"This place is not suitable for a long stay. I must return to the Village immediately and notify Konoha about this matter."
Minato Namikaze quickly organized the chaotic memories in his mind, then moved to wake the unconscious Konoha ninja scattered around the area.
One by one, he injected Chakra into their bodies, disrupting the lingering Genjutsu that had been cast on them. As the shinobi gradually regained consciousness, Minato wasted no time. After confirming that everyone was able to move, he led the group and hurried back toward Konoha.
It is worth mentioning that Ryūjin had only used Kotoamatsukami to replace a small portion of Minato Namikaze's memories, nothing more.
He was not controlling Minato at all times.
Because of that, the Chakra within Minato's brain remained completely normal. It was nothing like the situation of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, whose brain Chakra had remained in a constantly abnormal state due to prolonged manipulation. That abnormality was eventually discovered by Ao and his Byakugan.
Even if Minato returned to Konoha and faced an investigation from the Hyuga Clan, nothing suspicious would be found.
Furthermore, the Hyuga Clan could not simply investigate someone like Minato Namikaze without reason.
And even if they did, they would uncover nothing.
Soon after Minato returned, the events that occurred during the peace negotiations created a huge stir throughout Konohagakure. The mysterious "Masked Man" quickly entered the attention of Konoha's high level officials.
According to Minato's report, the masked individual possessed a strange and unfathomable Space Time Ninjutsu, was capable of using Wood Release, and also possessed the eyes of the Uchiha Clan.
Even Minato Namikaze had fallen into that person's hands. The threat level alone was enough to make everyone uneasy.
However, what shocked the village leadership even more was the mysterious figure who had appeared and saved Minato.
That person had not only defeated Minato with ease, but had also instantly killed Yagura Karatachi and forced the Masked Man to retreat in a miserable state.
The level of strength displayed was overwhelming.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and several other powerful shinobi listened carefully as Minato described the battle in detail.
After hearing everything, many of them began nodding in agreement.
They could already make a reasonable guess about the identity of that mysterious person.
"A year ago, when the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist invaded Konoha, five of them were killed by a mysterious individual," Hiruzen said slowly as he paced across the room.
"According to the witnesses at that time, Kurenai Yuhi and Might Guy, that person used a very domineering type of black flames."
Hiruzen paused for a moment before continuing.
"And based on your report, Minato, the person who saved you today also used the same type of black flames to repel the Mizukage and the Masked Man. It is very likely that these flames are the same technique."
"Therefore, according to my deduction, the mysterious person who rescued you today and the mysterious individual who has been secretly active within the Village are most likely the same person."
Everyone present quickly agreed with this conclusion.
After all, the number of top tier shinobi in the ninja world was extremely limited.
The Five Kage already represented the highest level of power among most ninja, with only rare exceptions such as Hanzō, who was known as a demigod.
Under such circumstances, powerhouses who could surpass the Kage level were extraordinarily rare.
Encountering one was already unlikely. Encountering two of them in succession, both of whom happened to help Konoha and used the same black flames, was simply too improbable.
The most logical conclusion was that they were the same person.
"To think that this mysterious individual is not only proficient in Space Time Ninjutsu, but can also use Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique. That is truly unbelievable," someone muttered.
As they considered the power described by Minato, the room grew noticeably quiet.
The strength of that person clearly existed on an entirely different level from theirs.
Fortunately, such a person seemed to be friendly toward Konoha rather than hostile.
Afterward, the surviving Konoha ANBU and members of the Konoha Military Police Force, including Ryūjin, were all subjected to routine questioning.
Their testimonies were extremely consistent and matched Minato's report almost perfectly.
As a result, no one in the village leadership developed any suspicion.
Those individuals had not been fortunate enough to receive the same treatment as Minato. Ryūjin had not bothered to use Kotoamatsukami on them. Instead, he simply controlled them using standard Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu.
To him, they were insignificant.
No one would pay much attention to a few small fry.
Soon, Konoha's high level officials shifted their focus toward the Masked Man.
In their eyes, the mysterious individual who repeatedly saved Konoha did not appear to be a threat. The real danger now was the identity and intentions of that masked attacker.
After completing the investigation, Ryūjin returned to rest for a short time before heading back to the headquarters of the Konoha Military Police Force to report for duty.
However, not long after his return, he and another surviving member of the police force were summoned by the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku's expression was serious as he looked at the two of them.
"Can you confirm that the Masked Man who attacked you on the way was a member of the Uchiha Clan?" he asked in a low voice.
"Clan Leader, we can confirm it," Ryūjin replied calmly.
"We both saw it clearly. He has a Sharingan."
Fugaku continued questioning them carefully, asking about the details of the Masked Man's dōjutsu and abilities, as if trying to determine the person's identity.
Unfortunately, the attacker had worn a mask the entire time, leaving no clues that could identify him.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku waved his hand.
"Very well. You may return to your duties. Remember this, do not casually speak about the Masked Man to anyone else."
His tone carried a heavy warning.
The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village had already become strained. If news spread that a mysterious Uchiha had attacked Konoha, the conflict would only intensify.
Even now, Fugaku could clearly feel the suspicion coming from the village leadership.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado had questioned him, both openly and indirectly, about whether he knew anything regarding the Masked Man's whereabouts.
After Ryūjin and the other shinobi left, Fugaku remained standing in silence.
"Just who is that member of the Uchiha Clan?" he muttered.
Yet no matter how hard he thought, he could not find an answer.
Later, after leaving the clan leader's residence, Ryūjin returned to his duties and joined the patrol units of the Konoha Military Police Force.
The streets of the village were lively as usual.
While patrolling one of the commercial districts, Ryūjin suddenly heard a familiar argument.
"Kurenai, I bought two movie tickets. Are you free tonight?"
The voice belonged to Asuma Sarutobi.
Standing across from him was Kurenai Yuhi, her expression already irritated.
"Asuma, I already told you to stop pestering me. I don't like you at all."
Asuma did not seem discouraged.
"That doesn't matter. Even if you don't like me now, I won't give up. Sooner or later, you will accept me."
Kurenai frowned.
"That will never happen. I already like someone else."
Nearby, Ryūjin and the police force member beside him had stopped walking.
His companion glanced at the scene with a grin.
"Ryūjin, that guy is pestering your woman again."
Another chuckle followed.
"Heh, Ryūjin, looks like someone didn't learn his lesson last time."
The man looked at him with amusement.
"So what are you planning to do?"
Ryūjin glanced at the argument ahead, his expression indifferent.
"Wait here."
He answered casually.
Then he began walking straight toward Asuma and Kurenai.
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