Sarutobi Hiruzen informed Minato Namikaze about all the major and minor events that had occurred in Konoha over the years.
Of course, whenever it came to matters involving them, Sarutobi carefully chose his words.
For example, regarding Hizashi Hyuga's death, he told Minato that he had tried every possible way to deal with Kumo Village's provocations. Even if Kumo Village eventually wanted to go to war with Konoha, Sarutobi insisted he had never intended to sacrifice either Hizashi or Hiashi Hyuga at all.
He further explained that at the time, he had already been preparing for another conflict with Kumo Village. However, the elders of the Hyuga Clan approached him, urging that Konoha had finally achieved peace through great effort, and that Hizashi himself was willing to give his life for its sake. With little choice left, Sarutobi reluctantly agreed to the Hyuga Clan's request and authorized Hizashi's sacrifice.
Another example was the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. Sarutobi portrayed himself as one of the victims too, describing those Uchiha clan members who had planned the coup as greedy individuals attempting to turn Konoha into "Uchiha's Village." As a last resort, he allowed Itachi Uchiha to eliminate those rebellious Uchiha members.
Minato, unaware of the full truth and naturally trusting of Sarutobi, believed everything he said without doubt.
Deeply pained, Minato Namikaze said, "All this happened while I was still asleep?"
Sighing, Sarutobi replied, "Yes indeed. After announcing your death to keep you safe, outsiders came to believe Konoha had lost its Hokage—leaderless and in chaos. They took every opportunity to plunder us.
I had no choice but to resume the role of Hokage and take control of the situation. The events that followed made me painfully aware of my age—truly, I'm feeling a bit too old for this now."
Feeling guilty, Minato apologized to Sarutobi, "Sorry, Third. You've shouldered all these burdens alone. Didn't anyone qualify as the Fifth Hokage during all this time?"
Shaking his head, Sarutobi said, "There were many fine ninja, but none capable of becoming a Kage. No one could carry the responsibilities of a Hokage like you did. Now that you're back, things can finally get better.
Minato, though I'd love to hand the Hokage duties over to you right away, you've been unconscious for twelve long years and are unfamiliar with today's Konoha. Your body also needs time to recover, not to mention Miyuki and Naruto...
Therefore, I'll publicly announce your survival and awakening. I'll temporarily remain Hokage while you rest and gradually learn about the current state of Konoha.
As for Naruto, most people don't know his true identity, and he himself has always believed he was an orphan.
Thus, I suggest you first reveal yourself directly to him as his father, but don't officially disclose in Konoha that he is your son just yet. Otherwise, with both being your child and a Jinchuriki (a vessel holding a tailed beast), these two identities might prevent Naruto from continuing life as a normal ninja—he might not even be able to handle it."
When Naruto accepts his identity as the son of the Fourth Hokage, revealing this truth to Konoha in a gradual way would allow both Naruto and everyone else to accept it more easily, thereby avoiding many potential problems.
Moreover, now that you've awakened, we should resolve Miyuki's matter as soon as possible. After all, the official story was that Miyuki had been abducted by a mysterious ninja, and once people learn that you're alive, this issue will inevitably resurface. Therefore, this secret might not last much longer.
"If the rumor that Miyuki defected spreads, it could damage your standing as Hokage."
Minato Namikaze nodded and said, "I'll follow the Third's plan. If there's a suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage, I'm willing to step down and pass on the title of Hokage to them—or perhaps..."
A deep sense of guilt darkened Minato's eyes: "Alternatively, I could resign right now. I've been unconscious for twelve years, and Naruto has grown up. I missed his childhood; I want to make it up to him, and I also wish to fully focus on finding Miyuki, bringing her back so our family of three can reunite.
"I failed Miyuki and Naruto. That night, if I hadn't insisted on splitting the Nine-Tails' seal between their bodies, things wouldn't have come to this point."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered subtly.
The very reason he didn't want Minato Namikaze to publicly announce immediately that Naruto Uzumaki was his son was because Hiruzen feared doing so would instantly rob him of all his authority.
By sealing the Nine-Tails into both his wife and his child and then remaining unconscious for twelve years—Naruto, who should have been honored as a hero's son, ended up being misunderstood by everyone.
Once the truth became known to all, people's respect for Minato and remorse toward Naruto would bring Minato's reputation to its peak.
From that moment on, Konoha's era under the Third Hokage would come to an end for good. Even with the support of Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo himself, there would be no way to stop this outcome—Konoha would now be fully under the Fourth Hokage's rule.
Hiruzen believed he wasn't clinging to power itself, but rather ensuring Konoha continued operating according to his vision. Therefore, he needed some leverage to correct its course if things ever deviated from his ideals.
If Minato intended to directly reveal Naruto's identity and later wished to change how he governed Konoha, then Miyuki would serve as the trump card in Hiruzen's hand. At that time, simply announcing Miyuki's status as a rogue ninja would suffice to curb Minato's influence.
Yet Hiruzen hadn't expected Minato to willingly give up the Hokage position so soon.
Although Minato was Jiraiya's disciple and personally promoted by Hiruzen himself to the Hokage seat, even if Hiruzen had trusted Minato before, after twelve long years and numerous experiences, Hiruzen no longer placed complete trust in him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "Minato, during the time you take to recover and understand Konoha's current situation, give it some thought. If in the end you still haven't changed your mind, then I will help you look for a suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage. My body can still carry on for a while longer, so there's no need to rush.
Now that you're back, you'll have plenty of chances to catch up with Naruto. As for Miyuki, she should currently be with Chinya and the others. Chinya is part of a mysterious organization, though we haven't learned much about them yet—I've been investigating continuously.
As long as we find Miyuki in time and stop the rumor from getting out that she defected from Konoha, there's still hope. The three of you will be reunited."
Said Minato Namikaze, his voice full of gratitude, "Thank you so much indeed, Third Hokage. Thank you for taking care of Naruto all this time and giving me another chance to win Miyuki back."
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