Shinomiya Uzumaki had fallen asleep, but some people's thoughts lingered deep into the night.
Konoha Village, Year 48 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar
Inside the Hokage's office, the warm glow of candlelight flickered across the room. It was already late at night, but Namikaze Minato remained at his desk, deep in thought. His brows furrowed as he carefully recalled every detail of the video shared in the group chat.
> The Nine-Tails attack occurs on October 10, the day Naruto is born… just a few months away.
Should I take the initiative and prepare a counterattack in advance? Or should I wait and ambush the enemy at the right moment?
By now, Obito should already be secretly controlling the Mizukage in the Land of Water…
In three years, the Hidden Mist will begin its ruthless purge of ninjas with Kekkei Genkai.
Should I send Anbu to investigate Hidden Mist Village?
Minato's thoughts flowed rapidly. His gaze drifted toward a framed photo on his desk—one of him and Jiraiya.
Then, as if struck by lightning, a far more pressing realization hit him.
> Jiraiya once had three disciples in the Land of Rain—Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. The Akatsuki Organization, which would one day shake the entire ninja world, was founded by them.
> But right now, Akatsuki is still just a group of passionate youths fighting for world peace. They are far from the organization that would one day hunt tailed beasts with ruthless efficiency.
> And the one responsible for their fall… is none other than Shimura Danzo.
Minato's expression darkened.
Danzo.
That man was dangerous, a relic of an old era, a schemer who operated in the shadows.
He had sent his men to infiltrate the Land of Rain and kidnap Konan from Akatsuki. Though he didn't personally harm her, his actions had set off a chain of events that led to Yahiko's death. The loss of his closest friend sent Nagato spiraling into darkness, transforming him into a god-like figure who sought to rule the ninja world through pain and fear.
And what of Danzo?
That coward had fled the scene, leaving Hanzo, the so-called "Salamander," to suffer the consequences. Hanzo lost his men, his reputation, and was eventually killed by Nagato years later.
Danzo, on the other hand, remained in the shadows, manipulating events from behind the scenes until he was finally eliminated by Sasuke before the Fourth Great Ninja War.
After watching Shinomiya Uzumaki's video exposing Danzo's decades of crimes, Minato felt a burning urge to kill him right now.
But he couldn't. Not yet.
Not in front of the entire village.
"This time… I won't let Danzo ruin their lives."
From a personal standpoint, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were Jiraiya's disciples—Minato's junior brothers. Knowing what was about to happen, he couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.
From a strategic standpoint, Nagato wielded the Rinnegan—an ability originally passed down from Madara Uchiha, but currently used by Nagato. The sheer power of those eyes was something Minato couldn't ignore.
"The video suggests this happens shortly after I become Hokage… which means it could be happening right now."
Minato immediately pressed a button on his desk.
A moment later, an Anbu member appeared before him, kneeling.
"Hokage-sama."
"Find out where Elder Danzo is," Minato ordered. "I need to know if he's left the village."
"As you command!"
The Anbu disappeared in a blur of motion.
Several hours later, he returned.
"Lord Hokage, Elder Danzo has secretly left the village," the Anbu reported. "He took more than a dozen members of 'Root' with him."
"What? When did he leave?" Minato's eyes narrowed.
"This morning. Here's the record."
Minato scanned the document. Danzo had been gone for over ten hours.
"Damn it."
Without wasting another second, Minato disappeared in a flash of golden light.
Land of Rain – Midnight
Dark clouds loomed over the valley. Cold rain poured relentlessly, soaking the battlefield where Akatsuki stood surrounded by Hanzo's men and Danzo's Root operatives.
Hanzo stood on a rocky outcrop, looking down at Yahiko, Nagato, and their small band of followers. His tone was cold and final.
"Your end is today, Akatsuki. This valley will be your grave."
Danzo's men had convinced Hanzo that Akatsuki was a growing threat to his rule. As a result, they had kidnapped Konan and were now using her as a bargaining chip.
A dozen Root operatives stood behind Hanzo, their blank, emotionless masks giving them an eerie presence.
Hanzo tossed a kunai onto the ground between Yahiko and Nagato. Its sharp tip embedded itself in the dirt.
"The red-haired one," Hanzo ordered. "Kill Yahiko. If you do, you and the girl may leave alive."
Nagato's hands trembled. His entire body shook with hesitation.
> He wants me… to kill Yahiko?
"Don't listen to him, Nagato!" Konan screamed, struggling against her captors. "Just run!"
Nagato's mind was in turmoil. His grip on the kunai tightened as tears mixed with the rain on his face.
Yahiko, sensing his friend's distress, smiled bitterly.
"Nagato," he whispered, "do it."
Nagato's breath hitched.
"Live. For our dream."
A sudden whistling sound cut through the air.
Clang!
A kunai struck the ground between them, mere inches from Hanzo's.
A flash of golden light illuminated the battlefield.
Then, in an instant, he was there.
Blond hair, a flowing white cloak.
Four bold letters written on his back.
Fourth Hokage.
The battlefield fell silent.
Minato stood before them, his blue eyes cold and sharp. Despite the long journey, he barely looked winded.
"I made it in time," Minato exhaled in relief.
Hanzo and Danzo exchanged stunned glances.
"Namikaze Minato?!" Hanzo's voice was laced with disbelief.
The infamous "Yellow Flash" of the Leaf… here?
Danzo's expression darkened.
> Why… Why is it always him?
Minato turned his gaze to Danzo, his voice steady.
"Elder Danzo," he said. "You left the village without authorization and interfered in the affairs of another nation. What exactly is your goal?"
Danzo's mind raced.
Did Minato already know about his plan to steal the Rinnegan?
Impossible. Not even he had known about the eyes until recently.
Danzo quickly composed himself.
"Hokage-sama, you misunderstand," he said, his tone calm and measured. "Akatsuki is a terrorist organization threatening the stability of the Land of Rain. I merely came to support Lord Hanzo in maintaining order."
"Liar!" Yahiko shouted. "We've never attacked the people of the Land of Rain!"
Minato raised a hand, calming Yahiko.
"Don't worry, junior brothers," he said with a reassuring smile. "I'll make sure justice is served."
Yahiko blinked.
"J-Junior brothers?"
Minato nodded.
"Jiraiya-sensei is my master as well."
Realization dawned on Yahiko's face.
"You're the legendary senior brother Sensei always talked about!" he exclaimed. "He said no genius could ever compare to you."
Minato chuckled.
"I wouldn't go that far."
Yahiko grinned. Despite the dire situation, he felt a weight lift from his chest.
Anyone close to Jiraiya… was someone they could trust.
And for the first time since this nightmare began, there was hope.
To be continued…