Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 71: Minato: Do You Dare Accept It?

Outside Konoha Village, Minato looked at the "welcoming party" ahead and sighed.

Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, the clan representatives including Hyuga Hiashi, and... Shimura Danzo.

"What an enthusiastic welcome."

Minato took a deep breath and walked forward with only Hyuga Fuji and Uchiha Fugaku accompanying him.

"Advisors, has everything been well in Konoha lately?"

Faced with Minato's calm demeanor, Koharu and Homura avoided his gaze, shifting uncomfortably. Koharu finally spoke:

"Everything is fine..."

She paused, seemingly hoping Minato would stop looking at her, and then took the initiative to introduce, "This is a messenger from the Daimyo's office, Jonin Kazuma of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."

Kazuma stepped forward with a smile, bowing slightly to Minato. "Fourth Hokage, the Daimyo requests your presence at his residence to discuss important matters."

Minato didn't seem surprised by Kazuma's appearance and replied calmly, "The village has just concluded a war, and I have many matters to attend to. May I decline for the time being?"

"That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Kazuma's smile didn't falter as he glanced at Koharu and the others. "With so many capable individuals assisting you, the village should manage just fine in your absence. After all, Konoha didn't have any issues when you were away before."

Minato narrowed his eyes slightly, while Fugaku asked, "Does the Daimyo have an official document for this request?"

"Of course..."

Kazuma glanced at Fugaku, and the moment his eyes met Fugaku's, his heart skipped a beat.

Sharingan? Uchiha?

Damn it...

To an outsider, Kazuma merely paused briefly before confirming, "No, he doesn't!"

Everyone present, being high-ranking members of Konoha with strength at least at the Jonin level, immediately understood what Fugaku had done.

Koharu scolded, "Clan Head Fugaku, what are you doing? Attacking the Daimyo's messenger is a serious crime."

Fugaku looked confused. "When did I attack Lord Kazuma?"

As he spoke, he looked earnestly at Kazuma and asked, "Lord Kazuma, did I ever attack you?"

"No," Kazuma replied, shaking his head.

Koharu froze, her expression darkening as she turned to Hiashi behind her. "Clan Head Hiashi, should we use your Byakugan to verify?"

"If it's Byakugan you need, the person next to me has one as well. Fuji, did he fall under genjutsu?"

Hyuga Fuji glanced at Fugaku, activated his Byakugan, and replied flatly, "No, he didn't."

Hearing this, Minato couldn't help but smile slightly.

Koharu's face grew darker. Angered by Fugaku's shameless behavior, she stepped forward, prepared to personally dispel the alleged genjutsu on Kazuma.

"Enough."

A low voice came from behind her. Koharu halted her steps and moved aside with Homura, making way for the person approaching.

Danzo walked out between them, stepping to the front. "Let's end this farce. Minato, the situation is clear now. Surely, you wouldn't defy the Daimyo's orders, would you?"

A lesson for Kazuma wouldn't hurt—it would remind him not to underestimate Konoha.

"Of course not."

Minato shook his head and gestured to Fugaku to release the genjutsu. He then solemnly addressed Kazuma, who had just regained clarity:

"My apologies, Lord Kazuma. On the battlefield, Fugaku and I encountered enemies who were masters of the Transformation Technique. Fugaku was merely being cautious, worried that you might be an imposter."

Transformation Technique?

Was there really a technique the Hokage couldn't see through?

At least make your excuse more convincing!

Kazuma's expression darkened as he glanced between Minato and Danzo. He said coldly, "Then please proceed to the Daimyo's residence. Lord Danzo will take care of Konoha's affairs in your absence."

"That's fine, but before I leave, I have some questions for everyone present."

Minato's bright eyes locked onto Danzo. "Do you think you're capable of becoming Hokage?"

Then, he turned his gaze to the shinobi behind Danzo. "Do you think you're capable of becoming Hokage? Or are you willing to support Advisor Danzo in becoming Hokage?"

What kind of question was this?

Most of the shinobi behind Danzo looked at Minato in confusion.

Hokage was the most sensitive topic at the moment. Bringing it up so bluntly—was Minato preparing to settle things directly?

Danzo, however, looked toward the approaching forces in the distance. Among them, he seemed to see Hiruzen Sarutobi. After a brief pause, he let out a cold laugh.

"Of course, I can be Hokage!"

"Since becoming Hokage's assistant, I've contributed significantly to Konoha—establishing the intelligence network, training strong shinobi, and making sacrifices for Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War..."

"The shinobi behind me all support me, and the clans backing them do as well... Even without you, Konoha can function perfectly fine."

One by one, Danzo listed his achievements, as if proving his qualifications for the role of Hokage, while simultaneously putting pressure on Minato.

Minato, however, listened calmly, waiting for Danzo to finish. Then, with a gentle smile, he said, "I became Hokage because of the support of my comrades."

With a puff of white smoke, the Hokage's hat appeared in Minato's hand. "And I remember every single one of their names."

"Fuji."

Hyuga Fuji unleashed a powerful surge of chakra, prompting the clan representatives ahead to tense up. Yet, Fuji did nothing—he merely stood there quietly.

"Fugaku."

Fugaku, initially unsure of Minato's intent, suddenly understood after seeing Fuji's actions.

When Minato called his name, Fugaku activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. Amidst the fearful and shocked expressions of the clan representatives, he smiled and summoned his Susanoo, entirely unconcerned about the drain on his ocular power.

"Kushina."

Amidst the rumbling ground, Kushina appeared behind Minato, cloaked in chakra and accompanied by two controlled Tailed Beasts. Her silent presence caused the clan representatives to instinctively take a step back.

"Jiraiya-sensei, Orochimaru, Tsunade-senpai."

"Well, well, such a fiery scene—gets the blood pumping, doesn't it? You should've told me in advance," Jiraiya said with an excited grin, glancing at his companions. "Not bad, right? My student's something else, huh?"

"Impressive. He's inherited your strength, but none of your bad habits. Truly outstanding," Tsunade nodded.

As she looked at Minato's back, she seemed to see many familiar figures.

Staying here... didn't seem so bad.

"Indeed. Let's see how far Minato can take this wind he's stirring," Orochimaru remarked, glancing at Hyuga Fuji beside Minato with a faint smile.

His own disciple wasn't bad either...

The three exchanged glances and simultaneously performed hand seals.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Three of the most renowned giant summons in the shinobi world appeared alongside their summoners, landing behind Minato.

At this point, Kazuma's expression had turned blank, his body trembling. The grand schemes in his mind shattered like broken glass.

With Konoha like this... could the Daimyo truly win?

"Nara Yukihiro... Yamanaka Isshin... Akimichi Shinsuke..."

Minato called out name after name. Among those called were Jonin, Chunin, and even Genin.

Many shinobi who never expected Minato to remember their names found themselves stunned when he did. They joined the growing group behind him, their expressions gradually shifting to excitement.

Even some from clans that didn't support Minato momentarily forgot their affiliations, feeling compelled to stand behind him.

Seeing this, the Third Hokage felt as though a vision had come to life.

Except the one wearing the Hokage's hat wasn't the White Fang—it was Minato.

"Sarutobi-sensei."

Knowing Minato was calling him, the Third Hokage smiled, a mixture of relief and complexity on his face, and joined the assembled shinobi.

After calling the final name, Minato touched the Hokage's hat in his hand, his expression softening.

"The position of Hokage, to me, is a responsibility—to fight carrying the trust of those who support me."

"Now, Advisor Danzo, I ask you again: can you bear this burden? Can you carry this trust?"

With those words, Minato extended the Hokage's hat toward Danzo.

"If you can take it, the Hokage's position is yours."

The midday sunlight shone brightly on Minato and the hat in his hand, dazzling Danzo's eyes.

(End of Chapter)