Chapter 32 — Everything Was Part of the Act
"Minato~! (;｀o´)o"
Kinoshita Hikaru shouted loudly. The words were like a miraculous elixir.
Namikaze Minato—who had been lying on the ground unconscious—instantly sprang up. Even while still in midair, he had already begun gathering chakra, launching a full-force attack.
And that wasn't all.
Uchiha Shigeru, who had appeared to be gravely injured moments before, suddenly stood up as well. With a short blade in hand, he rushed forward at incredible speed.
(︶︿︶)=凸
These two teammates were seriously shameless—watching him get beaten the whole time without doing anything.
Their patience was terrifying.
Iruwa Yoshi's expression changed drastically. He struggled desperately, unable to comprehend how the two who were supposed to be severely injured had suddenly become so lively.
What the hell happened?
Why would I make such a low-level mistake?
Iruwa Yoshi roared and fought to break free, but no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't escape. Kinoshita Hikaru's body now possessed incredible elasticity—like a real octopus—locking him firmly in place.
"Rasengan."
Namikaze Minato condensed all of his chakra and slammed the attack violently into Iruwa Yoshi's back.
"Uchiha Style — Gale Slash!"
The blade in Uchiha Shigeru's hand glowed with a crimson light. Flames surged along its edge as it slashed across the man's neck.
Crack.
Accompanied by the sound of a chest bone shattering and blood spraying into the air, Iruwa Yoshi's life came to an end.
As a Jonin, Iruwa Yoshi had imagined many possible ways he might die.
But never like this.
Filled with unwillingness, he closed his eyes.
And at that moment, memories flooded through his mind—everything suddenly coming back to him.
Damn it…
…
With the enemy defeated, Kinoshita Hikaru finally relaxed his body and collapsed onto the ground, sitting down heavily as he gasped for breath.
"This is such a scam. You two just watched me get beaten up."
With the enemy defeated, the killing intent faded, and everyone gradually returned to their usual carefree state.
"Sorry. He was just too fast. But thanks to you, Hikaru."
Namikaze Minato scratched the back of his head with a silly grin.
"Hmph. I could have handled him alone. I didn't need Minato at all."
Uchiha Shigeru said proudly.
"Why couldn't it be Minato? The two of us could've gotten beaten together."
"(︶︿︶)=凸"
Uchiha Shigeru's face froze.
Seeing Hikaru's bruised and swollen face, he snapped angrily,
"Urusei!" — Shut up.
I'm a proud Uchiha—how could I possibly get beaten up like that?
"Hahaha!"
Kinoshita Hikaru burst into laughter, only to tug painfully at his wounds. He hissed sharply through clenched teeth.
The ridiculous scene made the other two laugh as well—though their own wounds quickly reminded them not to laugh too hard.
The three exchanged glances and smiled before simply sitting down on the ground.
"Everyone…"
At that moment, the other seven walked over, their faces filled with excitement. Kushina waved toward the three of them, and Minato immediately ran over.
(︶︿︶)=凸
"Have some dignity, Minato."
Kushina—who was usually loud and carefree whenever she saw Minato—was surprisingly blushing now.
She remembered what Minato had said earlier.
It had been far too direct, leaving her completely unable to handle it.
Everyone else also remembered Minato's earlier declaration.
"I won't let Kushina get hurt!"
Nawaki crossed his arms and twisted his body dramatically as he mimicked the line.
"ಥ_ಥ"
Minato gave an embarrassed smile, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it.
Damn it…
That Shadow Clone had gone too far, blurting out his true feelings.
How was he supposed to face Kushina now?
What should he do?
Suddenly, he clutched his chest, let out a miserable cry, and collapsed onto the ground.
"(︶︿︶)=凸"
Everyone immediately saw through his terrible acting.
Kinoshita Hikaru walked over, grabbed him, and started shaking him up and down.
"Minato, this is way too lame. That was just to trick the enemy. Also—you're only seven years old."
Seeing that Minato was determined to keep playing dead, the others simply ignored him and continued joking among themselves.
At that moment—
Everyone had finally relaxed.
Kushina could no longer hold back her emotions. She burst into tears.
"Thank you… thank you, everyone!"
"Don't say silly things. We're companions—companions who entrust our lives to each other. There's no need to say thanks."
"But if you want to treat me to a meal, I'd be very happy. ⊙▽⊙"
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
That was so Kinoshita Hikaru.
"Alright. I'll cook for everyone myself."
Even with her tear-streaked face looking like a little crying kitten, Kushina's smile was bright and radiant.
Kinoshita Hikaru suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
…
Elsewhere.
Hokage's Office.
The crystal ball reflected everything that had just occurred. Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a faint smile, knowing that the plan had succeeded. Uzumaki Kushina could no longer leave Konoha now—she had found companions here, people to whom she could entrust her life.
And the children had not disappointed him.
On their own, they had eliminated two Chūnin and one Jōnin.
Although that Jōnin had been placed under a genjutsu and had never used lethal attacks, it was still an extraordinary achievement for a group of children.
After all, the strength of a Jōnin was beyond question.
The shrewd and calculating Hiruzen Sarutobi would never undertake something without certainty.
The worst possible outcome would simply have been the group getting injured and failing to rescue Kushina.
But as long as Iruwa Yoshi reached the border, the genjutsu placed upon him would activate. At that point, he would obediently return and turn himself in.
There would be absolutely no accidents.
Because the technique had been cast personally by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
Genjutsu — Mind Conversion Technique.
A forbidden illusion technique capable of altering a person's will. The victim would not notice anything abnormal and would simply obey orders. The duration depended on the victim's own mental strength but could last up to one year.
It was an S-rank forbidden genjutsu, developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, inspired by the abilities of the Uchiha clan.
It was also a technique that could only be learned by someone who had become Hokage.
After all—
This entire incident had been nothing more than a grand performance.
Everyone involved had been actors.
And the director… was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
Fortunately, the results were excellent.
He dispelled the Telescope Technique, stood up, and said with a smile,
"Everyone, the enemy has been eliminated. All of the children are safe and unharmed. You may all rest assured."
The clan leaders exchanged glances, shock filling their hearts.
Although they had not seen the scene displayed within the crystal ball, Hiruzen's smile alone told them that the outcome had met his expectations.
Only one thought filled their minds.
How was that even possible?
A Jōnin was not some common cabbage you could casually cut down.
How could ten children possibly emerge completely unharmed?
Truly worthy of the Hokage… his hidden cards were endless.
Though countless questions filled their minds, none of them were foolish enough to ask directly. They simply buried those doubts within their hearts.
"Everyone," Hiruzen said calmly, his tone steady and unhurried, "as the elite of Konoha, I believe you all understand what should and should not be said… what should and should not be asked."
"After all, some matters only need a good purpose behind them."
"Because everything we do… is for Konoha."
His voice remained gentle, devoid of any sharpness.
Yet everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.
It was as if they were seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi for the first time.
"I understand," said the head of the Hyūga clan. "In that case, I shall take my leave."
The Hyūga believed in a policy of non-interference. As long as the Byakugan was safe, they had no interest in knowing anything else.
Hiruzen personally escorted the Hyūga clan head out of the office.
Seeing this, the remaining clan leaders all rose and took their leave as well.
After everyone had gone, a determined look flashed through Hiruzen's eyes.
There was one thing he had not lied about.
Everything he had done… truly was for Konoha.
For that purpose, he had personally stepped forward and done something that did not fit the image he had carefully maintained for years.
It had damaged the reputation of the kindly old Hokage he had cultivated for so long.
"But it was worth it."
"It was all for Konoha."
He could already imagine it.
Ten or so years from now, when those children had grown up and inherited their respective clans…
Konoha would no longer be like it was now—filled with undercurrents and divided loyalties.
Instead, the village would become truly united.
And all of it… would begin with a single child.
A civilian ninja.
"Orochimaru… Jiraiya… Kinoshita Hikaru… Namikaze Minato…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled proudly.
But…
Would events truly unfold according to the script he had written?
…
Elsewhere.
With his throat slit and his spine shattered, Iruwa Yoshi regained his memories in his final moments.
He remembered the night he had been captured.
He remembered being released afterward by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Everything had been a conspiracy.
And he had been nothing more than a chess piece.
A pawn used to temper and sharpen those children.
The chakra within his heart flickered like the dying flame of a candle, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
But he was unwilling.
Hatred.
Overwhelming hatred.
The towering resentment dragged him back from the brink of hell.
With the last bit of strength he possessed, he bit down and crushed the pill hidden in his back molar, swallowing the secret medicine.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
***
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