Guilt and Scapegoat

Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique and reappeared in his living room.

"Sir! You're back!"

Minato was delighted to see Natsu Yuu and was also very happy.

"Yo, Fourth Hokage."

"Sir, are you alone? Where are the First and Second Hokage?"

"They didn't come."

"Oh, oh. Kushina, what's wrong? Your body?" Minato quickly went to Kushina's side, asking with concern.

"I'm fine. Come eat something quickly, you've also been up all night."

"Okay, thank you!"

The two looked at each other affectionately, and the air filled with the smell of sourness. Fortunately, it wasn't enough to overpower the aroma of the bone broth.

Natsu Yuu completely ignored it.

He didn't want to talk about any damn love stories right now.

He just wanted to eat! He just wanted to complete the main quest as soon as possible!

Kushina's cooking was indeed good.

The ramen was average, but the bone broth was truly brewed to be fragrant, rich, and flavorful.

Natsu Yuu ate two bowls, his stomach feeling warm and very satisfied.

Kushina only ate one bowl, appearing a bit weak.

As for Minato Namikaze, he devoured three bowls, having a great appetite.

Firstly, it was due to the continuous battles the previous night and being busy all night; he was truly hungry.

Secondly, he was genuinely happy that he had finally become a father, and both his wife and child were safe and sound, which naturally opened his appetite.

Minato finished the last sip of soup and put down his bowl with extreme satisfaction.

Then he looked at Natsu Yuu and patted his head, smiling:

"I've made a spectacle of myself in front of you, sir."

"It's alright, your wife's cooking is excellent! Thank you for the meal."

"Haha, I love everything Kushina cooks."

After the meal, they also started discussing important matters.

"Sir, why have you come this time?"

"To have a meal and chat."

"Of course, I also have many questions I'd like to ask you, sir."

Minato was overjoyed. Although there was still much political work waiting for him in the village, none of that was as important as this.

If, as the First and Second Hokage said, this sir was a being comparable to the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Then even a little information casually revealed by him would be immensely beneficial to Konoha.

Look at Jiraiya-sensei; for a vague prophecy from the Great Toad Sage, he ran around for over ten years.

If he could get some accurate prophetic information, why would he need to work so hard?

Of course, the most important thing was gratitude, gratitude for Natsu Yuu saving his and Kushina's lives.

Based on this kindness, Minato was willing to do his utmost to repay Natsu Yuu, as long as it didn't harm his family or the village.

Not to mention just having a meal and chatting.

He wouldn't mind having meals and chats every day!

"Fourth Hokage, looking at you, has the village's higher-ups started causing trouble for you?"

Minato trembled, then relaxed.

"Sir, you've already seen through it?"

The sharpest knives often come not from enemies, but from teammates.

Because only your own people know where your weakness lies and how deep to stab to make you feel pain, but they won't force you to tear your face.

"What!"

"Those old men and women are starting to make things difficult for you again?"

Kushina's temper flared up instantly.

Ever since Minato took office, she knew too well how much ostracism and restraint her husband had faced; it was too arduous.

Who would have thought.

Now that the Tailed Beast rampage had just ended, they were starting to target Minato?

How shameless!

Minato said helplessly, "The village has suffered immense losses this time, and someone must be held accountable."

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"On what grounds!"

"I sealed the Nine-Tails for the village. It was their failure to protect that led to the attack."

"In the end, it was thanks to you and the previous Hokages that the village was saved and the Nine-Tails resealed."

"Why should they still criticize you!"

Kushina shouted excitedly, growing angrier the more she thought about it. If it weren't for Naruto, she would have stormed into the Hokage Building long ago to unleash her fury.

"Kushina, don't be angry, your body hasn't recovered yet!"

"Minato, what do they really want? They won't try to force you out of the Hokage position, will they?"

"The chances of that are very low. And I won't resign or step down."

"But Lord Danzo and the two advisors will likely use this as an excuse to pin the blame on me and seize some of the Hokage's power."

Minato was no political novice and easily saw through the true intentions of Danzo and the others.

It was unrealistic to bring down Minato, who had ascended to the Hokage position with absolute merit, with a single Tailed Beast rampage.

However, damaging Minato's reputation and encroaching on more Hokage power was something they dared to do.

They not only had the guts, but they had a lot of it!

Kushina continued to rage, her hair standing on end.

"What? How can they be so shameless? They did absolutely nothing during the rampage last night."

"And now they're the first to jump out and target you. It's despicable! Despicable!"

Minato felt a bit helpless.

"It's indeed not ideal, but that's just their personality. I can't just turn my back on them, can I?"

Danzo and the others were veterans of three administrations and disciples of the Second Hokage.

Given Minato's seniority, it was truly difficult to go against the established order and rebel.

If he were to do so, not only would the Third Hokage Hiruzen find it unacceptable, but even the Land of the Daimyo might cut off economic aid and use it to criticize Minato.

"Minato, you can't compromise, you can't give in!"

"Do you know? Do you know?"

Kushina grabbed Minato's collar and shook him repeatedly for emphasis.

If she were the Hokage, she would have exploded on those old geezers immediately, considering it a loss to say even one more word!

No matter what, she didn't want Minato to become Konoha's sinner and be vilified by the villagers.

Just then.

Natsu Yuu spoke.

"He doesn't have to compromise. But for you and the child, he will choose to compromise."

Kushina immediately turned her head and asked:

"Sir, what did you say?"

"A fierce Tailed Beast rampage, with casualties and losses, will inevitably breed hatred."

"If there's a clear enemy, then this hatred can naturally be directed outwards."

"Unfortunately, the enemy this time is too mysterious, almost no one has seen them."

"Therefore, after losing beloved villagers last night, it's difficult to focus the hatred on a vague enemy; they will only focus on the more concrete Nine-Tails, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"If Minato doesn't actively take on this blame and attract this hatred."

"Then the Konoha villagers will focus their hatred on you, Kushina; of course, the Uchiha Clan, suspected of controlling the Nine-Tails, will also be indirectly antagonized."

"In this way, for the next few years, even decades, you and Naruto will live in an environment filled with malice and hostility."

"This is what Minato doesn't want to see, and it's the real reason he wants to take the blame."

"Minato, am I correct?"

Minato was stunned again, then chuckled, "Sir, your insight is truly remarkable. You've seen right through me!"

Kushina stood frozen, then her eyes quickly reddened, and tears welled up.

She was still angry about the village's unfair scapegoating and targeting.

But Minato had already considered the future, even willing to bear all the infamy and blame for her and Naruto.

This guy, still the same as ever!

Beneath his gentleness and kindness, he hid nothing but love and responsibility.

"Minato, you can't..."

"Kushina, for you and Naruto, I must..."

They looked at each other, and the air once again became thick with unspoken affection.

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.