Kenshi and the others stared at the folder in confusion.
"That's it?" Midori blurted out. "We're done already?"
They had only been in the Hidden Grass for a few days.
This was supposed to be an S-rank infiltration mission. Normally that kind of operation required lying low for at least a week, maybe longer.
Yet the ANBU intelligence had already landed in their hands.
Wasn't this supposed to be the village's most tightly guarded information?
Aaron shrugged and gave a simple explanation.
"I used my cover as an ANBU squad captain to convince the Grass leader. Now he's willing to pay reparations to Konoha."
He tapped the folder.
"These files were given to me directly so I could 'arrange' for Konoha to steal them."
If he hadn't explained it, they might have accepted it.
But after hearing the truth, the three of them were even more stunned.
They had imagined Aaron sneaking deep into ANBU headquarters, navigating layers of security, and barely escaping with the documents.
Instead, the village leader had practically gift-wrapped them.
It sounded so absurd that even a pulp ninja novel wouldn't dare write something like that.
Midori frowned.
"Is the Grass leader missing a few screws or something?" she said bluntly. "Why would someone hand over their own secrets just so another village can threaten them—and even prepare the money in advance?"
Aaron chuckled.
"That's why he's the village leader and you're not."
"It's not that he's stupid. We just have different goals."
He leaned back casually.
"Konoha wants to maintain its reputation as one of the Five Great Nations. The Hidden Grass wants time to develop in peace."
"So both sides are getting what they want. Nobody actually wants another war right now."
Midori scratched her head.
"I'm not sure I follow," she admitted. "But hey, if the mission's finished, that's all that matters."
Her face lit up with excitement.
They had basically spent two days wandering around town and somehow cleared an S-rank mission.
Talk about the easiest victory ever.
Midori grinned proudly.
"Winning without even trying. I call that talent."
Kakashi, however, looked thoughtful.
"Since the mission is complete… are we leaving the village right away?" he asked.
Midori looked at him like he'd asked the strangest question imaginable.
"Of course we are," she said. "Why stay? Are we supposed to go through the trouble of staging the fake theft and then secretly deliver the documents back to ourselves?"
"That would just be asking for trouble. Better to head home before something goes wrong."
Kakashi hesitated.
He wasn't sure whether he should mention Karin.
Technically, it had nothing to do with the mission. ANBU operatives weren't supposed to complicate an S-rank assignment with personal matters.
Just as he was struggling with the decision, Aaron spoke up with a smile.
"No rush. We still have one more thing to do."
Everyone looked at him.
"I want you three to disguise yourselves as shinobi from Iwagakure," he said calmly.
"Then cause some chaos inside the Hidden Grass and attack their ANBU."
Kenshi blinked.
"…Why?"
"Framing the Stone Village doesn't really benefit us," he said. "The Hidden Grass isn't even their ally."
Aaron smiled mysteriously.
"You don't need to know the full picture," he replied. "Just follow the plan. I'll send a shadow clone to watch over you."
Of course, he had no intention of telling them the real reason.
His goal was to shift the blame onto Root and make life difficult for Danzō Shimura.
Technically, Root was still part of Konoha.
Which meant this was… internal politics.
A little messy.
But extremely satisfying.
Kakashi suddenly spoke up.
"Captain Aaron, I need to report something. Can we talk privately?"
Aaron nodded, then motioned for Kenshi and Midori to step outside.
Once the door closed, he turned to Kakashi.
"All right. What's on your mind?"
Kakashi took a breath.
"I found a survivor of the Uzumaki clan in the village," he said. "She's working at the hospital."
He quickly explained Hanrei's situation.
"…Her name is Uzumaki Hanrei."
Aaron fell silent.
Healing people by letting them bite her…
That ability sounded familiar.
In the future, a red-haired girl named Karin, one of Sasuke Uchiha's teammates would possess the exact same power.
Which meant the woman Kakashi encountered was most likely her mother.
Aaron made his decision almost instantly.
"We'll take her back to Konoha."
In the original timeline, Karin's mother had suffered a terrible fate eventually dying after being repeatedly used as a living healing source.
If Aaron had the power to prevent that tragedy, there was no reason not to act.
Besides, a pure-blooded member of the Uzumaki clan could be extremely valuable.
The Uzumaki were famous for their sealing techniques and exceptional sensory abilities. With proper training, Karin's mother might even become a master of fuinjutsu.
And if her bloodline resembled Karin's… she might possess the legendary chakra chains capable of restraining tailed beasts.
Bringing someone like that to Konohagakure could only strengthen the village.
Even in the worst case, if she lacked exceptional talent her lineage would still enrich Konoha's bloodlines.
There was no downside.
Aaron looked at Kakashi.
"You're the one who found her. Until we leave, her safety is your responsibility."
"Make sure nothing happens to her."
Kakashi nodded firmly.
"Understood."
He hesitated, then added quietly:
"If my teacher's wife, Kushina Uzumaki, learns there are other Uzumaki survivors… she'll probably be very happy."
After finally sharing the information, Kakashi felt noticeably lighter.
For a long time, he had struggled with uncertainty.
His father, Sakumo Hatake, the legendary White Fang of Konohahad chosen to save his teammates at the cost of a mission. The village condemned him for it, and the pressure eventually drove him to take his own life.
At one point, Kakashi had believed his father had failed as a ninja.
He had thought missions should always come first.
But later, Obito Uchiha told him something that changed everything.
Those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash.
Aaron himself had once told Kakashi he only gave him a chance because he was the White Fang's son.
That meant Aaron respected his father's ideals.
For Kakashi, it was proof that his father hadn't been wrong.
Still, a new question had begun troubling him.
During a mission, if something felt morally right should a ninja act on it?
Aaron's approach offered a possible answer.
Maybe missions didn't have to be followed like rigid rules carved in stone.
If the objective could still be completed, perhaps it was okay to do the right thing along the way.
After their conversation ended, Aaron called Kenshi and Midori back inside and explained the operational details.
He couldn't simply have them disguise themselves as Root operatives.
That would be far too obvious.
No competent ninja would cause trouble while showing their real identity.
Instead, they would pose as shinobi from Iwagakure and launch attacks inside the Hidden Grass.
Later, Aaron still under his Morishita cover would "analyze the clues" and gradually guide suspicion toward Root.
It wasn't a flawless plan.
But it didn't need to be.
The Hidden Grass wasn't exactly going to march into Konoha and demand a confrontation with Root to verify the truth.
After explaining everything, Aaron left the inn and returned to Morishita's house.
He still had one more task to complete.
He needed to write the official "plan" that would be presented to the Grass leader.
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