"What's the situation?"
At the entrance to the ANBU base, the ninjas who had rushed over upon hearing the news had already surrounded the area. There was only one way out—anyone trying to leave would have to pass through here. With the situation inside still unclear, waiting here seemed the best decision.
Minato Namikaze helped up the ninja who had been pinned to the ground by Hakken earlier, worry written all over his face.
"I'm not sure. He only asked me where Anko Mitarashi was," the ANBU ninja said, his tone tinged with shame.
As a member of the ANBU—the Hokage-sama's direct command unit—being defeated by a child was humiliating. He glanced down at the wound on his hand, and even now, he couldn't shake the fear that lingered.
So that's how it is...
Minato gave a bitter smile and sighed. Orochimaru had been deliberately allowed to escape, only for their own village's ninja to be questioned about his whereabouts. And even through... unconventional means. If he had to sum it up in one phrase—it was absurd.
He knew that boy, Hakken Yoru.
He had mentioned him more than once before the Third Hokage. Even back when Asuma Sarutobi had accidentally choked Anko with his cigarette smoke, that boy had stepped forward without hesitation and kicked him straight out of the dango shop.
So if someone had kidnapped his sister, how could he possibly endure it?
Looking around, Minato saw the entrance completely surrounded. The Third Hokage stared intently at the passage, while the ANBU had already drawn their kunai, ready for combat.
Was it really necessary to make such a scene?
Compared to Orochimaru, Hakken—who only wanted to rescue his sister and spare her suffering—was now treated like a criminal.
Was this truly right?
"Lord Third."
Rising to his feet, Minato returned to Hiruzen's side, his face clouded with conflict and concern.
"Let's wait for him to come out."
Hiruzen shook his head, unwilling to say more. With both Orochimaru and Jiraiya gone, his heart was already heavy.
The anxious wait began.
The ANBU didn't dare make a sound. The two Hokage stood in silence.
After what felt like forever, two figures emerged from the tunnel, leaning against each other.
In that instant, every gaze locked onto them.
Drip.
A single drop of blood slid down the Zanpakutō and fell to the ground. Seeing that trace of blood, Minato's heart sank, and he let out a quiet sigh.
So... they were still too late.
Anko had never faced such a sight before. Startled, she instinctively wanted to hide behind Hakken—but she clenched her teeth and shielded her brother instead.
"Hokage-sama…"
"Don't be afraid."
Shaking his head, the boy wrapped his strong arm around her again. A mocking look crossed his face as he drove the Zanpakutō into the ground.
He wanted to see how these bastards from Konoha planned to deal with him.
"Hakken Yoru, for releasing a prisoner and slaughtering comrades—"
"What punishment do you deserve?"
But the voice that spoke made Hakken pause.
Pushing through the crowd, the late-arriving Danzō—Orochimaru's collaborator—finally appeared. His face was twisted with what seemed like genuine rage, as though truly disgusted by Hakken's actions.
"Say that again. Who did you call a prisoner?!"
A wave of killing intent burst forth instantly.
That wild, feral aura—something like Zaraki Kenpachi's savagery—descended fully upon this small youth.
Everyone around was struck speechless.
How could someone so young possess such terrifying bloodlust?
There was no doubt in anyone's mind—if Danzō Shimura dared call Anko a "criminal," that boy would attack him on the spot, consequences be damned.
His hand clenched around the Konoha forehead protector, veins standing out on his palm.
Minato's shoulders trembled. He already knew what Hakken was about to do.
"Hakken, let me say something."
He knew that if he didn't speak now, Hakken Yoru would snap—crushing his forehead protector in rage and fighting to the bitter end.
But everyone here was Konoha's elite. If it came to that, there could be only one outcome.
That boy—Hakken Yoru, the one Minato admired so deeply, the boy who shouldn't have been caught up in this senseless disaster—would die.
At least, that was how Minato saw it.
"The ANBU took Anko only to assist with the investigation," he said. "Like you, Anko is part of Konoha. It's her duty."
"After all, she was once Orochimaru's disciple. Now that Orochimaru has killed ANBU members and defected, you should understand there's nothing wrong with her cooperating with the investigation."
Minato's gentle, sunlit smile carried a quiet hope that his words could calm Hakken down.
"Sis, did you know? About Orochimaru…"
Hakken glanced around. Everyone who should be present was here. He turned his head toward Anko.
"I don't know. I've already said everything I can, and I swear—it's the truth!"
Anko raised her hand solemnly as she spoke.
"Hmph. You swear? And with what guarantee?"
Neither of the Hokage said a word, but Danzō was quick to pounce.
He had come here for a reason.
Ever since Orochimaru had requested information about this boy, Danzō had grown curious about Hakken Yoru. Now that Orochimaru was gone, his only goal was to capture this youth and thoroughly study the strange power hidden within him—ultimately, to make it his own.
"Words spoken without a Genjutsu interrogation cannot be considered a true confession," Danzō said coldly.
"Bullshit!"
Confession? Prisoner?
Hakken's fury exploded.
"Who was it that made Anko Orochimaru's disciple in the first place? You think she wanted that?"
"Orochimaru runs away, and instead of chasing him, you interrogate her?"
"Who the hell taught Orochimaru? Why don't you interrogate him for a confession?"
"Why not interrogate the ninjas who failed to capture him? Maybe they're the ones who deliberately let him go!"
At those words, the entire room fell silent.
Who taught Orochimaru?
Slowly, every gaze turned toward an old man standing among them—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He had thought keeping quiet would spare him this awkward position.
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
The atmosphere grew unbearably tense.
Hiruzen sighed deeply, unsure what to say.
Indeed, if anyone was close to Orochimaru, it was him.
And the kid's words—harsh as they were—hit like a hammer.
After all, wasn't it Hiruzen himself who had deliberately let Orochimaru escape?
"Hokage-sama, the ANBU inside are only injured. No fatalities," an ANBU whispered to Minato, stepping up beside him.
Only injured?
There was still hope!
Minato's eyes brightened as he stepped forward.
"I trust Anko. And I trust Hakken Yoru as well."
"Everyone, please stand down. I swear, as the Fourth Hokage, that this matter will be settled properly."
He walked up to Hakken, placing a hand gently on the boy's head, his smile warm and steady.
"I believe in you. So calm your anger—and leave the rest to me."
...
For more chapters, feel free to follow me on P@treon.
(50 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake