In that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen rose from his chair, and could not help feeling a surge of emotion churning inside him.
But it was only a long while later that Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, in a very low voice, as though sharing some secret, asking:
"You've come back?"
"Mm. I suppose you could say I defeated the Shinigami and came back."
Namikaze Minato scratched the back of his head as he said this. For a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth, but didn't know how to continue.
In the end, he just sat back down behind his desk, maintaining the silence from before.
"Since I've come back, then the responsibility that was originally mine — I will surely take it up again."
Namikaze Minato stood before Sarutobi Hiruzen and spoke in a tone that was very calm yet resolute: "You may rest assured on that point."
As Namikaze Minato said this, the very wrinkles on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face seemed to gradually smooth out.
He looked at Namikaze Minato, and at last he smiled.
"With those words from you, my mind is at ease."
He spoke softly, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the window. "I have been sitting in this seat for a very long time. I should not have sat in it for so long."
"Let's get back to the matter of Danzo. Since you've returned, taking up the position of Hokage is only a matter of time. By rights, he would then be your subordinate going forward."
"At this juncture, is there something you wish to do?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Namikaze Minato and asked. Namikaze Minato did not hesitate or pause for a moment, but spoke directly:
"He will cause great trouble going forward."
"Kill him, or bring him under control — whichever it is, in any case, he cannot be left in that position any longer."
Namikaze Minato spoke with utter firmness. For a moment, the look on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face faltered.
In the end, he merely looked at Namikaze Minato and asked, brows furrowed and a touch troubled:
"Wouldn't that be a bit…"
"He cannot be left unchecked any longer. Turning a blind eye will only breed disaster."
Namikaze Minato cut him off with iron decisiveness.
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth as if to say something more, but on second thought, it was as though he had set down a great burden weighing on his entire being.
"Very well. I'll leave it to you."
He spoke plainly: "So long as you are fully prepared and have complete confidence, that is enough."
"This old man won't meddle in this matter. But please, give me a reason — and assurance that nothing will go wrong."
"For instance, supposing Danzo is to be dealt with, what about what comes afterwards?"
"For instance, ROOT."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spat out these two words and looked at Namikaze Minato, as if asking a question. Namikaze Minato smiled.
"I believe I have the ability to keep Konoha Village running without ROOT."
"I can do it."
"But after Danzo's death, there will inevitably be some kind of backlash from the ROOT side…"
It was just then that Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed a certain fellow leaning into the middle of their conversation, watching the two of them with a faint, contented pleasure, who then suddenly spoke:
"Thinking about me?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent. So Namikaze Minato scratched his head as well and said, helplessly:
"As you can see, you could say it's a small little deal between us. He will assist in tamping down any potential backlash from ROOT, and he'll ensure that ROOT exits the stage of Konoha Village smoothly."
This was something Anthony had long since worked out with Namikaze Minato.
After all, if Danzo died, that position couldn't very well just sit there empty, could it?
Someone had to step in to handle it. And so, with a bit of back-and-forth, Anthony and Namikaze Minato had hit it off and come to an agreement.
As the saying goes, fertile fields ought to stay in the family. Anthony reckoned that managing ROOT himself might be a touch awkward — but when it came to crippling ROOT, oh, he was a master at that!
Embezzle a little here, embezzle a little there, and wouldn't the department just collapse? Or were you underestimating Anthony, that black-hearted capitalist?
Specialist Smith, making his grand debut!
Once ROOT was crippled, the surviving forces it left behind could, for the most part, be smoothly absorbed into Konoha's overt military strength.
In this way, by the time Namikaze Minato had finished digesting the forces under Danzo's command, his end of things would presumably be running much more smoothly.
On this front, Anthony did have faith in Namikaze Minato's ability to serve as Hokage.
"Well then, I have no further objections. Only one question remains — why did you come specifically to find this old man?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head, looked at the two of them, and asked.
"We'd like to trouble you to arrange to meet Danzo, a little later."
Anthony spoke calmly: "In the near future, the Uchiha clan is going to revolt. But provided no other factors interfere, Shisui will be able to resolve it all."
"Generally speaking, there are two variables that could serve as interference. One of them we have already ruled out — what remains is Danzo."
"He will move against Shisui. So, we have to take care of all this before that happens."
As Anthony was speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly, as if he had not expected the Uchiha clan's revolt to be beyond the point of suppression.
But after seeing the reassuring glance Anthony cast his way, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression gradually settled.
It looked, then, like they already had a way to deal with the Uchiha revolt.
In that case, the only thing left to worry about really was Danzo.
"Call him out for a meeting, then? Very well, I understand."
Sarutobi Hiruzen heaved a sigh, his tone carrying a touch of resignation, and asked: "Where shall the meeting take place?"
"Anywhere. Best if the route passes through the little grove outside Konoha Village. The rest is up to you."
Anthony waved a hand and spoke casually, a light smile playing across his face.
With that, everything was now ready.
Next, it was time for the curtain to rise on the main show.
That same midnight, Danzo received a sealed letter from Sarutobi Hiruzen, requesting that he come to the Hokage's office to discuss matters concerning the Uchiha clan.
Receiving this letter, Danzo was greatly taken aback.
Could it be that Sarutobi Hiruzen had already discovered his intentions?
No, it shouldn't have come to that. Sarutobi Hiruzen was already in his twilight years, his faculties growing dim — he ought not to be that sharp anymore.
Moreover, resentment within the Uchiha clan had indeed been running high lately — it was hardly surprising that it would have unsettled Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And so, after thoroughly steeling himself, Danzo gathered an assortment of items in preparation, dressed himself properly, and left his home to go and see Hiruzen.
He did not bring any ROOT shinobi with him. After all, this was a trip to see the Hokage; doing so was out of the question.
Alone, he set out for this conversation.
In his estimation, this conversation would likely decide how he would have to adjust his plans regarding the Uchiha clan going forward; he might even face a measure of pressure himself.
He had originally been planning to move against Shisui the following day, deliberately pushing the conflict to its peak — but as things stood now, it seemed he would have to postpone that timing a little.
But he couldn't delay it for too long.
Danzo was mulling over his subsequent plans in fits and starts when, all of a sudden, he felt that something was off.
Here — hadn't he already passed through this very spot a moment ago?
Danzo raised his head and looked at his surroundings, somewhat puzzled, only just now realizing this very fact.
He had a clear impression of this place. He felt that, perhaps only two minutes ago, he had just walked into this little grove.
And then, two minutes later, he had reappeared in the very same spot.
He frowned, took a few more steps forward, and focused his mind.
This time, he walked perhaps several dozen metres before, all of a sudden, he felt a sensation of being tugged.
By the time he came back to his senses, he found that he was already back at the spot where he had started.
Back to the original point.
His pupils contracted slightly. He swept his gaze around the surroundings, considering whether he had been caught in a genjutsu, or had run into some unknown Kekkei Genkai.
He pondered, searching for the means to break out of it — and not far away, concealed by Hades, Namikaze Minato and Anthony were seated in a corner.
Namikaze Minato watched this scene, and for a moment, the corner of his eye twitched.
"Was it really necessary to do it this way?"
Namikaze Minato looked at Danzo, who kept being yanked back to his starting point over and over, and couldn't help but comment.
"But don't you think the Ghost Wall is rather entertaining?"
Anthony was silent for a moment, then finally posed this question to Namikaze Minato.
The corner of Namikaze Minato's eye twitched, and then he heard Anthony's quiet words:
"Don't be impatient. It'll be over soon."
Anthony said: "The duration of the skill is almost up."
Namikaze Minato felt he couldn't quite follow what Anthony was doing.
He looked at Anthony, somewhat unsure what he was up to — but all he saw was that faint smile on Anthony's face.
Maintaining his usual smile, he opened his mouth and said:
"Before being resurrected, one ought to find something entertaining to do, no?"
As he spoke, he looked over at Danzo, his pupils burning with the dim blue glow of Soul Flames.
He had specifically tried using the Forgemaster's ability to copy Sister Shu's power, and crafted a Ghost Wall specifically for Danzo. Wasn't it precisely so he could see the man's reaction?
To finish him off cleanly and crisply would have felt somehow… insufficient.
"Besides, he can't be allowed to die that simply. Say what you like, he's a man of high standing. We have to put in at least a bit of effort."
Anthony spoke patiently, and at the same time, behind him, the Origin Furnace rumbled silently, as a gun gradually took shape in Anthony's hand.
"If I remember correctly, the one thing this guy wanted most in his whole life was to become Hokage."
Anthony smiled as he said: "Go on, Minato — go and meet him. I think you'll come to like the Ghost Wall."
Namikaze Minato looked at Anthony, and at last let out a helpless sigh, then took up his position at the far end of that wall.
And so, in that moment, Danzo seemed to glimpse, at the far end of his vision, a flash of yellow.
In that instant, Danzo's pupils flew wide. He nearly couldn't believe his own eyes, and unconsciously took two steps forward.
The next moment, his vision blurred for an instant, and when he came back to himself, he had already reappeared at the starting position.
Once more.
Danzo's eyes were beginning to redden. He pressed forward again, and this time, that figure seemed to have drawn a little closer to him. He saw it clearly.
It was Namikaze Minato!
But he was supposed to be dead!
Danzo stared at Namikaze Minato's figure in disbelief, instinctively pressing forward, and then felt a thread of bitter desolation rise in his chest.
He seemed to see, atop Namikaze Minato's head, that hat which symbolized the Hokage! That hat that he himself had dreamed of for so long!
He instinctively suspected it was a hallucination — until that figure took another step closer to him.
So very real.
"Namikaze Minato!"
Instinctively, Danzo let out a roar. Namikaze Minato heard the shout and took two steps forward.
"It's been a long time, Mr. Danzo."
Namikaze Minato spoke with a smile, only to see the savage look on Danzo's face.
"Why are you here?! Aren't you supposed to be dead?!"
When he saw Namikaze Minato, he was reminded of the possibility of becoming Hokage that had once been wrenched away from him.
When this man had died, Danzo had let out a sigh of relief in his heart, fully believing that the position of Hokage would surely fall to him!
But in the end, it had gone to the Third — the Third, but no matter, he could still wait!
The Third was old, very, very old. Danzo could certainly wait it out.
The trouble was — could someone tell him just what the hell was going on with the person standing in front of him right now?!
What would the future hold?
Danzo didn't even have the leisure to think about anything else. In that moment, only one thought occupied his mind.
Wait, keep waiting, he had no choice but to keep waiting. The trouble was — he couldn't afford to wait. He couldn't afford to wait out Namikaze Minato!
He struggled, nearly pouring every ounce of strength in his body into taking a single step forward toward Namikaze Minato.
And then, he was tossed back to his original position by the Ghost Wall.
From Namikaze Minato's vantage, all he saw was Danzo rushing forward, his features twisted in fury, only to be teleported away again.
For a moment, Namikaze Minato's own expression turned a bit peculiar.
Hey now, this really was rather entertaining.
He heard Danzo's savage shouts, even saw him whip out a kunai, and in an instant came to a sudden understanding of the other man's state of mind.
Indeed — this was, after all, a small grove with no passersby.
A skeleton by the roadside, known to no one.
Namikaze Minato sighed, stretched out his hand, as if to grab hold of Danzo. Immediately, an expression of joy mingled with ugliness spread across Danzo's face.
But then, Namikaze Minato smiled.
He let go of his hand. And so, Danzo's expression turned, in an instant, dreadful and terrified — because in the next instant, he was back at the starting point!
He could only see Namikaze Minato giving him a gentle wave.
"Goodbye, Mr. Danzo."
Namikaze Minato called out loudly, and Danzo no longer had time to push forward again.
In the dead of night, only the Forgemaster silently raised the barrel of the gun in his hand.
And so, the crack of the gunshot tore through the silence. Everything met its final curtain in utter quiet.
The next day. A piece of news appeared in the field of vision of Konoha's troublesome commoners.
The news itself was simple, but its content was explosive — roughly, it went like this: Danzo was found dead in a small grove.
At the time of his death, he had taken seven shots to the back. In the end, the verdict was ruled as suicide.
However, regrettably, this piece of news was not able to draw any particular degree of attention.
Because an even more explosive piece of news had appeared.
When everyone saw the news that Namikaze Minato had once again taken up the post of Hokage, every single one of them was bewildered.
The hell — a dead man is talking?!
____
👻🔥Walnut-chan🔥👻
🔥 New history: Homelander: Founding the Hero Association
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone