How should I put this?
Truly worthy of the Yellow Flash.
Hakken brushed aside Minato's hand from his head with a casual flick.
To be honest, when he'd walked out, he had already prepared for the worst—planning to storm the place with Anko and then leave the village behind.
It had happened earlier than expected, but he'd already hinted to Orochimaru beforehand that he would seek him out one day.
Hakken was confident. If he unleashed his full strength, leaving Konoha wouldn't be difficult.
It wasn't arrogance toward Konoha—simply that no one in this world truly understood the power of the Shinigami.
He could even leave behind an unforgettable memory for the village before departing.
But thinking it through, considering his current age and the progress of his Template's awakening, there were still people out there who could threaten him.
Not that Hakken cared. Facing danger, challenging himself step by step, growing through combat—those were what drove him most.
Endless battle... that was the ultimate passion of the one who had inherited everything from Kenpachi.
But what about Anko?
Could she really endure that kind of life?
And what about Itachi, who was so closely tied to him? If Hakken left, Itachi would be the first to face Konoha's backlash—along with the entire Uchiha clan behind him.
His blood might boil with the urge to fight, but there were still things he had to consider.
He would wait.
Wait until his strength was enough to fear nothing—until no one could stand in his way.
It wasn't that Hakken was afraid. The word "fear" simply didn't exist in his vocabulary.
But right now, there were still people within Konoha's leadership willing to speak on his behalf.
Minato Namikaze...
The father of the Child of Destiny.
Perhaps one day, you'll look back and realize that because of one small act of kindness, you were allowed to live long enough to see your son grow up.
"Your graduation application—I was the one who approved it, Hakken."
Minato looked a bit awkward as Hakken brushed off his hand. Since becoming Hokage, this was the first time he'd faced such a difficult junior.
He had no choice but to say it—it was also a reminder to Hakken.
The message was clear: your smooth graduation happened because I helped you.
So now, give me some face, and let me handle this.
"Understood."
Hakken nodded, then calmly pulled Anko aside.
He wanted to see how the Yellow Flash planned to deal with this mess.
"Fourth Hokage, do you really think a few words from you can let someone who attacked his comrades escape punishment?"
A single "I trust you" might earn Hakken's respect, but not everyone would accept it.
Especially not Danzō, who'd been waiting for a chance like this—to send Hakken to the Root Division for "re-education."
"Punishment isn't for our own people," Minato said firmly. "It's for our enemies."
He turned around, his expression solemn.
"I believe Anko knew nothing about Orochimaru. And what Hakken said makes sense. Instead of wasting time on our own, we should focus our efforts on pursuing Orochimaru."
Our own people.
Those were the three words Minato kept repeating.
"First, this matter isn't as complicated as it looks. It's just a boy who lost his temper after seeing his sister captured—that's understandable. If Kushina were unjustly dragged into something like this, I'd have done the same. Besides, he didn't deal any fatal blows to the ANBU, which means he still showed restraint."
"Second, before Hakken Yoru and Itachi Uchiha set out on their mission, I had already decided that once it was completed, they would both be recruited into ANBU. Since that decision was made beforehand, that means he is already one of ANBU. At most, this is just an internal issue within our own ranks."
Facing Konoha's elders, Minato's tone was calm but unwavering.
And yet, everyone could hear it—he was standing completely on Hakken Yoru's side.
"On what grounds?"
Danzō's eyes burned with fury.
"On the grounds that ANBU is the Hokage's personal assassination unit, answering only to the Hokage," Minato replied evenly.
"And I am Konoha's Fourth Hokage—the rightful Hokage."
In that moment, Minato's demeanor hardened. Gone was the polite, accommodating man from before. His voice carried an authority that allowed no doubt or defiance.
He was the Fourth Hokage. The true Hokage.
And the Hokage's words were law.
That tone again!
Danzō's fists clenched tightly, his heart pounding in his chest as his gaze shifted from Minato to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Once, long ago, Hiruzen had spoken with that same conviction.
Danzō, I am the Hokage!
"Do you have any objections to my decision, Lord Third?"
For reasons even he couldn't explain, saying those words felt like releasing a heavy burden from his chest.
With two Hokage present, Minato turned toward Hiruzen, waiting for his answer.
The Third Hokage hesitated, momentarily taken aback.
Minato wasn't asking what he should do. He was simply asking if Hiruzen had any objections.
Objections could be voiced—but he might not accept them.
Was this what it meant to finally act like a true Hokage?
Hiruzen let out a faint sigh and shook his head.
After all, this entire situation had started because of him.
If he hadn't gone soft and let Orochimaru go, none of this would have happened.
He had no right to speak now and had remained silent for that reason.
"You're the Hokage. Handle it as you see fit."
But even as he said that, a quiet bitterness stirred inside him. Shaking his head, Hiruzen turned away, his frail figure stooped with age as he left the scene.
Orochimaru's betrayal had left a wound too deep to heal.
"Everyone, stand down. Get the wounded to the medical corps."
"Hakken, take the day off. Come to the Hokage's office tomorrow morning."
When the dust finally settled, Minato turned to Hakken once more, offering him that same bright, reassuring smile before walking off into the distance.
A gentle breeze brushed past, making the words "Fourth Hokage" on his cloak flutter before Hakken's eyes.
"He truly lives up to the name of Hokage."
...
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