When Faith Crumbles

"He did nothing wrong."

Hiruzen sighed.

His tone softened.

"Yes, he did nothing wrong."

"Those families are pitiful too."

"But I am the Hokage."

"I have to consider the survival of the entire Hidden Leaf."

"Between the lives of several thousand ninja and the grievances of several hundred families."

"I have no choice."

Hiruzen walked around his desk.

He stopped in front of Minato.

He patted his shoulder.

"Minato, you are a smart child."

"You have the potential to become Hokage."

"If you were sitting in my position."

"Facing a village of hundreds of thousands."

"What would you choose?"

Minato lowered his head.

His fists clenched tightly.

His nails dug deep into his flesh.

He could not answer.

Reason told him that the Hokage's concerns were not without merit.

In wartime, the bigger picture came first.

But his heart was struggling.

If they could not even protect the village's heroes.

Then what was the point of winning this war?

"Sakumo's matter is no longer something I can suppress alone."

Hiruzen turned around, his back to Minato.

"Danzo has made a huge issue of it."

"The Land of Fire's envoys and the spies from the Daimyo's estate have already received word."

"The village needs an explanation."

"Sakumo must remain in the High-Security Prison."

"This is to quell the anger of all sides."

Minato raised his head.

"Will he be executed?"

Hiruzen was silent for a long time.

"I will not let him die."

"But he can no longer be Hidden Leaf's White Fang."

"Once the storm passes, I will have him leave the village as a civilian."

This was already the greatest concession Hiruzen could offer.

Minato knew that nothing he said now would make any difference.

The Hokage's logic was flawless.

Sacrificing one person in exchange for the stability of