Outside Minato's home.
Veigar, carrying a gift, rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong—
Ding-dong—
Inside, Minato and Kushina, who were intimately close, heard the doorbell simultaneously.
"Minato, did you make plans with anyone else today?"
Kushin's expression showed a hint of displeasure. Minato had promised her he'd take her shopping today.
"Heaven is my witness, no, I didn't!"
Minato, with a strong will to survive, immediately stated that he had not. He dared not anger Kushina now. He hadn't spent much time with her lately due to his campaign for Fourth Hokage, which had already put Kushina's short temper on the verge of erupting.
If he dared admit to having plans with anyone else, especially now that she was in that "special time of the month" with a particularly volatile temper, he'd surely not live to see another day.
"I'll go see who it is first, then I'll take you shopping."
"Alright! Hurry up."
"No problem."
With Kushina's permission, Minato quickly went to open the door.
Creak—
"Minato-sensei, long time no see."
Seeing Minato open the door, Veigar immediately greeted him with a smile.
"Veigar, what brings you here?"
Minato hadn't seen Veigar for several months and felt a little nostalgic.
"I heard you're getting married soon, so I specifically came to visit."
As he spoke, Veigar raised the gift in his hand.
"Then come in quickly. Kushina will definitely be very happy to see you."
Hearing that Veigar had specially come to visit, Minato beamed with joy, filled with happiness about his impending marriage to Kushina.
However, upon hearing Kushina's name, Veigar's face stiffened, though he maintained his smile and asked:
"Is Sensei's wife here too?"
"Yes, she is!"
Minato didn't even notice the unnaturalness on Veigar's face.
Although three years had passed, Veigar vividly remembered the unpleasant scene he had with Kushina.
Gritting his teeth, Veigar followed Minato into the house, then heard Minato call out:
"Kushina, come out and see who's here!"
"Who is it?"
As Kushina's voice fell, her figure appeared in Veigar's sight.
"Sensei's wife, long time no see!"
Upon seeing Veigar, an unnatural flicker crossed Kushina's face, but she quickly masked it.
"Veigar, long time no see."
"Quickly, come in!"
Kushina's invitation made Veigar smile particularly brightly.
"Yes!"
Minato suddenly felt that something was a bit off between Veigar and Kushina, as if they were hiding some unspeakable secret from him.
"You two..."
However, before Minato could finish his sentence, Veigar and Kushina both spoke at the same time:
"It's nothing, nothing. There's nothing going on between us."
The synchronicity between Veigar and Kushina made Minato even more suspicious that something had happened between them.
But, he quickly dismissed it because of a single sentence from Kushina.
"I'm just very happy because I haven't seen Veigar in a long time."
"Speaking of which, Minato, aren't you going to quickly prepare some tea? Veigar rarely visits."
Minato's temperament was completely controlled by Kushina.
"Yes, yes, I'll go right away."
"You two catch up for a bit."
In the living room, Veigar and Kushina sat opposite each other, both looking a bit unnatural, unsure how to start a conversation.
However, Veigar, being a boy and thicker-skinned, observed for a moment then initiated the conversation:
"Sensei's wife, are you going out on a date with Sensei?"
"Y-Yes, that's right!"
Kushina responded instinctively.
"It seems I've come at an inconvenient time today."
"I'm sorry!"
Veigar, with his head bowed, emphasized the words "I'm sorry." Only Kushina understood that Veigar was not only apologizing for today's visit but also for what happened over three years ago.
"It's alright, it's all in the past."
Veigar looked up, and Kushina's smile was particularly bright.
They exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without words.
Although Kushina had a fiery personality, she was not foolish at all. She had kept the letter Veigar left before he departed deeply in her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn't have felt a little awkward seeing Veigar again today.
"What are you two talking about? You look so happy."
At this moment, Minato walked over, carrying tea. Seeing Veigar and Kushina smiling so brightly, he also asked with a smile.
"Nothing, just casual talk."
Kushina turned her head to Minato and replied.
The three sat together and chatted for a while. Kushina sensed that Veigar had something to discuss with Minato, so she found an excuse to get up and said:
"Veigar, you probably have something to talk about with Minato. You two chat, I'll go prepare some snacks for you."
Veigar and Minato watched Kushina leave, then Minato spoke:
"Veigar, did you come to see me today for something important?"
Veigar's expression suddenly became a bit serious, then he said to Minato:
"Sensei must really want to become the Fourth Hokage, right?"
Minato also became serious, nodding in response:
"Yes, that's been my dream all along."
Veigar nodded silently, a faint smile on his face, and said:
"I believe Sensei will definitely become the Fourth Hokage..."
Before Veigar could finish his sentence, Minato replied:
"Thank you, I'll do my best."
With the massive presence of Orochimaru pressing down on him, Minato felt his chances were slim. However, he wasn't planning to give up until the very end, and he naturally wanted to express his gratitude for Veigar's support.
Gently shaking his head, Veigar spoke bluntly:
"Sensei, what you should be thinking about now isn't how to become Hokage, but how to be a qualified Hokage."
Hearing Veigar's sudden words, as if he had already decided that he would become the Fourth Hokage, Minato paused.
"Veigar, have you done something? Or are you planning to do something?"
If Veigar had truly done something regrettable to Konohagakure just to make him Hokage, Minato would be the first to object, and he wouldn't feel at ease sitting in that Hokage seat.
Minato had no doubt about his student's ability or strength.
He had witnessed Veigar's strategizing during the war with Sunagakure, and Veigar's increased strength after three years of training in Mount Myōboku also surprised Minato.
If Veigar truly intended to do something, he probably wouldn't be able to stop him.
Looking at Minato's expression, Veigar knew he had completely misunderstood, going far off course.
Shaking his head again, Veigar chuckled softly:
"Sensei, you're overthinking it."
"I'm just reminding you of how you should act if you truly become Hokage."
"If you're not prepared, you won't be able to be a good Hokage."
Veigar's words immediately made Minato breathe a sigh of relief, but before he could speak, he heard Veigar again:
"Sensei, after becoming Hokage, if you wish to fulfill your ambitions, I have a suggestion for you."
"You could start with the Hokage's direct force, the Anbu."
"The Third, that man..."
Some things, Veigar didn't state too explicitly, but it was enough.
Half an hour later.
Veigar had said all he needed to say and took his leave.
"Sensei, I won't disturb your date with Sensei's wife anymore."
"Goodbye."
Watching Veigar leave, Minato looked preoccupied, so much so that he didn't even notice Kushina walk up beside him.
"Minato, did Veigar tell you something?"
He nodded, then shook his head, Minato replied:
"It's nothing!"
Then Minato let out a hearty laugh and said to Kushina:
"Veigar's gone. Let's hurry and go shopping!"
Minato's personality might not be suited for being Hokage, but he was definitely a good husband, a very good husband.
Not only was he handsome, but he was also considerate, and most importantly, he doted on his wife...
Having done and said everything he needed to, Veigar, after leaving Minato's house, returned to his routine of the past few months.
Quietly waiting...
Time flashed by; two days later.
These two days, Hiruzen's desk was piled with investigation reports on the missing villagers, and all signs pointed to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru..."
With this evidence laid out before him, Hiruzen felt the frustration of "hating iron for not becoming steel."
He had clearly subtly warned Orochimaru, but Orochimaru's actions deeply disappointed Hiruzen.
How could Orochimaru not understand Hiruzen's warning? How could he not comprehend it?
However, at this moment, Orochimaru's craving for eternal life far surpassed everything else. Hokage, the village... they no longer mattered in his eyes.
Moreover, he felt that leaving Konohagakure was the path best suited for him.
Therefore, he didn't bother to erase some of the incriminating evidence, partly because he knew he couldn't erase it.
Because he knew Danzō had already made his move in the shadows.
Why had so much evidence suddenly appeared before Hiruzen these past two days? This was inextricably linked to Danzō, the mastermind behind the scenes.
In a laboratory outside Konohagakure, Orochimaru gazed with obsession at the experimental subjects in test tubes. He knew Hiruzen was on his way, yet he remained indifferent.
Even if he left, he should still give Hiruzen an explanation, shouldn't he?
At the same time, in this laboratory, he also left Hiruzen a small gift.
A record of his collaborative research with Danzō. Since Danzō had targeted him, it wasn't too much for him to retaliate a little, was it?
With this record, he could also fulfill a wish for Hiruzen.
Danzō, who had always coveted the Hokage position, no longer had a chance.
Orochimaru's feelings for Hiruzen were complex, but he also cared about him the most, so he didn't mind offering a little help before leaving.
And deep down, Orochimaru also didn't wish for Danzō to become Hokage.
It was in Danzō's best interest to remain hidden in the darkness beneath Konohagakure.
With Danzō's help, Hiruzen, who had tracked Orochimaru's movements, directly stormed into Orochimaru's experimental base.
"Orochimaru, you actually were conducting human experiments!"
In the dim laboratory, Hiruzen roared with anger as he looked at the surrounding experimental subjects.
Rumors had begun to secretly circulate these past two days that Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, was conducting forbidden jutsu experiments using fellow village ninja.
Could Hiruzen not know who was behind such a scheme?
His rush to this experimental base today was not only to see for himself, but more so in hopes that he wouldn't find these experimental subjects here.
As long as there was no absolutely conclusive evidence tonight, he had planned to personally erase all traces left by Orochimaru and all of Danzo's machinations.
Don't doubt it, as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen had the capability.
But at this moment, he was disappointed.
Orochimaru's actions made him feel incredibly disappointed, even despairing.
With Orochimaru's abilities, would he not have noticed the changes in the village these past two days?
Hiruzen was the first to disbelieve it. Furthermore, when he rushed over, he didn't deliberately hide his movements. Why?
It was to give Orochimaru one last reminder and chance.
But now?
What did all this before his eyes represent?
What exactly was Orochimaru trying to do?
Therefore, Hiruzen was furious. For the first time, he felt anger towards Orochimaru's rebellion, his lack of self-care, and his failure to understand Hiruzen's hardships and hopes.
Immense fury.
"Hehe~~"
"I didn't think Hiruzen-sensei would find this place!"
A low, raspy laugh echoed. Orochimaru's tall figure slowly turned, revealing his sinister and pale face in the faint light.
"An unforgivable sin."
"You, for your own ambition, actually attacked your comrades in the village. This is an absolutely unforgivable sin!"
Hiruzen's anger was at its peak, mostly because Orochimaru had betrayed his benevolent intentions.
Hiruzen, who had always valued his reputation, saw Orochimaru's actions as undoubtedly blackening his name.
"Today, I'll throw you deep into Konohagakure's prison, so you can reflect properly on what you've been doing!"
As the furious roar subsided, Hiruzen's hands completed their signs, and he slammed them heavily onto the ground.
Bang.
White smoke rose.
A monkey, wearing a leather vest and a Konoha forehead protector, appeared, blocking Orochimaru's path.
It was Hiruzen's summoning, Enma, the Monkey King.
"Hehe~~"
Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, a cold glint in his eyes. When Hiruzen summoned Enma, Orochimaru wasn't idle either.
He simply brought his hands together.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bang, bang, bang, bang...
A surge of air currents whipped up. The test tubes containing experimental subjects, arranged in the laboratory, exploded one after another. The liquid soaking the experimental subjects sprayed out, instantly filling the laboratory with a pungent odor.
All experimental materials were completely destroyed by Orochimaru's actions.
——————————
TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]