The Third Hokage of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had lost his life.
He had performed a forbidden technique at the cost of his own life in an attempt to kill Orochimaru, but ultimately failed.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Minato immediately picked up a kunai and thrust it into Orochimaru's throat.
At the same time, Enma, wielding the Kusanagi Sword, pierced Orochimaru's body with repeated strikes.
However, no blood flowed from Orochimaru, as if he was no longer human.
He simply looked at Minato with a blank expression.
Suddenly, an abnormal flush appeared on Orochimaru's face, and his body began to mutate, as if something beneath his skin was writhing.
"It seems this body has reached its limit," Orochimaru murmured.
Since the division of his soul, he had felt a strong sense of discomfort — his soul and body were rejecting each other.
When researching souls, he had once entertained the idea of splitting a complete soul into different parts and had even figured out the specific method, though he had never conducted an experiment.
But during the Death God's Reaper Death Seal just now, he made a decisive move, splitting a portion of his soul, which was swallowed into the Death God's stomach.
After doing so, the most immediate and obvious sensation was his own incompleteness.
Under the watchful eyes of Enma and Minato, Orochimaru, who was restrained by the rocks, suddenly glowed with a white radiance.
A glowing orb floated out from his body and condensed above him, taking the form of Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru!" Minato glared at him angrily.
"Minato, huh?" The spiritual form of Orochimaru hovered in mid-air, looking down at Minato.
"Looks like it saved your life."
With that, Orochimaru transformed into a streak of white light and shot toward the sky.
Looking back at the flesh he had discarded, it had become bloated and hideous, lifeless like the Third Hokage lying on the ground.
What was going on? Had Orochimaru died?
Minato pondered for a moment before suddenly groaning in pain, dropping to one knee as the poison in his leg continued to spread.
Beside him, Enma discarded the Kusanagi Sword, glanced silently at Hiruzen's corpse, and with a "bang," transformed into a cloud of white smoke and disappeared.
Not long after, the rocky wall nearby was broken open from the outside, creating a massive hole, Two figures walked in.
"Saru..." Tobirama murmured softly as he looked at Hiruzen's corpse on the ground.
He was already dead, and faced death with remarkable calmness, as it had been Sarutobi Hiruzen's own will.
"The Fourth Hokage is dead too," Tobirama said, frowning as he looked at Orochimaru's grotesque corpse.
Hashirama spoke slowly, "This outcome is also a reflection of their own choices."
The master and disciple had ultimately perished together.
Just as that Hyuga Makoto had previously said, regardless of their mistakes, they were still Hokage.
Letting others dictate their fate would only bring humiliation.
Hashirama then looked at Minato and said, "Namikaze Minato, we will handle the consequences of your actions fairly."
Fairly?
Minato listened to his words expressionlessly, finding it somewhat laughable.
The next moment, his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.
Seeing this, Tobirama frowned slightly.
That was the Flying Thunder God Technique.
His sensory abilities quickly spread across the entire village, and he soon locked onto Minato's chakra.
Kushina bore the mark of Minato's Flying Thunder God technique.
Minato directly teleported to her side.
However, after using chakra again, the poison in his body caused him even greater pain, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Minato!"
Kushina was startled by Minato's sudden appearance and quickly rushed forward to support him.
"What happened? Are you hurt?" she asked anxiously.
Minato's face was pale and bloodless.
With Kushina's support, he sat down on a nearby chair, breathing heavily.
"You need treatment. I'll take you to the hospital!"
However, Minato grabbed her arm, repeatedly murmuring her name.
"Kushina... Kushina..."
"I'm here, right here by your side," Kushina said, holding his hand and responding as gently as possible.
"Let's go to the hospital first. You're seriously injured."
"No..." Minato shook his head weakly, refusing.
"I want to take you away... Didn't you want to leave? We'll leave right now."
"..."
Kushina was at a loss for words.
Looking at Minato's frail state, she could only grip his hands tightly, her voice trembling. "Can we... really leave?"
Minato forced a smile. "We can... After I leave, I'll marry you right away, and then we'll have a child. I've already thought of the name — Naruto. It's the name of the protagonist from Jiraiya-sensei's novel. I really like it. Sorry, Kushina, I haven't discussed this with you yet."
Kushina softly said it was okay, adding that she liked the name too.
Minato weakly asked, "Kushina, are you still willing to marry me?"
Kushina nodded firmly, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"I am! I've always been willing!"
Minato's lips curved into a smile, and he mustered the strength to stand up.
"Let's go right now..."
As he spoke, his expression suddenly changed.
He covered his mouth, coughing violently, blood seeping through his fingers.
"Minato!"
Kushina was startled and frantically patted his back.
Minato caught his breath but noticed several dark shadows on the floor.
Momentarily dazed, he looked up and realized that several people were now standing in front of him, though he hadn't noticed when they arrived.
"Sensei... You need treatment right now," Kakashi said quietly.
"..."
Standing beside Kakashi were Guy, Maruboshi Kosuke, and Might Duy.
Minato couldn't help but turn to Kushina, disbelief filling his eyes.
Kushina still held his hand tightly, forcing a smile as she softly reassured him, "It's okay, Minato. Everything will be fine. Makoto promised he would protect us."
"..."
As his mind raced, Minato couldn't help but let out a bitter, sorrowful laugh.
Kushina wiped her tears and hugged him tightly. "It's okay, Minato. I'll always be with you. It's going to be fine..."
Suddenly, the door to the room was violently kicked open, and Tobirama walked in.
His gaze swept across the room, landing on the weakened Minato sitting on the chair and the strikingly red-haired Kushina beside him.
"Tobirama, I told you to be more polite," came Hashirama's helpless voice from behind.
When he saw Kushina, even Hashirama couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
"From the Uzumaki clan?"
Tobirama added, "She should be the current Kyuubi Jinchuriki."
Hashirama looked at Kushina and murmured, "I see..."
He was reminded of his wife, Uzumaki Mito, who had also been beautiful and captivating in her youth, just like Kushina.
Seeing Minato and Kushina together, Hashirama understood their bond.
"My apologies. Tobirama was rude," Hashirama apologized to Kushina.
"I'm Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage of Konoha."
Minato weakly let out a mocking laugh. "Have you come to kill me?"
Tobirama snorted coldly. "Your crimes do warrant the death penalty!"
"No!" Kushina immediately shouted, shielding Minato behind her.
"Lord Second Hokage," Kakashi suddenly spoke up.
"Lord Makoto said that there are still many unresolved doubts in Minato's case, and a thorough investigation is needed before any conclusions can be drawn."
Tobirama frowned deeply, wanting to say more, but Hashirama stopped him.
He said to Kushina, "Take Minato to the hospital first."
In her panic, Kushina quickly agreed and prepared to take Minato away.
Tobirama glanced at his elder brother, realizing what he had remembered, and chose to remain silent.
Kushina hurriedly led Minato out of the house, with the others following to help.
However, Hashirama held Kakashi back.
"Kakashi."
"Yes, Lord First Hokage!" Kakashi immediately responded.
Although the First Hokage appeared kind and gentle, he was even more intimidating to Kakashi than the Second Hokage.
"You can go back and tell Hyuga Makoto that since he believes there are still doubts about the matter, we will respect his opinion and investigate everything thoroughly."
"Also, please inform him that since he holds a high position in the village, he must show respect to every villager. If anyone treats them as mere tools for power struggles, I will not show them any mercy!"
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