Traveling through Nagato, from conquering Konan to dominating the ninja world

"..." Hiruzen realized that he had lost his composure in front of Minato.

He calmed himself down, leaned over, picked up the pipe as if nothing had happened, put it in his mouth, and said in a calm tone: "Minato, just based on Nagato's words, it is too arbitrary to conclude that Danzo was involved in that incident, isn't it?"

Is it true...

Hiruzen's reaction was what Minato expected.

In fact, what he said, about Nagato killing Hanzo and becoming the leader of Amegakure, as well as his meeting with Nagato and his decision to handle the matter conservatively, were all just foreshadowing.

After all, Minato is the current head of Konoha, and he doesn't need to ask Hiruzen for instructions on Konoha's external decisions.

The only problem is Danzo, which is an internal issue. Moreover, Danzo's identity is sensitive. As a veteran of Konoha and Hiruzen's partner when he was Hokage, Minato should let the Hokage who promoted him know the reason, so as to avoid... when he takes corresponding measures against Danzo, Hiruzen stands up and pleads for him.

Let Hiruzen know clearly what Danzo did behind his back and what consequences it led to, which will also prepare him for prevention so that he won't play the emotional card and hinder his decision-making.

This is... the real intention of Minato inviting Hiruzen to eat melons at noon.

This is how the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who is humane and skillful, upright to the outside, gentle and upright to the inside, and a tough guy with a soft tongue, handles things!

Facing Hiruzen's 'arbitrary' remarks, Minato responded with reason and evidence.

"Do you remember, Third-sama, on the night of the attack, when we defeated the enemy, Mr. Danzo, who lived in seclusion, couldn't wait to retrieve Pain's body. Oh, Pain is the nickname for those enemies who invaded Konoha and are suspected of having the Rinnegan."

Hiruzen's eyes flickered, and he said, "What he wanted to retrieve was just the body of his own subordinate Ding Mao, which makes sense, but it doesn't mean that Danzo..."

"Okay, let me give you another example." Minato said in an orderly manner: "After the invasion, at the meeting to analyze the intelligence on Pain, when you mentioned that the enemy would use the 'Rain Tiger Free Technique' that originated from Yugakure and proposed to ask Hanzo for intelligence, do you remember Mr. Danzo's reaction at that time?"

"..." Hiruzen's eyes darkened.

He remembered very clearly that Danzo's reaction was quite intense... Now that he thought about it, if he hadn't been guilty, he probably wouldn't have reacted so intensely.

However, he still couldn't accept the fact that Danzo had caused such a big mess behind his back and created such a powerful enemy for Konoha.

Hiruzen continued to defend Danzo.

"Danzo's rebuttal to my words was not without reason. In the past Ninja World War, we used the small country of Amegakure as a battlefield, which was an unjust act. After the war, we asked Hanzo for help. It was not reasonable..."

"Sir, the Third Generation!" At this time, Minato interrupted him, looked into his eyes, and said sincerely: "I understand that the friendship between you and Mr. Danzo goes beyond comrades and colleagues, but think about it the other way around."

"If... Mr. Danzo is really Hanzo's accomplice in the suppression of Akatsuki, what does this mean?"

The clear sky was covered with dark clouds.

Cold sweat trickled down Hiruzen's cheeks.

Minato said in a low voice: "Yes, it means... Mr. Danzo knew about Nagato from the beginning, knew that he possessed the Samsara Eye, and even knew that he was most likely the true body of Pein and the real culprit who attacked Konoha. But he never mentioned a word about it, either during or after the incident."

"Perhaps...his starting point was really to protect Konoha according to his own ideas, but his motives must have been mixed with his own selfish desires."

In order not to embarrass Hiruzen too much, the gentle Minato did not say it too clearly.

That is... Danzo tried to shake Minato's position as Hokage in order to achieve his own ambition of becoming more powerful.

"Boom!"

The dull sound of thunder rolled among the clouds.

Sensing that Minato had made up his mind, Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and asked in a low voice, "Are you going to... dismiss Danzo?"

Minato said: "It's not necessary to dismiss him. After all, he has made a lot of efforts for Konoha in his own way. Even if he has no merits, he has worked hard. It's just... he is not suitable for the configuration of combat personnel. He has the same status as the Anbu directly under the Hokage."

"So, I plan to reduce the Root's organization in the near future. The Root currently has eight battalions, and is almost on par with the Anbu directly under the Hokage in terms of combat power."

"I plan to reduce the organization to four battalions first, observe his future behavior, and then make a decision."

Hiruzen lowered his eyes and said, "This is not an easy task. The members of the Root are all selected by him from various tribes. They have been trained since childhood. After the staffing is reduced, where will these people go in the future? Have you thought about this problem?"

Minato said: "Regarding this, I will specifically seek the opinions of the jonin in the village and come up with relatively appropriate measures. In short, the roots entrenched in the big tree of Konoha must be pruned, otherwise he will take over the master as soon as possible and bite back the light that the previous Hokage and you have been committed to protecting."

Looking at Minato in front of him, who was so decisive and courageous in making sensitive decisions concerning the fundamental system of Konoha, Hiruzen sighed but also felt gratified.

Even if he had the means, he didn't have the courage to carry it through to the end.

Danzo saw through this point of his and repeatedly did things that crossed the bottom line, because Danzo knew Hiruzen inside and out.

Hiruzen was too steady, which led to him always being passive in diplomacy and being constrained by other countries. Even if Danzo made a big mistake, Hiruzen would at most hide him away.

When Hiruzen needs him, he will definitely re-employ him.

And Namikaze Minato... this Hokage selected by Hiruzen himself, although young, has already shown his leadership qualities and can enable Konoha to gain a firm foothold even without relying on Danzo.

I was right about you... Minato, you are the one who can lead Konoha to the road of revival.

Hiruzen put down his pipe, "Then do as you wish, Minato! I will not interfere with your decision regarding Danzo's affairs!"

After receiving Hiruzen's assurance, Minato breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood up and bowed deeply: "Thank you so much! Third-generation sir!"

"Crash!"

Heavy rain, pouring down...

Minato scratched his head and said, "Oh, I have to go home and collect my clothes. Sandaime-sama, you should also come in quickly. I'll bring melon to see you next time!"

Hiruzen looked at the watermelon rind in the basin and said with a smile: "Come on, this watermelon of yours is really giving me chills when I eat it..."

Minato smiled innocently: "Next time, I'll just eat melons..."

"Okay, let's go."

"Goodbye then!"

"Swoosh!" Minato dodged and disappeared.

Hiruzen cleared the table and chairs and was about to go into the house when there was a knock on the door.

Hiruzen called into the house, "Biwako, go open the door~."

Biwako replied from the kitchen: "Open it yourself, I'm busy..."

Hiruzen went over and opened the door.

Outside the door, stood a strong young man in a green uniform!

Hiruzen was startled and recognized him, "Hmm... isn't this Okijiro!"

Okijiro was sweating profusely and greeted enthusiastically: "Old Hokage, long time no see!"

Hiruzen laughed, "Roar, I'm not the Hokage anymore! I'm living a peaceful retirement life now!"

"Look, there's a letter for you!" Okijiro carefully took out the gold-inlaid mail box!

"Why are you coming in to deliver it yourself? Why don't you just say hello to the guard and pass it to me?"

"He's a super VIP customer of our postal company, and he specifically requested that it be delivered..."

"Super VIP. As I recall, the Postal Service only has customers at the Super VIP level, right?"

"Hehe... it was added by the boss at the last minute! So I dare not neglect it! Please confirm receipt and sign for it so that I can report back!"

"Oh, good!"

Hiruzen took the mail box and opened it to see...

The green pendant placed together with the envelope gave him a familiar feeling. He picked it up, looked at it carefully, and his pupils suddenly contracted!

This, this is……!!

He opened the envelope immediately!

There is only the address and a simple sentence on it!

Tonight at midnight, in the Hayato Gorge of the River Country. Come alone, no one will be waiting if you are late!

Hiruzen asked, "Who is the person who asked you to send this letter?"

Chongjiro shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, old man! We are only responsible for running errands. If the customer sends the package anonymously, we will not disclose any identifying information about her."

"She"?..." Hiruzen still keenly grasped a key piece of information, that is, the sender was a woman.

"Really? Thank you very much then." Hiruzen picked up the pen and signed the letter.

"Grandpa, I'll be leaving first." Okijiro put away the letter of receipt, moved a few steps, and disappeared at the street corner.

Hiruzen looked at the rainy sky, his eyes turning into thoughts.

From Konoha to Hayato River in River Country, even with my leg strength, it would be a stretch for me to arrive at midnight tonight... Doesn't the other party intend to give me time to think calmly?

There was not a single word in the letter mentioning Tsunade's name...but the pendant formed by the chakra of the first Hokage was enough to explain everything.

Tsunade...fell into the other party's hands and her life was hanging by a thread.

If I hadn't arrived before midnight tonight, her life might have been...

My three disciples, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade...

Orochimaru has gone down a path of no return, Jiraiya has no intention of staying in the village... Tsunade, although her body and mind are at a low point due to setbacks, she is the only one most likely to inherit the will of fire. Moreover, her unparalleled medical ninjutsu is too important for this village.

Even though I know this might be a trap, I still have to go and find out!

Back in his room, Hiruzen put away his pipe and changed into his black combat attire.

"Hurizen, after eating the ice watermelon, have a bowl of stomach-nourishing porridge..."

Biwako came in with a bowl of stomach-nourishing porridge and saw him, her expression suddenly changed: "Hiruzen...you, what are you going to do!?"

"Lake Biwa?" Hiruzen put the steel plate protective gear on his arm, smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes, looked back and said calmly: "I have to go out for a while. If I don't come back in a short time, remember to take good care of Kushina for Minato. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's delivery is a big deal!"