The silent night, the chilly moonlight.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kushina opened the door to find Minato standing at her doorstep.
The strong smell of alcohol made her frown slightly.
"You've been drinking?"
"Yeah... with Shikaku and Inoichi..." Minato's voice was unsteady, and he swayed as he stood there.
He rarely drank himself into such a drunken state.
Given his current condition, he probably shouldn't have come to disturb Kushina.
Kushina held tightly to the edge of the door.
By all logic, she should have invited Minato inside—if only to let him sit down and rest, maybe sober up with a glass of water.
But deep down, she felt a strong aversion.
The events of the day haunted her, filling her with disgust.
Kushina felt filthy, as if dirt clung to her skin no matter how many times she washed.
She didn't want to be alone with Minato.
Minato slowly extended a hand to steady himself on the door handle, perhaps just trying to maintain his balance, or perhaps intending to push the door open.
In that instant, Kushina pressed firmly against the door, stopping him.
"Minato…"
Minato blinked in confusion and looked at Kushina.
She stood silhouetted against the light, her face obscured by the dim lighting, making her expression unreadable.
"I... didn't mean anything... I won't come in," he said, then fell into silence.
Kushina pressed her lips tightly together, unsure how to explain herself.
They always had endless things to talk about when they were together, but now there was an unusual, awkward silence between them.
The deep night seemed to flow like water.
Behind Minato, the corridor was dark, while Kushina stood in the doorway, bathed in the warm glow of light.
Minato suddenly found himself unable to read Kushina's thoughts.
Was she disappointed in him?
She had hinted at her feelings so many times, yet he had never given her a proper response.
Forcing a smile onto his face, Minato said, "Get some rest."
"...Mm, good night."
The door slowly closed, and the light illuminating Minato's face was gradually swallowed by darkness.
Bang—
Kushina leaned against the door and slid down to the floor, burying her head in her knees, her mind in turmoil.
How did things suddenly end up like this...?
........
At Orochimaru's laboratory.
In front of Makoto stood more than a dozen adults, both men and women.
They appeared to be ordinary people, but in reality, they were all transformed from White Zetsu, and only Makoto's sensory abilities could distinguish them.
Orochimaru's intention was to place them throughout the village, living as ordinary citizens.
"Are these just regular White Zetsu, or have they absorbed human souls?" Makoto asked Orochimaru.
"They're just White Zetsu with stronger learning abilities. They will become very qualified ordinary people," Orochimaru replied.
It was clear that Orochimaru intended to use these White Zetsu to monitor every movement within the village.
Makoto suddenly realized that Orochimaru's methods likely went beyond this.
The ninja families in the village might have already been infiltrated by White Zetsu.
White Zetsu could imitate the chakra of anyone they had come into contact with, and ordinary people would never notice anything amiss.
What about the Hyuga...?
If these White Zetsu continued to multiply and others remained in the dark, Konoha would forever be under Orochimaru's control, with no one able to challenge him.
The most frightening aspect is that Orochimaru's pursuit is immortality!
Makoto's mind was racing, but he didn't say much.
He only mentioned that he would arrange identities for them.
Orochimaru then said, "I heard that Minato came to see you."
Makoto respectfully replied, "He wanted me to persuade Lord Hokage to help arrange his marriage to Kushina."
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged. "Did you agree to help him?"
Makoto immediately answered, "I don't have that kind of authority."
Orochimaru laughed. "Don't be too modest. If you were to plead on his behalf, I might just agree."
Makoto replied, "I will only faithfully carry out the Hokage's decisions, not make decisions on your behalf."
Such words could only be taken as words of courtesy.
If he had truly promised Minato something, the Orochimaru in front of him would likely have acted differently.
Orochimaru then asked, "Makoto, what do you think I should do about this? Should I allow them to marry, or should I not?"
Makoto paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating his words, and then said, "I believe Lord Hokage's concerns are justified. As a Jinchuriki, Kushina would face great risks if she were to marry and become pregnant. If…"
"If we replace the Jinchuriki, wouldn't we be able to avoid the risk and still keep Kyuubi firmly under our control?"
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged as he responded, "A Jinchuriki dies when the Tailed Beast is removed, do you know that?"
Makoto answered, "I've studied many books, and the Uzumaki clan has very strong vitality. Keeping Kushina alive should not be difficult for you, Lord Hokage."
"Although it's not necessary for Lord Hokage to do this, it would be a favor to Minato, and perhaps it could earn his loyalty in return."
However, Orochimaru showed no concern for the loyalty Makoto mentioned regarding Minato and instead asked, "What about the new Kyuubi Jinchuriki?"
Makoto respectfully replied, "That would naturally be up to you to decide."
Up until now, there have only been two Kyuubi Jinchuriki in Konoha, both of whom were from the Uzumaki clan.
The only known Uzumaki clan members, besides Kushina, are Nagato from the Amegakure.
Apart from Makoto, the only people close to Orochimaru were Anko and the handful of personal Anbu members.
For Orochimaru, sealing Kyuubi inside a White Zetsu body was also a possible option.
But leaving aside the Uzumaki clan, could anyone else withstand the power of Kyuubi?
Makoto's thoughts on this matter weren't fully developed, and the main issue was that, besides Kushina, there were no better candidates for Jinchuriki in the village.
Orochimaru had no need to accommodate Minato by doing such a thing, and he wasn't afraid of Minato at all.
"Makoto, how much longer until your child is born?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.
"…About two more months until the due date."
Orochimaru grinned, his smile carrying an ambiguous meaning. "I would like to take your child as my disciple. What do you think?"
Makoto's heart tightened, and he immediately replied, "It would be my honor."
"In that case, how about I give him a grand gift?" Orochimaru continued.
"…"
Orochimaru walked over, patting Makoto on the shoulder, and said with a grin, "You can go back and tell Minato that I agree to his marriage with Kushina, but only after your child is born and becomes the new Jinchuriki to replace Kushina."
"…"
Orochimaru squinted his eyes. "What's wrong? You don't want that?"
"No!" Makoto quickly responded.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Orochimaru's decision also aligned with everything Makoto had said earlier.
With Makoto's child becoming Orochimaru's disciple, they would naturally become one of Orochimaru's closest people.
After becoming the Jinchuriki, Orochimaru would have full control over them.
The only question now was how Minato would react.
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