We're Comrades!

When he heard Minato's words, Jiraiya glanced at Hyuga Hane and muttered, "I heard you picked guards from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. He's one of them, right?"

"Yeah. Hane's really strong. We defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen together."

"Oh, you took care of those troublesome guys?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and gave Hyuga Hane a surprised look. "Impressive."

After only two days, with no way to obtain information, they still didn't know that Hane had mastered the Flying Thunder God.

At the thought, Minato's smile grew more pronounced. "Hane has already learned the Flying Thunder God. The two of us together can't be stopped."

Jiraiya, who had only been surprised that a member of the Hyuga Branch Family could be this strong, widened his eyes. "A second Flying Thunder God user?"

"I haven't mastered the Flying Thunder God to the Fourth Hokage's level, but combined with the Byakugan's field of vision, I have an advantage when teleporting over long distances," Hyuga Hane explained calmly.

Two Flying Thunder God users, one of them from the Hyuga Clan, and the enemy had no information on them yet... Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "All right. Since you're not going in unprepared, I won't say anything."

"You're the Hokage now, so I'll just act as a Jonin and follow your orders."

A broad smile spread across his face as he joked, "Come to think of it, I'd love to see Orochimaru's expression. He was the most likely person to compete with you for the Hokage Position. Seeing the words 'Fourth Hokage' on your back must have left him feeling pretty conflicted."

"I heard from the Third that Orochimaru-senpai gave up competing for the Hokage Position, which is why I was able to take over so smoothly," Minato said, shaking his head.

Jiraiya froze, then scratched his head.

"I really didn't know that. That guy Orochimaru didn't even tell me."

Remembering how he'd bragged about Minato in front of Orochimaru, who had remained perfectly calm, Jiraiya furrowed his brow.

Had Orochimaru secretly been laughing at him back then?

Even with his thick skin, he felt a little embarrassed...

He shook his head, brushing the unpleasant thoughts aside, then looked at Hyuga Hane again and sighed. "The village is full of talent these days. Looking at you youngsters, I feel like we Sannin are about to become relics of the past."

Hyuga Hane shook his head. "I still have a long way to go. I'm nowhere near your level, Jiraiya-senpai."

Jiraiya's strength was beyond question. Even without any intel, he had fought the Six Paths of Pain to that extent. As long as combat power hadn't gone off the rails, his strength was among the best in the Shinobi World.

"That's right, sensei. You're still young, and there's plenty I have to learn from you."

Minato chuckled, bringing the topic to a close. He looked at the map on the table and said, "Let's talk about how to deal with those two Jinchuriki."

"Do you have any ideas, Hane?"

After Jiraiya left, Minato turned to Hyuga Hane, who hadn't offered any suggestions throughout the meeting, and sighed.

"It's just the two of us here. As friends, you can tell me, can't you?"

He'd planned to use this opportunity to bring Hyuga Hane into the village's inner circle. He hadn't expected him to offer not a single suggestion.

Hyuga Hane pointed at his forehead. "I've already spoken with Lady Tsunade. Even though the Caged Bird Technique has been undone, you still shouldn't make it obvious that you want me involved in certain decisions."

Namikaze Minato froze, then said helplessly,

"You knew? Was I being too obvious?"

Hyuga Hane didn't answer. He continued, "Your thinking has strayed from the Hokage's perspective. Between a powerful Hyuga Branch Family member and offending the Hyuga Main Family, which would cost you the Hyuga Clan's support in the future, you should choose the latter."

"...Maybe."

Minato fell silent for a moment, then smiled brightly, without a trace of gloom.

"But... we're comrades!"

"Watching a comrade live behind a false face, rarely smile, and never facing it or doing anything about it—I can't do that!"

"I'll change things. Lady Tsunade has already laid the groundwork for me. I'll change the Hyuga Clan!"

"..."

Looking at Minato's unwavering gaze, Hyuga Hane sighed. "I understand. But until things change, don't involve me in those decisions."

Although many of Minato's principles and ideas differed from his own, he respected Minato's resolve and character.

Besides, there was no need for you to change anymore.

The vision link with Hyuga Meigoku remained in place. In the Reanimated Ninja's hands was a scroll. He slowly retreated into a coffin that had suddenly appeared.

That scroll... held twenty-eight pairs of Byakugan belonging to the Main Branch. Every pair, except Hiashi's and his wife's!

"All right," Minato agreed with a smile. "Then you won't object to the two of us talking, will you? What do you think about this war?"

Hyuga Hane said, "The Third Mizukage has staked the entire future of the Mist Village on this. There must be opposition within the village. Rumors alone could weaken their fighting strength."

Minato considered this. "What if we spread the rumor that the Third Mizukage is under Genjutsu? We could even have a Hyuga ninja say it to the Mist Village's face. As a Kage, his actions have been far too irrational."

He was gentle with his comrades. If he could reduce the village's casualties, he wouldn't hesitate to use any means against the enemy.

Showing mercy to the enemy was a betrayal of the Hokage's title and the village's shinobi!

"...It could work."

It wasn't merely possible. If a Hyuga ninja used the Byakugan to see into the Third Mizukage's mind, they would find that he really was being controlled by Genjutsu.

Had you read the script too?

Hyuga Hane shot Minato a strange look, surprised that he'd immediately connected it to Genjutsu, then continued, "But if we do that, the Third Mizukage can't be killed. We should keep him alive and use him as a target for the rumors and attacks."

"I'll make the arrangements," Minato said, nodding. "Root has a spy in the Mist Village. They can help."

Now that the Hokage had come to the front lines in person, command of all the units would naturally fall to him. Jiraiya had just offered to serve as his subordinate so Minato wouldn't be put in a difficult position.

After all, respecting one's teachers had always been one of Konoha's "fine traditions." If Jiraiya didn't say anything, Minato would have trouble giving him orders.

As for Root... Danzo didn't want Konoha to lose this war either. He'd already handed some of his people over to Minato.

"Mm..."

After settling the matter, Minato furrowed his brow and fell silent.

Seeing this, Hyuga Hane dropped the honorifics and asked directly, "Is there something else you're worried about?"

Minato seemed pleased that Hyuga Hane had changed his tone. He didn't hide anything. "What do you think of Root? Or... do you think they're necessary?"

The way Hane always addressed him formally made him feel that Hane was deliberately keeping his distance.

Hyuga Hane narrowed his eyes. "Are you planning to move against Danzo?"

"No. The Third wants to pave the way for me."

Minato sighed softly and turned his gaze to the entrance of the command room, his voice complicated. "Konoha has probably already fallen under Danzo's control."

The Third hadn't hidden some things from him. After all, now... he was the Hokage!