Ye Chen smiled slightly upon hearing Shikaku Nara's answer.
"Congratulations, you got it right."
Shikaku Nara let out a long breath and exchanged a glance with Minato Namikaze, who also showed a happy expression.
Looking at Minato Namikaze's joyful smile, Shikaku Nara thought to himself:
As expected of you, Minato; you have never disappointed us.
With the first question answered correctly, getting things off to a good start, all three began to look forward to the next question.
"Please look at the second question."
Ye Chen waved his hand, and the first question from before slowly dissipated.
Tiny points of light rearranged themselves to form the second question:
[Question 2: During the 'Nine-Tails Attack', one high-ranking Konoha official did not participate in the battle and strictly ordered his subordinates not to participate either. Who was he?]
Answer A: Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Answer B: Hokage Advisor Homura Mitokado.
Answer C: Hokage Advisor Utatane Koharu.
Answer D: Root Leader Danzo Shimura.
Seeing the question, Shikaku Nara's brows furrowed slightly.
It wasn't because the question was difficult; in fact, as soon as it appeared, he already had an answer in his heart.
The important point was that this fellow actually hid in a corner during such a critical moment as the Nine-Tails attacking the Village.
He even ordered his subordinates not to participate in the battle.
Did he not know how much damage the Nine-Tails would cause to the Village?
What a disgusting fellow!
Shikaku Nara turned his head to glance at Minato Namikaze.
The latter's expression was also very serious, even carrying a faint hint of anger.
In Minato Namikaze's view, the four people listed as answers were all high-ranking officials with real power in Konoha.
Since they occupied high-level positions, they should make the appropriate contributions at critical moments.
Usually, you throw your weight around and enjoy endless pleasures, but as soon as a critical moment comes, you hide and let the people below go to their deaths?
Then on what basis are you allowed to be a high-ranking official? Just because you're old?
So no matter which of the four it was, Minato Namikaze could not forgive such an action.
"Could it be that guy, Shikaku?"
In his anger, Minato Namikaze didn't even want to say the name, directly substituting it with 'that guy'.
Hearing this, Shikaku Nara nodded and affirmed:
"It should be him, even setting aside the motive."
"Since Lord Sandaime's retirement, the Anbu has been handed over to you to manage, and he has no direct combat units under him."
"Elder Homura and Elder Koharu also do not possess the authority to mobilize the Village's mobile forces."
"Only Danzo Shimura—the Root under him only takes orders from him. He has the authority to issue such a command."
Minato Namikaze nodded, signaling Shikaku Nara to answer.
Danzo Shimura had always meddled in Minato Namikaze's administration.
And the Root under him also followed orders only when it suited them; Root was essentially Danzo Shimura's own private army.
He completely disregarded him as the Hokage.
Although Minato Namikaze was magnanimous, he hadn't reached the point of being able to tolerate a fellow who was effectively splitting the Village.
It was just that he hadn't been in office for very long and hadn't found the time to deal with it yet.
Moreover, Danzo Shimura and his Root were established with the consent of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
To move against Root and Danzo Shimura, one also had to consider Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.
But now, Minato Namikaze's determination to eradicate this tumor was growing heavier and heavier.
Having received the order, Shikaku Nara did not hesitate and answered decisively:
"I choose Answer D: Danzo Shimura."
Ye Chen nodded happily; the more they answered correctly, the greater his rewards would be accordingly.
They were essentially working for him!
"Congratulations, that is correct."
"Next is the third question."
Following Ye Chen's words, the light points scattered and condensed once more, and the third question appeared.
[Question 3: During the 'Nine-Tails Attack', a Hokage sacrificed his life to protect Konoha Village. Who was he?]
Answer A: Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Answer B: Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze.
The three people were suddenly shocked upon seeing the question.
In the so-called future 'Nine-Tails Attack', a Hokage actually sacrificed himself?
And the answer was between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze?
"Sensei! This question!"
Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but turn to look at Minato Namikaze's expression.
When he saw the question, he subconsciously arrived at an answer in his heart.
In his view, the person who could sacrifice their own life to protect the Village was definitely his teacher.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Although the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had also diligently protected the Village for decades.
Compared to Minato Namikaze's personal charisma, he was still lacking quite a bit.
When the Village encountered danger, the first person to step forward would definitely be Minato Namikaze.
But, would it really happen?
In the 'Nine-Tails Attack', his teacher actually sacrificed himself?
His teacher had just inherited the position of Hokage and was still so young; was he going to die in the 'Nine-Tails Attack'?
Kakashi Hatake found it somewhat unacceptable.
On the other side, Shikaku Nara thought a bit differently.
He had been a Jonin for a long time, unlike Kakashi Hatake who had always followed by Minato Namikaze's side.
As the head of the Nara Clan, Shikaku Nara had had many dealings with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This ninja hero, although some things he did were not entirely satisfactory, his heart for protecting the Village...
...and the responsibility he bore as Hokage were things he would not run away from at all.
Most importantly, compared to Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already very old.
If someone had to be sacrificed at a critical moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi taking on that responsibility would definitely be the optimal solution.
Considering it from a rational perspective, Shikaku Nara still felt that Answer A was more plausible.
But this question was clearly not as simple as the first two; he subconsciously looked toward Minato Namikaze.
Yet he saw that Minato Namikaze was also looking at him:
"Choose me. My intuition tells me it must be me."
Regarding this question, Minato Namikaze didn't actually have that many points to consider.
He simply felt that as the Hokage, he should bear the responsibilities and obligations that others could not.
Since a major crisis was faced and someone had to be sacrificed...
...then he would definitely step forward; there was no doubt about it.
"But Sensei!"
Kakashi Hatake was somewhat hesitant.
Minato Namikaze saw his struggle and offered a smile of comfort:
"The question doesn't state exactly which year the 'Nine-Tails Attack' occurs."
"Maybe it's decades later?"
"By then I'll be quite old, and maybe I'll already have many sons and daughters."
"To protect them, I would be very willing to sacrifice myself!"
To safeguard Konoha, protect the villagers, and even protect his own descendants...
...why would he, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, begrudge his own life?
Kakashi Hatake lowered his head and said softly:
"But, the Third..."
Minato Namikaze looked at Kakashi Hatake's pale face and reminded him:
"Kakashi, don't have such dangerous thoughts."
"I believe Lord Sandaime would certainly be willing to make the same decision as me."
"He is the former Hokage, after all! Someone who would risk his life to protect the Village!"
"But how can lives be weighed and compared?"