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

Noon, the Hokage Building.

Kitahara Kaede walked down the corridor and stopped outside Minato’s office, knocking firmly on the door.

"Come in."

Hearing the response from inside, he pushed the door open and stepped in.

Minato was looking down, reviewing documents, with a light lunch sitting on the edge of his desk. When he looked up and saw who had arrived, a look of surprise crossed his face.

"Kaede? You’re back already?"

Kaede nodded and closed the door behind him. Minato scanned him over a few times, noting that he didn’t seem to have sustained any injuries.

"How are things in Kirigakure?"

"Everything that needed to be settled has been handled. The internal turmoil in Kirigakure will be suppressed soon," Kaede reported concisely. "As for the subsequent alliance, we just need to wait for them to stabilize their interior before sending an official delegation to finalize the terms."

Upon hearing this, Minato’s expression visibly relaxed. The alliance request Kirigakure had sent of their own accord had felt suspicious from the start. Now that Kaede had returned safely and the matter was resolved, he could breathe easier.

"Good work." Minato picked up the pitcher on his desk, preparing to pour him some water. "You deserve the lion’s share of the credit for successfully opening the door to Kirigakure."

Kaede shook his head, letting the compliment slide. He was in no mood to discuss merits right now.

"Lord Minato, what exactly happened in Amegakure?"

Minato’s hand paused. He hadn’t expected Kaede to rush back to Konoha and, within minutes of arriving, immediately ask about Amegakure. Recalling the information he had received, Minato’s brow furrowed.

"I don’t know the specific details myself. The news was delivered by Pakura, and it was only a single, short sentence." Minato placed the glass of water in front of Kaede and continued. "Nagato’s eyes were stolen, and Fu disappeared at the same time. Once Teacher Jiraiya heard the news, he departed for Amegakure immediately."

Kaede didn’t touch the water. The intelligence Pakura had sent was too sparse. There was still no answer as to who Fu actually was. He needed to head to Amegakure immediately.

However, he needed a plausible explanation for Minato. He was supposed to be an ordinary person; under normal circumstances, he shouldn’t know what the Rinnegan signified. If he acted too urgently, he would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Kaede quickly ran through the available clues in his mind and soon found his opening.

"Lord Minato, there is something I didn’t report previously."

Minato looked at him seriously. "What is it?"

"When I intercepted Danzo in the Land of Rain, I asked him why he was colluding with Hanzo." Kaede paused briefly, organizing his words. "Before he died, he admitted that provoking conflict was merely the public objective. What he truly feared were Nagato’s unique eyes."

Minato’s expression grew grave. "Did Danzo mention what abilities those eyes possess?"

"No. He had already activated the Four Symbols Seal; I didn’t have time to ask further."

Kaede’s answer was seamless. There was no one to verify this conversation; as long as the logic held up, Minato had no reason to doubt him.

He added, "I previously overheard a conversation between Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya. The ’Child of Prophecy’ that Lord Jiraiya has been searching for is Nagato."

Minato’s face tightened as he immediately connected the two pieces of information. Having spent years with Jiraiya, he knew how much his teacher valued that prophecy. For Danzo to risk collaborating with Hanzo, and for his true motive to point toward Nagato’s eyes...

Watching Minato’s reaction, Kaede continued. "Danzo’s final words, combined with this attack, are enough to prove that those eyes are incredibly important. Since the attackers dared to strike the high command of Amegakure, they will certainly make another move."

Minato stood up and walked to the map of the Shinobi World on the wall. Amegakure was situated between the Three Great Nations and was a vital ally that Konoha had just helped establish. An attack on Nagato at this time could very likely plunge the region back into chaos. Even without considering the eyes, Konoha could not simply stand by.

Kaede walked up to the map and made his request directly.

"I want to go to Amegakure immediately. Firstly, I can support our ally and show the world the extent of Konoha’s commitment to its partners. Secondly, I can assist Lord Jiraiya in uncovering the secrets hidden within those eyes."

Minato looked at him for a moment before making a decision.

"Very well. Leave at once. But this matter runs deep; once you reach Amegakure, rendezvous with Teacher Jiraiya first." Minato pressed his hand onto the location of the Land of Rain on the map. "Regardless of what you find, prioritize your own safety. Konoha cannot welcome back a hero only to receive news of his demise shortly after."

Kaede understood the concern and responded seriously, "I understand."

"Safe travels."

Kaede wasted no more time and turned to leave the office. After the door closed, Minato looked back at the map, the smile completely gone from his face.

Nagato’s eyes... the Child of Prophecy...

This chaos in Amegakure was likely only the beginning.

***

Kaede walked briskly out of the Hokage Building, intending to head straight for the village gates. But after two steps, he stopped.

Before going to Kirigakure, he had made a promise to himself. Once he returned, regardless of whether Tsunade was willing to listen, he would explain everything.

But logically, the safest order was to handle the threat first and then resolve the emotions.

Kaede glanced toward the village gates, but his mind refused to settle. He had already made Tsunade wait once because of his hesitation. If he left again without a word, who knew when he would return? Even if he came back successfully, there was no guarantee Tsunade would still be willing to wait for him.

Kaede stood by the roadside, letting other ninja pass him by. After half a minute, he let out a frustrated sigh and changed direction.

The situation in Amegakure truly couldn’t wait, but visiting Tsunade at the hospital would only take a few minutes. If he wasn’t willing to spare even that much time, the confession he had planned would be nothing more than a joke.

Kaede quickened his pace and headed straight for the Konoha Hospital. He rarely allowed anything to disrupt his plans, but this time, he accepted it.

Inside the hospital, medical staff passed through the corridors at regular intervals. Just as he entered, he ran into Nonou coming out of a patient’s room.

Nonou looked surprised to see him. "Kaede? You’re back from your mission?"

Kaede nodded hurriedly, skipping the pleasantries. "Just got back. Is Lady Tsunade in her office?"

"She is. She hasn’t left since finishing her surgeries this morning."

The moment Nonou answered, Kaede was already heading for the stairs. She turned around, watching his hurried retreat, a look of understanding crossing her face.

’It seems after fighting for so long, someone is finally willing to speak first.’

Kaede soon stood before the door to Tsunade’s office. But as he raised his hand to knock, he hesitated.

Pakura’s existence had already caused her so much pain. Now, if he added Terumi Mei and those memories that defied all common logic, what would she think? If he were in Tsunade’s position, he would find it hard to accept as well.

Kaede could almost imagine her telling him to get out after hearing the truth. If it came to that, their relationship might be beyond repair.

The moment the thought surfaced, he forced it down. Continuing to hide the truth might maintain the status quo for now, but the longer he delayed, the bigger the eventual disaster would be. If he continued to lie to her just because he was afraid of losing her, then that affection wasn’t worth keeping.

The worst-case scenario was simply that Tsunade would not forgive him. But at least he wouldn’t have to live with the guilt.

Kaede stopped hesitating and knocked firmly on the door.

"Come in."

The voice from inside sounded somewhat lazy, with a hint of poorly concealed irritation. Kaede pushed open the door and looked toward the desk.

Tsunade was resting her chin on her hand, staring blankly out the window. She had already cursed that bastard countless times today. He had been in Kirigakure for so long, yet he hadn’t even considered sending her a handwritten letter.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head casually. When she saw who was standing there, Tsunade’s heart skipped a beat.

But she quickly recalled everything Kaede had done previously. Her expression instantly turned cold.

"So, you actually remember the way back?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!