The next day, secret letters were sent from the Hidden Mist Village to all parts of the Ninja World. Soon, intelligence that Minato was currently in the Land of Whirlpools also reached the hands of various forces.
For a time, the situation in the Land of Whirlpools suddenly stabilized, and for the next half month, there were no more enemy invasions. It was a strange, suffocating calm, as if the world were collectively holding its breath while watching the golden streak that moved across the coast. Minato spent his time perfecting the synchronization between his physical body and his elemental nature, feeling the photon energy humming beneath his skin.
Minato's team also successfully completed their mission and set foot on the road back to the Village. The journey was quiet, marked only by the soft thud of sandals against dirt and the occasional chirping of birds. Minato led the way, his expression a mask of serene leadership, though his mind was already calculating the political shifts that his presence had undoubtedly triggered.
Back at the Village, they went straight to the Hokage Office, where Minato submitted the mission report. He stood straight, his posture perfect, embodying the ideal image of a loyal shinobi returning from a job well done.
Hokage-sama, the Sea Patrol Mission in the Land of Whirlpools has been successfully completed.
Mm—
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and gave a faint grunt. There was no joy on his face; instead, it was filled with gravity. The smoke from his pipe swirled thick and grey in the sunbeams cutting through the office windows, creating a somber atmosphere that felt heavy against the skin.
Is there a problem somewhere? Minato asked. He maintained a look of polite concern, though inwardly he felt only a cold curiosity. He wondered what mess the old man had managed to stumble into while he was away.
I've read the mission report; it was done very well, Minato.
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. But the problem isn't there. During the half month you were away, the Village—or rather, the Land of Fire—has come under considerable pressure.
Is it related to me? Minato's brow furrowed slightly. He played the part of the confused prodigy well, tilting his head just enough to seem vulnerable yet sharp.
Yes, it's related to you.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a bitter smile and took a document out of a drawer. He looked tired, the wrinkles on his face deep and etched with the burden of leadership.
A few days ago, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Hidden Mist—including some neutral small countries and even those allied with our Konoha—rarely reached a tacit understanding.
Through diplomatic and economic channels, they jointly pressured the Land of Fire's Daimyos Mansion to restrict your actions. The reason given was that you killed too many people on the front lines, violating the spirit of humanitarianism.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he himself was moved to angry laughter by the reason. It was absurd to speak of humanitarianism in a world built on the blood of children, yet it was the weapon the other nations had chosen to wield.
He pushed the document toward Minato: Otherwise, they will implement joint Economic Sanctions, restricting strategic materials like minerals, food, and medicinal herbs from entering the Land of Fire. Furthermore, they will increase export tariffs on the Land of Fire.
If it were just one or two countries, it would be fine, but what I didn't expect was that the nations would be so coordinated. This is truly unprecedented. It seems your display of power has done something I thought impossible—it has united our enemies.
The Daimyos Mansion's stance is that long-term sanctions will affect national strength, and they hope it can be 'handled appropriately.'
Of course, you don't need to mind too much. The Daimyo's attitude toward you is still very friendly; he sent an envoy to convey that you are welcome to visit the Daimyos Mansion anytime. It's just that this pressure is somewhat difficult to bear even with the Land of Fire's strength. He hopes you will consider it carefully.
This is too much!
Before Minato could speak, Kushina cried out impatiently, Why should Minato's actions be restricted? Her face was flushed with indignation, her red hair practically vibrating with her anger.
Exactly! What's wrong with being strong? Those bastards are just afraid of Minato's power! Nawaki said angrily. He slammed a fist into his palm, his eyes bright with a sense of injustice.
Correct, it's because of fear. Ultimately, it's because Minato's strength is too great—so great that it has caused the entire Ninja World to feel terror.
Looking at these two hot-tempered kids, Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, his tone lightening slightly. He appreciated their fire, even if it lacked the nuance required for high-stakes diplomacy.
Although it's somewhat inappropriate to say, hearing this reason for the pressure actually makes me a bit happy. It proves that our choice was correct.
What is your intention, Hokage-sama? Minato asked. His voice was smooth and calm, a stark contrast to the heated emotions of his teammates.
Well—firstly, I believe you certainly possess the power to not have to compromise.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe and fell silent for two seconds. But this matter involves the common people. Furthermore, since Konoha's founding, we have always upheld the principle of peace.
My meaning is, we can be firm, but we can't meet force with force. I hope you can inherit the position of Fourth Hokage as a strong individual, not sit in this position as an executioner. The image of the Hokage must be one of a protector, not a monster.
The Fourth—
Nawaki opened his mouth, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then at Minato, and finally sighed helplessly. The realization hit him like a physical weight.
Although he had long guessed it would be like this, hearing the moment Minato was internally designated, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. His own dreams felt a little further away, overshadowed by the brilliance of the boy standing next to him.
But loss was just loss; he didn't feel any jealousy. Instead, he felt happy for Minato. He knew no one deserved it more, and no one was more capable of carrying the village on their shoulders.
Kushina and Mikoto on the side felt even more so. Their faces lit up with a mixture of awe and adoration.
Kushina held her hands to her heart, her bright eyes fixed unblinkingly on Minato. She felt a surge of triumph, as if she were the one being promoted.
If the timing weren't inappropriate, she probably would have already pounced on Minato and cheered loudly. She wanted to scream it from the rooftops.
As expected of Minato!
Mikoto looked at the boy beside her with soft eyes, her heart full of pride. She saw the future of the village in his calm profile, and she felt a deep sense of security knowing he would be the one leading them.
Hokage-sama has a point.
Minato sighed slightly. Hiruzen Sarutobi was a pacifist, the kind who sought peace through compromise, so he had long guessed the other's thoughts. The old man was soft—he cared too much about the opinions of those who would see them destroyed.
I also don't want to involve ordinary people—but similarly, I have no reason to compromise with those nonsensical fellows.
As Minato spoke, a smile suddenly curved his lips. It was a charming, boyish smile that didn't reach his eyes. So, how about listening to my opinion?
Economic warfare?
Heh, stop joking with your father Minato!
He might not understand economics, but he understood human nature! He knew that people were driven by two things: greed and terror. If the world wanted to use the former against Konoha, he would simply provide the latter in abundance.
What are your thoughts?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. This child Minato had been smart since he was little, and he also wanted to hear his thoughts. He hoped for a clever diplomatic maneuver or a strategic concession.
It's actually very simple. I just need to Defect from the Village.
Minato said with a smile, A young Genius, dissatisfied with the Village's attitude, angrily defects and launches retaliation against the relevant hidden Villages. That's quite reasonable, isn't it?
This—this is your solution? Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression instantly froze. The pipe nearly fell from his mouth as he stared at Minato in disbelief.
Of course. Once I defect, any action has nothing to do with Konoha. They naturally have no further reason to pressure the Land of Fire.
Minato said calmly, And I only need to know who instigated this matter. It might not even be necessary. You only need to announce my defection from Konoha's standpoint and warn the Villages to beware of retaliation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively wanted to object; this sounded too much like a joke, too rebellious. It went against every tradition the village held dear.
But in that very instant, a flash of insight suddenly crossed his mind, and he fell silent. He began to see the terrifying logic behind the proposal.
Not just Hiruzen Sarutobi, even Kushina and the other two were dumbfounded. They looked at Minato as if he had grown a second head.
A Genius internally designated as the Fourth Hokage actually proposed 'defection' as a solution? It was madness, yet coming from Minato, it sounded like a calculated move on a Shogi board.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his gaze falling on the curling smoke as his mind worked along this line of thought. He began to weigh the risks against the potential rewards.
The premise of the pressure was that Konoha had to be able to control Minato Namikaze.
But Minato mastered the Hiraishin; who could control him? He was the wind, the light—he was everywhere and nowhere at once.
If Minato 'defected,' then he would no longer be a Konoha Ninja, and Konoha would naturally no longer need to be responsible for his actions. The village would be legally and diplomatically insulated from his wrath.
You say that since Minato was a Konoha Ninja, Konoha has an inescapable responsibility?
Please, wasn't the main reason because of your pressure? What does it have to do with our Konoha? We tried to restrain him, and he didn't like it. Now he's your problem.
Clearly, you guys were the ones who had nothing better to do and provoked him first!
Our Konoha also compromised and did as you said, but wasn't it impossible to achieve? We lost our greatest weapon because of your greed. Now, enjoy the consequences.
Furthermore, with Minato's elusive Hiraishin and terrifying combat power, once he became a Rogue Ninja, he would be a Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of any hidden Village. No Kage would ever sleep soundly again.
The pressure would instantly shift from Konoha and the Land of Fire onto themselves. They would be begging Konoha to take him back.
Hiss— Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Minato with a face full of wonder. He realized he was looking at a mind far more ruthless than his own.
Minato spread his hands, his face full of innocence. He looked like the same "Golden Boy" they all knew, but the darkness in his heart was cold and absolute.
People are all about compromise.
Since you say I've violated the spirit of humanitarianism, then I'll simply stop being human. I will become the natural disaster they are so afraid of.
When the time comes, there will naturally be great scholars to defend my actions. History, after all, is written by the survivors.