Chapter 191: Final Entrustment, Danzo Seizes Power!

Chapter 191: Final Entrustment, Danzo Seizes Power!

Kushina was silent.

As a Jinchuriki, she understood:

Once the Nine-Tails left her body, she would inevitably die.

She was only alive now because of her strong life force.

Minato's sacrifice, Kushina knew:

It was love.

A love he couldn't let go of, a love that surpassed his dreams.

Minato was willing to give up his dream of being Hokage rather than leave her...

Minato turned to look at Haneda, who silently gazed back at him.

No matter how you looked at it, the death of Minato and Kushina would ultimately be attributed to his close friend, Obito.

At this moment, there was no sorrow in Minato about his impending death, only his usual gentle calm.

He spoke solemnly, which was rare:

"Naruto is entrusted to you, Haneda."

Haneda's mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

Beep beep beep!

The system sound echoed in Haneda's ears, signaling an increase in affection points.

Normally, this was a sound Haneda eagerly anticipated, but at this moment, it felt especially ironic.

The Space-Time affinity and Flying Thunder God proficiency he had long desired surged suddenly.

His understanding of sealing techniques deepened as time slowed.

It was Minato and Kushina's final entrustment.

And Haneda was the one they chose to trust.

Minato's voice continued.

"Regardless of whether Madara's goal is the Nine-Tails or not, one-half of it will be sealed with me inside the Shinigami."

"He won't succeed."

The Nine-Tails sensed Minato's impending move and attempted to reach out a claw in resistance.

But the golden Susanoo isolated its claw and fully protected Minato and Kushina.

The Reaper Death Seal was activated, and one half of the Nine-Tails was sealed within Minato.

Minato's soul was on the verge of being devoured by the Shinigami.

"We don't have much time left, Kushina…"

Minato hugged Kushina, his face pale and extremely weak,

"It's about time to activate the Eight Trigrams Seal."

After a long silence, Haneda spoke softly: "Let me do it."

"Minato-senpai, Kushina-neesan, try to leave as much of your chakra as you can in Naruto."

"This is the only thing I can do for you now."

"Alright."

Minato, resting against Kushina's hair, spoke softly,

"Say what you want to Naruto now."

Kushina looked down at her sleeping child and whispered her wishes:

"Naruto, don't be a picky eater."

"Eat well every day and grow strong."

"Remember to take a hot bath every day, and don't stay up too late."

"Also, make friends."

"It's okay if you don't have many friends; a few trustworthy ones are enough."

"Even though your mom's not that skilled, you should still study hard and master ninjutsu well."

"Even if it doesn't go smoothly, it's okay…"

…

"Naruto, what Dad wants to say… is the same as what your nagging mom just said."

"But… I have one more thing."

"No matter what challenges you face, Haneda will be there to help you."

"I believe one day he'll be the next Hokage."

Haneda listened silently to Minato and Kushina's final words.

He performed the Eight Trigrams Seal, sealing their chakra and the Nine-Tails within Naruto.

The Night of the Nine-Tails saw few casualties in Konoha.

But the Fourth Hokage was sacrificed.

...

After the Fourth Hokage's death, an urgent Jonin meeting was held in the Hokage building.

This sudden assembly took almost everyone by surprise.

The summons hadn't been issued by the Fourth Hokage but by the Third Hokage!

Many Jonin were already aware that foreign village shinobi had infiltrated Konoha, leading to the Nine-Tails' rampage.

They speculated that this meeting might be related to external warfare.

The complex emotions they held were evident as they entered the meeting room.

With Tsunade and Jiraiya pursuing Sasori and Kakuzu, everyone else was present.

The Third Hokage spoke in a solemn tone:

"The Fourth Hokage has fallen, giving his life to protect Konoha, dying a hero's death at the hands of the enemy."

The true cause of death was obviously concealed by the Third Hokage, making Minato's passing seem like a heroic sacrifice.

The sudden death of the Hokage left the people in the meeting room momentarily shocked and surprised.

The famous Yellow Flash, the fastest ninja, had actually fallen.

It was unexpected, an unbelievable revelation.

Yet it was reality, as stated by the Third Hokage himself.

The Third Hokage continued:

"Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, has also perished. Arrangements have been made for a new Jinchuriki."

"It will be entrusted to Uchiha Haneda."

As the Third finished speaking, Danzo, hidden behind the scenes, could no longer hold back.

He entered through a side door, loudly proclaiming:

"Hiruzen, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must not be entrusted to the Uchiha clan!"

"The village is already heavily infiltrated by the Uchiha!"

"If this continues, Konoha will become the village of the Uchiha!!"

Haneda raised a finger slightly, his immense chakra radiating with a terrifying aura that swept through the meeting room.

Haneda spoke coldly:

"This was the Fourth's final decision."

"And you, a criminal who dared to escape prison, are guilty of a capital offense."

Danzo was briefly intimidated by Haneda's aura but quickly regained his composure, speaking confidently:

"Everything I have done has been for Konoha!"

"I will never allow Konoha to become a one-clan village, an Uchiha village!"

Danzo turned his gaze to the Third Hokage, reminding him:

"Remember, Uchiha Madara!"

"It was Madara who released the Nine-Tails, and it's the Nine-Tails that killed the Fourth Hokage and caused all of this!"

As Danzo finished, murmurs filled the room.

Root's leader wouldn't lie, and with the Third Hokage watching silently, not refuting, it became clear Danzo was likely speaking the truth.

Tonight's chaos was indeed caused by the Uchiha's ancestor, Uchiha Madara!

Danzo's heart filled with satisfaction.

No matter how strong Haneda's personal strength was, he would eventually be crushed under the weight of public opinion.

It was the same for Sakumo back then, as Hiruzen solidified his position as Hokage under Danzo's manipulation.

Seeing the situation in his favor, Danzo proposed:

"I suggest that the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki be entrusted to Root!"

"Whether in intelligence work or defense and sacrifice, Root's contributions have been undeniable!"

Danzo spoke of the prior arrangements Haneda had coerced him into.

But now, all sacrifices and utilization by Root were credited as Danzo's dedication to the village.

A mocking smile spread across Danzo's face.

He hadn't expected this — that the so-called evil Uchiha brat's plans would all become his own achievements!

At that moment, the Shimura clan head stood, openly supporting Danzo:

"I believe entrusting this to Elder Danzo would be the safest choice."

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has great significance for deterring other villages; placing him under Root's guidance would allow him to become a tool for the village."

The Hyuga clan head also voiced his support:

"The matter of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is of utmost importance. Entrusting it to the experienced Elder Danzo is appropriate."

Other clan leaders associated with Danzo also spoke up.

The Third Hokage vaguely understood the situation but allowed Danzo's actions.

For Konoha, the Uchiha's power had grown too great.

If they gained the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as well, in a few years, Konoha would truly become the Uchiha's village.

For the Sarutobi clan and the village's sake, supporting Danzo seemed to outweigh the Fourth's final wishes.