Naruto…
The name of the protagonist from Jiraiya's only serious novel. It was also the name he and Kushina had chosen for their unborn child.
And tomorrow... was the expected date of Kushina's delivery.
This wasn't something that could be gambled on—he couldn't afford to.
In an instant, Minato Namikaze focused his gaze on Yun. "I want to know everything about Kushina's death!"
The black shadow that was Uchiha Yun smiled and raised his hand: "Contract."
The contract descended. Minato picked it up and looked it over, then shook his head: "Why is there a time restriction, and why does the trade require five chips?"
Uchiha Yun raised a finger and waved it: "The concept of 'everything' is too broad. According to the Exchange's rules, the cost of knowing everything about Kushina's death is too great. You can't afford it."
"In other words, all your ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, talents, and bloodlines combined still wouldn't cover the price of that information."
"Hence, the space has limited it to one day's worth of events—and set the cost at five bargaining chips."
Everything? Too broad.
Who killed Kushina? The Nine-Tails.
Who released the Nine-Tails? Obito.
Then how did Obito survive? Madara Uchiha saved him?
And how was Madara still alive? Because he used a delayed Izanagi?
And after biting off a piece of Hashirama Senju's flesh, the fusion of Indra and Asura's chakra awakened his Rinnegan.
Where is Madara now? Dead.
How did he die?...
The concept of "everything" would involve one person and unravel all the secrets of the ninja world, and Minato clearly didn't have enough chips.
Minato fell silent. How to phrase the question became the urgent issue.
Who killed Kushina? No, any jinchūriki would die if their tailed beast were extracted. That answer would only lead back to the Nine-Tails.
Why did Kushina die? Useless. The reply would simply be "tailed beast extraction."
Who caused Kushina's death? Knowing the culprit's identity wasn't enough. What mattered was the process—the enemy's capabilities.
Then...
"What abilities does the enemy who caused Kushina's death possess?"
As Minato spoke, a contract appeared; this time, it required only two chips.
Yun let out a slow breath and calmly looked at the Fourth Hokage across from him.
Should he say, as expected of someone worthy of being Hokage? He managed to narrow it down to only two chips and didn't ask for the enemy's name—only their abilities.
"Abilities" is still a broad term, but because it referred to a single individual, the system required the cost of two ability replications.
With this intel, Minato could deduce the sequence of events and formulate a counter-strategy. And given Minato's confidence in his own skills, there was a high chance he'd capture the intruder.
Once captured, the enemy's identity would no longer require a cost.
"I accept the contract!"
As Minato spoke, the contract turned into light and vanished into the space.
After a moment of thought, Uchiha Yun began sharing the information:
"The enemy responsible for Kushina's death possesses a Mangekyō Sharingan—albeit only in one eye. However, due to the presence of Hashirama Senju's cells in his body, he can use its ocular abilities frequently."
"His Mangekyō's genjutsu is exceptionally potent, how potent would require another question. The Hashirama cells also grant him limited Wood Release, though far inferior to the First Hokage's."
"Due to a summoning contract, his Mangekyō Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails. Also, their eye technique grants a phasing ability—any body part, or even the entire body, can shift into another dimension. During that period, physical attacks from the real world can't touch them."
"However… genjutsu targeting his mind remains effective. That said, attempting genjutsu on an Uchiha with Mangekyō and Hashirama cells… isn't advisable."
"Important intel: the interval between each phase is five minutes. And every time they attack, they must become corporeal. I believe with the Fourth Hokage's reflexes, this vulnerability can be exploited."
"...Izanagi... Izanami..."
...
After the explanation, Minato's heart couldn't calm down.
So many abilities. Just the Mangekyō and Wood Release alone were legendary, utterly terrifying!
After a pause, Minato's gaze sharpened: "Controlling the Nine-Tails... Mangekyō Sharingan... the power of the First Hokage... Every piece of this intel points to the invader's identity. But... how is that possible?"
Yun shook his head slightly: "For this intel... will you offer one more chip?"
Minato glanced at the table and looked back at Yun: "It's not Madara, is it? You can't lie, but you haven't given a direct answer either."
Yun was a little exasperated. Other than that idiot who became the Seventh, there really hadn't been a dumb Hokage.
Even though Minato came from a civilian background and had the smile of the sun, after the Great Ninja War, he was far from simple.
"You know well that if Kushina dies, you'll die too. Now, do you want to know the enemy's identity? One more chip and I'll tell you."
But Minato wasn't tempted. He shook his head slightly:
"These ability details are enough. The name isn't important, even if it's Madara, it makes no difference."
"As for my supposed death, this space may show the truth, but I believe it's based on the premise that I never came here and never obtained this intel."
Yun scratched his head, 'Two chips were still too few...'
As the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Minato had far too much of what Yun desired:
The talent for space-time ninjutsu, his reflexes, the sealing techniques passed down from Kushina, and the Flying Thunder God Technique, including its advanced second stage.
After a moment's thought, Yun continued:
"I don't think Konoha is capable of stopping this person. As for Kushina, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, due to the summoning contract, the probability that she can survive, even with this intel, is not one hundred percent."
"And Fourth Hokage... if Kushina dies, you'll follow her. That's a decision you yourself would make. Your death would cause a chain reaction that would weaken Konoha for more than ten years."
"After the Great Ninja War, you should understand what happens when the wealthiest and most besieged village among the Five Great Shinobi Nations shows weakness. The other nations are wolves, starving for a chance to strike."
"The Third... is like an old, rotting tree. He can no longer support Konoha's prosperity."
"You can consider this next statement as bait."
That last sentence made Minato's heart tense. Ever since he became Hokage, it was the first time Konoha had two Hokage alive simultaneously.
With two advisors, Danzō of Root, and Minato himself being far too young, that in itself was a form of political balance.
"Can you protect Kushina yourself?"
Yun shook his head:
"This is an intelligence exchange, I won't act personally. But there is a hidden power in Konoha that even you aren't aware of, one that can stop him. Your request to that force will also positively influence Konoha's future."
"This information concerns both a key issue of yours and a hidden strength of Konoha... so—two chips!"