"Enma!"
At Hiruzen Sarutobi's command, the iron staff extended in an instant, lashing out toward the figure floating in midair.
Bang!!
With just a single punch, Uchiha Shion sent the staff hurtling away. His gaze locked once again with Hiruzen's.
"Minato, at this rate I won't be able to get close. Assist me," the Third muttered.
Hovering above, Shion finally understood the awkwardness of their earlier stare-off.
So that was it. No way this old man would suddenly just let things slide—what about watching over the Sarutobi clan? What about supporting the Shimura clan?
Turns out he was only trying to salvage a shred of dignity. Maybe the Fourth still believed in him a little, but by the time he thought it through afterward, even Minato would realize the truth.
As expected—Mr. Zhou was right. From the very moment he arrived in this world, he knew: politics was filthy.
"The tragic act you're putting on is impressive, Third Hokage," Shion said lightly, his tone tinged with mockery. "But I won't play along. Wouldn't want to accidentally smash Ichiraku's when this drags on."
With those words, Shion vanished from the towering tree he had been standing upon.
On the ground, Hiruzen exhaled silently in relief.
"Minato… there's truly no way to block the Flying Thunder God Technique?" he asked.
Minato Namikaze gave him a complicated look, then answered honestly:
"The true power of space-time ninjutsu lies in its unpredictability. In battle, it can be momentarily anchored within a small range. But if the user is determined to leave… no one can stop them."
Hiruzen paused, then nodded bitterly.
If the Second Hokage hadn't chosen to stay behind to cover their retreat, perhaps with Flying Thunder God alone, he could have escaped pursuit without issue.
"From here on, all intelligence concerning Uchiha Shion will be given the highest priority classification," Hiruzen declared.
But only his personal ANBU captain bowed in acknowledgement.
The Fourth Hokage's ANBU, once obedient, remained silent—standing calmly behind Minato, ignoring the Third's words.
After a long moment, Minato sighed.
"No matter what, Uchiha Shion's threat is undeniable. His intelligence priority should indeed be raised to the highest level. But… given the disparity in power, the priority is only symbolic. In practice, it may be abandoned."
He glanced toward the search squads and Inoichi Yamanaka, who had just arrived, then walked forward.
"The rest is in your hands. Whatever happens, Konoha needs the truth. And so do all the clans who carry kekkei genkai and secret techniques."
Inoichi bowed deeply. Good… at least my son, Fū, can remain safely within the clan…
The Hokage's Office
The five who had left earlier returned once again. Minato let out a weary breath and sank into his chair.
"About today's events…"
Before he could finish, Shisui Uchiha spoke first:
"Beyond myself and Kumo, no one else in the Uchiha will know what happened today. As I said before—Hokage Kagura died as a hero in the Third Shinobi War, for the sake of Konoha. That truth will not change."
Minato gave a faint smile and nodded. "With you and Kumo in the Uchiha, I'll wait until the day you both hold decision-making power. Then… the Police Force will be reformed."
Shisui's heart jolted at the words.
The Police Force…?
So the Fourth Hokage had already understood the deeper reason why the Uchiha were marginalized.
Just as Kumo had said—naïve people may become Hokage, but once someone becomes Hokage, they can no longer remain naïve.
"…Thank you, Lord Fourth."
Shisui and Kumo exchanged a look, then both sat quietly, no longer speaking.
At that moment, Kakashi finally raised his voice.
"About Danzō… and my father…"
Minato's expression darkened. He knew what Kakashi wanted to ask. He had seen it himself in the mission scrolls Danzō tampered with, back when he was still a child.
"Yes… Danzō's hand was indeed behind what happened to Sakumo," Minato admitted quietly. "Kakashi, you must understand… sometimes, in pursuit of their goals, the higher-ups engage in battles far from the light."
Kakashi's fists clenched, fury burning inside him with nowhere to go.
To abandon comrades for the mission, or to abandon the mission for comrades…
Obito… Father… all of it was nothing more than the elders' schemes to achieve their ends.
His already broken spirit sank further still.
Watching silently, Minato could only sigh. Even if he hadn't said it outright, a sharp mind like Kakashi's would soon piece together the truth anyway.
And in the end…
Was I not also just a compromise, chosen from within the elders' political games? The joy of becoming Hokage had long since been eroded away by these years of clarity.
After the Third Shinobi War, Hiruzen had been forced into retirement by Danzō, due to Konoha's staggering losses.
Back then, the one most deserving of the title Hokage should have been the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake.
Under the Night Sky
Only Minato and Kakashi remained in the Hokage's office, darkness blanketing the village.
Gazing out the window, Minato spoke softly:
"As the Third said earlier… we've all failed to trust the next generation."
"To cherish comrades, to value teamwork… those were Obito's words to you. Perhaps in the next generation, you'll rediscover them."
"Kakashi… when I first became Hokage, I was lost too. Living in darkness, one always longs for a light. That's why I tell you of the darkness—because you, your generation… are my light."
Atop the Hokage Monument
Shisui and Kumo sat casually atop the Third's stone face.
"With Danzō gone, the Uchiha finally have more room to breathe," Shisui said with a faint smile. But as his eyes fell upon the colossal tree that towered above the ruins in the distance, his smile faded.
"Hokage Kagura…"
Kumo's gaze followed his. He nodded slowly.
"I know. That clansman of ours—one I never met, yet one who resembled me in so many ways. For both the Uchiha and for Konoha, he chose to die swiftly."
Shisui glanced at him. "Uncle Tezuka always looked after you and your sister. You won't resent me, will you? For killing Kagura."
Kumo shook his head gently. "It wasn't you who killed him. He had no wish to go on in that state. If… if Uncle Tezuka had seen Kagura like that, I fear…"
He trailed off, then asked quietly:
"The Second Hokage's will wasn't carried only by Danzō. Back then… why did you block the strike?"
Shisui's expression grew solemn. "Because the Fourth Hokage's timing was too tight. His strength wasn't enough to divert Shion's blade. Mito Menma's death—though harsh—also removed an obstacle for us."
Kumo frowned. "So you think Lord Fourth would have stepped in?"
Shisui's gaze drifted back to the Hokage's office, its lights still glowing.
"A wound and a death are not the same. If the Fourth had acted, it would have been Konoha's dignity on the line, face-to-face. But Uchiha Shion was always going to leave. No one could stop him. That's the strength of a man who walks alone."