Torune simply nodded, "000 has reached a stable point and doesn't need constant care. Even I don't know his real name and I don't know enough to risk guessing. However, the Hokage has implied that he was very strong and needed to be controlled …" The agent trailed off.
Ayame finally stepped up next to Kaji to voice something that's been bothering her, "We're talking about two blue-eyed blonde children being used as his decoys. The real Naruto was related to '000' and marked as a blood donor. You must suspect-" Ayame froze when the agent suddenly looked at her instead of Kaji. "Never mind! I was just curious." She exclaimed fearing she pissed off the agent.
Kaji tilted his head curiously, "He's not mad, Ayame. He was surprised." The former agent nodded. "You already know I can get in through the vent so that's not what's surprising … I'm guessing you realized something from the facts Ayame mentioned, right?"
The previously expressionless agent actually did look somewhat shocked, "Yes … The first decoy was labeled as a relative. Not just a blood donor?"
"Umm. Yes, a son. We have the photos." Ayame said before quickly heading for the door.
"I believe you," Torune said quickly. "You clearly had means of getting in. There's no reason to convince me. I do suggest that you remove the records so no one finds them … We can think of different means of exploring the situation."
Kaji frowned when he noticed the agent almost seemed worried, "You seem concerned after hearing that … Who is in the tube?" Kaji asked, figuring that the sudden urgency was because the agent put the pieces together.
Torune nodded slowly, "It's … Minato Namikaze."
For several moments there was a dead bittersweet silence. Yet again, Ayame and Teuchi felt betrayed. Someone they knew, who was a dear customer and friend, was alive, but trapped. At least this time they can help unlike with Naruto.
Ayame didn't even look up when she gave Kaji a slip, "That's what is needed to get the information from the lab. The lab's name is on there … I was going to go tomorrow to pick up the results, but ..." She simply trailed off sadly. Today has been a bit too much even though it sounded like she might've suspected this.
Kaji watched Teuchi, whose back seemed better, and Ayame quietly left the room, "Torune, the reason I was in the vent was to get a sample of the liquid in the tube and to place a seal on '000' … We intend to swap him out." Kaji explained knowing his friends needed a minute to themselves. "That's why Ayame left the village earlier today. She got the liquid checked in a separate lab and found a fish tank that could hold … the Fourth Hokage. At least, until he recovers. We need to get everything set up in the basement and find a person to take his place so no one realizes what happened."
Torune nodded, "I'll assist you." He said and obediently took the slip Kaji handed him.
They both went downstairs and found the two chefs clearing their laptops of any damning information. Since the tension hadn't left the atmosphere yet, Kaji didn't say anything. Torune and Kaji silently split up to do their own tasks since nothing needed to be discussed on that front. After all, Ayame and Teuchi went through an emotional moment that left the others to set everything up and Torune was the only one who could leave the village. That left Kaji to get the basement set up while Torune retrieved what they needed.
By the time the ramen chefs felt better, Kaji and Torune had everything ready. From the tank to the breathing equipment and everything needed liquid solution, it was all ready. Torune even provided a person to swap Minato out with.
Ayame and Teuchi finally felt well enough to head downstairs, "Oh good! It does fit." She said when she spotted the new tank, which was horizontal and on the floor instead of a vertical one like in the lab. "That'll make it easier for us to maintain everything." A sound in the back corner next to the tank caught her attention and she saw a large bag that must've had a person struggling inside it. "Who is in that?"
Torune hooked up a heart monitor and breathing mask next to the tank, "The owner of the pet store I got the tank from. He has sold these tanks to Danzo before and his disappearance will probably be pinned on Dr. Mo since it's believed that he's alive and on the run."
"What makes you think he isn't?" Teuchi asked sheepishly.
Kaji huffed, "He checked the freezer."
The chefs chuckled sheepishly, "Oh."
"Hm." Torune hummed as he completed the setup and filled the tank with the necessary solution. "Now I'll make him look the part," Torune commented indifferently right before unleashing his hive.
Muffled screams were heard as the bag filled up with insects. Kaji felt a little unnerved. However, he knew he had to be ready to do his part.
Torune opened the bag revealing a horribly wounded man that seemed to be in a condition close to Minato's. As the insects returned to his body he handed Kaji a blank piece of paper. Thankfully, Kaji didn't need to be told what to do. He quickly drew a seal that matched the one he put on Minato's body.
A strangely calm Ayame watched the former ROOT agent slide the paper into a cut and hid it under the skin, "Clever … Wait. I met the owner today. Isn't he too short to take Minato's place?"
"My insects didn't just damage the skin. They dislocated everything and loosened the skin. He'll be tall enough." He said as he put the breathing mask on the barely living man.
After everything else was hooked up the man was submerged in the tank. "They haven't moved him to the new area yet, but I'll go make sure there's no one watching the other tank."
With that decision made Torune left. This time his mask was firmly in place again and he returned to the lab. Of course, three guards were waiting to transport the experiment under the cover of night.
This, however, didn't completely derail the plan. Unfortunately, even Torune wasn't sure what security measures would be in the new place. In this case,e they should complete the swap before the transfer was made.
Why not use the cover of darkness too?
Torune slipped out of the hidden lab. He had a swarm of insects go around through the cafeteria and hide in the vents just like Kaji did before. A trail of insects was left in his wake all the way back to the ramen chef's home.
Kaji looked up when the agent's scent entered the home, "Is it time?"
"Not yet. When my insects signal then activate the seal." Torune commented, leaving a hovering dotted line made of insects behind him as he joined them next to the tank.
"Ok," Kaji said and tensed. One tap in the area of the seal will activate it so he tried to stop his nerves trembling. "This would be easier with chakra."
"No," Torune said bluntly. "It leaves too much of a trace unless you have very advanced control. I can help you unblock your chakra, but it's not necessary here." Suddenly the insects started buzzing. "Now! They're outside."
Instantly Kaji's hand tapped the seal. Everyone thought the change wouldn't be obvious, but that wasn't the case. To their shock, Minato's charred form was standing in the tank where the pet store owner once was.
Despite the fact that Kaji was closer, Torune caught the patient just before he fell, "I neglected to take the orientation of the tanks into account. Hopefully, the transfer team just blames any problems on themselves." Torune commented wanting to make sure this won't come back to bite them.
"Right… One was vertical and the one we have isn't." Teuchi chuckled sheepishly as Kaji helped put the breathing mask and sensors for the monitor back on since the unexpected change pulled everything off.
Kaji sighed in relief when the patient was safely submerged in the solution, "That's done … How long will he need to stay in there and … Do you know why they're changing methods? Why would it have anything to do with a guy named Jiraiya and his books 'coming to life' as the Hokage put it?" Kaji asked absentmindedly as his, and Minato's, heart rate calmed down.
The Hokage's words kept going through his mind, but it didn't make sense. He suddenly felt a murderous aura on par with a mob of villagers. Much to his shock he looked up and realized Torune was already standing protectively in front of him.
Why? It just so happens that the source of the deadly aura was coming from the ramen chefs. Not that they'd be able to hurt either of the ninjas, but they were scary nonetheless.
"Jiraiya writes the porn series Kakashi likes. I have heard a common theme was the use of aphrodisiacs on women." Ayame commented silently, seething in anger.
Torune frowned, "His body was almost completely remade during this process. " The insect user glanced at the charred form floating in the tank that was believed to be Minato. "Taking that into account and the Hokage's gloating about speeding up their goals I suspect they want to breed him with men and women … As strange as it may be, it's possible he can carry children in him now. That would explain the sudden need to clear out anyone working on that project."
Kaji cringed as he recalled the smell of blood after the scientists were slaughtered, "Assholes already took one kid from him. Aren't they satisfied? What is their goal?"
The agent nodded as if he took the question as an order, I'll keep my ears open for more information. For now, we should work on training your body in case anything happens."
"Yeah." Kaji agreed and stood up.
Even though the chefs still looked beyond pissed, Kaji risked hugging them. That had a small effect, but it wasn't enough. They all finally went to bed. Thankfully, the first thing Torune confirmed the next morning was that, despite the tank shattering during transport, no one noticed the swap. It was blamed on faulty equipment and the fake '000' was secured in a new tank at the ROOT hideout.
Each and every day someone diligently took care of Minato. Even Kaji did when he wasn't training or on missions. The first thing he did was remove the seal between Minato's legs.
Over the years Kaji grew stronger and Minato healed. Minato's ears eventually healed to look like naked fleshy fox ears. A lump on Minato's tailbone grew larger before finally separating into ten hairless tails. The skin became smooth, fair, and healthy as the black charred skin flaked away.
One day a very tall 18-year-old Kaji wearing black clothes walked down to the basement and smiled, "His hair is coming back." He said as he looked at the man everyone knew was the supposed fourth Hokage, whose hair was growing quickly along with matching gold fur on the ears and tails. "I have a mission soon, but I'll be back in a couple of days, Minato."
Kaji saw the fingers twitch in the solution and reacted to hold the hand like many times before. It was a simple gesture that seemed to calm Minato down. If anyone doubted that they just had to look at the heart monitor or the fact that Minato didn't like to let go of his hand.
"Goodbye for now. I'll tell you about it later like always." The amused Kaji promised and the submerged hand reluctantly let him move away.
As he headed up the stairs a flash of pain ripped through his chest. Kaji gripped his chest and clenched his teeth until he managed to suppress the pain. Oddly enough, this didn't seem to be the first time either, but he didn't say anything about it as he said goodbye to the ramen chefs. He simply focused on joining his teammates.
"Hurry up, idio-" Sasuke's jaw dropped a little when he looked up and saw Naruto.
The braided 'hairstyle' remained the same, but the 'hair' was down past the tall ninja's waist. While being impractical it looked damn good with the new black outfit that matched the goggles. With black Anbu pants and sandals being paired with a black shirt and baggy dark blue jacket the blonde looked quite good.
Sakura smirked teasingly at Sasuke before looking at Naruto, "What's with the new outfit?"
Naruto chuckled, "The dryer decided to eat my clothes and Ayame immediately took the chance to get an outfit that went with the goggles. She's been dying to do it for years." He commented and raised an eyebrow when he saw a blank sign in Sakura's hands and some craft supplies. "What's this about?"
"It's part of our mission. Our client said some decorations at the restaurant convention site were damaged. We need to fix it." Sasuke said while conveniently looking away from the blonde.
The pinkette handed the tall blonde/green-haired ninja the blank sign, "You have good handwriting. Want to make the sign? It just needs to be a simple welcoming phrase."
"Sure," Naruto said casually and sat down with them.
As they waited for Kakashi, Naruto created a simple sign. Since there was a food theme he sketched out a border filled with whimsical foods. Then he wrote the message in the center, which read …
'Enjoy Eating Everyone!'
When the sign was given back to Sakura she gasped, "Lovely … Oh. Just one thing. You need a comma after the word 'Eating' otherwise it sounds like you're actually eating everyone instead of telling them to enjoy eating from the many vendors. I'll add one." She said and added the comma. Neither Sasuke nor Sakura suspected anything from the amused twitch on Naruto's lips.
The eyes behind the goggles saw the tiny correction. They didn't know it, but it was correct the first time.