Far away in the Root base outside Konoha, Danzo Shimura had no idea that in the Hokage Building...
...the final judgment on his life was being carried out.
This is the meaning of power.
I destroy you; what does that have to do with you?
When Minato Namikaze decided to eliminate Danzo Shimura, did he really need to consult him?
No. Once a decision was reached in this office, only a dead end awaited Danzo Shimura.
Danzo Shimura, who had wielded immense power for decades, stirred up trouble in Konoha Village, and built his own independent kingdom...
...his life and death now rested on a single thought from this hunched Old Man.
After a long silence, puffing on his pipe one breath at a time, the drifting smoke had already obscured Hiruzen Sarutobi's entire face.
Just when everyone thought Hiruzen Sarutobi had acquiesced, the Old Man finally spoke:
"Minato, leave that fellow Danzo to me."
"I guarantee he won't have another chance to cause trouble. I'll hand over both Root and the Anbu to your control."
"This Old Man is ready to retire completely. Along with Danzo, I will never come out again."
"And Homura and Koharu as well."
"We will leave entirely. From now on, everything is in your hands!"
After saying these final words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded even more weathered. His posture slumped, and he seemed to age instantly.
"Hiruzen! What are you...?"
"I don't agree!"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
What kind of joke is this? Your retirement is your business; why drag us along for no reason?
We still need to shine our light for Konoha Village!
"Shut up!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly barked, silencing the two of them.
"I have decided. You will do as I say."
"It's been decades already. Aren't you tired yet?"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu felt Hiruzen Sarutobi's absolute determination. Though frustrated, they didn't dare speak up in protest.
This was their true nature.
The two of them lived as dependents of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Their power and status all came from this Old Man; once he made a decision, neither could refuse.
"Old Man, why are you..."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed, and he started to say something, but Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him:
"Jiraiya! Say no more. I have already made up my mind."
As the old fellow looked at Jiraiya, his eyes actually held a trace of pleading.
This left Jiraiya completely speechless.
When had his teacher ever opened his mouth to beg? This was a sight Jiraiya had never seen before.
Such a sight also made Jiraiya fully realize that his teacher truly was old.
"Sigh."
Jiraiya's expression was complex. He shook his head silently, let out a sigh, and spoke no more.
Seeing this situation, Minato Namikaze knew this was the best result he could strive for.
If he tried to push further at this point, even Jiraiya and Tsunade would come out to oppose him.
When those two joined forces in opposition, added to the decision made by the Previous Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, no one in Konoha Village could object.
"I understand, but I will destroy the Sharingan on his body."
Minato Namikaze nodded and added another condition.
Waving his hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing more. He turned and walked toward the door.
Since Danzo Shimura was already going to be under house arrest, he no longer cared about Sharingan or whatever else.
Being able to save Danzo Shimura's life was already the limit of what Hiruzen Sarutobi could do.
"Danzo, I hope you can also be like me and let it go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi departed dejectedly, thinking to himself.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi gone, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu looked at each other and could only leave helplessly.
In the Hokage Office, only Minato Namikaze's trio, Jiraiya, and Tsunade remained.
"Let's go."
Tsunade said to Jiraiya, then turned to leave.
"Eh? Weren't we going to discuss how to deal with Danzo? Why are we leaving?"
Jiraiya asked, stunned.
"None of your business! Just move!"
Tsunade smashed a fist onto Jiraiya's head, sending Old White Hair spinning and knocking him down.
She then grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away like a corpse.
This was also part of the implicit understanding.
To deal with just one Danzo Shimura, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's tacit permission, Minato Namikaze was more than enough.
The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi left, control of the Anbu had fallen into Minato Namikaze's hands.
At that point, holding both the Anbu and the Hokage's authority to deal with a village elder...
...would Danzo Shimura even dare to resist?
Even if he dared to resist, would he be able to?
After everyone else left, only Minato Namikaze's trio remained in the office.
From this moment on, these three were firmly seated in the top three positions of Konoha's high command.
One Hokage, one Chief Strategist, and one shadow guard captain.
Later, after Hiruzen Sarutobi completely handed over power, Shikaku Nara would naturally be promoted to Advisor.
And Kakashi Hatake, as the Hokage's disciple, would take charge of the Anbu.
Moreover, with the Anbu having merged with Root, Kakashi Hatake would be the most powerful Anbu Commander since the era of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Kakashi, go and call the Anbu Commander and the three squad leaders here."
Minato Namikaze instructed Kakashi Hatake.
"Yes!"
Kakashi Hatake responded, placed the fire god sword and other miscellaneous items on the table, and vanished with a Body Flicker.
After Kakashi Hatake left, Minato Namikaze asked Shikaku Nara:
"Shikaku, am I doing the right thing?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pleading gaze from earlier and his lonely figure as he left...
...had left a deep impression on Minato Namikaze.
He had earned the title of genius at a very young age and had come into contact with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, back then.
At that time, the composure and passion Minato Namikaze displayed were highly valued by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His subsequent specialized training, and even the opportunity to learn forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals, were thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Without the Flying Thunder God Technique, how could Minato Namikaze have carved out such a legendary reputation?
Without that immense prestige, it wouldn't have been his turn to become Hokage.
Furthermore, on the path to becoming Hokage, Minato Namikaze had benefited greatly from Hiruzen Sarutobi's support.
Back then, the famous Orochimaru was also competing for the position of Fourth Hokage.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi did not favor his own disciple; instead, he supported his grand-disciple from a commoner background.
This also left Minato Namikaze deeply grateful.
So much so that after becoming Hokage, Minato Namikaze didn't mind at all when Hiruzen Sarutobi held onto power.
He was still very young and could afford to wait; moreover, after gaining experience, he would be better prepared to wield full authority.
Unfortunately, because of one Danzo Shimura, a rift had finally formed between the two.
Not only had Hiruzen Sarutobi completely exited the stage of history, but Minato Namikaze could no longer find the version of himself that had once idolized Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Don't overthink it, Minato."
Shikaku Nara saw through Minato Namikaze's thoughts at a glance and consoled him:
"This is your responsibility as the Hokage!"
Minato Namikaze nodded and stopped speaking.
After a while, Kakashi Hatake appeared in the office with four Ninjas in Anbu attire.
"Gentlemen, the Previous Hokage has already discussed this with me. Kakashi Hatake will be joining the Anbu."
Minato Namikaze didn't beat around the bush and spoke simply and directly:
"After gaining some experience, he will take over the position of Anbu Commander. I hope you all will train him well."
The four Anbu members kneeling on one knee were startled, but they still respectfully complied on the surface.
They could not refuse a decision made by the Hokage.
"Good. Then next, we are going to..."
"...uproot the tumor within Konoha Village!"
Minato Namikaze's eyes flashed with a sharp light, his tone resolute.
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