Minato's dual life was growing increasingly complex. His latest intelligence, gathered through discreet surveillance of Overhaul's compound, sent a chilling dread through him. Eri was now just three years old, a tiny child. And the worst had already begun: they had started experimenting on her Quirk. The clock was ticking.
He knew he had to act, but saving Eri wasn't just about snatching her away. What then? Where would she live? Who would care for her, a child who had known nothing but torture? He needed help, a safe haven. And there was only one person he could trust with such a delicate, dangerous task, the one who owed him a favor.
He began his search for All Might. It wasn't easy; the Symbol of Peace had significantly scaled back his public appearances since the fight with All For One, largely due to his lingering injuries. Minato spent hours tracking known patrol routes, monitoring secure hero communication channels he could subtly tap into (a perk of his heightened intelligence from the template), and even discreetly following a few of All Might's closer associates.
Finally, late one evening, he found him. All Might, in his muscle form, was making a quiet, unannounced visit to a small, unassuming community center, likely doing some low-key charity work. The perfect, isolated opportunity.
Minato found a secluded alleyway nearby, focusing his chakra. In a burst of smoke and shimmering light, his form shifted. He was now Tobirama Senju, sharp, stern, and emanating an aura of quiet power.
He moved silently, his steps light as a feather, until he was directly behind All Might. The Symbol of Peace, despite his injuries, still possessed formidable senses. All Might tensed, clearly sensing a presence. He spun around, his eyes widening in recognition.
The air crackled with a silent acknowledgment. All Might's gaze, though weary, held no fear, only surprise and a glimmer of understanding. "You..." he breathed, his voice hushed, recognizing the strange figure from that fateful night.
He then bowed his head slightly, a gesture of deep respect and gratitude. "Thank you," All Might said, his voice sincere, "for your help. That night... You saved my life. And perhaps, much more."
Minato simply nodded, his expression unreadable as Tobirama's. The favor was acknowledged. Now, it was time to cash it in.
Minato wasted no time. He met All Might's grateful gaze with the stern, unwavering expression of Tobirama. "All Might," he began, his voice deep and serious, "there is a child in grave danger. Her name is Eri."
All Might's brow furrowed with concern. "Eri? What kind of danger, young man?"
"She is being held by a Yakuza group led by a man named Kai Chisaki, also known as Overhaul," Minato explained, his voice devoid of emotion, yet the urgency palpable. "They are... experimenting on her. Using her Quirk for their own twisted agenda. They have already started."
All Might, in his Muscular Form, visibly tensed, his broad shoulders hunching slightly as a wave of outrage replaced his weariness. "Experimenting on a child? That's... unforgivable! The Hero Public Safety Commission must be informed immediately! We will rally the heroes and—"
"No," Minato interrupted, his voice firm, cutting off All Might's immediate heroic impulse. "Only us two."
All Might paused, surprised. His muscle-bound form seemed to deflate slightly in confusion. "Only... us two? But young man, this is a Yakuza organization. And if they are experimenting on a child's Quirk... they are dangerous. We need backup. The police, other heroes..."
Minato shook his head. "The less people involved, the less chance of leaks, of a botched raid, of them hiding her or taking her deeper underground. Their operations are clandestine. They are wary. A full-scale assault would put her life at greater risk. I need to be fast, precise, and unseen." He paused, his gaze piercing. "This is why I came to you. I need your help, All Might. You owe a favor."
All Might studied him for a long moment, his mind clearly weighing the immense risks. He had seen this Silver Flash in action; the impossible speed, the uncanny ability to appear and disappear. He understood the logic, however difficult it was to accept the idea of a two-person raid against a formidable Yakuza group. And the child...
Finally, he nodded, a grim determination setting on his powerful features. "Alright. Tell me your plan, young man."
Minato outlined it concisely. "You will create a massive distraction at the front of their compound, the Shie Hassaikai headquarters. Draw their attention, their strongest fighters. Make them believe you are leading a full-scale assault."
"And while I do that?" All Might asked, his muscular form already aching at the thought of facing a full Yakuza force alone, but his resolve unwavering.
"While you engage them, drawing their focus and their security to the front lines, I will take care of rescuing Eri," Minato stated, his voice unwavering. "I will move unseen, retrieve her, and get her to safety. It has to be quick. And quiet. We cannot allow her to be further harmed."
All Might looked at the stern, unyielding figure before him, recognizing the unwavering resolve of a true hero, despite his unconventional methods. "Understood," he said, clenching his massive fist. "Consider your favor... called in. For Eri."
The plan was set. Two unlikely heroes, one weakened symbol, one hidden prodigy still cloaked as the Silver Flash, were about to move against a formidable criminal organization, all for the sake of a single, innocent child.
With the plan laid bare, Minato's transformed Tobirama form fixed on All Might. "Be prepared for tomorrow night," he stated, his voice final, leaving no room for further discussion or questions.
Then, with the familiar burst of shimmering light, the Silver Flash vanished, leaving All Might alone in the quiet alleyway.
All Might, back in his gaunt, true form, stood for a long moment, the cool night air prickling his skin. The audaciousness of the plan, the sheer raw power of the "Silver Flash," and the chilling reality of Eri's predicament swirled in his mind. He had to be ready. This wasn't a public spectacle; this was a surgical strike. He would need to push his limits, perhaps beyond what his injured body could now safely withstand. But for a child in that kind of torment, there was no other choice. He would face the Shie Hassaikai, and he would draw their full wrath. The Symbol of Peace would become the ultimate diversion.
After vanishing from All Might's presence, Minato reappeared in a deserted alleyway, the faint glint of a pre-placed kunai marking his designated return point. The transformation to Tobirama Senju dissipated, leaving him as his fifteen-year-old self. He took a deep, steadying breath, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the tense energy of the recent conversation.
The weight of tomorrow's mission settled heavily upon him. A direct assault on a Yakuza compound, with All Might as the thunderous distraction, and himself as the silent, unseen rescuer. It was dangerous, precise, and fraught with peril. But it was the only way to save Eri.
He returned home, the familiar comfort of his house doing little to calm the strategic storm brewing in his mind. His parents were already asleep, and he moved through the quiet house with the practiced stealth of a shinobi.
Once in his room, he began his preparations.
He meticulously checked his stock of specialized kunai, each engraved with his unique Hiraishin seal. He sharpened their edges, ensuring they were razor-sharp, He also prepared a few gravity seals and explosion seals, not for himself, but perhaps as a last-resort means of temporarily incapacitating a particularly powerful foe or creating a quick escape route for Eri if needed.
He reviewed the intel he had on the Shie Hassaikai compound – blueprints he'd subtly acquired, patrol routes he'd observed, security measures he'd noted. He planned out his approach routes, entry points, and potential escape paths, mentally mapping the entire facility. He also thought about the transformations into an enemy he would use during the rescue, which would be helpful in infiltration.
What if All Might was overwhelmed? What if Eri wasn't where he expected her to be? What if he encountered a unique Quirk he couldn't counter with his current repertoire? He ran through various scenarios, mentally rehearsing his responses, his mind a whirlwind of 'if-then' statements. He considered the possibility of having to create a Shadow Clone for added distraction or to quickly carry Eri out if she was too weak to move on her own.
Finally, he thought about Eri herself. A three-year-old child, likely traumatized. His mission wasn't just to extract her, but to do so with minimal additional fear. He would need to be quick, gentle, and reassuring. He practiced softening his Tobirama persona, just enough to not appear menacing to a terrified child, but he couldn't.
As dawn approached, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, Minato concluded his preparations. Every aspect had been considered, every potential threat analyzed. He would operate in the shadows, a ghost moving through the enemy's stronghold, while All Might became the roaring tempest at the gates.
He closed his eyes, mentally reviewing the layout of the Shie Hassaikai compound one last time. Tomorrow, a child's freedom hinged on their combined efforts. And the Silver Flash was ready.