Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

"That makes sense, but..."

Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement with Ai's statement. Indeed, speed was of the essence now, and they needed to get started as soon as possible.

The problem is, they only started making plans yesterday, and they've only finalized the goals; they haven't discussed any of the specific details yet.

Minato Namikaze had no choice but to subconsciously open the secret letter, preparing to reread its contents and devise a countermeasure.

"what?"

As Minato Namikaze watched, he realized something was wrong.

Why is the content of this secret letter different from what Ai just said?

Minato Namikaze quickly showed it to the two of them.

"It seems this information was specifically given to you by your disciple."

After reading it, Ai didn't suspect anything was wrong and quickly came up with an explanation.

The three looked at the information sent by "Lin" and began to think about a specific plan based on the existing information.

After a while, Mei Terumi said that she would go out to buy some food.

"We are now wanted by the police."

When Mei Terumi returned, she threw the dry rations on the ground with a worried look on her face and told her some bad news.

At the same time, Mei Terumi took out a torn-up wanted poster from her bosom, as if afraid the two wouldn't believe her.

"...It's all my fault that you two are in trouble."

Minato Namikaze took the warrant, his face fell, and he handed it to Ai.

Ai was a well-known head镖局 (escort agency) in the martial arts world, and his appearance was extremely distinctive, so he was recognized immediately.

Minato Namikaze, needless to say, had already provided the Imperial Court with a large amount of intelligence when Obito acted as a traitor, and Minato Namikaze had always been a subject of their attention.

On the contrary, Terumi Mei is a lone swordsman in the martial arts world, without any sect or faction, who only travels the world to find a kindred spirit.

Furthermore, Mei Terumi, like the real ninja world, is a newcomer with no reputation yet.

The wanted poster only contained a rough portrait drawn based on the description, without even a name.

Regardless, both of them are indeed wanted by the police.

Even if Mei Terumi still has a chance to hide now, she can't hide for long. With the court's intelligence capabilities, they will find out about her situation sooner or later.

"This is troublesome, it's too fast!"

Ai slammed his fist on a nearby rock and said bitterly.

He had just said that they should start as soon as possible to prevent Tsunade from leaking their information to the imperial court.

Unexpectedly, after only one morning, the imperial court had already issued a warrant for his arrest.

What chance would they have to infiltrate and assassinate?

Should we force our way into the palace?

What's the difference between that and courting death?

Not long ago, the great general Uchiha Madara, who was known as the unparalleled hero and was considered one of the two peerless geniuses alongside the Great Hero, was eliminated by the emperor without causing any trouble.

Do they really have a chance?

"This is my private matter and shouldn't involve you two. Otherwise, you'll use me to atone for your sins..."

Minato Namikaze couldn't bear to continue implicating the two of them.

"What are you saying? A true man should act with righteousness above all else!"

Ai's expression changed halfway through his sentence, and he interrupted Minato Namikaze.

"What about your parents, wife, children, disciples, and brothers?"

Minato Namikaze shook his head.

"Just pretend I never had any of these!"

Ai answered without hesitation, patting his chest.

"Hey!"

Minato Namikaze was deeply moved.

"Besides, my parents are long gone, and I was never married, so I have no wife or children. As for my disciples and brothers, I believe that with that tyrant's efficiency, the wanted notice has already been issued, and I'm afraid my entire family has already been wiped out."

I want to continue the plan, not only for you, but also to avenge all my loyal and righteous brothers!

Ai grabbed Minato Namikaze's hand, stared into his eyes, and said, word by word.

"Alright, if we work together, we will surely be able to overthrow the tyrant and save the world!"

Minato Namikaze nodded vigorously.

He had already put the rescue of Kushina out of his mind.

Like Hashirama Senju, Minato Namikaze cared about his family, but while family was precious, righteousness was even more valuable.

Ai was willing to risk his life to accompany a gentleman, so how could Minato Namikaze be immersed in romantic love?

If he had only one choice—to assassinate the emperor or to save Kushina—he would definitely choose the former.

"Overthrowing the tyrant is something we can do, but we can't work together as a team."

Ai suddenly changed his tone, leaving Minato Namikaze stunned.

Mei Terumi, who felt like an outsider, frowned upon hearing this.

What does this mean?

Didn't Ai just state her ambitions? Why is she talking like she's about to quit?

"Thank you, Minato. What you just said reminded me. I've finally thought of a way to get close to the Emperor..."

"Minato, take my head and use it to gain the Emperor's trust and get close to him!!!"

Ai stood up and burst into laughter. After the laughter subsided, Ai picked up a large knife and slashed it across his neck.

"don't want!!"

Minato Namikaze was furious and wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

Minato Namikaze is fast, but A is just as fast.

thump.

With a happy smile on her face, Ai's head rolled to the foot of the water gate.

Minato's legs gave way, and he sat down on the ground with a thud.

While Minato's mind went blank and he stood there in a daze, Mei Terumi suddenly made a move.

Whoosh—bang.

Mei Terumi launched a signal flare, which exploded in the air like a rocket.

"Miss Terumi Mei, what's going on?"

Minato Namikaze was stunned.

What is Mei Terumi doing? Is she summoning the imperial court's forces?

"Brother Minato, what do you think of my looks compared to your disciple, Nohara Rin?"

Terumi Mei asked with a smile.

"...Your Excellency is naturally a beauty of unparalleled grace, while my disciple can only be described as pretty, far inferior to you."

Minato Namikaze answered instinctively.

"That's right. Since your disciple and wife can enter the palace, then I suppose I won't be a problem either."

Your disciple's secret letter said that if your wife hadn't been pregnant when she entered the palace, then General Uchiha Madara would certainly have been credited with a great achievement.

"I am a virgin. Brother Shuimen, with Brother Ai's head in hand, will then present me to the Emperor. This double merit will surely allow me to get close to the Emperor and fulfill my wishes."

After Mei Terumi finished speaking, she threw away the sword at her waist, swung out her water whip, and tossed the wanted poster on the ground into Minato Namikaze's hand. Then she sealed her meridians, bound herself with her hands behind her back, and knelt on the ground.

Minato Namikaze stood frozen in place, holding the wanted poster.

He is now filled with regret.

For his own personal matters and to save Kushina, he actually implicated so many loyal and righteous heroes of the martial arts world.

They all sacrificed themselves for him; how could he bear it?

But things had come to this point, and he couldn't bear to be sad any longer. He absolutely couldn't let everyone down, and he couldn't let them sacrifice in vain.

Before the imperial forces arrived, Minato Namikaze quickly picked up Ai's large sword from the ground and pretended that he had just killed Ai.

Now he's all alone, he has to succeed!