forces to investigate and provide aid.

The one most concerned?

The Third Raikage.

Because Kumogakurealsohad a Rinnegan.

If Madara could turn Iwagakure upside down,

What was stopping him fromdoing the sameto them?

They had to beprepared.

Not just prepared—onhigh alert.

The entire village went into lockdown under the Raikage's orders.

Too bad he wasworrying over nothing.

Black Zetsu had no interest in Kumogakure right now.

Of course, if their defenses weretoo weak, he might stir up some chaos just for fun.

But for now, hissolefocus was reclaiming the Rinnegan.

As long as he could retrieve at leastone, the plan would be a success.

Everything was falling into place.

Now, it was just a matter of whether Iwagakure would cooperate.

If they did, Black Zetsu could easily recover a Rinnegan for Obito.

If not?

There was alwaysone last option.

Summoning Uchiha Madara through the Edo Tensei.

Orochimaruwasn'tthe only one who had researched that jutsu.

Even if Orochimaru hadnevertaken an interest in it,

It wouldn't have made adifferenceto Madara or Black Zetsu.

After all...

Did anyone really think Uchiha Madara wouldwillinglyentrust his grand plan to justanyone?

A man like that...

Trusted no one.

___________________________

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.

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