Chapter 68 – A Nara's Shock
"The world can never achieve true peace. Every person, at their core, is selfish. The Hokage may not want war because Konoha's people live comfortably. But those from other nations? They fight for survival—for their own people," Yusuke said, his eyes fixed on the night sky.
"Looks like… my perspective really was too narrow," Minato murmured, a bitter smile forming on his lips. As intelligent as he was, even he understood that Jiraiya's dream of peace might be an unreachable utopia. And yet, he still chose to believe in his teacher wholeheartedly.
"No one truly desires war," Yusuke continued calmly. "But everyone has principles they refuse to bend. To us, they might be the aggressors. But in their own eyes... they're the heroes."
"Then… what am I supposed to do?" Minato asked softly, uncertainty in his voice.
"Minato-nii, if you ever became Hokage… would you be willing to sacrifice your life to protect the people of Konoha?" Yusuke asked, turning to face him directly.
"Of course. I'd give my life for this village," Minato answered without hesitation.
"I respect you deeply, Minato-nii. But allow me to say this: you're noble… and also foolish," Yusuke said bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Minato asked, not the least bit offended. Despite their differences, he considered Yusuke a true friend.
"In this chaotic world, I just want to protect those I care about. If I see injustice, I'll act. But that's the limit," Yusuke said, his tone cold but firm.
Minato exhaled slowly. "If only I had a mindset like yours… maybe life would be easier."
"Then let me ask you a simple question. On one side, you have Kushina-nee's life. On the other, the entire village. Who would you choose?" Yusuke's voice cut like a knife.
Minato fell silent. He couldn't answer. His heart screamed to save Kushina, but his duty as a leader demanded he protect the village.
"You're hesitating, aren't you?" Yusuke said, reading him like an open book.
"Then let me ask you—what would you do?" Minato replied, throwing the question back.
"I'd choose the one I love. If that means becoming the enemy of the entire world, so be it. If anyone so much as touches her… I'll wipe them out—every last one of them," Yusuke answered, his voice flat, but carrying a chilling certainty.
Minato stared into his eyes and knew… Yusuke wasn't bluffing. This boy would really do it. From the White Fang incident alone, he had seen what Yusuke was capable of. Had it not been for Sakumo's loyalty to Konoha, Yusuke might have already burned the entire Uchiha clan to the ground.
"In truth… your hesitation means Kushina-nee matters more to you than the entire village," Yusuke said softly, but with unshakable clarity.
"And if I chose Konoha instead?" Minato asked quietly.
"Then what do you think happens? Kushina-nee isn't just some girl you love. She's a kunoichi of this village. If you sacrifice her for the greater good, then that pattern will repeat over and over. You'll be caught in an endless cycle of death," Yusuke explained.
"Killing one person… or killing a thousand… in the end, blood is still on your hands," he added coldly.
"...I understand now, Yusuke." Suddenly, Minato's eyes sharpened. Something shifted in his presence. His expression, his aura—everything subtly changed.
Yusuke recognized it immediately. If he asked that question again, Minato would now choose Kushina without hesitation. Not because he no longer cared for Konoha—but because his entire worldview had just evolved.
"I'm heading back," Minato said with a small smile before leaving quietly.
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After a few days of travel, they finally arrived at the destination.
"Welcome, Minato-sama," a shinobi greeted respectfully.
"Report the situation," Minato replied curtly.
The shinobi nodded and began to explain everything that had transpired on the border.
"I see... Yusuke, about the logistics," Minato said, turning to him.
"On it, Minato-nii," Yusuke nodded.
"Let's head to the storage area. One of our tasks is to deliver supplies," Minato said.
"Please, follow me," the shinobi gestured. Though there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, he kept his questions to himself—border patrol taught him not to pry.
"Yusuke. It's time," Minato signaled.
"Right." Yusuke raised a hand and reached into empty air. A portal shimmered open, invisible to the naked eye.
"Bring out the supplies," he ordered.
Shinobi nearby were stunned, but no one questioned him. They weren't in a position to.
"Move! Get everything unloaded!"
After a long while of heavy labor, the logistics were fully unloaded and organized.
"Minato, so you came after all," said a man with a round face and hair that looked like dumpling buns, approaching from a distance.
"Haha, no need to be so formal, Shikajin." Just from his looks, everyone could tell who he was. And from Minato's explanation, Yusuke and the others learned that this was Nara Shikajin—Shikaku's younger brother. Known for their strategic brilliance, a member of the Nara clan had been stationed here by the Hokage himself.
"Come with me, Minato."
"Alright."
They headed into the war room. Shikajin laid out the situation in more detail.
"Hanzo's getting bolder by the day," Shikajin said gravely.
"Looks like… war might break out soon," Minato muttered.
"Interesting…" Yusuke said quietly. "Minato-nii, how about I go handle him myself?"
"That could work. Just be careful," Minato smiled faintly. "Though I doubt there's anyone in the world who could stop you."
"No worries. I'll be back soon." With those words, Yusuke vanished in a flash of brilliant silver light.
Shikajin stood frozen. He had assumed Yusuke was just another cocky kid—but Minato's reaction told a different story.
"He'll be alright, right?" Shikajin asked nervously.
"Of course. Yusuke's even stronger than I am," Minato said confidently.
"Stronger… than you?" Shikajin was stunned. Few in all of Konoha could surpass Minato. His brilliance was considered unmatched.
"Yeah. He's the son of Sakumo-senpai—the White Fang. In Konoha, they call him the White Shura. He once slaughtered an entire Hanzo squad by himself… and forced Hanzo to retreat," Minato said seriously.
Shikajin was speechless. It was hard to believe that someone so young—still carrying hints of youth in his features—could accomplish something like that. Even Kakashi and the others were taken aback upon hearing the title "White Shura" spoken aloud.
It made sense, though—border personnel like Shikajin weren't always up to date with inner village rumors.
"I never imagined… Konoha raised such a monster," Shikajin whispered in awe.
"Yeah… Maybe one day, he'll even surpass the First Hokage," Minato said softly.
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