*Pah!*
A sharp clap echoed softly over the quiet riverbank.
"Secret Scroll Clone."
With a deft motion of his hands, Uchiha Yun activated the technique. Instantly, a swirling cloud of dense smoke erupted from beneath the surface of the river beside him. Yet, unlike a typical clone that would appear immediately, no figure emerged from the smoke at first. The ripples on the water's surface settled as the fog slowly dissipated, but the looming shape inside remained hidden for a moment longer.
A faint smile tugged at Yun's lips. Indeed, the Secret Scroll of Rule Evolution was far more than just a simple tool to recall an extra life. It held layered uses—some hidden even from those who had studied it closely.
Of course, the most vital function was the extra life itself. From this day forward, so long as the clone and he himself did not perish on the same day, then when midnight struck and the clone's form refreshed anew, he could effectively resurrect. It was a lifeline in battle—a second chance granted by the scroll's mystical properties.
And now...
From the smoky veil beneath the river, a young man began to emerge—standing roughly 1.8 meters tall, with a presence that seemed to ripple reality itself. At the water's bottom, a three-dimensional figure with crimson hair shimmered into form, slightly skewed in shape as though defying spatial norms.
Red-haired Yahiko? Or rather, an Uzumaki-like Yahiko?
No. This clone was known as... Sora.
As if governed by twin souls capable of simultaneous existence, Sora's figure slipped through the riverbed moments later, moving silently and disappearing from sight.
Yun himself rose and floated effortlessly toward the shore. In his current state—an unidentified figure lurking in the shadows—few would expend significant resources tracking him. Deploying the clone under the river's depths was more a precaution than a grand tactic.
The ever-present White Zetsu lurking nearby and the Third Hokage's sharp-eyed subordinates who occasionally peeked about were minor nuisances at best. Yun hoped it was mere coincidence that no immediate alarms were raised.
The Nara clan estate and Tatsumi hideout each bore the Flying Thunder God Technique's mark, stealthily inscribed in hidden locations. If the Nine-Tails was truly to be unleashed tonight—though the odds were slim—these safeguards would prove essential for preparing against a sudden storm.
By the time Yun returned home from the back mountain, the sun was already high. His mother and Izumi had come back, the family's voices lively as they set out toward the bustling market.
...
Night draped over Konoha, the village still alive with activity beneath the glow of countless lanterns and streetlights.
From his perch on a shadowed rock, the clone Sora scanned intently, watching as a lone figure drifted by, seemingly lost in thought. The barrier established earlier appeared ineffective against this individual.
Due to the fear of the Nine-Tails escaping, Kushina's childbirth had been arranged in a concealed cave outside Konoha. A barrier was erected around the perimeter to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
Still, the Nine-Tails' chakra seeped faintly through the seal, its ominous breath permeating the night air.
"Have they extracted and sealed the Nine-Tails' chakra in advance, releasing it gradually through a controlled sealing technique? Then fortified the actual birth site's seal? Not a single trace leaks beyond the barrier—it's truly remarkable..." the clone murmured softly.
Tasked with reconnaissance, Sora settled into a watchful stillness. His mission was simple: if disturbances erupted, act; if all remained quiet, leave behind a few defensive jutsu and rest.
...
Suddenly—
"Ahh!!!"
"It hurts!"
"Minato! Minato..."
Kushina's agonized cries echoed within the cavern, Minato standing close, cradling her gently yet anxiously, his expression clouded with concern.
Hidden in the shadows, Kakashi blinked, puzzled. Why did these two seemingly serious men move with such seamless harmony—as if a perfect couple?
Two acting stars of the shinobi world, playing their parts.
Minutes later, Shisui—disguised as Kushina—lay motionless on a cot, his voice hoarse but unyielding. The enemy had yet to make an appearance.
Time slipped away relentlessly. If the baby was born at the real site, no barrier would withstand the full surge of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
At that moment, their enemy would realize the ruse and act accordingly.
Wait.
Shisui suddenly understood: Kushina's seal would weaken as childbirth approached, causing the Nine-Tails' chakra to surge uncontrollably. Their adversary was undoubtedly waiting for that exact moment.
Sharing a glance, Shisui and Minato—both sharp-witted—read each other's thoughts instantly.
Just then, Obito arrived, cloaked in shadow and impatience.
'The Nine-Tails' chakra had been leaking for far too long; why hadn't the baby appeared yet?'
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques were famed across the shinobi world, their bloodline's unique chakra constituting the perfect vessel for tailed beast containment. But childbirth added vulnerability—a newborn with no defense at all.
"It's born! It's born!" Fugaku, transformed to resemble Biwako, along with two medical ninja women, shouted with relief—yet no infant cries pierced the air within the cave.
Minato's voice cracked with anxiety: "Why is there no sound? What happened to Naruto?"
Fugaku quickly reassured him, "You need to stimulate him twice—don't worry."
Holding the newborn upside down, Fugaku flicked the infant's feet, "If there's fluid in your mouth, spit it out."
Minato's gratitude was palpable, while Shisui on the bed understood his role was nearly complete. Prolonging his voice risked damaging his throat irreparably.
And then—
In an instant, a shadow flickered beside Fugaku. A kunai pierced toward his neck with lethal speed.
"Swish!"
Fugaku's body-flash technique narrowly evaded the strike, but the baby slipped from his grasp amidst the chaos.
"I never expected the Third Hokage's wife to have such swift reflexes... but now..." Obito's voice was a harsh whisper as he grasped the baby bundle in one hand, thrusting another kunai forward.
His Mangekyō Sharingan flared with fierce intent as he glared at his former teacher.
'Feel the agony of lost love, sensei. This time, you're still too late.'
*Bang!*
A burst of smoke filled the cave, revealing the baby bundle was nothing but a kunai in disguise. Obito's dark silhouette reflected upon the blade, mocking in silence.
'A trap?'
'Impossible!'
Obito's eyes locked onto Minato. "How did you anticipate this?"
Minato's gaze, though avoiding direct eye contact to evade the Sharingan's hypnotic power, lingered regretfully on Obito's bandaged arm.
"I have many questions, though I doubt you'll answer honestly now. Some things fall under my responsibility... so I will catch you and make you answer."
In a flash, the Flying Thunder God Technique activated. The cave's arranged traps made Minato's presence seemingly omnipresent.
*Swish!*
A kunai passed through thin air, and Obito sneered, "What makes you think you can catch me?"
Minato's hand had already passed through the space. Obito spun and countered with a ruthless kunai strike.
*Swish!*
Flying Thunder God blazed again; Minato reappeared beside him, quickly gleaning information from a shadowy figure nearby.
Obito glanced at the still-lying Shisui with a tilt of his head: "Since the baby was fake, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki must be fake too, right? Still pretending to be dead? Do you think I'm stupid enough to fall for that?"
Shisui awkwardly sat up and scratched his head. "I didn't underestimate you. It's just that the earlier act was... embarrassing. I just barely recovered."
Obito chuckled darkly. "That was incredibly realistic. To be placed here by the Fourth Hokage himself, your strength must be considerable... Third Hokage?"
"Sorry, Uchiha-senpai, you're mistaken."
*Bang!*
As Shisui's words faded, twin Sharingan eyes flashed like a cross within the dissipating smoke.
Kotoamatsukami!
Without warning or preparation, the insidious seed of Kotoamatsukami was silently planted.
*****
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