Who Holds the Knife, and Who Lies on the Chopping Block?

Is this what Konoha is really like?

They spoke so casually about stealing someone else's wealth behind closed doors!

Was this the usually righteous and noble Konoha High Command?

They sent the children of heroes who sacrificed themselves for Konoha to Root, turning them into emotionless killing machines, without the slightest remorse!

As the Hokage's wife, Kushina had thought she understood Konoha and politics.

But only now did she realize she understood nothing at all!

In the conference room.

"Naruto's background can't be made public."

After a winding discussion, the topic had ultimately returned to Naruto.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Whether he's Minato's son or a Jinchuriki, either fact is too sensitive and could bring unnecessary trouble."

"I've decided Naruto will take Kushina's surname, Uzumaki, and be placed temporarily in the care of an ordinary family who lost their child."

"Agreed!"

"I second that!"

"Let's do as you suggest, Hiruzen."

With Danzo satisfied, the finances settled, and the Jinchuriki's placement decided, the matter was finally settled.

Soul Space, Cell No. 2.

"Naruto..."

Kushina watched the final decision about Naruto's future.

At that moment, she was immensely grateful that her child was a Jinchuriki.

Even if he couldn't live as the revered child of a hero, at least they wouldn't send him to Root...

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

"It's all right. As long as he lives well and grows up healthy..."

"Naruto, you have to listen and be a good boy..."

Cell No. 1.

Minato could accept the decision about Naruto.

But watching Kushina's reaction tore at his heart.

He knew politics inevitably came with bloodshed and darkness.

He had always made a point of keeping her away from politics' dark side, worried she would resent it.

But now, even he felt he couldn't see through Konoha or understand this so-called politics—and he understood even less the Third Hokage, whom he had always respected so deeply!

"Why are you showing me all this?" Minato Namikaze suddenly felt they needed to speak again, openly and honestly.

"Don't you think it's interesting?"

"Just interesting? You want me to lose faith in Konoha so I'll give you my power, is that it?"

"Being too smart isn't always a good thing."

"You said you were from the Uchiha Clan. Fugaku and I..."

"Don't try to claim a connection to me." Sasuke cut Minato off. "If you had the power to return to the living world, you wouldn't spare me just because I was clan head, would you?"

Clan head... So the other man wasn't a member of the Military Police Force... Minato fell silent.

It was true. If he could return to the living world, he would hunt this man down!

"Fine. The Uchiha Clan has always wanted to seize power. Is that your goal too?"

Sasuke didn't deny it. "You've seen and understand the position our clan is in. We're only protecting ourselves. Besides, Konoha is completely rotten."

"Protecting yourselves?" Minato sneered. "You dress up a grab for power as something you had no choice but to do?"

Sasuke replied with amusement, "If you want to reach for the crown of power, you need a righteous cause. To fool the people, you need a noble reason and a slogan. You understand that, don't you?"

"You!" Minato had underestimated the other man's shamelessness. "How are you any different from Danzo? Do you think you can convince me?"

"Convince you?" Sasuke laughed. "Don't think so highly of yourself!"

"Do you think you're my only option?"

"Or do you think I'm begging you?"

"I'm willing to calmly negotiate with you for two reasons. First, I respect you as the former Fourth Hokage. Second, your abilities are still useful to me right now."

"But understand this: value and patience aren't constant."

"For someone like me, who can imprison souls, even the greatest value diminishes with time."

"And even the greatest patience wears out."

"Your abilities aren't indispensable. I don't need you in particular. Don't mistake my respect for weakness."

"And don't make the mistake of thinking it gives you leverage over me."

"I hope you understand your place. And I hope you understand who's really at my mercy here!"

Sasuke snapped his fingers, and an image of a blond baby appeared.

!!! Naruto!

Minato's pupils shrank as he stared at the baby in the image. His expression changed in an instant!

"Well?" Sasuke asked with amusement. "Our esteemed Fourth Hokage, I trust you now understand who holds the knife and who lies on the chopping block?"

His wife and child were in the other man's hands. How could he not understand?... Minato closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

Once he had steadied himself, he opened his eyes. "You can't have the Nine-Tails."

He understood that giving away all his abilities would truly leave him helpless, stripped of all value and even the right to negotiate.

He had to keep some leverage.

And the Nine-Tails was his biggest bargaining chip!

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

After glancing at the images of Kushina and Naruto, Minato said, "You can't hurt Naruto. And you said we could witness him growing up."

He didn't ask Sasuke to release them.

The other man could easily monitor a Konoha High Command meeting, and the leadership's attitude toward Naruto was ambiguous. Minato could no longer return to the Pure Land with peace of mind.

He needed to stay here and keep an eye on Sasuke, while watching Naruto grow up safely with his own eyes.

It would also make up for what he owed Kushina.

Witness Naruto growing up?... Sasuke laughed.

So he wanted to torture himself!

What could Sasuke do when he made a request like that?

Obviously, grant it!

"Fine." Sasuke nodded, then said, "But I need everything except the Nine-Tails!"

That easily? Minato narrowed his eyes.

But he understood it would be no trouble for the other man, so he added, "And help protect Naruto when necessary."

Hah, Naruto needs me to protect him?

Still, Sasuke understood a parent's worry for their child. He nodded. "That's no problem."

After Sasuke agreed, Minato narrowed his eyes. "How can I trust you to keep your word?"

"You can only trust me."

Minato fell silent, staring straight at Sasuke. Sasuke met his gaze without flinching.

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

He had no other choice.

"Think to yourself: 'I give you everything except the Nine-Tails.'"

"It's that simple?"

"That simple."

After getting confirmation, Minato finally understood what Sasuke had said earlier.

The other man had an incredibly simple way of obtaining abilities.

His guilt eased a little, too.

Someone else would have done it if not me...

I gave everything to Konoha while I was alive, and got no recognition for it.

After death, I just want to protect my family!

As if he had convinced himself, Minato's eyes grew resolute. Then he focused his thoughts.

Ding!

Would you like to give the Soul Master all your abilities except the Nine-Tails?

Soul Master?... Minato's heart stirred. Yes!

A notification rang out in Sasuke's mind:

Ding!

Congratulations, Master. You have obtained all the ninjutsu known by Minato Namikaze!

"Good!" Sasuke's lips curled into a slight smile. "The Fourth Hokage really is decisive!"

"You need to keep your promise now." Minato narrowed his eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll keep my word." Sasuke first gave his assurance, then added, "But it'll take some time. Please wait."

With that, he vanished.

Kushina's image vanished along with him...

Minato let out a weary breath.

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