Chapter 97: The Truth of Konoha
Minato was no longer a child. When he went to find Orochimaru, he did so with full awareness of the implications.
Between Tsunade and Orochimaru, the choice had been simple. If one wanted clarity, blunt truth, and a mind unburdened by sentiment, then Orochimaru — with his austere personality and flawless scientific discipline — was the natural partner.
In Minato's understanding, Orochimaru might appear cold and unapproachable, but his research ability was unparalleled, and he never hesitated to speak plainly.
Tsunade, on the other hand, outwardly generous and bold, still possessed the heart of a pampered princess. She tended to filter information, subconsciously picking out what suited her mood or beliefs. Minato had no patience for that kind of selective honesty.
At this point, things had escalated beyond hidden conflict and into outright confrontation. It was no longer a matter of speculation — it was a declaration, a trial by fire. Considering Aizen's past behavior, none of this came as a surprise. In fact, this felt like one of Aizen's small, predictable maneuvers.
Records, reports, internal documents — all pointed to the same truth. Aizen had done countless things across every layer of Konoha.
Front-line units.
Anbu.
Root.
The orphanage.
Konoha Hospital.
Aizen's influence stretched everywhere.
He never hid his presence, never bothered to erase his fingerprints. He simply reached into every corner of the village and reshaped it with casual ease.
So when Minato reviewed everything, he naturally arrived at an answer that seemed impossible on the surface yet perfectly logical beneath it.
He still had questions, of course — questions concerning Orochimaru and the village's leadership.
"…All of this was done by Brother Aizen, wasn't it, Orochimaru-senpai?"
"Don't you already know the answer, Minato?"
Standing behind him, Orochimaru lightly licked his lips, his serpentine eyes focused on the blond young man whose power and insight were evolving at an astonishing rate. His gaze grew brighter, more intrigued.
"Your beloved Brother Aizen is the architect of Konoha's prosperity," Orochimaru murmured, voice low and smooth. "But that architect may be a little dark. Perfectly normal, yes? After all, every grand structure requires hidden pillars."
"A little dark?" Minato repeated.
"Ah, only a little. Compared to the contributions he made."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a faint, sinister smile playing at the corner of his lips as he studied Minato's back.
"A perfect support system. Technology decades ahead of the world. A military structure that eclipses all other lands. All of this came from Aizen. So what is a little darkness in comparison?"
It was a familiar trap, the kind of argument everyone instinctively accepted.
Great men cast long shadows.
No one was without flaw, so it was natural — even expected — that darkness existed behind brilliance.
Most people would choose not to look too closely. They would accept the world as it was, avoid digging too deep, and tell themselves it was simply the nature of greatness.
But would Minato — the young man Aizen had personally shaped — accept such a clean, convenient justification?
The words were gentle, even comforting, appealing to moral logic.
Do not dig too deep.
Do not question too much.
Heroes are allowed their stains.
But Minato was not someone who compromised.
If he had been the kind of man who accepted convenient excuses, he never would have rushed into danger for Kushina.
He could do anything for Kushina.
He could go just as far for Aizen.
"…That's not how it works," Minato said quietly.
"Hm?"
"Merits and faults don't cancel each other out. Brother Aizen is Konoha's hero, a man who built what no one else could. He is the best leader this world has seen, and the best brother I've ever had."
Minato rested his fingers on the documents scattered across the desk, eyes sharpening with resolve.
"But if he was also a cold-blooded experimenter who committed unforgivable acts in secret, then he must be judged for that as well. His merits do not erase his sins. The people of Konoha should be the ones to hold him accountable — or to defend him if they believe he is innocent."
Orochimaru let out a faint chuckle. "What if the villagers refuse to open their eyes?"
"You know very well that if Aizen's true marks are revealed, the turmoil in Konoha will be far worse than anything we've seen today."
Looking at Minato with his back turned, Orochimaru's expression softened. There was relief in his eyes, mixed with puzzlement.
"His influence is deeply rooted in Konoha. He has countless supporters and allies. And as you saw, everything he built is preserved in the records left by the Sandaime. No one has ever noticed anything. So why do you think he must be brought to justice?"
"I have no idea."
Listening to the heavy rain outside, Minato answered plainly.
He truly didn't know. And perhaps, on some level, he might even regret the choice he was making.
But if Aizen was innocent, then the matter must be investigated and his name cleared.
And if he was guilty, then the truth must still be uncovered.
Many would say this was not the way a leader should think.
But Minato was different.
He believed both he and Konoha had the right to walk through the world with dignity.
Just as Aizen once did, before tearing open the hidden conspiracy.
Through precise political skill and cooperation, Konoha could have risen to the top of the world without deception. Why Aizen chose otherwise, Minato could not understand. All he knew was that Aizen ultimately chose to divide Konoha.
Perhaps there were deeper reasons.
But now, with the moment of decision before him, Minato had no room for hesitation. He had to act according to his own heart.
"But now that I have seen all this, I cannot pretend to be blind or deaf. Brother Aizen may have been a brilliant official, and he may have acted for Konoha's sake, but I cannot look at these facts and stay silent."
"I cannot use Konoha as an excuse to ignore what is right in front of me. I cannot use Konoha as an excuse to gather talent secretly and build a kingdom within the village. If Brother Aizen had wanted to do that, I believe he could have succeeded with a single word. But he did not."
"Specific actions require specific judgments. Since Aizen never disclosed these things to the people or to Hokage-sama, it means he understood they could not be made public. I do not know why he hid them, but I suspect that this time, he chose me. So whatever decision I make, it must be within his expectations."
"Then I choose to fight."
Under Orochimaru's delighted gaze, Minato spoke without hesitation, his expression unwavering.
"At the very least, I want the deaths of these people to have meaning, not to be swallowed by ignorance and twisted into dark residue."
"No matter what happens, human emotion cannot be trampled. That is the most basic moral line. Brother Aizen taught me that. But now he is the one crossing that line. All I can do is strike him in the face with the truth."
"That is very well said, Minato. The answer is different from mine, but a fine answer nonetheless."
Looking at Minato, weary-faced yet with flames burning in his eyes, Orochimaru clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"Just as Aizen once told me, I do not dislike this answer. You are willing to lift the curtain. But no matter what consequences follow, can you bear them?"
"I am Konoha's temporary general representative. Any responsibility falls on me."
"Excellent. That is the decision only a true Konoha leader could make. Compared to you, Master is truly…"
Orochimaru shook his head, studying the golden-haired young man before him.
Less than ten minutes to recover from Aizen's death.
Only a few moments to reconstruct his shattered worldview.
No signs of exhaustion despite a battle that would break most shinobi.
Regardless of his relationship with Kushina, Minato was indeed the perfect successor.
So perfect that Orochimaru set aside his own ambitions for the moment and began explaining everything about Aizen, his existence, and the terrifying reach of his abilities.
"First, a simple question. Do you remember that horror story once told in Konoha?"
"The evil spirit that transforms into someone familiar?"
"That one. In a way, it is real. We call it the Seireitei…"
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