Two years.
Two years since the sky bled crimson with the Kyuubi's rage, since the roar of the beast shook the foundations of Konoha, since the night that stole lives and irrevocably altered the course of others.
For Kakashi Hatake, standing before the polished black granite of the Memorial Stone, those two years felt like both an eternity and a single, unending moment.
He was sixteen now, taller, leaner, the youthful edges hardening into the sharp lines of a seasoned shinobi, though the perpetual mask still hid most of his face. His visible right eye, dark and perpetually weary, traced the engraved names – comrades lost in the Third War, shinobi fallen during the Kyuubi attack, names etched into stone, into memory.
Biwako Sarutobi. Taji. The ANBU guards at the barrier. So many others swallowed by the Fox's rampage before the Fourth Hokage had miraculously contained it. Miraculously survived it.
The official story was one of heroism, sacrifice, and ultimate victory under the Yellow Flash. Konoha celebrated its Hokage, breathed a collective sigh of relief that Minato-sensei and Kushina-sama had endured, that their newborn son was safe. The village rebuilt, healed, moved forward, burying the trauma beneath layers of resilience and the relentless demands of shinobi life.
But Kakashi knew the deeper, agonizing truth. He carried it like shards of ice embedded in his chest, a secret shared only by a select few – the Hokage himself, the venerable Jiraiya-sama and the grief-stricken Third Hokage.
Obito.
The name was a phantom ache behind Kakashi's eye, a constant whisper of guilt and failure.
His teammate, his rival, the boy who had gifted him his Sharingan beneath crushing rocks, hadn't died that day at Kannabi Bridge. He had survived, somehow, only to be twisted, consumed by a darkness so profound he had returned as the monster who nearly destroyed them all.
Manipulated, Minato-sensei insisted. A pawn in a much larger game orchestrated by someone claiming Madara Uchiha's legacy. But the fact remained – the hand that ripped the Kyuubi from Kushina-sama, that unleashed hell upon Konoha, belonged to Obito.
For two years, Kakashi had lived with this knowledge, compartmentalizing it behind the mask, channeling the turmoil into relentless training and the cold efficiency demanded by his ANBU duties under the direct command of the Fourth.
For two years, the secret task force – Jiraiya pulling strings across continents, Minato analyzing intel and coordinating from the Tower, Kakashi acting as the primary field operative utilizing the unique connection his Sharingan might offer – had hunted shadows, chased whispers, followed faint trails left by the FTG seal Minato had managed to place on the masked man. Trails that inevitably vanished into the swirling vortex of Kamui.
Until now.
A new lead. Fragmented, uncertain, gleaned from one of Jiraiya's less savory informants operating near the borders of Kusagakure, but concrete enough to warrant investigation. A masked figure matching Obito's description, exhibiting space-time abilities, reportedly making contact with elements within Amegakure – Hanzo the Salamander's territory, a place Jiraiya knew was becoming increasingly unstable.
It was the most solid piece of intelligence they'd had in months.
Kakashi closed his eye, the names on the cold stone blurring behind his eyelid.
Rin. Obito.
Minato-sensei had offered a sliver of hope – that the Obito who attacked wasn't the real Obito, that the boy Kakashi knew was buried beneath layers of manipulation. That redemption, however unlikely, might still be possible. It was that sliver, that impossible maybe, that kept Kakashi going, that fueled the grim determination hardening his gaze as he finally turned away from the Memorial Stone.
He had a mission.
A hunt. He straightened his posture, the familiar weight of his ANBU gear settling comfortably on his shoulders.
The past was prologue. The present was the hunt. He adjusted his mask, his visible eye now sharp, focused, devoid of the earlier bleakness, replaced by the unwavering resolve of a Konoha shinobi with a critical assignment.
He melted into the shadows at the edge of the clearing, rendezvousing with his assigned ANBU support team – loyalists handpicked by Minato, aware only of the mission's target profile (Masked Man, Sharingan, Space-Time Ninjutsu), not the devastating truth of his identity. The hunt for Obito was on.
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(Flashback - Days after the Kyuubi Attack - Council Chamber)
The air in the Council Chamber beneath the Hokage Tower was thick with tension, grief, and the barely suppressed tremors of residual fear. Reconstruction efforts were underway across the village, the sounds of hammering and sawing a constant backdrop, but here, in the heart of Konoha's leadership, the wounds were still raw.
Minato sat at the head of the long table, flanked by a grim-faced Hiruzen. Opposite them sat the village Elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, their faces impassive but their eyes sharp, critical. Shikaku Nara, representing the Jonin Commander position in Shikaku Senior's absence, leaned back, observing. And seated further down, radiating a palpable aura of discontent despite his neutral expression, was Danzo Shimura.
Minato surveyed the room, his usual calm demeanor overlaid with a weary seriousness. He had barely slept since the attack, juggling reconstruction, internal security, Kushina's fragile recovery, Naruto's needs, and the horrifying truth about Obito.
"Thank you all for convening on such short notice," Minato began, his voice steady, commanding attention. "The immediate crisis has passed, but the repercussions of the Kyuubi attack require our urgent attention."
[Agenda Item 1: Village Status & Kyuubi Containment]
Minato laid out the situation concisely. "Initial damage assessments indicate severe structural damage to the eastern sectors, moderate damage extending inwards. Civilian casualties are... significant." He didn't need to elaborate, everyone present had seen the shrouded bodies, the makeshift morgues.
"Shinobi casualties were also heavy, particularly among the initial responders and barrier teams. We honor the sacrifice of Biwako Sarutobi, Taji, and the ANBU guards who fell protecting the Jinchuriki during childbirth." He inclined his head respectfully towards Hiruzen, who nodded grimly.
"Most importantly," Minato continued, his gaze sweeping the table, "the Kyuubi has been contained. Through a combined effort," he chose his words carefully, revealing nothing of the split or Kushina's role, "we were able to subdue the beast and seal it." He paused, letting the weight of that statement sink in.
He knew what the Elders, what Danzo, likely assumed – that he had used the Reaper Death Seal, trading his life for the village's. His survival was both a relief and, to some, perhaps a source of suspicion. How had he done it without paying the ultimate price?
"The sealing process," he continued smoothly, preempting questions, "utilized advanced Uzumaki Fuinjutsu principles, adapted for the situation. The vessel is secure." He deliberately didn't name Naruto, referring only to 'the vessel'. "Details of the seal are classified at the highest level for security reasons."
Homura cleared his throat. "Hokage-sama, while we are relieved by your survival and the beast's containment, the unprecedented nature of this... success... warrants explanation. The Reaper Death Seal..."
"Was considered," Minato interrupted calmly but firmly, cutting off the inquiry. "Alternative methods, drawing upon Uzumaki expertise and specific preparations made for this contingency, proved viable. The seal is stable. That is the pertinent information for this council." His tone made it clear the specifics were not up for debate. He was Hokage, the decision was his.
Hiruzen subtly nodded in support, lending his weight. Koharu and Homura exchanged glances but didn't press further, for now.
"Our immediate priorities," Minato shifted focus, "are threefold: Tend to the injured and displaced, accelerate reconstruction efforts – Shikaku-san, I'll need your logistical expertise here – and significantly bolster village security and intelligence gathering."
[Agenda Item 2: The Attacker]
"The Kyuubi did not simply escape," Minato stated, his voice hardening. "It was extracted and controlled by an unknown assailant who infiltrated the secure birthing location."
A murmur went around the table. Danzo leaned forward slightly, his one visible eye narrowing.
"This individual," Minato continued, "possessed extremely advanced capabilities. He bypassed layered barrier seals undetected. He subdued elite guards, including ANBU and Lady Biwako. He demonstrated mastery of Space-Time Ninjutsu comparable to, or perhaps exceeding, my own Hiraishin, along with phasing abilities that made him intangible." He paused, letting the implications sink in. "And," his gaze hardened further, "he wielded a fully matured Sharingan."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Sharingan. Space-Time Ninjutsu. Intangibility. The profile was terrifying.
"He operated under the guise of Madara Uchiha," Minato added.
Koharu scoffed dismissively. "Madara Uchiha is long dead, Hokage-sama. This is obviously a guise."
"Perhaps," Minato conceded. "But the power this individual wielded was undeniable. He knew the exact timing of the birth, the location, the specific weakness of Kushina's seal during childbirth. This suggests intimate knowledge of Konoha's secrets, or access to someone who possesses it." His gaze flickered briefly towards Danzo, a silent, pointed implication.
Danzo remained impassive, though his visible hand tightened slightly where it rested on the table.
"Furthermore," Minato stated, "I engaged this individual directly. I was able to sever his control over the Kyuubi using a Contract Seal and placed a marker on him using the Hiraishin." He deliberately omitted identifying Obito. That knowledge was too volatile for this council. "He escaped, but he is marked. He remains a significant, active threat."
[Agenda Item 3: Uchiha Clan Scrutiny]
As expected, the mention of the Sharingan immediately focused attention on the Uchiha.
"The Sharingan," Homura stated gravely. "Coupled with such intimate knowledge... Hokage-sama, the implications are unavoidable. The Uchiha clan must be investigated thoroughly. Their loyalty has always been..." he trailed off delicately.
"Questionable," Koharu finished bluntly. "Their isolation, their control of the Police Force... it provides cover. This attack could easily have originated from within."
Danzo spoke for the first time, his voice smooth, reasonable. "A tragedy. And a grave security breach. While we must not leap to conclusions, Hokage-sama, prudence dictates increased surveillance and perhaps... temporary restriction of the Police Force's authority until a full investigation clears the clan." His suggestion sounded practical but carried the clear undertone of opportunism, a chance to curtail Uchiha power.
Hiruzen sighed softly. "We must tread carefully. Accusations without proof will only breed resentment and instability when unity is paramount. The Uchiha clan has served Konoha, albeit..." he paused, "...within their own sphere."
Minato held up a hand, silencing the debate. "The presence of a Sharingan necessitates investigation," he stated firmly, acknowledging the Elders' concerns. "And it will be investigated, thoroughly. By ANBU units reporting directly to me." His emphasis was clear – not Danzo's Root. "We will examine any potential internal links."
He leaned forward, his blue eyes sharp. "However, we will not engage in collective punishment based on suspicion. This attacker claimed to be Madara Uchiha, a figure who operated outside the village structure for decades. It is just as plausible, perhaps more so, that this is an external enemy utilizing stolen or inherited Uchiha power, or an unknown rogue element seeking to frame the clan."
He looked directly at Fugaku Uchiha's empty seat (as clan head, he likely wasn't part of this immediate emergency council but would be briefed separately). "The Uchiha Police Force performed admirably during the attack, maintaining order in the civilian sectors under difficult circumstances. Their role remains vital. However," his tone hardened slightly, "given the Sharingan connection, discrete surveillance of the clan compound and key personnel is necessary, alongside investigations into external threats. We must cover all possibilities." He balanced reassurance with undeniable scrutiny.
[Agenda Item 4: Danzo & Root]
Minato shifted his gaze to Danzo. "Danzo-san. Your Root operatives possess extensive knowledge of internal security and clandestine operations. I expect a full, transparent report on all Root activities, personnel deployments, and intelligence intercepts pertaining to the Uchiha clan and any external threats matching the attacker's profile for the past six months, delivered to my office by tomorrow."
Danzo met Minato's gaze, his expression unreadable. "Of course, Hokage-sama. Root serves Konoha's security above all else. You will have my full cooperation." The words were smooth, but anyone who knew Danzo would have recognized the lie instantly. Minato clearly did too, but the formal demand put Danzo on notice and established a paper trail.
"Furthermore," Minato added coolly, "effective immediately, all internal surveillance operations and handling of high-risk village security matters will fall under the direct oversight of ANBU Commander 'Boar', reporting solely to me. Your cooperation in facilitating this transition is expected." He was subtly stripping Danzo of key operational control without dismantling Root outright, a clear power play. Danzo inclined his head slightly, a flicker of something cold in his visible eye.
[Agenda Item 5: Kiri Situation & Yuki Refugees]
Minato briefly outlined the intelligence received from Taka regarding Kiri's aggression and the suspected purges. He then addressed Kasumi's arrival.
"Coinciding with these reports, we have granted asylum to a refugee from the Land of Water, Kasumi Yuki, and her young son." He saw the Elders frown. "Kasumi-san is known to our intelligence division under the codename 'Hyōjin'. She provided critical, high-level intelligence during the Third War at great personal risk." He emphasized the debt owed.
"A Yuki?" Koharu questioned sharply. "Harboring Kiri Kekkei Genkai users now, Hokage-sama? Especially given the current instability? Is that wise?"
"Kasumi-san is a proven Jonin-level kunoichi whose skills saved Konoha lives," Minato countered firmly. "Her knowledge of the current situation in Kiri is invaluable, firsthand intelligence we desperately need. She is also demonstrably fleeing the very regime perpetrating these purges. Granting her asylum is both strategically advantageous and morally correct, reaffirming Konoha's stance against bloodline persecution." He met their gazes.
"She and her son are under my direct protection and observation. Their presence is contained and monitored."
The Elders remained skeptical but deferred to Minato's authority, backed by Hiruzen's implicit support.
"The meeting is adjourned," Minato concluded, rising. "Reconstruction, security, investigation – these are our priorities. Dismissed."