High-Level Meeting

Leaving the Uchiha compound, Namikaze Minato immediately convened a high-level meeting.

Half an hour later, with the exception of Jiraiya, who was away from the village, and Tsunade, who had once again taken flight, the great elders of Konoha, Orochimaru, and the heads of various departments had all arrived.

"Minato, what urgent matter could possibly warrant such a grand assembly?" the Third Hokage asked, puzzled.

"Could it be that some complication has arisen on the Kirigakure front?" Danzo Shimura frowned, sensing that the situation was not so simple.

"Impossible. The latest intelligence from there arrived only yesterday; Kirigakure is currently focusing its energy on negotiating a ceasefire with Sunagakure. Even if they intended to shift their focus to attacking us, that would only happen after signing a peace treaty with Sunagakure," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. Although he was unhappy that Namikaze Minato, a member of the younger generation, had become the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru had no real interest in the position itself. His only grievance was that his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had not chosen him.

However, after realizing the underlying reasons later on, he found the whole affair rather dull—nothing more than the dirty tactics of a politician. It seemed his teacher had been completely corrupted by power and was no longer the "God of Shinobi" he once was.

"I have called everyone here today primarily to discuss the matter of the Masked Man from that night," Namikaze Minato said, sitting steadily in the Hokage's seat and looking calmly at the people before him. If he could, he truly did not want to take action against Obito, but the current situation was no longer something he could control, especially since Obito's goals included Konoha itself.

He only hoped that Hatake Kakashi could withstand this blow—the comrade who had once risked his life to save him from peril had now become an enemy bent on destroying the village.

"The Masked Man? News from the Anbu that night suggested that Uchiha Gen referred to him as Obito. If my memory serves me correctly, Fourth, one of your disciples is named Uchiha Obito, is he not?" Danzo had actually investigated everything long ago; all the files regarding Obito had been placed on his desk that very night. He had only shelved the issue because Minato still held onto the hope of bringing Obito back, intending to first privately consult Uchiha Gen to understand the specifics—what if Obito had some unavoidable grievance? After all, he was his own disciple.

But now that the situation was clear, the deranged Obito could not be saved, and he himself could not contain the fallout, so they would have to devise a strategy together.

"That is correct. The masked man that night was indeed my former subordinate, Uchiha Obito," Namikaze Minato replied with a sigh.

"As the team leader, your disciple has committed such an act. Minato, you bear the primary responsibility!" Danzo had always been dissatisfied with Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage, and now that he had a rare excuse to strike at Minato's prestige, he naturally stood up to accuse him immediately.

"Uchiha Obito? I have no impression of him. The name sounds like he belongs to the Uchiha clan, but his strength and talent must have been quite ordinary; otherwise, he would have been as famous in Konoha as Hatake Kakashi," Orochimaru mused to himself.

"Danzo, what kind of person Minato is, we have all witnessed. Obito is Obito, and Minato is Minato. However, I did know a little about that child back then. I remember I was the one who personally placed him in Team Minato, alongside Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin. With Minato leading them, although his strength was a bit lacking, he was a very good child—helpful and filled with the Will of Fire. His dream was to become Hokage, wasn't it? It is hard to believe that such a person would do something like this!" Hiruzen Sarutobi lamented. A guy who was so full of the Will of Fire and wanted to be Hokage had actually dealt such a vicious blow to Konoha? This was undoubtedly a massive failure of his own brainwashing project.

"It is indeed hard to believe. Obito did not die during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge; he was saved by Madara Uchiha. Over these years, Obito has changed significantly under Madara Uchiha's tutelage. He is no longer the 'dead-last' who was always late for helping old ladies across the street," Namikaze Minato said, lost in his own memories. Of the three-man team he had once led, only the self-deprecating Hatake Kakashi remained by his side now.

"Madara Uchiha?" Homura Mitokado looked on in disbelief.

"How is that possible? Didn't Madara Uchiha die decades ago?" Koharu Utatane asked, her voice shrill with fear.

"During the Battle of the Valley of the End, the First Hokage suffered heavy injuries just to take down Madara Uchiha. That is common knowledge," Danzo retorted, though his hands trembled uncontrollably. Those from their era had personally experienced the might of the two gods of the ninja world. How could that monster Madara Uchiha still be alive? Could it be... that forbidden technique? Danzo's pupils contracted violently.

"Actually, regarding the fact that Madara Uchiha might still be alive, my teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama, also had his suspicions. He investigated it in secret while he was alive, but unfortunately, he never found any results. By the time the teacher met with his accident, the situation was critical, and I was thrust into the position with a mountain of affairs to handle. Since there had been no progress, I stopped paying attention to it. I never expected the teacher's suspicions to actually be true! This was indeed my dereliction of duty," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his expression one of shock and uncertainty.

"Hiruzen, you bastard, why didn't I know about this?" Danzo asked, filled with indignation. Teacher, you were truly biased. You didn't even mention such a significant matter to me. Was I never valued by you? Or was it that you only ever had eyes for Hiruzen?

"Cough, cough... That was a secret that only the Hokage could know. I only discovered it after I took office and reviewed the documents the teacher left behind!" Seeing the frustrated Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as a teammate of several decades, instantly understood his mindset.

Although he didn't say it aloud, Hiruzen was well aware of his old friend's obsession with becoming Hokage. However, Danzo's temperament and personality were truly unsuited for the role. Wasn't he doing quite well as the leader of Root? Let's just maintain the status quo, Danzo. Everything is for the sake of Konoha! Hiruzen Sarutobi thought, puffing on his pipe.

"Hmph, that detestable Hiruzen. Even if it was a classified mission left by the teacher, such a major issue should have been discussed with us before being shelved! Now look at the mess we're in!" Danzo grumbled to himself, though his mood improved significantly. As long as the teacher hadn't been sidelining him, it was all Hiruzen Sarutobi's fault. You evil old ghost, one day I will prove what a wrong decision the teacher made in choosing you as Hokage! Only I, Danzo Shimura, the Darkness of the Ninja World, can lead Konoha to prosperity!

Watching his old friend's expression soften, Hiruzen Sarutobi curled his lips slightly. Danzo, oh Danzo, you will never escape my grasp in this lifetime. Just keep being your Root leader and handling the dirty work for me.

"Everyone, this is not the time to discuss the Second Hokage's affairs. The facts have proven that Madara Uchiha faked his death back then. Fortunately, he has not taken action against Konoha all these years; otherwise, a Konoha that had lost the First Hokage would have found it nearly impossible to withstand an invasion from Madara Uchiha!" Koharu Utatane interjected.