Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer

Minato Namikaze immediately proposed the name "Konoha Publishing House."

This name aligned perfectly with Konoha's traditions. It was clear and straightforward, letting everyone know that the books originated from Konoha. It also signified Konoha's cultural influence on the entire ninja world.

"That's an excellent name," Aoba sincerely nodded in agreement. He wasn't just complimenting Minato but truly felt that way. Konoha was his birthplace, which resonated deeply with him, much like the main village from the "Naruto" series he watched. Establishing the Konoha Publishing House was a satisfying tribute to this sense of belonging.

Creating a Konoha Publishing House was very satisfying for Aoba. He looked forward to having all his future works published through this outlet.

With that...

The entire ninja world would understand Konoha's strength and cultural reach.

After Aoba said this, Minato's smile grew even broader. He was genuinely happy. Not only had he achieved his dream of becoming Hokage and gained the recognition of Konoha, but he also shared this joy with a close friend who truly cared for him—this moment filled him with a sense of fulfillment and peak happiness.

At no other time had he felt so exhilarated.

Though, admittedly, there was some confusion.

During this period, Minato had thought about many things. He couldn't understand why Orochimaru and Danzo suddenly exposed these issues at this particular moment.

Especially Danzo.

It made no sense.

Before Minato returned to Konoha, Danzo had dispatched the entire Root organization to stop him. He even sent the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to assassinate him!

It was clear that they intended to eliminate him.

Yet, despite this, everything seemed to stop abruptly when he returned to Konoha. It was entirely different from what he had anticipated.

He had prepared himself to face a storm, understanding that the struggle for the Hokage position was not simple. He thought the incidents on his way back to Konoha were just the beginning, with more powerful forces awaiting him in the village.

However, upon returning, he found that the initial turmoil was just the final flicker, bringing no further trouble. What he had expected to be the start was the end.

Everything happened so quickly and dissipated just as fast.

This abrupt shift left him feeling bewildered as if he had prepared for a fight, only to see his opponent unexpectedly surrender and go without explanation.

Minato had realized this but couldn't find Orochimaru or Danzo to question them. The only person he could turn to was the Third Hokage, but he had retired and refused all visitors.

Minato wanted to ask the Third Hokage what had happened, but he refrained, realizing it was now a situation of winners and losers. As the victor, there was no need to press for answers.

Minato had been wrestling with these thoughts these past few days, his mind torn between seeking answers and accepting the current state of affairs.

When he decided to visit Aoba, he intended to share the news of his Hokage appointment, feeling he had no one else to confide in.

Minato had many acquaintances in Konoha, but most were surface-level friendships.

In Minato's heart, Aoba and Fugaku were his true friends, with Aoba holding a special place for opening the door to his Hokage dream during a heartfelt conversation on Hokage Rock.

Previously, Minato aspired to be Hokage, but his resolve could have been stronger. He always held back, not wanting to compete with Kushina Uzumaki, whom he admired deeply.

Minato wasn't driven by power. The Hokage position was a dream, but he prioritized protecting the village and maintaining peace. He valued Kushina more than the title.

Minato had always valued people over positions. If someone else could protect the village, he would support them while cherishing his loved ones.

"Seeing you happy for me makes me even happier," Minato said, his eyes filled with genuine joy.

He was thrilled to share his achievement with Aoba, whose genuine support meant the world to him.

"You're a great friend, Aoba. I'll leave the Konoha Publishing House to you," Minato said, feeling this would be the best way to honor their friendship.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Aoba quickly responded, surprising Minato.

"I'm not cut out for managing a publishing house," Aoba explained. "I prefer writing to handling administrative tasks. It would take away my time for creative work."

"I think there's someone more suitable for the job," Aoba continued, trying to navigate the conversation carefully. He wanted to ensure Minato didn't suspect his involvement in the recent events.

"Do you mean Morino Ibiki?" Minato asked, picking up on Aoba's suggestion.

"Exactly," Aoba nodded, relieved that Minato had caught on. "Ibiki is perfect for the role. He's my first and most loyal reader. He even helped me find the previous publisher."

"But isn't he already busy with important tasks?" Aoba questioned, genuinely concerned about overburdening Ibiki.

"Initially, he can handle it," Minato assured. "If it becomes too much, he can delegate to someone else."

"I trust him to find a reliable person if needed," Minato concluded, confident in Ibiki's capabilities.

"Alright, I'll go with your plan," Aoba agreed, seeing the sense in Minato's logic.

"There's one more thing I need to talk about," Minato said, suddenly becoming serious.

"What's that?" Aoba asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I have something on my mind that I haven't shared with anyone. Can I talk to you about it?" Minato asked, looking earnestly at Aoba.

"Of course, you can tell me anything," Aoba responded, ready to listen.

Minato's sudden change in demeanor indicated the importance of what he was about to share, and Aoba braced himself for the conversation.