Second Hokage Intercedes, Sarutobi Hiruzen Breaks His Arm!
Faced with the dazzling blade, Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated—and paid the price.
"The old man has always acted for Konoha's sake! Since taking office, I have worked diligently and never once betrayed the village."
"And have you all forgotten how I treated you? Without my guidance, would Minato have ever risen to become the 'Yellow Flash' of the ninja world?"
Seeing Hiruzen attempting to appeal to emotions and justify himself, the group chat erupted in anger.
[Third Raikage]: Damn! I've never seen someone so shameless!
[Uzumaki Kushina]: Sarutobi Hiruzen, you disgust me!
[Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki]: This is the most pathetic display I've ever witnessed.
[Fourth Raikage, A]: What a disgrace to the Kage title!
[Fourth Kazekage, Rasa]: If it were me, I would have cut him down without hesitation!
[Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi]: If I were there, his nonsense alone would have infuriated me to death!
At that moment, Senju Tobirama sighed.
[Senju Tobirama]: Sigh… This is my failure. I truly misjudged his character… But, Minato, I ask you—let him live!
[Uzumaki Kushina]: And why should he be spared?! Just because you're the Second Hokage?
Konoha's 'Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero' didn't earn her nickname for nothing. Hearing Tobirama plead for Hiruzen's life, Uzumaki Kushina erupted in fury, leaving the Second Hokage momentarily speechless.
In the group chat, the Second Hokage suddenly found himself in an embarrassing situation. Fortunately, Namikaze Minato stepped in just in time to defuse the awkward tension.
[Namikaze Minato]: Kushina, don't be unreasonable. The Second Hokage is a leader worthy of respect.
[Uzumaki Kushina]: Hmph!
[Namikaze Minato]: Since Nidaime has spoken, I will spare his life—but I will take one of his arms. Nidaime, do you have any objections?
[Senju Tobirama]: Thank you, Minato!
[Third Raikage]: Hmph! Too soft-hearted! I don't know how someone like you became Hokage.
[Third Tsuchikage, Ohnoki]: If it were me, I would have ended him with a single strike. Keeping him alive is a potential disaster.
[Fourth Kazekage, Rasa]: He treated your son like that, yet you still want to let him live?
[Senju Tobirama]: Hmph! Don't think I don't see through your intentions. You're just trying to provoke Minato into killing Sarutobi to weaken Konoha.
[Third Raikage]: Heh! Konoha wouldn't crumble just because Sarutobi Hiruzen is gone. Now that Namikaze Minato has returned, what use does Sarutobi Hiruzen have?
[Fourth Kazekage, Rasa]: Minato is much stronger than Hiruzen. Even if Sarutobi dies, Konoha wouldn't lose much of its strength, right?
[Third Tsuchikage, Ohnoki]: So the Second Hokage still wants to protect his disciple, even after everything?
[Second Tsuchikage]: Seems like this shamelessness runs in the Senju line!
[Senju Tobirama]: I admit it—I want to save Sarutobi Hiruzen's life. After all, I am his teacher…
[Namikaze Minato]: "Say no more. Since the Second Hokage has spoken, I'll honor his request. If he had asked me to take your arm, then I will only take your arm!"
[Konoha Salted Fish]: "Sigh… I just hope the Second Hokage won't regret this decision."
[Senju Tobirama]: "? ? ?"
[Konoha Salted Fish]: "It's fine. You'll understand soon enough!"
With that, Kaito left the group chat, leaving Senju Tobirama puzzled. He had no idea that his once-loyal student, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would go on to oversee the decline of the Senju clan.
Those who knew the truth chuckled quietly at Kaito's words but refrained from explaining. Clearly, they were looking forward to the day Tobirama would realize it himself.
Outside, Namikaze Minato locked eyes with Sarutobi Hiruzen and spoke with a cold, deliberate tone:
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, even though you were Jiraiya-sensei's master, I cannot forgive what you did to Naruto."
At these words, Hiruzen lowered his head, his face dark with guilt.
Minato continued, "However, the Second Hokage has pleaded on your behalf. For his sake, I will spare your life."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh of relief and silently thanked Tobirama.
But before he could fully relax, Minato's expression hardened.
"However, while you may escape death, punishment is unavoidable. Today, I will take your arm as retribution!"
With that, Minato inhaled deeply and swung his kunai.
"Pfft!"
A flash of silver light cut through the air. Sarutobi Hiruzen's arm was severed cleanly, falling to the ground. Blood splattered across the dirt.
Hiruzen gritted his teeth but did not cry out in pain. He simply stood there, silent, as the weight of his past mistakes settled upon him.