That day, Konoha's top brass—Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Torifu Koharu—visited the Hyuga Clan. Hiashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, and two Hyuga Clan elders received them in the Hyuga Clan's meeting room.
Although the Third had retired, he was still notified of such important matters. As for Danzo, he seemed to have played a dishonorable role in Orochimaru's defection, and after the incident, the Third insisted on removing him from his position. Since then, Danzo had become increasingly reclusive, mysteriously engaging in unknown activities.
No one knew what Konoha's top leaders discussed at the Hyuga Clan, only that when they left, the Hyuga Clan's higher-ups were very attentive to Minato, with expressions of gratitude on their faces. The Third and Fourth Hokage looked calm, while the two troublemakers left indignantly.
Afterward, Minato met with the remaining members of the Cloud Village envoy group. The two sides fully exchanged views on the assassination of the envoy's leader, but unfortunately, their differences were significant.
Minato expressed strong condemnation of the Cloud Village envoys' abduction of a Hyuga Clan heiress, demanding a reasonable response from Cloud Village and rejecting their unreasonable demands.
The Cloud Village envoys expressed dissatisfaction with Konoha's protection of the murderer, avoided discussing the abduction, and claimed it was merely an excuse for Konoha to evade responsibility.
Minato stated that Cloud Village was distorting the facts and acting unfriendly, warning them not to cause trouble, or Konoha would take further action.
The Cloud Village envoys expressed great indignation at Konoha's tough stance.
In the end, the meeting broke up unhappily, and the alliance was temporarily shelved.
...
Afterward, a small rumor suddenly spread.
"Have you heard?"
"What?"
"The Hokage, to please the Hyuga Clan, is protecting the murderer who killed the Land of Lightning's envoy."
"He's already the Hokage, why would he need to please a major clan?"
"Of course, it's for... eh?"
"The Fourth Hokage is definitely protecting the comrades in the village. Are you perhaps jealous of the Fourth Hokage's strength, handsomeness, and popularity?"
"How could that be? I heard it from my neighbor Kojiro's cousin's aunt's sister's nephew."
"You believe such nonsense? Are you stupid?... He rebuked the foreign envoys for the abduction of the village's children, and last time, he risked everything to seal the Nine Tails to protect the village. That's the Hokage we should support."
...
In the end, those messy rumors failed to stir up any waves. The little sun's reputation and charm were not to be trifled with; a little rumor couldn't cause any trouble at all.
The instigator of this incident, upon learning of it, slammed his cane hard on the ground, "Hmph!"
This person had bandages wrapped around his right shoulder and right eye. If Naruto saw him, he would probably dub for him: "I have many scars, but only this one throbs faintly..."
...
In a private room at a barbecue restaurant, the current Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and Choza Akimichi—were having dinner.
Shikaku picked up his sake cup, tilted his head back, and took a sip, saying, "Minato—no, the Fourth Hokage, was he too impulsive this time? It might trigger another war."
Choza stared intently at the slices of meat on the grill, his mouth full, and mumbled while chewing, "What's wrong with that, uh, it's all to protect the comrades in the village, uh, I don't want to see another White Fang incident."
"Hey, Choza, don't eat so fast every time," Inoichi said helplessly, "I think Choza is right. If we have to go to war, we should show the power of our Ino-Shika-Cho again."
"That's true." Shikaku stroked the small beard on his chin and wondered, "Speaking of which, didn't we invite an old friend?"
Inoichi and Choza paused simultaneously and said, "I think so, who was it?"
"Forget it, I can't remember. Anyway, cheers~"
...
Meanwhile, in the next room, Shibi Aburame, wearing a hooded sunglasses, sat expressionlessly and asked in a calm tone, "Waiter, why haven't my dishes arrived yet?"
"Ah, I'm sorry, sir, have you placed your order?"
"I've ordered twice already."
"I'm very sorry, sir! I apologize deeply, I'll go and check right away!" The waiter walked out of the room, tilting his head, "Huh? That's strange, who was it that ordered just now?"
...
At the Hatake Residence, Kakashi sat alone in the empty house, a broken White Fang Short Sword placed before him.
The evening sunlight shone through the window, casting a line of light and shadow that seemed to divide him in two.
After a long while, Kakashi murmured, "Father, back then, if Minato-sensei had been the Hokage, things would have been different..."
Before he could wallow in sadness for too long, a loud and powerful male voice came from afar:
"Hey! Kakashi! The sunset is so beautiful today, let's have a youth-risking match under the glow of the setting sun!"
...
At the Sarutobi Residence, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke, quietly watching the young boy practicing ninjutsu in the yard.
Biwako Sarutobi walked out of the house and snatched the pipe away, saying, "I told you not to smoke, don't set a bad example for Tenzo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, "It's a habit."
"Seeing you so gloomy, don't you agree with Minato's approach? I think he's performed much better than you this time."
"How could that be? I just feel that Minato has grown so quickly in the past few years." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "If Master Tobirama were still here, he would probably support Minato's approach as well."
"Alright, you've been retired for so long, stop worrying about things. Call Tenzo in for dinner." Biwako Sarutobi turned and went back to the living room.
"Tenzo," Hiruzen Sarutobi called out softly.
"Yes," the boy in the yard immediately stopped practicing and stood up straight.
"Come with me to see the Fourth Hokage tomorrow. I plan to recommend you to join the Anbu. You must work hard to protect Konoha in the future."
"Yes."
"Good boy, let's go have dinner."
...
In the Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha sat facing each other in Sasuke's living room.
"Shisui, I heard that you are performing very well in the Anbu, 'Shisui of the Body Flicker'." A rare smile appeared on Fugaku's stern face.
"No, I still have a long way to go."
"The Fourth Hokage mentioned you to me, and seems to intend to have you join the Shadow Guard. What do you think?"
"The Fourth Hokage?"
"Ah, I've talked with the Fourth Hokage many times and have taken many measures, but the effect is better than nothing. It is indeed very difficult to change the prejudice between the village and the Uchiha."
"But at least it didn't further escalate the conflict, right?"
"That's right, but it's not enough. This incident with the Hyuga Clan is proof that the Fourth Hokage is different from the Third Hokage, and that he is a man worthy of our Uchiha's trust."
"The Fourth Hokage is indeed worthy."
"Then, Shisui, are you willing to work towards making this happen?"
"Most gladly."
Shisui walked out of the house, and as he reached the doorway, he casually tapped Itachi on the head, saying, "How much did you eavesdrop on?"
Itachi rubbed his head and said, "Everything."
"Want to go for a walk with me?"
"Okay!"
Shisui treated Itachi the same way Itachi treated Sasuke, regarding Itachi as his own younger brother, taking care of him and guiding him.
And when Itachi was in front of Shisui, he was like Sasuke in front of Itachi, facing his older brother, he would open his heart like a real child, telling his troubles, and even pouting and acting cute.
If it weren't for Danzo messing things up and screwing over Shisui, the Uchiha wouldn't have suffered so much later.
...
When Naruto heard about his father's deeds at home, he was also overjoyed. His old man was quite impressive, much better than those pit-like higher-ups in the original Konoha.
Kushina was about the same, and she specially made a table of sumptuous dishes in the evening to reward Minato.
...
In short, regarding Minato's actions this time, whether it was the common people or the ninja from various clans, most of them held a supportive attitude. A Hokage who is willing to protect his comrades is of course easy to unite people's hearts.
People hope to be treated as companions, rather than sacrifices to exchange for peace between two villages. Even if it means potentially causing war, people are willing to fight to protect their homes.
Konoha Year 51 passed by in such a hurry, and Konoha Village became more united. This year, it was even more vibrant.
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