Just as the group was enjoying their conversation, another group of seven people sat down at the table next to them.
At that moment, Kawaki Aoba, who had been listening to Minato boast about the ninjutsu he developed, suddenly felt his heart skip a beat.
This is… Observation Haki's warning signal!
Could it be… the assassination mentioned earlier is actually about to happen?
However, if there really were a life-threatening danger, Observation Haki should have shown him a glimpse of the future—but his current mastery clearly wasn't strong enough for that.
Remaining outwardly calm, Kawaki Aoba subtly maximized his Observation Haki's perception.
Instantly, he sensed it—a deep malice mixed with intense hatred. The source was close. Alarmingly close.
It was coming from one of the seven people who had just sat down.
Like Kawaki Aoba's group, the seven began chatting casually after sitting.
> "Mr. Genno, we'll be relying on you for planning the new residential district and the commercial expansion in Konoha."
> "Indeed. It's an honor to have a master architect like yourself with us."
> "No need for such praise. Being entrusted with a redevelopment project for Konoha, the largest hidden village in the ninja world, is an honor in itself. Since I designed this plan personally, I must see its completion with my own eyes.
I've decided—I'll be on-site every day until the project's finished. I will not allow any mistakes."
> "As expected of Master Genno. Among architects, your dedication is unmatched."
Six of the seven men were showering praise on the one they called Genno, calling him an architectural genius.
Kawaki Aoba listened quietly, piecing together the situation.
From their conversation, he deduced that although these men were civilians, they served as village administrators tasked with overseeing the re-planning of Konoha's infrastructure.
With Konoha's population steadily increasing, the city's original layout—designed during the Second Hokage's time—was no longer sufficient. Expansion and modernization had become a necessity.
The seven individuals next to them—more accurately, six administrators and one architect—were responsible for this new development.
Genno, the architect in question, had been specially invited to oversee the entire project.
According to what Aoba overheard, Genno had already handled multiple residential projects over the past five years and had even been formally recognized by the Hokage for his contributions.
On the surface, he seemed like a model citizen. But the sheer level of hatred and malice radiating from him couldn't be faked.
Genno… why does that name sound so familiar?
Aoba rifled through his mental database of shinobi records and timelines. He filtered through dozens of profiles and incidents—until a face appeared in his memory.
A middle-aged man with weary eyes. An architect. A bomb specialist.
Genno—a survivor from Yūgakure (the Village Hidden in Hot Water), a small hidden village destroyed by Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War.
Aoba couldn't recall all the details, but he remembered the essence: Genno had once planted explosive tags all over Konoha, preparing to destroy the village in an act of revenge.
However, in the original timeline, his plan was thwarted. He ultimately gave up on destroying the village after seeing the will of the younger generation—Naruto and the others.
But that was before Aoba's interference altered the flow of time.
Who could say what Genno would do now?
If left unchecked, and once the new architectural project was complete, he could potentially bring down half of Konoha with the push of a button.
Most troubling of all, Aoba realized that his own assigned housing unit in the new district would likely be designed by Genno.
Sleeping on a nest of explosive tags every night? That was a nightmare scenario.
For both rational and emotional reasons, this hidden threat had to be eliminated.
More importantly, this mission would likely count as an S-rank assignment, given the potential danger.
"What's wrong, Aoba? You looked fine just now. You feeling unwell?" one of the group asked.
Among them were veteran ninja—keen enough to catch Aoba's subtle shift in expression.
"Ah, it's nothing. I think the barbecue's just a little too spicy," he replied, masking his concern while casually flashing a series of standard hand signs—covert communication used by Konoha's shinobi.
Minato and the others immediately recognized the signs: emergency, threat level high, target adjacent table.
They continued their casual conversation, but beneath the surface, they had shifted into covert coordination mode.
This situation was delicate.
Genno was dangerous. Worse, Aoba couldn't confirm whether he had rigged the explosive tags to detonate instantaneously.
If Genno still possessed chakra reserves—or any hidden failsafes—any direct attempt to neutralize him could end in catastrophe.
"Man, why is Senior Inoichi taking so long? He said he'd meet us for barbecue tonight," Aoba said aloud, disguising his message as a complaint.
At the same time, his code signaled:
Minato-senpai, request Hokage's authorization to dispatch the Sealing Team. Also, bring Yamanaka Inoichi here personally to perform a Mind Transfer Jutsu on the target.
Do not underestimate the threat.
This man—Genno—is the most dangerous person I've ever sensed. His malice is real. And I believe he's ready to detonate everything if provoked.
The Third Ninja World War
> "If we can't stop this man now, Konoha will suffer consequences beyond imagination…"
That was the premonition that haunted Aoba Yamashiro—a skilled sensory-type shinobi with ties to Konoha's Intelligence Division. Though his real name was Yamashiro Aoba, some still mistakenly referred to him as Kawaki Aoba, a relic of confusion in paperwork and older mission logs.
He had discovered something deeply disturbing: Genno, an old man posing as a harmless construction worker, had been planting explosive tags around the village. But how could Aoba explain such sensitive intel? He couldn't reveal his source—his awakened ability to foresee limited moments into the future, something akin to precognition.
If he acted rashly—alerting the sealing team or drawing too close to the buried tags—Genno might be spooked. So, reluctantly, Aoba decided to attribute his findings to his "exceptional sensory prowess."
Given his prior contributions to Konoha's defense, Aoba hoped the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would take his warning seriously.
He entrusted his findings to Minato Namikaze, a rising star in Konoha's ranks. Calm and composed, Minato cleverly passed the message under the guise of inviting Inoichi Yamanaka out for barbecue—a cover for a deeper mission.
Meanwhile, Aoba heightened his chakra perception to the limit, maintaining constant watch over Genno. For the first time, he proactively tapped into his future-sensing ability, a rare skill he was still learning to control.
Although Genno occasionally glanced toward them, his demeanor remained unchanged—suggesting he had not realized he'd been exposed.
At the same time, Minato had already reached the Hokage's office and relayed Aoba's findings with grave sincerity.
"That old construction worker, Genno… harbors hatred for Konoha?" Hiruzen mused, eyes narrowing.
Before Hiruzen could respond, Danzo Shimura—who had been attending the war briefing—cut in.
"Leave this to me," Danzo said sharply. "I'll make that man spill everything."
Minato frowned, stepping forward with respectful firmness. "Lord Danzo, with all due respect, Aoba believes the threat is serious. A collaborative operation between the Sealing Corps and the Yamanaka Clan will ensure a precise and safe extraction of information—without risking the village."
Danzo's expression darkened. "Are you suggesting I lack caution, Namikaze? Or that my methods are inferior to a child's?"
Minato lowered his head slightly in deference, but his words held their ground.
"No, sir. I mean only that Aoba discovered the anomaly first. For the sake of the village, I believe it's best to follow his strategy."
"Hmph." Danzo struck the ground with his cane.
Before tensions escalated, Hiruzen raised his hand. "Enough. Danzo, this is not a matter for Root. And I've already suspended all Root activity within the village."
Danzo clenched his jaw but said nothing more.
"Minato," Hiruzen continued, "you may proceed. Bring Inoichi. Mobilize a sealing team. But keep this discreet."
Minato bowed and departed.
Later that evening, Minato returned to the restaurant with Inoichi Yamanaka. Outside, hidden from sight, the Sealing Corps had taken position.
"Apologies, I got delayed," Inoichi said, slipping into the role of a carefree guest with effortless grace. His tone and timing were flawless—Academy Award–worthy, had such things existed in the shinobi world.
The others subtly shielded him from Genno's sight as he took his seat.
Understanding the signal, Inoichi began forming hand signs.
Behind them, Genno—mid-toast with his fellow guests—suddenly felt his instincts flare. A chill ran down his spine.
Something's wrong… I've been discovered.
He sprang up to flee, but it was already too late.
Aoba blocked his retreat, and a stream of focused chakra surged toward Genno—Yin-based, invasive, and sharp.
Mind Body Switch Technique—success.
From another angle, Shikaku Nara performed hand signs in tandem.
Shadow Imitation Technique—success.
Genno was trapped—mind restrained by Inoichi, body immobilized by Shikaku. He couldn't move, let alone resist.
The sealing squad rushed in and began layering barrier after barrier. Dozens of advanced fūinjutsu techniques covered Genno's body. Even if he were still a chakra-rich Jōnin, no one short of a Hokage could break free from that level of restraint.
"The sealing is complete," a member of the squad reported. "Shikaku-senpai can release the shadow now."
Inoichi's spirit returned to his body. He gave Aoba a solemn nod.
"There's something off," Inoichi said quietly, brushing sweat from his brow. "His mental strength… it's not normal. He's more than just a bitter old man."
With that, he moved to Genno and placed his hand gently atop the restrained man's head.
Activating the Yamanaka clan's signature technique, he dove into the man's mind.
Aoba watched intently. He'd seen this technique before—used once during the interrogation of a rogue Hyūga. The target had ended up mentally destroyed—a vegetative shell. But this time, Genno offered no resistance. His face was almost peaceful, like someone who'd accepted his fate.
In contrast, Inoichi's face contorted with strain. Beads of sweat poured down. His lips parted slightly in shock.
Then—he gasped.
His eyes snapped open.
"T-There are explosive tags," Inoichi said, voice trembling. "Hundreds. Maybe more. Buried across the village. He was going to detonate them all at once… destroy Konoha from the inside."
Gasps rippled through the squad.
"He already controlled key infrastructure," Inoichi continued. "Construction routes, bridges, even beneath the academy grounds. He was almost done…"
"And if he could still move…" Shikaku murmured grimly.
"He could blow everything up," Inoichi finished.
A heavy silence settled.
They had stopped a catastrophe—by mere minutes.
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