Reality could be that absurd.
Two enemies who had just been fighting to the death a moment ago could, in the very next instant, turn into partners.
That—was the truth!
As the ancients once said: in this world, there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies—only eternal interests!
Even though the battle had been brutal—half of Hidden Stone Village's elite forces were wiped out, and Uchiha Kai had nearly been killed—so what?
When it was time to fight, they fought. When it was time to cooperate, they cooperated.
Not long after the terms of cooperation were agreed upon, Kai bid farewell and left.
"What a strange Uchiha," Onoki muttered coldly.
"He even dares to sell ninja tools—truly money over life!"
"But good… very good."
"On the one hand, I can get cheap weapons. On the other, when the time is right, I can stab the Uchiha clan in the back."
"If word of this ever gets out, Konoha's high command and the Uchiha clan will inevitably clash again."
"Handled properly, this could become a trump card, a killing move!"
"Heh… Uchiha. You may profit from this, but Hidden Stone Village will never suffer a loss."
That was Onoki's way of thinking.
Between nations at war, there was no such thing as face, and morality was never part of the equation.
Victory—was the only thing that mattered.
He had no respect for the Uchiha at all, and didn't even bother considering whether Kai might have other motives behind all this.
In a way, the clan's "foolishness" brought Kai unexpected benefits.
At least, in this situation, it saved him an enormous amount of effort.
It was enough to make one sigh—prejudice really was useless.
Otherwise… one might suffer a great loss!
Meanwhile,
After parting ways with Onoki, Uchiha Kai hurried toward Kannabi Bridge.
After all, while his side was settled, Minato's wasn't yet.
Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu were far trickier opponents than Onoki could ever be.
Yes—this matter weighed heavily on Kai.
The Uchiha clan's position in Konoha was already precarious, so every single ally was precious.
Wait a second…
He had Minato's Flying Thunder God mark!
Stopping in his tracks, Kai didn't hesitate.
He activated Minato's Flying Thunder God seal, and in just over ten seconds, the Fourth Hokage appeared before him.
Minato emerged with full vigilance.
A kunai was already in his hand, his stance tense, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
And then—he froze.
Looking at the tranquil forest around him, then at Kai standing calmly before him…
"Kai? There was no battle?"
Kai shrugged.
"Sorry. My battle is already over, and the mission is complete."
"I have to say, the village really gave me quite the surprise."
"Onoki of Hidden Stone Village, plus the Two-Tails and Five-Tails jinchuriki, and three thousand elite Stone-Ninja. On top of that, Hidden Cloud Village sent their A-B combo, A and Killer B…"
"Our dear Hokage really thinks highly of me!"
Hiss—!
Minato sucked in a breath. He was utterly dumbfounded.
That kind of lineup—was it even possible?
But he also knew that Konoha's Anbu would inevitably report back detailed intelligence later.
Kai wasn't a fool. There was no way he'd lie about this.
Still—he couldn't wrap his head around it!
Even he, the Yellow Flash, would only have the option to run against such a lineup.
In fact, even just the A-B combo was enough.
He'd crossed paths with them once before. From only a brief exchange, he already understood how fearsome they were.
One was the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, with chakra reserves bordering on infinite—a true tank, whose Tailed Beast Bombs were basically nuclear-level weapons.
The other was the son of the Third Raikage, with terrifying chakra reserves of his own, skilled in both Lightning Style and taijutsu.
The two of them together…
If Minato met them head-on, it would have to be a quick battle—or retreat.
There was no way he could endure a prolonged fight.
And that was before adding Onoki, two more jinchuriki, and three thousand elite Stone-Ninja.
He had thought Kai was exaggerating earlier, but now… all Minato could do was sigh and shake his head.
Taking a deep breath, he asked with concern:
"Kai-kun, how are you? You're not injured, are you?"
Kai smiled and shook his head.
"I'm fine. But I think Hidden Stone Village may be preparing to retreat."
He didn't hide anything.
There was no need—this would be public knowledge soon anyway, and especially not something to conceal from Minato.
"What?"
"Raikage's son A was badly injured, and fled with Killer B?"
"Three thousand Hidden Stone elite dead or wounded, and Onoki is willing to pull back?"
Minato was shocked.
If it was true, then Kai's strength was far above his own.
But he didn't dwell on that thought.
What he cared more about was Hidden Stone Village's next move.
"I can't say for certain whether they'll retreat," Kai admitted.
"Onoki didn't say it outright—this is just my speculation."
"But if you lose three thousand elites before the real war even begins? I can't imagine they'll keep fighting."
"That's just my gut feeling."
Minato nodded slowly.
It did make sense.
If Kai's account was true, then the Hidden Stone Village front might indeed be close to winding down.
Still, he'd wait for Anbu confirmation.
While he pondered, Kai suddenly spoke again.
"By the way, Minato—how are things on your side?"
"My battle ended, so I reached out to you right away."
"Running there in person would've cost at least two days."
"I'm not worried about blowing up the Kannabi Bridge—but Uchiha Madara is another story entirely."
Yes.
That was why he had summoned Minato here!
Madara had his eyes on Obito, and he would never waste such an opportunity.
Kai was deeply concerned.
Minato, however, could only sigh in regret.
"Ah… even with your warning, Kai-kun, I was careless."
"Obito's team ran into a Hidden Mist ambush. A huge boulder crushed him."
"He never got the chance to use the kunai I gave him. In the chaos, he dropped it. By the time Kakashi realized and activated it, when I rushed over—it was already too late."
"He was buried deep under the rubble of that battlefield."
"Unless we mobilize massive manpower and dig inch by inch, it's nearly impossible to retrieve his body."
"And without a Flying Thunder God marker on him, I can't pinpoint his exact location either…"
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