"It's getting close," Amemiya Kenichi muttered, smacking his lips. He wasn't talking about anything else—the night of the Nine-Tailed Beast Uprising was drawing near.
What truly led to Namikaze Minato's untimely death?
Many factors converged. He lacked the Third Hokage's thick skin, for one. He also had the misfortune of encountering a disciple who had been manipulated into madness—a corrupted version of Obito.
Everyone knew that corruption amplified power exponentially. Obito, once unremarkable in Minato's team, ascended to godlike status after his fall. His Mangekyō Sharingan successfully unleashed the Nine-Tailed Beast.
Kenichi recalled that Obito's corruption stemmed from witnessing Nohara Rin's death at the hands of his best friend, Kakashi. The emotional shock had directly awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Was that how it went? Kenichi couldn't be sure, but that's what the Hokage explanation videos he'd watched claimed.
Regardless, the Nine-Tailed Beast's emergence proved to be the final straw that broke Minato. Had the beast been contained, Minato might have survived, and Konoha's fate could have taken a different turn.
Namikaze Minato and the Third Hokage were both Kage-class shinobi. Even Danzo, despite being the scum of the Ninja World, possessed considerable power. Faced with such a formidable lineup, Kumogakure would likely hesitate to stir up trouble.
Moreover, Namikaze Minato wasn't the Third Hokage, who always prioritized peace and compromise. Other Ninja Villages would need to think twice before causing problems.
"Alright, today's experiment is over. Remember to write your reports later," Orochimaru said, wiping his hands. He had lost interest in researching the First Hokage's cells.
If not for his collaboration with Root, Orochimaru wouldn't have taken on this project in the first place. Besides, his disciple had recently introduced him to a new research direction.
"Understood, Teacher," Amemiya Kenichi replied. This underground laboratory, built in partnership with Root, was filled with prying eyes and ears, making it unsuitable for his own experiments.
Once he officially left the village, Kenichi could finally focus on his research. However, even with Root's secret funding, it still wasn't enough.
Amemiya Kenichi had his own plans. He figured Akatsuki would be a pretty good fit. Nagato's Rinnegan, the Outer Path Demonic Statue, and all those Akatsuki members—what wasn't worth studying?
Funding wouldn't be a problem either. After all, there was Kakuzu.
Come to think of it, Akatsuki really did seem like a good place to go. Research goals? Check. Research funds? Check. And Nagato was always going on about making the world feel pain and achieving peace in the Ninja World, right?
Kenichi had a few tricks up his sleeve that might pique Nagato's interest. If that worked, he could mooch research money off Konan every day while simultaneously delaying Black Zetsu's plans. Talk about killing several birds with one stone!
"Akatsuki, huh?" Kenichi scratched his head. He hadn't even left Konoha yet. There was no point in dwelling on it now. Better to focus on how to stir up some trouble during the Nine-Tailed Beast Uprising tonight.
He was definitely leaving Konoha eventually, but that didn't mean he had to go empty-handed. Picking up a few souvenirs before he left wouldn't hurt.
Amemiya Kenichi considered various options, like acquiring the Nine-Tailed's chakra, the blood of the Ino-Shika-Chō Clan, or the Hyuga Clan's blood. He even thought about having his teacher retrieve the Forbidden Technique Scroll so he could extract some ninjutsu for his reserves.
After all, he was going to defect from the village anyway. Whether he took the scroll or not, he'd still be a rogue ninja. Might as well grab it—only a fool would pass up the opportunity.
Of course, Kenichi wouldn't actually take the scroll. He'd just record some ninjutsu from it. Otherwise, Konoha's pursuit would be relentless.
Leaving the experimental facility, Kenichi returned to the village's shops. The Nine-Tailed Beast Uprising was imminent. Once it erupted, he and his teacher would be preparing to leave.
Kenichi felt no attachment to Konoha. His only concern was the food—the Three-Colored Dango and Ichiraku Ramen were exceptional. Sadly, he wouldn't be able to return for a long time after leaving.
So he planned to indulge in one last feast, a reward for his hard work.
"Kakashi?" Kenichi spotted the silver-haired ninja as he entered Ichiraku Ramen. Kakashi was dressed casually, likely not on a mission.
Amemiya Kenichi was a little surprised, but upon reflection, it wasn't that strange. The Jinchūriki's delivery was imminent, a major event for Konoha.
Anbu and Root ninja, along with Jonin, had been recalled from their missions. Only those who couldn't be contacted or were at critical junctures remained abroad.
"The Fourth Hokage is certainly cautious," Amemiya Kenichi clicked his tongue. "But what a pity." He ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen and sat down.
Kakashi still wore his usual gloomy expression. Amemiya Kenichi knew there was no point in trying to talk to him, so he decided against forcing the issue.
To Amemiya Kenichi's surprise, Kakashi actually came over and sat next to him.
Amemiya Kenichi glanced at Kakashi, puzzled. Kakashi remained silent and gloomy, making Amemiya Kenichi even more confused.
A long silence followed until Kakashi's ramen arrived. Then he finally spoke.
"My teacher told me to make more friends," Kakashi said suddenly. Amemiya Kenichi's lips twitched. So you're sitting next to me in silence to make friends?
Is this how you make friends? If you acted like this anywhere else, people would think you're crazy.
"Aren't we already friends? We were before," Amemiya Kenichi said, adopting a perfectly calibrated expression of earnestness—a trick he'd picked up from Guy.
Guy was the kind of person who made it hard to be wary of him. He wore his heart on his sleeve, always saying exactly what he meant. Some might call it having the pure heart of a child, treating everyone with sincerity.
Others might call it...
Well, Amemiya Kenichi found being friends with Guy pretty easy. There were no hidden agendas, just genuine friendship. He didn't want to badmouth his friend anyway.
That's just how Guy was. Amemiya Kenichi had noticed how useful Guy's expressions could be and had practiced them. He never expected they'd come in handy like this.
Kakashi paused, his lifeless eyes flicking toward Amemiya Kenichi. He saw the earnest expression.
It was almost like Amemiya Kenichi was about to give him a thumbs-up and flash a dazzling smile.
"Hmm," Kakashi murmured, glancing at Amemiya Kenichi. He thought Orochimaru's disciple was a lot like Guy. No wonder they got along so well.