Naruto: Minato Namikaze, born evil

Chapter 119 No Longer Human

Chapter 119 No Longer Human

The following day, secret letters were sent from Kirigakure to various parts of the ninja world.

Soon, information that Minato was currently in the Land of Whirlpools also reached the hands of various factions.

Suddenly, the situation in the Land of Whirlpools stabilized, and for the next two weeks, no enemies invaded.

The Watergate team successfully completed their mission and embarked on their journey back to the village.

Back in the village, Minato made his way to the Hokage's office and handed over his mission.

"Lord Hokage, the maritime patrol mission to the Land of Whirlpools has been successfully completed."

"Um--"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a pipe dangling from his lips, gave a faint "hmm," his face devoid of any joy, instead filled with a solemn expression.

"Is there something wrong?" Minato asked.

"I've read the mission report. It was done very well, Minato."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "But that's not the problem. In the two weeks you were gone, the village—or rather, the Land of Fire—was under considerable pressure."

"What does this have to do with me?" Minato frowned slightly.

Yes, it has something to do with you.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a wry smile and took a document out of the drawer.

"A few days ago, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure—including some neutral countries, and even some small countries allied with Konoha—reached a rare tacit understanding."

"They are using diplomatic and economic channels to jointly pressure the Daimyo of the Land of Fire to restrict your actions, on the grounds that you have killed too many people on the front lines, violating humanitarian principles."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he himself laughed in exasperation at his own reasoning.

He pushed the document to Minato: "Otherwise, we will impose joint economic sanctions, restricting the entry of strategic materials such as minerals, food and medicine into the Land of Fire. In addition, we will increase the export tariffs of the Land of Fire."

"If it were just one or two countries, it would be fine, but what I didn't expect was that the countries would be so in sync. This is unprecedented."

"The message from Daming Prefecture is that prolonged sanctions will negatively impact national strength, and they hope the situation can be handled 'properly.'"

"Of course, you don't need to worry too much. The daimyo is still very friendly to you and has sent an envoy to convey that you are welcome to visit the daimyo's residence at any time. However, this pressure is somewhat difficult for the Land of Fire to bear, even with its national strength. I hope you will consider it carefully."

"This is outrageous!"

Before Minato could speak, Kushina impatiently shouted, "Why are you restricting Minato's movements?"

"Exactly! What's wrong with being strong? Those bastards are just afraid of Minato's power!" Nawaki roared.

"That's right, it's because of fear. In the end, it's because Minato's strength is too great, so great that it instilled fear in the entire ninja world."

Looking at the two impatient brats, Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, his tone becoming more relaxed.

"Although it's not quite appropriate to say it like that, I'm actually a little happy to hear this reason for putting pressure on me."

"What does the Hokage mean?" Minato asked.

"Hmm—first of all, I believe you definitely possess the power to not compromise."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding his pipe, paused for two seconds: "But this matter involves the common people. Furthermore, Konoha has always upheld the principle of peace since its founding."

"What I mean is, you can be tough, but you can't be head-on. I hope you can inherit the position of Fourth Hokage as a strong person, not as an executioner."

"Fourth generation —"

Nawaki opened his mouth, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then at Minato, and finally sighed helplessly.

Although he had long expected this to happen, he still couldn't help but feel disappointed when he heard that Minato had been pre-selected.

Despite his disappointment, he felt no jealousy; instead, he was happy for Minato.

Kushina and Mikoto, who were standing nearby, were even more so.

Kushina held her hands to her heart, her bright, sparkling eyes fixed on Minato.

If the timing hadn't been so inappropriate, she probably would have already pounced on Minato and cheered loudly.

As expected of Minato!

Mikoto looked at the boy beside her with gentle eyes, her heart filled with pride.

"The Hokage is right."

Minato sighed slightly. Hiruzen Sarutobi was a pacifist, the kind who sought peace through compromise, so he had already guessed the other party's thoughts.

"I don't want to involve ordinary people either—but likewise, I have no reason to compromise with those clueless guys."

As Minato spoke, a smile suddenly appeared on his lips: "So, how about we hear my opinion?"

Economic war?

Ha, stop making your father, Minato, laugh!

He may not understand economics, but he understands human nature!

What are your thoughts?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. Minato had been smart since he was a child, and he wanted to hear what the other had to say.

"It's actually very simple, all I have to do is betray the village."

Minato smiled and said, "It's quite reasonable for a young genius to rebel against the village out of dissatisfaction with its attitude and then retaliate against the related ninja villages, isn't it?"

"This—this is your method?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression froze instantly.

"Of course, once I betray the village, any actions I take will be unrelated to Konoha, and they will naturally have no reason to put pressure on the Land of Fire."

Minato said calmly, "All I need to know is who started this, or maybe not even that. You just need to announce my betrayal from Konoha's perspective and warn other villages to be careful of retaliation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively wanted to refute it, but it sounded too childish and too unorthodox.

But in that instant, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he fell silent.

Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also Kushina and the other two were dumbfounded.

A genius who was slated to become the Fourth Hokage actually proposed "betraying the village" as a solution?

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a pipe dangling from his lips, stared at the rising smoke, his mind working in that direction.

The prerequisite for applying pressure is that Konoha must be able to control Minato Namikaze.

But Minato has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, so who can control him?

If Minato were to defect, he would no longer be a Konoha ninja, and Konoha would naturally no longer be responsible for his actions.

You said that as a Konoha ninja, Minato, Konoha has an inescapable responsibility?

Please, isn't the main reason because of your pressure? What does it have to do with Konoha?

You guys were the ones who had nothing better to do than provoke him first!

We in Konoha compromised and did what you said, but isn't that impossible?

Furthermore, given Minato's unpredictable Flying Thunder God Technique and terrifying combat prowess, if he were to become a rogue ninja, it would be a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of any ninja village.

The pressure will instantly shift from Konoha and the Land of Fire to themselves.

"Hiss," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Minato with a surprised expression.

Minato shrugged, looking completely innocent.

People are always looking for compromises.

Since you say I'm violating humanitarian principles, then I might as well not be human at all.

At that time, a great scholar will surely come to debate the classics for me.

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