The next day, secret dispatches were sent from Kirigakure to all corners of the Shinobi World.
Soon, information about Minato's current location in Whirlpool Country reached all the major powers.
For a time, the situation in Whirlpool Country suddenly stabilized, and no enemy invasions occurred for the next half-month.
Minato's Team successfully completed their mission and began their journey back to the village.
Upon returning, they went straight to the Hokage's Office, where Minato submitted his mission report.
"Lord Hokage, the maritime patrol mission in Whirlpool Country was completed successfully."
"Hmm—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, hummed indifferently. His face was not joyful, but instead etched with solemnity.
"Is there a problem?" Minato asked.
"I've read the mission report, and it was done very well, Minato."
Hiruzen set down his pipe and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "But the problem isn't here. While you were gone for the past two weeks, the village—or rather, the Land of Fire—has been under significant pressure."
"Does it have something to do with me?" Minato's brow furrowed slightly.
"Yes, it does."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled wryly and pulled a file from his drawer.
"A few days ago, Iwa, Suna, Kumo, Kiri—and even some neutral nations, as well as smaller countries allied with Konoha—unusually reached a tacit agreement."
"Through diplomatic and economic channels, they jointly pressured the Daimyo's Office of the Land of Fire, demanding restrictions on your actions. Their justification? That you've killed too many people on the front lines, violating humanitarian principles."
Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the reason.
He pushed the file toward Minato. "Otherwise, they'll impose joint economic sanctions, restricting the entry of strategic materials like minerals, food, and medicine into the Land of Fire, and will also increase export tariffs."
"If it were just one or two countries, it would be manageable. But what I didn't expect was such a unified response. This is unprecedented."
"The Daimyo's Office's stance is that prolonged sanctions would weaken the nation's strength and that the matter needs to be 'handled properly.'"
"Of course, don't worry too much. The Daimyo remains friendly toward you. He's sent an envoy to extend an invitation for you to visit the Daimyo's Office at any time. However, even with the Land of Fire's resources, this pressure is difficult to withstand. I hope you'll consider the situation carefully."
"This is outrageous!"
Before Minato could speak, Kushina blurted out, "Why should Minato's actions be restricted?"
"Exactly! What's wrong with being strong? Those bastards are just afraid of Minato's power!" Nawaki added angrily.
"That's right. It's precisely because they're afraid. In the end, it's because Minato's strength is too great, so great that it strikes fear into the entire Shinobi World."
Seeing the two hot-headed youngsters, Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, his tone softening.
"Though it might sound inappropriate, I can't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction hearing such a flimsy excuse for pressure."
"What is your decision, Lord Hokage?" Minato asked.
"Hmm... First, I believe you possess the strength to refuse any compromise."
Sarutobi Hiruzen held his pipe, remaining silent for a moment. "But this matter involves the common people. Moreover, since Konoha's founding, we've always upheld the principle of peace."
"What I mean is, you can be firm, but you shouldn't resort to brute force. I want you to inherit the position of Fourth Hokage as a strong leader, not as an executioner.
"Fourth Generation—"
Nawaki opened his mouth, glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, then at Minato, and finally sighed in resignation.
Though he had long suspected this outcome, hearing Minato confirmed as the chosen successor still brought a pang of disappointment.
Yet, despite his disappointment, he felt no envy, only genuine happiness for Minato.
Kushina and Mikoto, standing nearby, were even more ecstatic.
Kushina cupped her hands over her heart, her sparkling eyes fixed on Minato.
If the timing weren't so inappropriate, she would have probably pounced on him and cheered loudly.
Truly worthy of Minato!
Mikoto gazed softly at the boy beside her, her heart swelling with pride.
"Lord Hokage's words are wise," Minato said with a faint sigh. Sarutobi Hiruzen was a pacifist, one who sought peace through compromise, so Minato had long anticipated his reasoning.
"I don't want to drag ordinary citizens into this—but at the same time, I see no reason to compromise with those fools."
A smile suddenly curved Minato's lips. "So, how about we hear my proposal?"
Economic warfare?
Hah! Don't make me laugh, your old man Minato!
He might not understand economics, but he understood human nature!
"What's your idea?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. Minato had been a clever child since he was young, and he was eager to hear his thoughts.
"It's quite simple, really. I just need to defect from the village."
Minato smiled. "A young genius, dissatisfied with the village's attitude, angrily defects and retaliates against the relevant Ninja Villages. That's perfectly reasonable, don't you think?"
"This—is this your solution?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression froze.
"Of course. Once I defect, any of my actions will no longer be associated with Konoha. They'll have no reason to pressure the Land of Fire anymore."
Minato said calmly, "I just need to know who instigated this, or perhaps not even that. You just need to announce my defection from Konoha's perspective and warn the other villages about potential retaliation."
Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively wanted to object. It sounded too childish, too heretical.
But in that instant, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he fell silent.
Not only Sarutobi Hiruzen, but even Kushina and the other two were stunned.
A genius who had been internally designated as the Fourth Hokage was proposing "defection" as a solution?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, watched the smoke curl upwards, his mind following the thread of thought.
The premise of applying pressure was that Konoha needed to be able to control Namikaze Minato.
But with Minato's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, who could possibly restrain him?
If Minato were to "defect," he would no longer be a Konoha ninja, and Konoha would naturally be absolved of responsibility for his actions.
"But Minato is a Konoha ninja! Don't we have an unshirkable responsibility?"
"Please, wasn't the main reason for this pressure your doing? What does Konoha have to do with it?"
"You were the ones who, out of sheer boredom, provoked him first!"
"Konoha even compromised, did what you asked, but it's just not feasible!"
Moreover, with Minato's elusive Flying Thunder God Technique and terrifying combat prowess, if he became a rogue ninja, he would be a Damocles' sword hanging over every Ninja Village.
The pressure would instantly shift from Konoha and the Land of Fire to their own shoulders.
Hiss. Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Minato in astonishment.
Minato spread his hands, looking utterly innocent.
Everyone compromises.
If you say I've violated the spirit of humanitarianism, then I'll simply abandon my humanity altogether.
Then the great scholars will debate the ethics for me.
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 10+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon