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

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Opposite

As dawn broke, three figures leaped from the edge of the forest path and landed before the south gate of Konoha.

The Chunin on guard looked up, recognized Minato, and immediately waved them through.

Once inside the village, Kurenai Yuhi took the initiative to stop. She knew the weight of the intelligence they had gathered; the ensuing discussions were far beyond her clearance.

She glanced at Minato and then at Kitahara Kaede. "Lord Minato, Kaede, I’ll take my leave now."

Minato nodded warmly. "Thank you for your hard work. Go home and get some rest."

Kitahara Kaede gave a small wave. "Bye."

Kurenai turned and walked a few paces before glancing back. Kitahara Kaede was walking forward with Minato, the two of them engaged in conversation. Kaede tilted his head slightly to respond to something. With that, she withdrew her gaze and headed toward her home.

As he walked, Kitahara Kaede mused that since the intelligence had been secured, the rest was a matter for the higher-ups. Given his status, there was no need for him to get involved. He planned to slip away quietly and go back to catch up on sleep.

Just as he was about to excuse himself, Minato spoke first.

"Kaede, come with me to see the Hokage."

Kitahara Kaede paused. "Me?"

Minato looked at him with a smile. "Yes. You were the one who alerted me to the irregularities at Mount Kikyo, and you’re the one who obtained the most critical piece of evidence. You deserve a significant share of the credit, so of course you’re coming."

Kitahara Kaede looked at Minato. He knew Minato was acting out of kindness, and there was no reason to refuse.

"Alright."

The two made their way toward the Hokage’s office. Outside the door, Minato knocked.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s voice drifted from inside. "Enter."

Minato pushed the door open, with Kitahara Kaede following half a step behind. Hiruzen was standing by the window, pipe clenched in his teeth. Hearing them enter, he turned around, his gaze lingering on Kitahara Kaede for a moment.

"Minato. Kitahara Kaede."

The two bowed. Hiruzen walked back to his desk, sat down, and pointed to the seats across from him. "Sit."

Kitahara Kaede sat down in silence, waiting for Minato to report. Minato produced a scroll from his robes and placed it on the desk. "Lord Hokage, please look at this."

Hiruzen took the scroll and unfurled it. At first, his expression remained calm, but as he reached the middle, his brow furrowed. After reading the final notations, he rolled the scroll back up, his tone turning grave.

"Sunagakure intends to launch a surprise attack on Konoha via Mount Kikyo."

Minato nodded. "The intelligence we gathered early in the mission—the diverted trade caravans and signs of skirmishes—was only enough for speculation. But this scroll is a concrete deployment document. The routes of the three vanguard squads, their coverage areas, and their extraction deadlines are all listed right here."

Hiruzen remained silent for a few breaths before looking up at Minato. "You’ve both done well. With this, the village can avoid many casualties."

Minato did not simply accept the praise. He glanced at Kitahara Kaede and spoke in a calm but clear voice.

"The credit primarily belongs to Kaede. From the initial detection of Sunagakure’s anomalies to securing this scroll in town, he was the one who made it happen. Without his judgment and action, we wouldn’t have obtained substantive evidence."

Hiruzen’s gaze shifted to Kitahara Kaede. From the western line to the Cloud front, and now Mount Kikyo—every time this boy entered his field of vision, he brought back tangible results for the village.

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "To be admired by both Minato and Dan... you truly are impressive."

Kitahara Kaede remained expressionless, replying softly, "I only did what needed to be done."

Hiruzen looked at him, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. He then called out, "Haru."

A woman’s voice answered from the shadows of the office. "Yes."

Hiruzen closed the scroll. "Notify Koharu, Homura, and Danzo. Tell the relevant operational commanders to come to the meeting room immediately. Defenses must be established toward Mount Kikyo at once."

"Yes, sir."

Kitahara Kaede assumed his part was over and prepared to stand. However, Hiruzen looked at him. "You stay as well. You’ll attend the meeting."

Kitahara Kaede froze. "I’m attending too?"

Hiruzen nodded. "You brought the intelligence back. You have the right to hear how it’s used."

Minato smiled beside him. Kitahara Kaede didn’t refuse a second time.

Fifteen minutes later, in the meeting room, Kitahara Kaede sat in a position slightly below and to the side of Minato. He scanned the room and noticed Tsunade was absent. That made sense; Tsunade had never been interested in these kinds of military meetings.

Koharu arrived first. She pushed the door open, her gaze pausing on Kitahara Kaede for a moment. Without speaking, she walked straight to her seat. Homura Mitokado followed closely behind. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes sweeping over Kitahara Kaede, similarly remaining silent.

The last to enter was Danzo. As the door opened, Danzo’s gaze bypassed everyone else and landed directly on Kitahara Kaede.

Kitahara Kaede met his gaze. Their eyes locked for a moment before Danzo expressionlessly looked away and walked with a measured pace to his seat.

Kitahara Kaede withdrew his gaze. The last time they had met, he had been recruited in a dead-end alley. This time, he was sitting opposite Danzo.

The meeting began quickly. Hiruzen briefed them on the contents of the scroll, Minato added the findings from the perimeter reconnaissance, and the discussion shifted toward the defensive plan. During the process, Hiruzen mentioned the source of the intelligence.

In a lull in the conversation, Koharu glanced at Kitahara Kaede, her gaze now filled with a sense of scrutiny. Homura pushed up his glasses; though he didn’t speak, his gaze lingered on the boy for a few seconds.

Throughout the meeting, Kitahara Kaede didn’t say a word. He sat there, listening quietly.

Danzo remained silent from start to finish, but he looked at Kitahara Kaede more than anyone else in the room.

*This pawn has already been pushed into the light by Minato and Hiruzen.*

First, he didn’t give Orochimaru an answer; now, he had achieved a great feat and earned a seat in a high-level meeting. In effect, his actions told everyone that he stood with the Hokage’s faction.

Danzo lowered his eyes.

The meeting ended quickly. Once the defensive plan was finalized and the various departments received their orders, the high-ranking officials began to leave. Hiruzen kept Minato behind to discuss a few more details.

Kitahara Kaede stood to the side, waiting. Before he left, Hiruzen gave him a look and spoke warmly, "Go back and rest. There may be more missions soon."

Kitahara Kaede bowed and walked out of the Hokage building with Minato. Outside, the sunlight was already bright.

Minato looked at him. "Go get some sleep. If Sunagakure actually makes their move, things are about to get very busy."

Kitahara Kaede nodded. "Understood. You should get some rest as well, Lord Minato."

Minato waved a hand and turned to head in another direction.

Kitahara Kaede walked back toward his apartment alone. The streets were growing crowded as early-rising vendors set up their stalls. As he passed a narrow alley, he didn’t stop, continuing at his own pace.

However, his peripheral vision had already caught it. In the shadows deep within the alley, someone was there. Their presence was suppressed to an extreme.

Kitahara Kaede did not turn his head; he kept walking.

Deep in the alley, Danzo stood in the darkness, watching Kitahara Kaede’s receding figure. He didn’t make a sound. He stood there for a long time before turning and vanishing into the deeper shadows.

Hello guys! We cought up to the author on Patreon! 50 More Chapter available on Patreon! Support me and Read MORE! https://www.patreon.com/cw/MirnOuch