The first choice: Kushina Uzumaki releasing the Nine-Tails chakra for Minato Namikaze.
Although this had the approval of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kushina's hesitation had already been noted by Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.
This was a very dangerous signal.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Konoha's nuclear weapon, she would put Konoha in danger for her own personal matters.
After this incident, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others would definitely increase their surveillance of Kushina Uzumaki.
Even if Kushina was wholeheartedly devoted to Konoha, what if someone threatened her like Yagyu did?
The second choice: Sarutobi Hiruzen tacitly accepting Shimura Danzo's sacrifice through his actions.
This would further deteriorate the relationship between Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen, making their already meager bond exist in name only.
Shimura Danzo would completely give up hope on Sarutobi Hiruzen, evolving into Konoha's "Pot King" even faster than in the original story.
With one arm destroyed by Yagyu and his strength greatly reduced, Shimura Danzo would definitely use any means necessary to secure his power and find ways to enhance his strength.
The Sharingan and Hashirama cells, two things Danzo had long desired, would certainly be put into practice.
The third choice: Having Sarutobi Hiruzen attack Orochimaru, while crippling one of Jiraiya's arms.
Jiraiya, a Kage-level combatant loyal to Konoha, had his strength greatly reduced. Meanwhile, an irreparable rift would appear between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru.
Although they all knew the reason Sarutobi Hiruzen attacked Orochimaru, the killing intent behind those attacks was real.
Trust is the most fragile thing; once a problem arises, it can never be restored to its original state.
The fourth choice...
Yagyu looked calmly at Minato Namikaze, a mocking smile on his face.
He raised his palm, a golden light flickering at his fingertip. A nonchalant voice came from his mouth: "What? Haven't decided how to choose yet?"
"The countdown starts now. If you don't choose, for every minute that passes, I will kill a Konoha villager. You know my speed; you can't stop me."
"Minato Namikaze, are you going to hurt the Konoha that gave birth to you and raised you, all for this woman from the Land of Whirlpools?"
"As far as I know, you once said you wanted to become Hokage. Since you want to be Hokage, you must have the corresponding resolve."
"For a Hokage, the village is the most important thing. To protect the village, whether it be brothers, wives, children, or comrades—all can be sacrificed."
"These are words once spoken by the First Hokage. I share them with you now. Come on, make your decision quickly!"
Yagyu spoke lazily, the light at his fingertip becoming increasingly dazzling.
"I'm sorry, Kushina!"
"I'm injured right now; I won't be able to hurt you."
"We've sparred many times; you know my fighting style."
"Brace yourself, you can do it."
After hesitating for a while, Minato Namikaze gritted his teeth and spoke sincerely to Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina Uzumaki suddenly felt a pain in her heart.
Although she knew Minato's choice was correct, humans are ultimately emotional creatures.
"Perfect!"
Watching Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki begin to fight, a mocking smile appeared on Yagyu's face.
From the moment Minato made his move, there was no going back for them. Their feelings for each other would cool rapidly.
And Minato's previous hesitation would greatly discount his image in the eyes of the Konoha villagers. He was not a qualified Hokage.
Compared to the Third Hokage earlier, Minato failed.
The Third Hokage could abandon his best friend, Shimura Danzo, without hesitation for their sake, letting his best friend die.
Minato Namikaze, on the other hand, hesitated for a long time just to attack Kushina Uzumaki.
This is not a qualified Hokage; public duty carried less weight in his heart than personal matters.
In fact, Minato Namikaze's actions in the original story were indeed not what a qualified Hokage should have done.
In the original story, Minato didn't have to die, but he sacrificed himself anyway.
Don't say he was killed by the Nine-Tails' sneak attack; he actively used the Reaper Death Seal before losing his life.
Yagyu had thought for a long time about why he did that, but never understood it.
Was it because he didn't want Kushina to go to the afterlife alone?
Are you kidding me!
You were swallowed into the Reaper's belly; how could you go on the road with Kushina?
If it wasn't a plot-induced death, then he had a hole in his brain and committed suicide out of momentary despair.
Wife died, so he didn't want to live anymore.
Son?
The son was just an accident.
"Kushina Uzumaki's situation in the future will become difficult."
"Unable to become the next Hokage, your status will drop rapidly."
"Jiraiya is injured and his strength has declined, so his status will also drop."
"Neither of you can help Kushina Uzumaki."
"Plus, with what you're doing now, will they break up?"
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
Yagyu muttered to himself, turning his gaze to Tsunade nearby.
Once his fifth choice was presented, Konoha's countdown would begin!
Once Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others had squandered the popularity left by the First Hokage and severed the people's hope in Konoha...
That would be the time for him, fully fledged, to emerge and unite the ninja world by popular demand!
A cold light flashed in Yagyu's eyes.
He imitated Kizaru, but he wasn't truly Kizaru.
One could be a slacker in daily life and nonchalant in battle, but when it came to his career, he had ambition. Having traveled to this world, how could he be content if he didn't change it?
"The minute is up!"
Namikaze Minato retreated rapidly, a relieved smile on his face.
Uzumaki Kushina had easily blocked him. As an assassin-type ninja, Minato's damage output wasn't his strongest suit; his advantage lay in his unpredictability. Kushina had mobilized a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra, using the Tailed Beast cloak to deflect all his attacks.
Minato looked visibly relieved, failing to notice the complex look in Kushina's eyes.
"The fifth choice!"
Yagyu spoke lazily, his gaze sweeping sluggishly over the Third Hokage and the others.
"You reap what you sow. If you hadn't treacherously ambushed me, none of this would have happened today."
"Konoha's credit rating gives me cause for concern, so I need some insurance."
"I want a Konoha ninja as a hostage to ensure the village doesn't pull any more shameful stunts."
"The First Hokage's granddaughter, the Princess of the Senju Clan—Tsunade. She is the perfect candidate!"