Obito the Masked Man

"Enough, Minato. What is the point of blaming Danzo now? Besides, their hostility toward Konoha is irreconcilable. They aren't just targeting Konoha; they are targeting the entire ninja world! The young people today truly have no idea how high the sky is or how deep the earth is. Even the First Hokage, in his lifetime, never dreamed of pulling off something this massive!" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked weary; he had to admit that age was catching up with him.

"Indeed. The priority now is to discuss how to deal with Madara Uchiha. As long as the Nine-Tails remains in Konoha, Madara Uchiha will eventually strike at the village again!" Homura Mitokado said, his mood heavy.

"What if we use that jutsu? Only the First Hokage could possibly contend with the Asura of the Ninja World, Madara Uchiha!" Koharu Utatane suggested. Although the Impure World Reincarnation would disturb the eternal rest of the heroes, at this critical juncture, if they didn't bring it out, the entire village would likely end up joining those heroes in their eternal rest.

"If there is no other way, then this is our only option. After all, the opponent is Madara Uchiha," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, agreeing with Koharu's idea.

"Have you forgotten that we still have Uchiha Gen in Konoha? I feel his strength is no less than Madara Uchiha's. Perhaps it would be feasible to let him take the lead!" Danzo plotted with a dark heart. If they summoned the First and Second Hokage, and those two discovered the current state of the Senju Clan, how would he and the others explain themselves? They might even be purged by their own ancestors, who could potentially join forces with Madara Uchiha to cut them down!

Although the dissolution of the Senju Clan into Konoha was a policy proposed by the First Hokage himself, that applied to the common clansmen! The direct descendants, Nawaki Senju and Tsunade, were not included in that! If the ancestors found out about Nawaki's fate, he would surely meet a gruesome end.

"Hmph, you said 'perhaps' it's feasible. Don't forget that Madara Uchiha is the ancestor of the Uchiha Clan. What if Uchiha Gen helps Madara Uchiha cut you down instead?" Homura Mitokado retorted. After all, the Uchiha Clan had never been peaceful and had caused plenty of trouble over the years. If they defected at a critical moment, the entire Konoha leadership would be sent to meet the ancestors!

"Er..." Danzo was instantly stumped. Recalling Uchiha Gen's attitude toward him, that wicked Uchiha brat really might be capable of such a thing.

"Actually, I didn't explain clearly just now. Madara Uchiha is already dead—he died of old age. Now, we only need to face Obito and, well, the Rinnegan user that Elder Danzo mentioned!" Namikaze Minato interrupted the elders, rubbing his hair.

"What? Dead? Dead is good..." Danzo instantly felt the sunlight outside the window brighten.

"This isn't another fake death, is it?" Homura Mitokado suddenly interjected.

"..." Everyone.

"!!!?" Danzo.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! Madara Uchiha isn't a lunatic; why would he fake his death for no reason?" Danzo shook his head, denying it three times.

"Indeed, living to that age is already quite an achievement. It must have been a natural death," Koharu Utatane agreed with Danzo's perspective.

"Everyone, there is no need to doubt Madara Uchiha's death. This is something Gen saw from the future!" Minato confirmed the nature of Madara Uchiha's death.

"Uchiha Gen? Saw it from the future? So it is true! It's that brat's dojutsu!" Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly confirmed his own suspicions.

"Hmph. Although I had guessed as much, actually confirming the ability of that brat Uchiha Gen is still hard to accept! Why does heaven favor the wicked Uchiha Clan so much?" Danzo closed his mouth, his expression gloomy.

"Another Uchiha. I wonder if he will be another Madara Uchiha. The Susanoo from that night alone was terrifying enough. Coupled with such an unsolvable dojutsu, the Uchiha Clan is likely to rise to power!" Homura Mitokado lamented inwardly. As inheritors of the will of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, this group held a deep-seated prejudice against the Uchiha Clan.

"In the current Konoha, who can suppress a monster like Uchiha Gen? I only hope he maintains the status quo and doesn't become as insane as Madara Uchiha!" Koharu Utatane truly couldn't think of a way to deal with someone like Uchiha Gen.

The group looked at each other, tacitly avoiding the topic of Uchiha Gen.

"As for Uchiha Obito, Minato, you can handle it yourself. The Anbu will fully cooperate with you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject. Calculating the time, Asuma should have reached the capital of the Land of Fire by now. Why hadn't that guy Uchiha Gen made any moves? He didn't look like he was trying to pursue Kurenai Yuhi at all!

"That's right, Minato. A mere Obito is not worth mentioning. With you there, plus the Anbu's containment, even if the opponent has a Mangekyo, he won't be able to escape. Besides, if I recall correctly, Obito only has one Sharingan, right? Can we use the Sharingan transplanted into Kakashi to restrain Uchiha Obito?" Danzo suggested at the right moment.

"No, I don't want Kakashi involved in this. That child has suffered enough, and Kakashi's Sharingan has always been a Three-Tomoe; it poses no threat to Obito. Given Kakashi's current strength and state, involving him would only cause chaos!" Namikaze Minato firmly rejected Danzo's suggestion. It was already hard enough keeping things from Kakashi; if Kakashi found out, he would surely insist on seeing Obito. Then, it would be his own side that became constrained. One had to realize that Kakashi might not be able to bring himself to strike at Obito, but Obito might not have the same hesitation!

Having experienced war, Namikaze Minato was no naive fool; he had seen too many tragic situations. Regardless of strength or mindset, Kakashi was not suited to be involved in this. At worst, he would let the two meet after Obito was truly captured. That would at least resolve a knot in Kakashi's heart.

"Hmph, Minato, you are too soft!" Danzo didn't believe Minato's excuses for a second.

"Elder Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Minato said, unusually serious.

Hm? Isn't that my line? Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!" Danzo reflexively blurted out the line. He couldn't help it; he had been rehearsing with Hiruzen for decades, and it had become muscle memory. His brain hadn't even caught up before his mouth spoke.

??? What does this have to do with me? Hiruzen Sarutobi was full of question marks.

It took Danzo a long time to come to his senses. He glared fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi and quickly corrected himself, "Minato, you will regret this! Hmph."

With that, he slammed the door and left, his retreating figure looking slightly disheveled.

How did this guy Namikaze Minato learn that trick from Hiruzen? It's truly impossible to guard against! Hmph, wicked Minato brat! I'll remember this grudge!

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Danzo fled and secretly added Namikaze Minato to his little black book.