The sudden surge of the Nine-Tails' chakra came and went like a thunderclap—sharp, violent, and over in less than half a minute.
But even that brief eruption had been enough to shake the entire household.
Inside the warded room, Minato held Kushina tightly, his hands glowing faintly with chakra as he reinforced the Hakke no Fūin Jutsu that kept the Kyūbi locked away.
"Kushina, it's okay," he said gently. "I'm here. I've got you."
Kushina's breath came in sharp gasps, her skin damp with sweat.
"Minato… it was really him."
"You mean—?"
Kushina nodded, her expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.
"It was Uchiha Madara."
Jiraiya, still in the adjacent room, stiffened. The words echoed in his mind like a blow to the chest.
Only one shinobi in history had ever tamed the Nine-Tails without a seal. Only one man had ever made the beast tremble in hate, not just fear.
Uchiha Madara.
Jiraiya's face burned with shame. He'd been skeptical, dismissive even. And now the truth had slapped him across the face like a cold wind.
Even through the sealed connection, Madara's summoning attempt had triggered a violent reaction from the Nine-Tails. Not even Kai or Hashirama had that kind of visceral effect on the beast.
Only Madara could provoke such loathing.
"He's alive…" Jiraiya muttered under his breath. "He really is alive…"
Minato finished reinforcing the seal with practiced precision, then carried Kushina gently back to bed. He tucked her in, whispered a few comforting words, and kissed her forehead.
"Get some rest. I'll handle the rest.
Back in the living room, Jiraiya was still processing everything when Minato returned.
"Sensei," Minato said quietly. "About what you said earlier…"
Jiraiya sighed.
"You don't have to say it. I was wrong."
Minato gave him a small smile, then shook his head. "No. You were being careful—for the village. That's nothing to apologize for."
"But I almost convinced you to pull back. If you had—and if Madara moved during that time—"
"You did what a real ninja does. You questioned everything, even what hurts."
Jiraiya looked away, ashamed. "Still…"
"The threat is real," Minato said firmly. "And so are the stakes. We don't have the luxury of waiting anymore."
Jiraiya nodded. The conviction in Minato's voice reminded him of the boy he'd once trained—young, optimistic, and brilliant. But now he saw something else too: resolve tempered by war.
Minato wasn't just a hero anymore. He was a leader, a competent Hokage.
Jiraiya forced a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
"Guess the so-called Legendary Sannin still have things to learn, huh?"
"Sensei, you'll always be my teacher," Minato replied with a grin.
Knock knock knock.
The mood was shattered again, this time by a low, slow knock at the door.
It wasn't like Jiraiya's urgent pounding earlier. This was calculated. Measured.
Minato and Jiraiya exchanged glances.
"Hide," Minato mouthed, then moved to open the door.
Standing on the other side was none other than Shimura Danzo.
"Danzo-sama," Minato said, feigning surprise. "What brings you here?"
"Minato." Danzo inclined his head slightly in greeting. His tone was unusually cordial, even warm. "I came to see how you and your wife are doing."
Minato's expression remained polite.
"Please, come in."
Danzo stepped through the doorway with a subtle air of ownership, as if he were already the man of the house. His eyes scanned the room and immediately locked onto Jiraiya.
"Oh," he said. "Jiraiya. You're back."
Jiraiya offered a lazy salute. "Just got in."
Of course Danzo already knew.
The barrier corps had likely tracked Jiraiya's chakra the moment he crossed the border. Danzo probably sprinted over as soon as he sensed a threat to his newfound influence.
Danzo's smile remained fixed, but it didn't reach his eyes.
He didn't like Jiraiya. Never had. Too idealistic. Too impulsive. Too close to Sarutobi.
No—Danzo preferred Orochimaru. Cold. Ruthless. Efficient. The kind of shinobi who knew how to get results without whining about ethics.
"Your wife," Danzo said, turning back to Minato. "How is she?"
"Resting," Minato said. "The seal destabilized earlier. We've reinforced it."
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"May I see her?"
Minato hesitated just a beat—then pushed open the bedroom door.
Kushina lay on the futon, breathing heavily. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. Her chakra was faint, and traces of Nine-Tails' negative energy still clung to the air like smoke.
Danzo studied the scene.
No way this was staged. No one would risk releasing the Nine-Tails just to fake a condition. Even he wouldn't go that far.
He nodded once, satisfied.
"The seal is unstable?"
"Yes," Minato said. "We're reinforcing it every few hours. But her condition's deteriorating."
Danzo gave a sympathetic hum.
"A shame," he said. "But the village appreciates your sacrifice."
Minato remained silent.
Danzo stepped back into the living room and made his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Minato. You've already given so much to Konoha. For now, your duty is to your family. Let the rest of us handle the village's security."
Jiraiya nearly snorted.
Minato bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Danzo-sama."
The older man gave a small, satisfied nod.
Exactly what he wanted to hear.
"You've done well, Minato," Danzo continued, as if handing out praise to a student. "Your efforts are appreciated. But now, it's time for me to act."
Minato said nothing, letting Danzo talk.
"Intelligence suggests that the other villages are still observing. Except for Kumogakure. They've already begun testing our borders. Yesterday, we intercepted a small group of Cloud shinobi near the edge of the Land of Fire."
Minato feigned alarm.
"You think war's coming?"
Danzo's eye gleamed with ambition.
"It's only a matter of time. And this time, we won't let them dictate the battlefield."
Minato nodded slowly, playing his role.
"But with me out of commission…"
Danzo raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Don't concern yourself."
He stood tall, letting the weight of his words settle.
"I will lead Konoha through this storm. I will stand at the front lines if necessary. I will protect the village."
His hand clenched into a fist.
"And I will lead us to victory."
This was what Danzo had been waiting for.
Minato's absence was his opportunity. Kushina's condition had sealed it. And now, with rumors swirling and the people afraid, Danzo would step into the light as the savior Konoha needed.
If he could push back Kumogakure's scouts, maybe even take the fight to their doorstep?
The people would cheer.
And when the war was over—if he returned victorious—he wouldn't just be acting Hokage.
He'd be the only Hokage the people trusted.
Danzo's mind buzzed with visions of banners bearing his name, of Sarutobi reduced to irrelevance, of the entire shinobi world whispering his title with awe.
He turned back toward the bedroom.
"Take care of her. We can't afford another Kyūbi incident."
Minato nodded. "I understand."
"Good."
Danzo made for the door, cloak billowing slightly behind him.
"The future of the village rests on our shoulders. You've done your part. Now it's my turn."
As the door closed behind him, Jiraiya finally exhaled—then burst out laughing.
"That guy really thinks the world revolves around him."
Minato shook his head. "He's doing exactly what I hoped."
"Which is?"
"Taking the bait."
Danzo might be arrogant, power-hungry, and dangerous—but he was also predictable. And that was something Minato could use.
He turned toward the window, eyes narrowing.
The pieces were falling into place.
Now all they had to do… was survive the next move.
Danzo's heart was filled with emotion, he felt like he had finally found a second spring!
Once I defeat the Hidden Cloud Village and truly take the throne of Hokage, I will definitely be able to suppress Sarutobi!