Chapter 33: Retreat to Advance
Minato teleported back to the conference room.
It was known that Danzo and the others were still arguing, still discussing how to frame Minato and how to divide some of his power.
Hiruzen was in a complicated mood, closing his eyes completely and meditating, too lazy to argue with Danzo.
After seeing Minato return, Hiruzen asked: "Minato, what happened?"
Minato frowned and said deliberately: "Kushina's situation is very bad."
"How is her condition actually?"
"You all know that after the Bijuu is stripped from its Jinchuriki, the Jinchuriki will soon die. Kushina has the strong vitality of the Uzumaki Clan, so she can hold on longer. Even though the Kyuubi is resealed later, Kushina's lost vitality cannot be replenished."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
Hiruzen was terrified, afraid that the Kyuubi would riot again.
The other three also looked anxious.
"The Kyuubi's seal?"
"I can maintain the seal, but Kushina might not last long..."
"This... In this case, we must find a new Jinchuuriki as soon as possible."
"Before something happens to Kushina, I won't look for another Jinchuuriki. If unfortunately she passes, I will personally seal the Kyuubi and become the new Jinchuuriki!"
"What? No! You are the Hokage, how can you make yourself a Jinchūriki?" Homura immediately vetoed.
In the hearts of all the senior officials of the Ninja Village, the Jinchuriki has always been a weapon, a disgusting yet necessary weapon to be controlled.
How can you turn the Hokage himself into a weapon?
If the Hokage, who is also the Jinchūriki, rioted, who could stop them?
"I've made my decision!"
Minato said solemnly.
"I disagree! Since the current Jinchuuriki is unstable, we must replace her with a new Jinchuuriki as soon as possible! As the Fourth Hokage, do you want to cover for your wife?"
Danzo stood up and shouted loudly and confidently.
The next moment, before he finished speaking, Minato suddenly turned to look at him, a strong killing intent locked onto Danzo, and a powerful chakra pressure surged towards him. "Danzo, do you want me to kill my wife with my own hands?"
Danzo froze for a moment and held back the words in his mouth.
He couldn't help but think of Minato's famous reputation as the Yellow Flash on the battlefield. If he really forced his opponent to kill Kushina, it would be a total betrayal.
Danzo didn't think that his old bones could handle Minato.
He had no choice but to remain silent and stop forcing him.
"Minato, if you continue to help Kushina maintain the seal, then the village's political affairs..."
Hiruzen pulled on his pipe for a long time and exhaled slowly.
"Sandaime, I apologize. In the next period of time, I will stay with Kushina and help her stabilize the Kyuubi's seal."
"Meanwhile, I can only trouble Sandaime, the other two advisors, and Danzo to temporarily help take over the Hokage's authority and handle the village's government affairs."
Minato deliberately retreated.
Upon hearing this, Danzo's eyes lit up, and he almost stood up in joy.
How long has he been waiting for this day?
Even if it's only temporarily taking over as Hokage, it's what he's been dreaming of.
Could he be a permanent employee in a matter of seconds?
Turning back to the bed, Koharu quickly asked, "Minato, how long will you need?"
"If it's shorter, maybe three months, if it's longer, maybe around half a year."
"Too long... You are the Hokage, how can you be away from your position for so long..."
"I've always been indebted to Kushina. I want to spend this last time with her as much as possible."
"This…"
Seeing this, Danzo immediately intervened and agreed: "I agree! Minato, please accompany your wife. The Kyuubi's seal is also very important. During this period, we will help you manage the village."
"..."
Others clearly saw Danzo's intentions, but they all silently agreed not to object.
Who would have thought he had more power?
Hiruzen wanted to say something else, but he felt something was wrong. But seeing Danzo's anxious expression, no matter how hard he tried to persuade him, it wouldn't be effective.
Besides, he wasn't qualified to stop Minato from accompanying his wife on her last journey.
"But, how do we explain this period of Yondaime's absence?"
Minato used the rhetoric he had prepared long ago: "Just tell the outside world that the Kyuubi Riot caused the Fourth Hokage to be seriously injured, and it will take a long time to recover. It's better than claiming that the Jinchuriki is unstable and there is a possibility of a Bijuu riot."
"If necessary, you can blame me for all the losses caused by the Kyuubi Riot."
Minato simply gave up, which secretly made Danzo and the others happy.
Such a young man!
For the sake of his beloved wife and child, he is willing to give up something as beautiful as power.
After half a year, does he really think he can regain the power of the Hokage?
So naive!
As for the blame, it's just a reason.
Now that Minato is willing to take the initiative to delegate power, the rest is not a problem at all.
"Okay. We will try our best to calm public opinion and not let you and Kushina receive too much criticism." Danzo assured with great satisfaction.
"I apologize for troubling you. Let me go first."
After his goal was achieved, Minato immediately teleported away.
In the conference room, a fierce dispute broke out between Danzo and the others about who would temporarily take over the position of Hokage.
❀❀❀
After Minato left the Hokage Building, he didn't go straight home.
Instead, he silently appeared at the Uchiha Clan station on the edge of the village and quietly approached the current leader of the Uchiha Clan: Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku was overjoyed to see Minato come directly to the door.
Nothing else mattered: Minato's survival was crucial for the Uchiha Clan!
As long as Minato survived, the senior officials of the village wouldn't dare kill him!
"Minato! How is the situation? Is Kushina alright?"
Fugaku immediately expressed his concern.
Minato didn't answer in a hurry, but instead closed the door to Fugaku's room first and opened a layer of barrier to prevent spies from eavesdropping.
"You..."
Fugaku wasn't stupid. Seeing this, he knew that Minato had something big to discuss with him.
"It's complicated. Before I explain, I want to make sure of something: Chief Fugaku, are you willing to support me unconditionally?"
"I..." Fugaku immediately replied, but Minato pressed him.
"Fugaku, think carefully before answering, preferably as the leader of your clan. This choice may affect the future of the entire Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku was shocked.
He vaguely guessed something.
Did Minato really plan to take action against Konoha's high officials?
If they wanted to use violence against the village, they wouldn't be so mysterious at all.
At this moment, instead of fear, Fugaku was even more excited than before.
He had been waiting for this day for a long time!
Otherwise, there would be no bet on Minato.
Initially, based on his assessment of Minato, this day might have to wait a very long time, and might even have to wait for peaceful evolution.
Unexpectedly, Minato suddenly turned to the front.
Was it because of last night's Kyuubi Riot?
Or another reason?
It didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was that the Uchiha Clan didn't have many choices.
Especially after the Kyuubi Riot, which suffered heavy losses.
There were already many rumors circulating in the village this morning.
Everyone was wondering why the Uchiha Clan didn't participate in the fight against the Kyuubi last night?
Why did the Kyuubi seem to be controlled by the Sharingan?
Although such nonsense wasn't enough to shake the entire Uchiha Clan, it was all true!
The villagers who suffered heavy losses didn't care about the root of the problem.
It wouldn't be long before this public opinion would turn into real hostility, targeting the entire Uchiha Clan.
Fugaku had already anticipated how bad the Uchiha Clan's situation would be in the future.
In short. Since last night, their clan has been ordered by Konoha's highest leadership not to attack the Kyuubi.
The Uchiha Clan's last escape route has been blocked.
Therefore, Fugaku hoped that Minato would come to him and conspire together for great things!
"Yondaime, on behalf of the Uchiha Clan Leader, I am willing to be your ally. I will serve you and never abandon you!"
Fugaku swore with great sincerity.
This was his choice, and also the future of the entire Uchiha Clan!