What was he planning to do?
Kurenai Yūhi clenched her teeth as she helped Itachi up from where he'd been knocked out beside the street.
Hakken had ultimately left him behind.
From beginning to end, he was never the kind of person to drag his friends into trouble.
And after hearing what Itachi said just moments ago, there was no way he'd change that decision.
Bringing someone from the Uchiha Clan to storm the ANBU and cause a scene?
Don't be ridiculous.
With how strained things already were between the Uchiha and Konoha, Fugaku would be pulling his hair out just over Itachi getting involved. And even if Fugaku wanted to help, he wouldn't be able to do anything.
This was muddy water—no way around it.
Even Hakken Yoru didn't know how this would end.
But whatever happened, no one was allowed to touch Anko!
Even if it meant going down with her.
She was his sister!
His presence erupted—an overwhelming spiritual pressure surged outward, forcing the gathered bystanders to instinctively back away. No one dared stand in his path.
That small boy looked at the world like a beast let loose.
With the power of Zaraki Kenpachi inherited, Hakken had also consumed the ferocity that came with it.
Only blood could keep that beast in check.
...
"Hokage-sama."
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Building in Konoha...
The young Inoichi Yamanaka entered the office and knelt on one knee.
"Mm."
Minato gave a small nod, motioning for him to rise.
Standing by the window, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was silently lost in thought.
And the reason behind that silence left Minato feeling both amused and helpless.
Orochimaru had escaped.
He had slaughtered multiple ANBU agents right in front of his own teacher—and walked away.
To say he "escaped" wasn't even right. At the final moment, the Third had simply... let him go.
That soft heart of his always acted up.
But once he did, the regret would follow soon after.
What exactly was he regretting now?
Minato shook his head slightly.
"Anko Mitarashi has shared everything she knows. According to standard ANBU interrogation protocol, the next step..."
Inoichi's voice began to drop.
"...requires your authorization for special measures."
When it came to ANBU interrogation procedures, such things were never meant for public eyes.
Using Genjutsu on enemy shinobi was one thing—but using it on your own people?
That was crossing a line.
At best, it could cause nervous system strain and long-term psychological damage.
At worst? Permanent brain damage.
Real brain damage.
Everything depended on how it was done. But when it came to using those methods on your own, it had to go through official clearance.
Otherwise, even Inoichi couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Follow the standard procedures. We need to find Orochimaru's hidden bases."
Just as he finished, Hiruzen suddenly turned and added,
"Also, designate Orochimaru as a Konoha S-rank Missing-nin. Effective immediately, dispatch pursuit units."
Follow the standard procedures?
Minato was momentarily stunned, about to say something—when the sound of a window opening interrupted him.
"I'll handle the pursuit."
Looking up, a white-haired man crouched in the open window, his expression heavy.
Jiraiya—one of the legendary Sannin.
Also Hiruzen's student, and Minato Namikaze's mentor.
At that moment, three generations of teacher and student stood together once more.
"Jiraiya, about pursuing Orochimaru…"
Hiruzen furrowed his brow. It was obvious—he didn't want Jiraiya to go after Orochimaru, because he knew this student of his all too well.
This so-called mission to chase Orochimaru... was probably just an excuse to leave Konoha.
But right now, Konoha didn't have many people left to rely on.
If even Jiraiya left, what would become of the village?
"Sensei, I know what you're thinking. But if anyone's going to chase down Orochimaru—it has to be me."
Jiraiya shook his head and looked at Hiruzen. It seemed like he still had more to say, but when his eyes landed on Minato's tired expression, the words never left his mouth.
In the end, all he did was let out a long sigh before jumping out the window, disappearing from sight.
After Tsunade of the Senju clan...
All three of the Legendary Sannin had now left the village.
A little earlier than in the original timeline—but it changed nothing.
Even in the original, during the Nine-Tails' Rampage that year, neither Jiraiya nor Orochimaru were anywhere to be found when disaster struck.
Only Minato and the Third were there to protect the village.
So where were those so-called heroes when they were needed most?
No one knew.
There was a hint of sorrow in Minato's eyes.
He was grateful to Jiraiya, truly—but in the end, as his teacher left, he couldn't even bring himself to say a single heartfelt word.
So tired.
Watching Inoichi's back as he walked away, Minato suddenly felt completely drained.
This Hokage role... this village...
For the first time, he felt utterly powerless.
The room fell silent again. Neither Hokage spoke a word.
Several minutes passed—until an ANBU agent suddenly burst in, breaking the stillness.
"Lord Third! Lord Fourth!"
"Hakken Yoru just returned from a mission outside the village—he's stormed into ANBU headquarters with a sword!"
Stormed in. With a sword.
In that instant, Minato finally remembered what he'd been feeling was missing this whole time.
Of course.
The girl about to undergo Genjutsu interrogation, caught in ANBU's standard procedures—she was his sister.
"Move!"
Without hesitation, Minato rushed out of the office.
He had to stop him.
Before the boy made a mistake he couldn't take back.
Hakken was someone he truly cared about.
...
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