Konoha, Hokage Building, inside a secret room.
Danzo, who had been reanimated via Edo Tensei, was in a meeting with the Third Hokage, the Fifth Hokage Orochimaru, and the original Elder Council.
Hiruzen first looked at Orochimaru and asked: "Regarding Minato's Edo Tensei, is there really no way?"
"None!" Orochimaru shook his head helplessly. Looking at the Third, he felt somewhat weary: "Sensei, you don't think I'm deliberately not reincarnating Minato because I'm afraid he'll interfere with my authority, do you?"
"Uh!" Hearing Orochimaru's words, Hiruzen paused.
Truth be told, he did think a little bit like that.
Of course, he couldn't say that.
"No, no!" Hiruzen smiled with his usual benevolent expression: "It's just that Kushina's whereabouts are unknown, and Kakashi is the same. I wanted Minato to come out so he could look for them."
Hiruzen's reason was very sufficient.
However, Orochimaru wouldn't be fooled by him.
Of course, he didn't press the issue.
"Hmph!" After a light snort, a trace of gravity also appeared in Orochimaru's eyes: "This matter is very strange to me as well."
"Everyone has seen the modified Edo Tensei formula… you can all use it too. We've all taken turns trying it."
"Everyone else works, including the First and Second Hokage. If we use the formula, we can connect to them. But only Minato..."
Orochimaru's expression twisted into a knot, unsure how to describe it.
For a scientist, the feeling of having a difficult problem before him but being unable to solve it was like... constipation.
Then, Danzo took over Orochimaru's words: "Only the Fourth Hokage... it's as if he isn't in the Pure Land at all, getting no response whatsoever!"
As he spoke, Danzo glanced at Hiruzen and gave a slight nod.
Seeing this, Hiruzen's expression turned grave.
Because he knew this was Danzo guaranteeing to him that what Orochimaru said was true, as Danzo was also very familiar with the modified Edo Tensei.
"If that's the case, then it's troublesome..." Hiruzen felt very distressed: "Everyone else went smoothly, so why is there a problem with Minato?"
"Could some unexpected situation have occurred?" Hiruzen murmured.
He really hoped that's not the case!
Konoha had just started recovering after repelling Sunagakure. As for external condemnation?
Heh, compared to actual benefits, what did those matter?
So, unexpected situations... something like that, he really hope it didn't happen!
Hiruzen inwardly wailed.
However, he didn't see that upon hearing his words, Orochimaru's expression also became playful, as if he had gotten an idea.
"Perhaps there really is something unexpected?"
"For example, what if Minato-kun isn't actually dead?" Orochimaru said sinisterly.
"What!!!" Orochimaru's words caused an exclamation from everyone.
Even Danzo looked displeased at Orochimaru: "The Fourth Hokage isn't dead? Orochimaru, what kind of joke is that?"
"Didn't we dissect those body samples inch by inch?" Danzo questioned.
"Yes! Fifth Hokage, could your judgment be mistaken?" Koharu chimed in.
"A mistaken judgment? Perhaps..." Orochimaru said noncommittally.
He pondered, his golden vertical pupils flashing with a glint of wisdom.
After a moment of silence, abruptly, Orochimaru spoke: "Where is Tsunade? Where is she?"
"Speaking of which, I've always had some doubts about Minato-kun's body. Perhaps I need to conduct a joint investigation with Tsunade!"
Hearing Orochimaru's words, everyone else also slammed the table and stood up: "Orochimaru, do you realize what you're saying?"
A joint investigation meant Orochimaru believed Minato's body was problematic.
It might even be a forgery.
But if it really was a forgery by someone else, then things would be a mess!
The strange situation in Konoha back then, the Uchiha conflict, the mysterious disappearance of Fugaku, and Minato nailed to the Hokage Rock...
Just thinking that all these could be someone else's scheme…
Instantly, everyone present felt a chill run through their bodies, even the reanimated Danzo!
Under Orochimaru's shocking statement, everyone fell silent for a full three minutes.
Then, Hiruzen finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "Orochimaru, you've also studied Minato's body. How confident are you?"
Orochimaru's eyes flickered: "At least... 50%."
"Good, then we'll do it!" Hiruzen decided.
No arguments, no calculations of interest, only the most democratic communication and the fastest execution.
This was the current Konoha, which had suffered a great calamity!
Only Danzo still had some questions: "Orochimaru, how do you plan to conduct the examination?"
"If it's general examination methods, verifying his identity was already done during the initial dissection!"
"Khu khu!" Hearing Danzo's words, Orochimaru excitedly stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.
Since becoming Hokage, he had rarely made such image-damaging gestures. Its reappearance now indicated Orochimaru's excitement!