"All right, Minato. What's the point of blaming Danzo now? Besides, there's no reconciling with them. They're not just targeting Konoha—they're targeting the entire Ninja World! Young people these days really don't know their place. Even the First never dreamed of doing anything this big!" Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a troubled expression. He couldn't deny that he was getting old!
"Exactly. Our main concern now is how to deal with Madara Uchiha. As long as the Nine-Tails is in Konoha, Madara will come after us again sooner or later!" Mitokado Homura said gravely.
"Perhaps we should use that jutsu? Only the First can deal with Madara Uchiha, the Asura of the Ninja World!" Utatane Koharu suggested. Impure World Reincarnation would disturb the dead's eternal rest, but at this critical moment, if they didn't use it, the whole village might end up joining the dead in their graves...
"If there's no other choice, then that's what we'll have to do. We are dealing with Madara Uchiha, after all." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement with Koharu.
"Have you forgotten that we still have Uchiha Gen in Konoha? I feel like he's no weaker than Madara Uchiha. We could have him take the lead when the time comes. That might work!" Danzo plotted darkly. If they summoned the First and Second, what would they say if those two learned the state of the Senju Clan? They might even purge their own ranks and join forces with Madara Uchiha to cut him down!
It was true that the First had proposed dissolving the Senju Clan and integrating its members into Konoha, but that policy had only applied to ordinary clan members! The Senju Clan's direct descendants, Nawaki Senju and Tsunade, were exceptions! If they learned what had happened to Nawaki, Danzo would surely meet a gruesome end!
"Heh. You said it yourself: it might work. Don't forget, Madara Uchiha is the ancestor of the Uchiha Clan. What if Uchiha Gen helps him cut you down instead?" Mitokado Homura retorted. The Uchiha Clan had never been particularly well-behaved; they'd caused plenty of trouble over the years. If they switched sides at a critical moment, the entire Konoha High Command would be joining the dead!
"Uh..." Danzo was at a loss for words. Remembering Uchiha Gen's attitude toward him, he realized that the wicked Uchiha brat really might do something like that!
"Um, I didn't explain myself clearly earlier. Madara Uchiha is actually dead. He died of old age. The only people we need to deal with now are Obito and... the Rinnegan wielder Elder Danzo mentioned." Namikaze Minato ran a hand through his hair, interrupting the elders.
"What? He's dead? Good! That's good!" Danzo suddenly felt as if the sunlight outside had grown brighter.
"This time, it isn't another fake death, is it?" Mitokado Homura suddenly asked.
"..." Everyone!
"!!!?" Danzo!
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Madara Uchiha isn't insane. What would be the point of faking his death for no reason?" Danzo shook his head emphatically, denying it three times over.
"Indeed. He lived to such an advanced age; it must have been a natural death." Utatane Koharu agreed with Danzo.
"Everyone, there's no need to doubt that Madara Uchiha is dead. Gen saw it in the future." Minato stated firmly that Madara Uchiha was dead.
"Uchiha Gen? He saw it in the future? So it was that brat's ocular jutsu!" Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately settled on his own theory.
"Hmph. I'd suspected as much, but even after confirming it, I still find Uchiha Gen's ability hard to accept. Why does heaven favor the wicked Uchiha Clan so much?" Danzo fell silent, his expression dark.
"Uchiha again. I wonder if there'll be another Madara Uchiha. Just the Susanoo that night was terrifying enough. And now they have such an incomprehensible ocular jutsu. The Uchiha Clan is probably about to rise to power!" Mitokado Homura lamented to himself. As the inheritors of Senju Tobirama's will, he and the others were deeply prejudiced against the Uchiha Clan.
"Who in Konoha today could keep a monster like Uchiha Gen in check? We can only hope he stays as he is and doesn't go mad like Madara Uchiha." Utatane Koharu couldn't figure out how to deal with someone like Uchiha Gen.
The group exchanged glances, all tacitly avoiding the subject of Uchiha Gen.
"As for Uchiha Obito, Minato, you can handle that yourself. The Anbu will give you our full support," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, changing the subject. At this point, Asuma should have reached the capital of the Land of Fire. Why hadn't Uchiha Gen made a move? He didn't seem at all interested in pursuing Kurenai Yuhi!
"Exactly, Minato. Obito is no threat. With you there and the Anbu closing in, he won't get away, even if he has a Mangekyo. And if I remember correctly, he only has one Sharingan, right? Couldn't we use the eye Kakashi received as a transplant to hold Uchiha Obito in check?" Danzo suggested at just the right moment.
"No. I don't want Kakashi involved in this. That boy can't take any more blows. Besides, his Sharingan has always been a Three-Tomoe, so he can't threaten Obito. Given Kakashi's current abilities and condition, bringing him into this would only make things worse." Namikaze Minato firmly rejected Danzo's suggestion. He was doing all he could to keep Kakashi in the dark. If Kakashi found out—no, he'd definitely insist on seeing Obito. Then we'd be the ones at a disadvantage. Kakashi might not be able to bring himself to attack Obito, but Obito certainly wouldn't hesitate!
Having lived through war, Namikaze Minato wasn't some naive fool fresh out of the Academy. He'd seen plenty of tragic messes like this. Kakashi wasn't suited to getting involved, whether in terms of his abilities or his state of mind. They could let the two meet after they'd actually captured Obito. That would at least lay one of Kakashi's burdens to rest.
"Hmph, Minato. You're too soft!" Danzo didn't believe Minato's excuse at all.
"Elder Danzo, I'm the Hokage!" Minato said sternly.
Huh? Wasn't that my line? Hiruzen Sarutobi stared, stunned.
"Minato, you'll regret this!" Danzo reflexively picked up the cue. He'd rehearsed this routine with Hiruzen Sarutobi for decades; it had become muscle memory. His brain hadn't even caught up before the words slipped out.
??? What did I have to do with this? Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a completely baffled expression!
It took Danzo a moment to come to his senses. He glared fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then hurriedly corrected himself. "Minato, you'll regret this! Hmph."
With that, he slammed the door on his way out, his retreating figure looking rather awkward.
Why had Namikaze Minato started using Hiruzen Sarutobi's tricks, too? He was impossible to guard against! Hmph, you wicked Minato brat! I'll remember this!
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Danzo fled and secretly added Namikaze Minato's name to his little notebook!