Minato had been waiting for this moment.
If he had stepped in to stop Orochimaru earlier, the battle would have ended too soon. Sarutobi Hiruzen would have remained Hokage, and Minato would have lost his chance to reclaim power. But now, with the Third Hokage battered and near defeat, the path was opening for him.
He wasn't interested in dealing with Konoha's Elders' Council, but he'd been in this village long enough to know they'd be a problem. If they behaved, he'd let them live a little longer. If they didn't… well, the Pure Land wasn't going anywhere.
Strength was important, but public perception mattered too. Hatake Sakumo's tragic fate was proof of that.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at Minato, his tone hoarse yet amused.
"Are you going to stop me, Minato?"
Minato raised an eyebrow. "Good grief, is Orochimaru always this bold?"
Orochimaru smirked. "This isn't the battlefield. You and I were comrades once. I know your strength."
Minato crossed his arms. "And?"
Outside the barrier, Konoha's shinobi watched with bated breath. The Fourth Hokage had finally stepped in. Relief swept through them, though whispers of doubt still spread.
"Can he really beat Orochimaru?"
"You're forgetting! The Fourth's greatest strength is speed!"
Someone nodded. "The Raikage once said, after the Fourth died, no one in the world was faster."
Kakashi, standing among the gathered shinobi, frowned. "Minato-sensei's speed comes from Flying Thunder God. But in that barrier, the space is too tight. He can't use it like usual."
Another Anbu added grimly, "And he just got resurrected. He doesn't have his custom kunai… or even a basic weapon."
The realization spread like wildfire.
"Does that mean Konoha is doomed?"
Before panic could take root, three figures sprinted onto the scene.
A blonde, an Uchiha with a cold stare, and a pink-haired kunoichi.
"Kakashi-sensei, we're here!" Naruto called, panting.
Kakashi turned to them. "Why are you three here?"
Sasuke, arms crossed, responded coolly. "We wrapped up our mission and rushed back when we saw the explosions."
As Sakura caught sight of Minato inside the barrier, she gasped, her eyes sparkling. "Oh my God! He's so handsome!"
Naruto's gaze, however, locked onto Orochimaru, the First and Second Hokage… and then onto Minato.
Inside the barrier, Minato heard the worried murmurs of the Anbu. He sighed and spoke, his voice calm yet firm.
"The foundation of Konoha is not the Hokage. It is the people of this village."
The Anbu fell silent. Even Orochimaru seemed taken aback.
The snake sannin chuckled. "You truly are a genius, Minato. Not just in strength, but in mind as well."
Minato smiled slightly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. "That wasn't me—it was Jiraiya's evaluation of you. I'm just the messenger."
Then, his expression darkened. "Minato, don't interfere. Let me kill Sarutobi. Konoha will still be yours. I can even help you deal with the Elders."
Minato said nothing.
Orochimaru's smirk widened. "Besides, Konoha is home to your only living family. Your son. You wouldn't want him to get hurt, would you?"
Minato tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Seriously? Did this guy time travel? That's the classic villain threat from every novel ever."
His gaze flicked toward the crowd, settling on a certain blonde boy.
Uzumaki Naruto.
His son.
Naruto grinned and gave Minato a big thumbs-up. **"Go for it, Fourth Hokage! Kick that snake's ass!"**
Minato smiled warmly and returned the gesture.
It was time to end this.
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