"The Flying Thunder God Technique was created by the Second Hokage. From what I know, it already existed even before Konoha was founded."
"These are all the reports we've collected this past year about Uchiha Shion. Lord Third, esteemed advisors—you may take a look."
Minato Namikaze handed the file across the desk. The Third Hokage and the two advisors leaned in eagerly, eyes scanning every page.
"This makes him the second shinobi, after you, to withstand the speed of the Flying Thunder God. His reaction time has reached the very limits of what a human shinobi can achieve." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew grave.
"Resurrection from death?!"
All four of them exclaimed in shock as they read the subsequent lines of the report.
Minato gave a small nod. "Confirmed intelligence states: after Uchiha Shion was struck down—his heart pierced, his head severed—his corpse would vanish into thin air. Yet within days, sometimes up to half a month, he would reappear alive once again."
Danzō Shimura's hand clenched the paper tighter and tighter. No one wished for an opponent who could not be killed.
Especially not one who, like Minato, commanded a space–time jutsu… the Flying Thunder God.
The conversation he had overheard outside the orphanage—Shion's words to that child—was no doubt a veiled threat aimed at himself or Root.
"Hmph… Fourth, is this truly all you have?"
Danzō's eyes bored into Minato. If the youth's location could be determined, even at great cost, sealing jutsu might have been an option.
"For now, this is all. Our target seems to have marked Flying Thunder God formulas in several places across the shinobi world. With such free movement, the Intelligence Division cannot lock down his whereabouts."
Minato set the file down, then fixed his gaze squarely on Danzō.
"As for Shion, we'll put that aside for now. Intelligence is limited. What I need from Root is a full report on the orphanage incident. And I want it delivered to me, the Hokage."
The words fell heavy. Silence swallowed the Hokage's office.
But Minato refused to let the pause linger.
"When I, as Hokage, approved funding for the orphanage through formal council… why then did Root threaten Yakushi Nono with both funds and the children, forcing her back into your organization?"
His voice sharpened.
"Not only that, Root seems to have taken interest in the children themselves. What kind of experiments require so many young, unidentified children?"
"If the villagers were ever to learn of this, I doubt anyone would accept it…"
That last line, Minato aimed directly at Hiruzen.
Since taking the mantle of Hokage, Minato had come to his own conclusions about the man once called "Professor." And those conclusions echoed the words once spoken by that shadowed figure—Uchiha Shion himself.
The Third was old. Decayed. A man in twilight, unable to decide, unable to act.
"The stirrings of Iwagakure are no secret to you, Fourth. Nor is the spark that ignited all of this. Regarding the Uchiha Clan, you keep insisting there is a 'better way.'"
Danzō's head remained bowed, his cane striking the floor twice with a sharp crack.
"Everything I have done, I have done for Konoha. If you disagree, then when Iwagakure launches their great offensive, I trust you will take responsibility."
But Minato shook his head gently.
"So long as leaves fly, the fire shall burn. The shadow of the flame will shine upon the village, and new leaves will always sprout."
"The Will of Fire is Konoha's foundation. The new leaves are still growing. And this village has not yet reached the point where it must sacrifice the matron of an orphanage and a child's life in exchange for peace."
"Konoha still has you, Lord Third, it still has me as Fourth, it still has the ANBU, the jōnin corps, the clans, and countless civilian shinobi. If peace can only be bought with women and children, then what meaning does our burning flame even hold?"
The voice of Minato Namikaze thundered through the entire Hokage building. For a moment, every shinobi present reflected deeply on his words.
And the one who had stood across from him only moments earlier—Hiruzen Sarutobi—took a deliberate step forward and stood at Minato's side.
"Danzō. If there is a next time, you will surrender command of Root."
The Third's voice struck like a gavel, closing the matter of the orphanage's coercion.
Minato opened his mouth to add more—but as he saw Hiruzen beside him, he understood. His words had already reached their limit. No more could be said, not yet.
Still, with the Third at his side, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado held their tongues. And that silence had been Minato's goal.
"Bang!"
The cane slammed to the floor again. Danzō's face was dark as stone.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen. Everything I have done, I have done for Konoha."
He turned and stalked away, not sparing Minato even the smallest courtesy. The two advisors followed close behind.
Thud.
The office door shut behind them.
Hiruzen turned back to Minato with a weary, apologetic smile.
"In truth, you are right, Fourth. The very meaning of our fire, once spent, is to shield the new leaves. When the First Hokage built this village, it was to end the sight of children on battlefields, to stop the pain of loss. But… Danzō too acts for Konoha."
Minato gave a small nod. "I know, Lord Third. Root has always been Konoha's darkness. What they do is, by nature, in shadow."
Hiruzen chuckled softly, letting the matter drop, and instead asked: "This Uchiha Shion… have you asked Kushina about him?"
"I asked long ago," Minato replied. "She came to the village early in her youth. She knows of no such clansman."
Hiruzen looked down at the file in his hand, thought for a long while, then spoke:
"If your intel is accurate, this Uchiha Shion seems to have gained new strength recently. Danzō's reports claimed his physical abilities were formidable, and that he wielded something akin to the beginnings of Wood Release. But here, your notes state his taijutsu is poor, his Flying Thunder God limited in use, his chakra reserves small. A contradiction."
Minato nodded. "It's been two months since we last confirmed any report. His growth rate is frightening. As for Wood Release…"
Hiruzen took over: "If it is like the First Hokage's Wood Release, though still in its infancy… then this remnant of the Uchiha—no, of that bloodline—would possess unimaginable potential."
"Immortality, mastery of the Flying Thunder God… Minato, should the chance arise, remember: the Uchiha—or Uzumaki in his guise—were always Konoha's staunchest allies. If nothing else… we must secure his allegiance. You understand me, don't you?"
Minato inclined his head. He understood perfectly well what the Third was saying.
If they could not bring him to their side, then such a power—on par with the First Hokage himself—must never fall into the hands of another Great Nation.
He would have to be eliminated.
Minato Namikaze was no longer the sunny young man he had once been. As Hokage, he had matured into the full weight of shadow and light.
Yet he also knew, from their past exchange of information, that Uchiha Shion bore goodwill toward Konoha. And surely, the abilities listed in these files were not the full measure of his power.
For now… find a way to meet him. To speak with him directly.