No one in Konoha, in its current exhausted state, could confidently stand against him alone. Not with their forces still recovering and with their borders fragile. She clenched her fist as she thought... "I need more power. I should take Katsuyu-sama's advise and visit Shikkotsu Forest and learn Sage Arts."
Minato's gaze drifted unconsciously to his prosthetic arm, the smooth construct Tsunade had grafted in place of his lost limb, as he remembered how he lost his hand and how the Raikage played with him. The one who caused this is alive and has gotten far stronger. A flicker of doubt surfaced... could he defeat the Third Raikage now when he couldn't do it then?
He had once believed his speed was uncontended, his teleportation unmatched but now he had developed a more offensive style with his Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu. His thoughts drifted back to Kakashi's sudden displacement on the battlefield proved something unsettling. There is an unknown space-time user in Kumo and what if they drop their strongest Jinchuriki or worse if the Raikage himself is dropped in the middle of Konoha.
He spoke slowly. "Tsunade-san… there is possibly a space-time ninjutsu user in Kumo. Kakashi was displaced instantly. And if they can send the Raikage or their Jinchūriki directly into Konoha…" His jaw tightened. "I fought Killer Bee. He has grown tremendously stronger. I cannot guarantee victory against him but I would not lose either."
Tsunade's eyes shifted to Kaien again. "Does Kumo have a space-time ninjutsu user?" she asked sharply.
Kaien answered without hesitation. "None that I know of. But it is possible, I do not know everyone."
He spoke truthfully as he remembered Heavenly Transfer was closely related to space-time ninjutsu in the conventional sense, but it is not. And technically, he did not know of any other space-time user in Kumo. His answer was precise and true within the limits of his knowledge.
Tsunade felt no falsehood... her technique registered calm breath, controlled pulse and consistent perspiration patterns again.
Even Tsunade herself did not know that her questions could be bypassed in such a way. Kaien realized that as long as one answered truthfully to the extent of their own knowledge, she would believe it to be the truth, since it would not register as a lie. She likely had never encountered anyone like Kaien before. But Kaien understood this weakness in her technique, while Tsunade, the very user of the technique, did not.
Minato's focus shifted as his voice softened. "How is Kushina?"
Tsunade repeated the question. "How is Kushina? Is she safe?"
Kaien nearly smiled inwardly. Bingo.
Why would Tsunade reiterate a question Minato has already asked her, It is likely that it would only trigger if she asks the question.
"Kushina is absolutely safe," Kaien said steadily. "I personally ensured she was not harmed. I have actively prevented elders from harming her."
He omitted names and positioned himself in good shoes.
Again, Tsunade felt no lie as she nodded indicating to Minato that he was not lying.
Minato's rigid posture cracked. His knees gave slightly, and he dropped to the ground, hand braced against the tent floor. Tears slipped down his face silently.
"She's safe… She's safe." he whispered.
At that moment, Kakashi jerked.
His eyes opened slowly, unfocused at first. He stared at the tent ceiling as if trying to remember where he was. After several strained breaths, he forced himself upright despite the pain tearing through newly repaired muscles.
Kaien saw him clearly now for the first time at close distance. His mask was not present and his full face was fully visible.
Kakashi's voice coarse. "Where is Guy?"
His gaze darted between Tsunade and Minato.
"Tsunade-sama… you can heal him, right? With your skill… you can fix anything…"
Minato's throat tightened. He had sealed Guy's body inside a scroll, preserving it carefully. But he could not bring himself to reveal that to Kakashi yet... not in this state.
"I... I secured him," Minato said quietly. "I… forgot to leave the FTG mark. He is still at the same place."
Kakashi stared at him.
"Sensei… don't lie to me." His voice hardened despite the weakness in his body. "I know you would not make such an obvious mistake." He paused for awhile. "Is he… dead?"
That silence answered everything.
Kakashi's head bowed as the neck muscles gave up as he stared at his lap. Tears rolled down his cheeks and fell on his lap.
"Guy… is dead." His voice was low and inaudible as he mumbled. "He's not coming back… Why is he dead?" He looked up with blank and vacant eyes. "We can still save him. Tsunade-sama is here. She can save anyone and can fix anything... she fixed even Minato-sensei's hand."
He sounded like a child asking for something impossible.
Minato looked at Tsunade and back at Kakashi... who was in a state of despair. And suddenly Kakashi's grief turned into anger as he shouted as he looked at Minato, "It is all Kumo's fault." From the corner of his eye he saw a person hiding behind Minato-sensei.
"Who is that?"
Minato exhaled slowly and stepped aside.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he recognized the little boy who was responsible for what has happened and he remembered back at the battlefield, for a while one presence vanished so he should have bought back the reinforcements.
"He…" Kakashi's voice turned sharp, venomous. "He is the reason Guy is dead."
Kakashi tried to swing his legs off the bed, ignoring the tearing pain in his abdomen.
"I will kill him."
Kaien felt a chill crawl down his spine. Of all outcomes, this was the most volatile.
Minato stepped forward immediately, catching Kakashi before he collapsed fully.
"Calm down, Kakashi," Minato ordered firmly. "He is an important hostage to Konoha. We cannot kill him."
Kakashi froze.
He looked up at Minato with the look of being betrayed.
"Sensei… did you just say that?... you said that, didn't you? I can't believe you are protecting an enemy." His voice shook. "You are protecting him? He caused Guy's death. He likely caused Kushina-san's capture. Did you forget that?"
Minato did not respond. He was not protecting Kaien out of mercy. He was protecting leverage the only bargaining chip that could bring Kushina home without igniting another war.
But that explanation would not soothe a grieving student.
Kakashi's breathing became ragged again. His body trembled violently. The strain was undoing Tsunade's work.
Minato made a swift decision.
He struck Kakashi lightly at the pressure point near his neck. Kakashi's eyes widened briefly before he collapsed back onto the bed, unconscious once more.
Tsunade frowned but did not object. From the corner of her eye, she saw her son... watching everything happen with mild amusement.
Minato stood there for a moment, looking at his student's still form.
"It would be a mistake," he said quietly, almost to himself, "to assume I am going easy on you."
His eyes shifted to Kaien. They were no longer tearful.
"I need every piece of information you have," Minato continued. "And once I have what I need… We will exchange you for Kushina." But internally he was thinking, no way I am letting him go that easy handed... this should atleast make him think that he is returning and would spill out the truth.
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A/N: Upto 20 Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0