All of a sudden, the atmosphere inside the **Sarutobi residence** became extremely strange.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in shock at **Kakashi and the ANBU elites**, his eyes wide with disbelief.
He had never expected that these people… would actually **agree with Ning Feng**.
"Don't listen to Uchiha Feng's manipulation!"
"Everything I've done is for **Konoha Village**!"
"I have done nothing wrong, and I don't need anyone to judge me!"
Hiruzen took a deep breath, still stubbornly refusing to admit fault.
"Minato! Since you no longer wish to remain the Fourth Hokage, then you and your ANBU will leave Konoha within **three days**!"
"As for Uchiha Feng—he must either become the **Nine-Tails Jinchūriki** and stay in Konoha for the rest of his life…"
"Or leave behind the **Four-Tails and Five-Tails**!"
As a former Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had **never taken back his words**, nor would he allow anyone to challenge them.
Even if he softened now, it would mean losing his dignity—something he could never accept.
"Lord Hiruzen…"
Seeing that Hiruzen was still so stubborn, Minato and the ANBU elites felt a deep sense of despair.
Even **Kakashi**, who had always regarded Hiruzen as a noble elder, finally lost the last bit of hope he had.
How could he not?
They had all once respected this old man who had served Konoha for decades.
But now…
"Hmph. Then we'll leave!"
"I'd like to see who dares to stop **Uchiha Feng**!"
Minato snorted coldly.
His icy gaze swept across the entire courtyard as he tightened his grip on the **kunai** in his hand.
The members of the **Ino–Shika–Chō clans** didn't dare make a move.
Then Minato placed his large hand gently on Ning Feng's shoulder.
"Feng, take us to your **Hidden Rain Village**."
"From now on, we'll follow you!"
"Just don't complain that we eat too much!"
As he spoke, Minato revealed a bright, carefree smile.
At that moment, he looked less like the **Fourth Hokage** and more like an ordinary young man.
The heavy burden of the Hokage title seemed to have vanished.
Strangely enough, Minato felt **lighter than ever**.
Without the title of Hokage, he could finally protect the people he wanted to protect **freely**.
Of course, Minato himself probably never imagined that he would one day become a **missing-nin**.
"For some reason," Minato suddenly chuckled, "your teacher is actually looking forward to becoming a rogue ninja."
"And now I understand why **Senior Orochimaru** chose to leave Konoha."
Just as Minato and the others were about to leave—
Ning Feng suddenly reacted and gently pulled on Minato's sleeve.
"Teacher… I'm afraid you **can't become a rogue ninja yet**."
The moment he said this—
Kakashi and the ANBU elites froze.
Even Minato himself was stunned, his brows furrowing.
"Feng, you don't need to think about us!"
"You've already done so much for Konoha."
"There's no need to do something foolish like leaving the **Four-Tails and Five-Tails** behind for us!"
Minato misunderstood, thinking Ning Feng was about to sacrifice himself for them.
Meanwhile—
Hiruzen suddenly burst into laughter.
"That's right, Uchiha Feng! Your choice is correct!"
"As long as you stay in Konoha or leave the Four-Tails and Five-Tails behind…"
"Your teacher Minato and Kakashi won't have to become rogue ninja."
"With your strength—or with the power of your Tailed Beasts—"
"Konoha dominating the entire ninja world will only be a matter of time!"
Hiruzen leisurely lit his smoking pipe, believing Ning Feng had finally come to his senses.
But then—
Ning Feng shrugged and smiled faintly.
"Lord Hiruzen, I'm afraid you've misunderstood."
"Teacher Minato and Kakashi **don't need to leave Konoha**."
"And they certainly don't need to become rogue ninja."
He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.
"Oh?"
Hiruzen smiled.
"The one who should leave Konoha…"
"…is **you**."
"The one who should become a rogue ninja…"
"…is also **you**."
"Not us."
Ning Feng continued calmly.
"After all, we control the **Hokage's administration**, and more than half of the Konoha leadership stands on our side."
"Teacher Minato is the **Fourth Hokage**."
"So why should we be the ones to leave Konoha?"
"Konoha may indeed be rotten."
"But the rot exists because of **you**."
"Not because of us."
Ning Feng's few simple sentences instantly made Minato and Kakashi realize something.
That's right.
Why should **they** leave Konoha?
Why shouldn't **Hiruzen Sarutobi** leave instead?
At this moment, the true power in Konoha belonged to **Minato's faction**, not the old Third Hokage.
Because they had always respected authority, they had unconsciously fallen into a **mental trap**.
Only now did Ning Feng's words wake them up.
"Y-you…"
Hiruzen was speechless.
The pipe in his hand slipped and fell to the ground with a **clatter**.
He staggered backward several steps until he had nowhere left to retreat.
Yes…
Ning Feng's words had reminded him of something terrifying.
Konoha was no longer the same village as when Minato had just become Hokage.
Now Minato's faction had fully formed.
Inside the village, they had the **support of the Uchiha clan**.
Outside, they had the **Hidden Rain Village** backing them.
Among the village leadership:
**Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Feng, and Namikaze Minato** formed a powerful alliance.
Meanwhile, only **Hiruzen and Danzō** remained on the opposing side.
In other words—
Hiruzen's control over Konoha had already dropped to its **lowest point**.
He was no longer the man who once commanded the village with ease.
The more Hiruzen realized this, the more his legs trembled.
"N-no… impossible…"
"You can't do anything to me…"
He kept retreating in panic, fear filling his eyes.
At that moment, Minato frowned slightly.
Unable to bear the sight, he stepped forward and gently held out the **kunai** toward Hiruzen.
"Lord Hiruzen…"
Seeing the kunai, the former **Third Hokage** immediately understood what it meant.
His eyes turned cold.
"So… you want my life."
"Only by killing me will Konoha's corruption disappear, is that it?"
"Lord Hiruzen, please don't force us."
"We only want to give you a **dignified end**."
Minato shrugged slightly.
"After you take your own life, we will announce that you simply passed away due to **old age**."
"As for what happened today… no one else will ever know."
"Oh? Is that so?" Seeing that Minato still hadn't truly resolved himself to kill
A fierce killing intent suddenly flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
In the next instant— He lunged toward **Minato** with terrifying speed.