Naruto: We Agreed on a Simulation, But They Actually Came to Life?

As he stepped out of the Hokage building, the midday sun was blinding.

Kitahara Kaede raised a hand to shield his eyes. With Danzo, the unpredictable variable, now eliminated, the subsequent steps of his plan had become clear. Once Rin woke up, he would find the right moment to pull Obito back onto the right path. Finally, he would permanently crush Black Zetsu, and the hidden threats to the shinobi world would be thoroughly cleansed.

He merged into the flow of the crowd on the street. However, there was a more personal matter he needed to attend to first.

He glanced down at the bracelet on his left wrist. In the simulator, the two of them had spent twenty years together; they had been through everything. Yet, facing this step again in reality, he actually felt a flicker of nervousness.

Kaede quickened his pace across the street, already rehearsing his approach in his head. He would reveal a portion of the truth and then confirm their relationship. While he was at it, he would check on Rin's condition.

Entering the hospital building, he reached the second-floor landing and ran right into Nonou, who was carrying a folder of medical records. She pushed up her round glasses, a gentle smile on her face.

"Kitahara-kun? Are you here to see Lady Tsunade?"

"Nonou-senpai," Kaede nodded. "Yes, is she in her office?"

Nonou shook her head apologetically. "Lady Tsunade left the village a couple of days ago. She didn't even specify when she'd return."

Kaede paused.

She left the village? Tsunade had clearly promised to wait for his return to confirm their relationship. Why would she suddenly leave?

"There's a backlog of documents here at the hospital. Lady Tsunade left in such a hurry that she dumped everything on me," Nonou sighed.

Kaede suppressed the confusion in his heart. "Did she say anything before she left?"

Nonou thought for a moment and shook her head. "She only said she had urgent business to handle. She didn't leave any other details."

"I see." Kaede thought for a few seconds. "Thank you, senpai. I'll be going now."

Nonou nodded and headed toward the wards with the records in her arms.

Kaede turned and walked back down the stairs, his brow furrowing slightly. What could possibly make Tsunade leave the village? Had something happened to Rin? Or was she going to prepare something special?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. 'Forget it, there's no use overthinking it.' Since Tsunade wasn't here, he would focus his energy on the weapons project for now.

***

Over the next week, Kitahara Kaede practically lived in Orochimaru's laboratory. To be precise, he and Orochimaru took turns monitoring the samples. However, Orochimaru didn't have much interest in the project; after two days, he handed the task over to Anko and retreated into the adjacent lab to pursue other research.

Kaede kept a very close watch. This batch of weapons was the foundation of Konoha's resurgence and the core chip in his strategic layout.

On the evening of the seventh day, the final crate of finished products was sealed into a sealing scroll. Kaede straightened his back and stretched his stiff neck.

Beside him, Anko was diligently counting the inventory, crossing items off the list line by line. "Kitahara-senpai, the numbers all match up."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Kaede took the list and scanned it. He then walked to the window and looked at the sky. There had been no movement from the Hidden Rain Village. It had been a week already. Had Pakura failed to convince Yahiko?

Just as he thought this, there was a knock at the laboratory door. An ANBU member appeared.

"Jonin Kitahara, Lord Minato requests your immediate presence in the high-level conference room of the Hokage building. There are urgent matters to discuss."

Kaede raised an eyebrow. This was perfect; he could show Minato the finished products. He grabbed the sealing scroll containing the weapon samples and waved to Anko.

"I'm heading out. Go home early."

"Take care, senpai."

As Kaede followed the ANBU member out of the lab, his mind raced through various possibilities. Minato wouldn't summon him unless it was something important. It was most likely regarding the alliance. Since he had been isolated for the past few days, if there was news, they had probably already reached an agreement.

By the time he reached the Hokage building and pushed open the conference room doors, he quickly scanned the room.

Minato sat in the primary seat with a gentle smile. Opposite him sat several figures clad in cloud-patterned robes: Nagato, Konan, and Pakura.

They had sent a delegation in person. It made sense—a peace talk of this importance required a showing of sincerity.

But Pakura... Kaede felt a slight sense of danger. Fortunately, Tsunade wasn't in the village right now, so it shouldn't be a problem. He felt a wave of relief.

With a calm expression, he walked over and took a seat beside Minato, placing the sealing scroll on the table.

"Jonin Kitahara has arrived," Minato announced, looking toward the Hidden Rain delegation. "This is the core developer of the weapons project, Kitahara Kaede."

Nagato's gaze landed on Kaede, and he gave a slight nod of greeting. Konan also looked over, sizing him up.

Kaede nodded back and composedly opened the sealing scroll. A row of weapon samples appeared neatly on the tabletop.

He began his introduction. "Everyone, these are Konoha's newly developed weapons. They don't require complex hand signs; they can be activated with basic chakra. They possess immense power and allow the weak to overcome the strong."

Nagato leaned forward slightly. "No hand signs required?"

"Correct." Kaede picked up one of the items. "Press this switch and inject chakra to trigger it. For the Hidden Rain Village, which is currently in need of reconstruction, this is the most practical asset. Equip a Genin with this, and they can exert extraordinary combat power."

Nagato immediately recognized the value of the technology. What the Hidden Rain Village lacked most was combat strength. After Hanzo's death, their defensive capabilities had nearly collapsed, and surrounding small nations had already begun testing their borders. With these weapons, the situation would change entirely.

Konan, however, felt something was off. She looked at Kaede's profile. 'That voice... why does it sound so much like that masked stranger in the valley?'

But how was that possible? The shinobi before her looked to be only eighteen or nineteen. Konan withdrew her gaze. It was likely just a coincidence.

Pakura sat opposite Kaede, her eyes fixed on him. She didn't participate in the discussion, simply listening in silence. Looking at the weapons on the table, her heart beat a little faster.

Kitahara Kaede had actually done it. He had developed something capable of shifting the balance of the shinobi world, intending to use absolute power to overturn the rules of the old world.

The meeting drew to a close in a harmonious atmosphere. Both sides finalized the details of the alliance agreement point by point. Nagato signed on behalf of the Hidden Rain Village, and Minato stamped the document for Konoha.

"The Hidden Rain Village is pleased to form an alliance with Konoha," Nagato stood up and solemnly extended his hand.

Minato shook his hand, his smile warm. "Konoha is equally pleased. We hope the Land of Rain can travel further and further down the path of peace."

As everyone stood up, Kaede felt a sense of stability in his chest. It was settled.

They exited the conference room and stepped into the hallway. Minato looked at the delegation. "You are welcome to rest in Konoha before your departure. However, I have some official business to attend to, so I must leave you to your own devices."

Nagato nodded in thanks.

As Minato turned and left, only Kaede and the three members of the Rain delegation remained in the hallway.

Pakura took a step forward and spoke. "Jonin Kitahara."

"Hello."

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