"The Flying Thunder God Jutsu was created by the Second Hokage. As far as I know, it existed even before Konoha was founded."
"These are the reports we've gathered on Uzumaki Sora over the past year. Third, Advisors, please take a look."
Namikaze Minato said as he handed over the documents. Third and the others eagerly began reading.
"This is the second person, after Minato, capable of adapting to the speed of the Flying Thunder God. His reflexes have reached the very limits of what a shinobi can achieve." Third's expression grew grave.
"Back from the dead?!"
The four of them exclaimed in shock at the abilities detailed in the rest of the report.
Minato nodded. "The intelligence is confirmed. After Uzumaki Sora is verified dead—his heart pierced or his head severed, for example—his body disappears without a trace after some time. But within a few days to half a month, Uzumaki Sora reappears."
Danzo's grip tightened on the document. No one would want to face an opponent who couldn't be killed.
Especially when that opponent, like the Fourth, also wielded Space-Time Ninjutsu... the Flying Thunder God!
Clearly, Uzumaki Sora's conversation with the child outside the Orphanage had been a threat directed at him—or Root.
"Phew... Fourth, is that all we have?"
Danzo looked at Minato. If they could confirm the man's whereabouts, they could use Sealing Jutsu at some cost.
"That's all we have for now. He seems to have placed several Flying Thunder God Formulas in various parts of the Shinobi World. Since he can come and go freely, the Intelligence Division can't determine where he's been."
After Minato finished speaking, he set down the document and fixed Danzo with a stare. "We'll set Uzumaki Sora's case aside for now, since we have limited information. I need Root to report to me, as Hokage, about the Orphanage incident."
Silence fell over the Hokage Building.
But Minato didn't wait for anyone to speak. "After I, as Hokage, explicitly approved funding for the Orphanage in a meeting, why did Root use the money and the children as leverage to force Yakushi Nonō back into Root?"
"Furthermore, Root seems very interested in the children at the Orphanage. What kind of experiment requires so many young children whose identities are unknown?"
"If the villagers ever found out about this, I don't think a single one of them would approve..."
Minato directed his final words at Third.
Since taking over as Hokage, Minato had formed his own opinion of Third. He was just as the Black Shadow from back then—or Uzumaki Sora—had described him: an old, crumbling Third, like a man in his twilight years, unable to make decisions on many matters.
"Fourth, you know what Iwagakure has been up to. You also know what caused this situation. As for the Uchiha Clan, you've always said there's a better way."
Danzo lowered his head and struck the ground twice with his cane. "Everything I've done has been for Konoha. If Fourth disagrees, then when Iwagakure launches a large-scale attack, I hope you'll be prepared to take responsibility."
Minato shook his head slightly. "Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will shine upon the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
"The Will of Fire is the pillar of Konoha, and the new leaves are still growing. Konoha! It hasn't come to the point where we need to sacrifice a woman who runs an Orphanage and a child in exchange for peace!"
"Konoha still has Third and me, the Fourth. We also have Anbu, the Jonin Squad, the various clans, and the civilian shinobi. If we need to trade women and children for peace, then what purpose do we, the flames that burn, serve?"
The Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato's voice rang through the Hokage Building. Every shinobi present found themselves reflecting on his words.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been standing opposite Minato just moments ago, now stepped over to stand beside him.
"Danzo, if this happens again, you'll hand over control of Root."
Third's words brought the Orphanage intimidation incident to an end.
Minato looked as if he wanted to say something, but seeing Third beside him, he understood that what he'd just said had gone as far as it could. This was all he could accomplish for now.
With Third standing by him, Koharu and Mitokado Homura said nothing. That had been Minato's aim.
"Bang!"
Danzo slammed his cane against the ground and replied with a dark expression, "You'll regret this, Hiruzen. Everything I do is for Konoha."
Danzo turned and left without showing Minato the slightest courtesy. The two Advisors followed him out.
"Bang."
The office door shut. Third turned to Minato and smiled apologetically.
"Actually, Fourth, you're right. The purpose of us, the flames that have already burned, is to protect the new leaves..."
"When First founded Konoha, he wanted to make sure children would never again be forced onto the battlefield, and that no one would have to endure the pain of loss. But... Danzo, too, is doing this for Konoha."
Minato nodded slightly. "I know, Third. As Konoha's darkness, Root has always dealt in darkness."
Third smiled and moved on from the subject. "Have you asked Kushina about this Uzumaki Sora?"
"I asked her a long time ago. Kushina came to the village very early on and didn't know of any clan member like him."
Hiruzen glanced at the report in his hands. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If your information is accurate, Minato, then this Uzumaki Sora seems to have gained new powers recently."
"The report from Danzo says the man has tremendous physical strength and seems to possess the beginnings of Wood Release. But your report says his Taijutsu is weak, and he can't use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu many times. It seems his Chakra reserves are his weakness."
Minato nodded. "It's been two months since the last time we confirmed the intelligence. He's grown very quickly over those two months. As for Wood Release..."
Hiruzen picked up where he left off. "If it's Wood Release like First's, and it's still developing... then this remnant of the Uzumaki Clan has unimaginable potential."
"He also has something like immortality, and he wields the Flying Thunder God... Minato, if you get the chance, try to bring him over to our side. The Uzumaki have always been Konoha's most steadfast allies."
"Besides, one of his clansmen is here. If all else fails, we'll need to pin down his exact whereabouts. I think you understand what I mean, Minato."
Minato nodded slightly. He understood what Third meant.
If they couldn't bring him over, then a power like First's—one capable of deciding everything—absolutely couldn't be allowed to fall into the hands of the other four great nations.
He had to be eliminated!
Namikaze Minato was no longer the bright young man he'd once been. As the Shadow of a village, he had long since matured.
But Minato, who knew about the Information Exchange, also understood that Uzumaki Sora bore Konoha goodwill, and that his abilities surely went beyond what the reports described.
He would try to find a chance to approach him first...
Before you continue