Who is the Knife, Who is the Fish!

So this is Konoha?

To speak so lightly of seizing another's property in private!

Is this the upright and noble Konoha leadership we see in the light?

They feel no shame in sending the descendants of heroes who sacrificed themselves for Konoha into Root, raising them to be emotionless killing machines!

As the wife of the Hokage, Kushina thought she understood Konoha and its politics well.

But at this moment, she realized she understood nothing at all!

Inside the meeting room.

"Naruto's background cannot be made public."

After some twists and turns, the discussion had finally returned to Naruto.

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Whether it is his status as Minato's descendant or as a jinchuriki, both are too sensitive and will easily invite unnecessary trouble."

"I have decided to let Naruto take the Uzumaki surname from Kushina, and then entrust him to the care of an ordinary family that has lost their children."

"Agreed!"

"Seconded!"

"Let it be arranged according to your thoughts, Hiruzen."

With Danzo satisfied and the finances settled, the placement of the jinchuriki was finally set in stone.

Soul Space, Cell No. 2.

"Naruto..."

Seeing the final arrangement for Naruto.

At this moment, Kushina felt incredibly grateful that her child was a jinchuriki.

Even if he could not live as the descendant of a hero revered by all, at least he would not be sent to Root...

At least he could live as an ordinary person...

"It's alright, as long as you can live well and grow up healthy, that is enough..."

"Naruto, you must be obedient, you must be a good boy..."

Cell No. 1.

Minato could calmly accept the arrangements made for Naruto.

But seeing the scene of Kushina, he felt a heart-wrenching pain.

He knew that politics was inevitably accompanied by blood and darkness.

All this time, he had deliberately kept her away from the dark side of politics, fearing she would be repulsed by it.

But now, even he felt he could no longer see Konoha clearly, could not understand this so-called politics, and even less could he understand the Third Hokage, whom he had always held in such high regard!

"What is your purpose in showing me these things?" Minato Namikaze suddenly felt that they needed to have another open and honest talk.

"Don't you find this interesting?"

"Just interesting? You want me to lose faith in Konoha so that I will grant you power, is that it?"

"Being too smart is not always a good thing."

"You say you are of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku and I..."

"Do not try to claim a connection with me." Sasuke interrupted Minato: "I believe that if you had the ability to return to the living world, you would not spare me just for the sake of the clan head, would you?"

The clan head... which meant the other party was not a member of the Military Police Force... Minato Namikaze fell silent.

Indeed, if he had the ability to return to the living world, he would certainly drag the person before him out into the light!

"Fine, the Uchiha clan has always had thoughts of seizing power, so that is your goal as well?"

Sasuke did not deny it: "I believe you have seen and understood the situation of our Uchiha clan; we are merely acting in self-preservation. Besides, Konoha has already completely rotted away."

"Self-preservation?" Minato Namikaze sneered: "Dressing up the struggle for power as a last resort?"

Sasuke said playfully: "If one wishes to touch the crown of power, one must have a legitimate cause. To fool the masses, one needs righteous reasons and slogans. You surely understand that, don't you?"

"You!" Minato Namikaze had underestimated the other party's shamelessness: "How are you any different from Danzo? Do you think this will convince me?"

"Convince?" Sasuke laughed: "Do not think of yourself as too important!"

"You don't think you are my only choice, do you?"

"Or rather, you don't think I am begging you, do you?"

"I am willing to talk terms with you calmly, firstly out of respect for the former Fourth Hokage, and secondly because, for the present, your abilities still have value to me."

"But you must understand, things like value and patience are not immutable."

"To me, who can imprison souls, even the highest value will depreciate with the passage of time."

"Even the best patience will eventually be worn thin."

"Your ability is not a necessity, and I do not strictly require you. Do not mistake my respect for you as weakness."

"Do not make the mistake of thinking this is a bargaining chip you can use to manipulate me."

"I hope you can clarify your position, and I hope you understand who it is that is truly being held in the palm of another's hand!"

After speaking, Sasuke snapped his fingers, and an image of a blonde infant appeared.

Naruto!

Looking at the baby in the image, Minato Namikaze's pupils constricted violently, his expression changing in an instant!

"How about it?" Sasuke said playfully. "Our Fourth Hokage, I believe you should be clear now on who is the blade and who is the meat on the chopping block, right?"

With his wife and child both in the other's hands, how could he not be clear? Minato closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

After steadying his emotions, he opened his eyes. "I cannot give you the Nine-Tails."

He understood that if he were to hand over all his abilities, he would truly become meat on the chopping block, losing all value and even the qualification to negotiate.

He had to keep enough bargaining chips.

And the Nine-Tails was his greatest chip!

The Nine-Tails? I don't need it anymore... Sasuke gestured for him to speak. "Your demands."

Glancing at the image of Kushina and Naruto, Minato said, "You cannot harm Naruto, and furthermore, you said you would allow us to witness Naruto's growth."

He did not ask Sasuke to release them.

The other party could easily monitor the high-level meetings of Konoha, and given the ambiguous attitude of Konoha's leadership toward Naruto, he could no longer return to the Pure Land with peace of mind.

He needed to stay here to keep an eye on Sasuke while personally watching over Naruto's safe growth.

At the same time, this was a way to make amends to Kushina.

Witness Naruto's growth? Sasuke actually laughed!

So he wanted to find misery for himself!

Since the other party made such a request, what else could he do?

Naturally, he would satisfy them!

"Very well!" Sasuke nodded, then added, "But I require everything except the Nine-Tails!"

So straightforward? Minato couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

But realizing this was merely a trivial effort for the other party, he added, "Also, you must help us protect Naruto when necessary."

Heh, does Naruto even need my protection?

However, Sasuke could understand a parent's concern for their child, so he nodded. "Small matter."

Seeing him agree, Minato stared intently. "How can I trust that you will keep your word?"

Sasuke replied, "You have no choice but to trust me."

Minato fell silent, staring straight at Sasuke, who met his gaze calmly.

A moment later, Minato closed his eyes again, took a deep breath, and then opened them. "How do I give you the abilities you want?"

He had no other choice.

"Recite it in your heart: give everything except the Nine-Tails to me."

"It's that simple?"

"It's that simple!"

Having received confirmation, Minato finally understood the meaning behind his earlier words.

The method by which the other party obtained abilities was far too simple.

The guilt in his heart couldn't help but lighten significantly.

Without me, there would be others...

In life, I gave everything for Konoha, yet unfortunately, I received no recognition.

In death, I only wish to protect my family!

As if he had successfully convinced himself, a look of determination appeared in Minato's eyes, and he focused his intent.

Ding!

Do you wish to grant all abilities, excluding the Nine-Tails, to the Lord of Souls?

Lord of Souls? Minato felt a stir in his heart. Yes!

Immediately, a notification sounded in Sasuke's mind:

Ding!

Congratulations to the host for obtaining: All ninjutsu mastered by Minato Namikaze!

"Very good!" Sasuke's lips curled upward. "As expected of the Fourth Hokage, you are decisive enough!"

"It is time to fulfill your promise," Minato said, his eyes narrowing.

"Rest assured, I will keep my word," Sasuke promised, then added, "But it will take some time, please wait a moment."

With that, his figure vanished.

The image of Kushina disappeared along with him...

Minato let out a weary sigh.

He already understood what this so-called Warden, this so-called Lord of Souls, was about to do next...