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****
On the same day, the high-ranking Konoha members, Minato Namikaze, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Koharu, visited the Hyuga estate, and the two elders of the Hyuga clan received them in the meeting room of the Hyuga clan.
Although the third Hokage has retired, he will still be notified of such important events. As for Danzo, it seemed he played an important role in Orochimaru's defection.
After the incident, the three Kages advocated for his removal. Subsequently, Danzo became increasingly reclusive, and his actions remained mysterious.
No one knew what the senior members of the Konoha clan were discussing at the Hyuga's house.
They only knew that when everyone left, the senior members of the Hyuga clan were very attentive to Minato, wearing grateful expressions.
The faces of the third and fourth Hokage remained calm but somewhat angered as they departed.
After the incident, Minato met with the remaining members of the Cloud Village messenger group, and the two sides exchanged opinions regarding the killing of the messenger leader. Unfortunately, they had significant differences.
Minato expressed severe condemnation for the kidnapping of the Hyuga head's daughter by Cloud village envoy, demanded that Cloud provide a reasonable explanation, and rejected Cloud's unreasonable request.
The cloud village messenger expressed dissatisfaction with Konoha's actions in covering up the murderer and avoided discussing the kidnapping, claiming it was merely an excuse for Konoha to evade responsibility.
Minato stated that Cloud Village was distorting the facts and taking an unfriendly stance, warning Cloud Village envoy not to cause trouble, as Konoha would respond accordingly.
The envoy expressed great indignation at Konoha's tough attitude.
In the end, the two sides parted unhappily, and the alliance was temporarily put on hold.
****
Following the incident, a small rumour suddenly began to spread.
"Have you heard?"
"What?"
"Lord Hokage covered up the murderer who killed the Cloud village messenger just to please the Hyuga clan."
"He's already a Hokage, so why would he do something to please a powerful family?"
"Of course, it's for... huh?"
"The fourth Hokage must be protecting his fellow villagers. Are you jealous because he's powerful, handsome, and popular?"
"How is that possible? I heard it from my nephew's aunt's sister, who's also Kojiro's neighbour's cousin."
"Do you believe such foolish gossip? It's ridiculous... The envoys from other villages must be furious because they failed to kidnap the child. Last time, they did their best to protect the village and seal the Nine-Tails. This is the Hokage we should support."
...
In the end, these baseless rumours failed to make any significant impact. Minato's popularity and respect remained intact, the rumours did not cause any trouble.
When the person who initiated the rumours learned of their ineffectiveness, he angrily muttered to himself while pounding a stick into the ground.
This man was now wearing bandages on his right shoulder and right eye. If Naruto saw him, he would probably quip, "I have many scars on my body, but this one hurts..."
****
In a private room of the barbecue restaurant, the contemporary trio of Ino-Shika-Cho—Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza—were having a meal together.
Inoichi picked up his wine glass, raised it, took a sip of sake, and remarked, "Minato, the fourth Hokage, won't act too impulsively this time. It might even prevent another war."
Shikaku stared intently at the slices of meat on the grill, his mouth full as he chewed, and muttered, "What's wrong with that? It's all to protect our village, just like Senior White Fang did. I hope we never have to witness such sacrifices again."
"Hey, Choza, you don't have to rush through your meal every time," Inochi said with a helpless smile. "I think Shikaku is right. If we do end up going to war, the power of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio will make a difference."
"Exactly," Choza as he stroked his chin's moustache. "By the way, didn't we have plans to meet an old friend?"
Inoichi and Shikaku both paused and thought for a moment. "You're right, we did. Who was it?"
"Forget it, I can't seem to remember. Anyway, cheers!"
...
In the Hatake household, Kakashi sat alone in an empty room with a broken white-toothed dagger placed in front of him.
The evening sun cast its rays upon him through the window, creating a distinct line between light and shadow that seemed to divide him in half.
After a while, Kakashi murmured, "Father, if Minato-sensei had become Hokage back then..."
Before he could dwell on his thoughts for too long, a loud and enthusiastic voice echoed from a distance, "Hey, Kakashi! The sunset today is so beautiful. Let's face it together and have a competition of betting on youth!"
...
In the Sarutobi family home, Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked a cigarette while quietly observing the teenagers practising ninjutsu in the yard.
Sarutobi Biwako stepped out of the house, snatched the pipe from him, and said, "I told you not to smoke. Don't set a bad example for Tenzo."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smirked, "I'm used to it."
"Judging by your gloomy expression, it seems you disagree with Minato's approach. I think he's handling things much better than you did."
"It's not that. I just believe that Minato has grown significantly in the past few years," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "If Tobirama-sensei were still here, he would support Minato's approach."
"Alright, it's been a long time since he retired. Let's invite Tenzo in for dinner." Sarutobi Biwako turned and headed back into the house.
"Tenzo," Sarutobi Hiruzen called softly.
"Yes." The boy in the yard immediately halted his ninjutsu practice and stood at attention.
"Tomorrow, come with me to meet Hokage. I'm going to recommend you for ANBU. In the future, you'll work hard to protect Konoha."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Good lad. Let's go have dinner."
****
In the Uchiha clan, inside the living room of the Uchiha house, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui sat facing each other.
"Shisui, I've heard that you've been performing exceptionally well in ANBU,
"Shisui of the Body Flicker"
***
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