Chapter 32:A Hostage?

The first choice: Uzumaki Kushina releases the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Although the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, approved it, Uzumaki Kushina's hesitation did not go unnoticed by Hiruzen and the others.

This was a very dangerous sign.

As Konoha's "nuclear weapon," the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki getting personally involved could drag the village into disaster.

After this incident, Hiruzen and the others would undoubtedly increase their surveillance on Uzumaki Kushina.

Even if she was loyal to Konoha—what if someone threatened her like Zenkichi did?

In the second choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave silent consent to sacrificing Shimura Danzō.

This would further deteriorate the already strained relationship between the two, reducing their bond to nothing but a formality.

Shimura Danzō, whose arm had been crippled by Zenkichi, would now be more determined than ever to retain power. His desperation would only grow, pushing him to pursue strength by any means.

The Sharingan and Hashirama cells—things Danzō had long coveted—would definitely come into play.

The third option had Sarutobi Hiruzen attacking Orochimaru and simultaneously crippling one of Jiraiya's arms.

Jiraiya, a loyal and powerful shinobi of Konoha, would be weakened, and the trust between Hiruzen and Orochimaru would suffer a devastating blow.

Even though they understood Hiruzen's reasons for attacking Orochimaru, the killing intent was real.

Trust is fragile—once broken, it rarely recovers.

The fourth choice…

Zenkichi looked at Namikaze Minato calmly, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

He raised his hand, a golden light beginning to shine at his fingertips. His voice was casual, yet chilling:

"Haven't decided yet?"

"The countdown starts now. If you don't choose, I'll kill one Konoha villager every minute. You know my speed—you can't stop me."

"Namikaze Minato, are you really going to put the village—your home—at risk for a woman from the Land of Whirlpools?"

"You said once that you wanted to be Hokage. If so, you need to be prepared."

"To the Hokage, the village must always come first. Even if it means sacrificing your brother, wife, child, or comrade."

"The First Hokage once said this. I'm just reminding you."

"Now choose."

The golden light on his fingertip grew brighter.

"Sorry, Kushina."

"I'm injured. I can't hurt you."

"We've sparred many times—you know my style."

"Hang in there. You can do this."

Minato spoke sincerely after a moment of hesitation, gritting his teeth.

Uzumaki Kushina felt her heart twist. It hurt.

She knew Minato had made the correct decision, but human emotions aren't so easily cast aside.

"Perfect."

Seeing Minato and Kushina begin to fight, a satisfied smile formed on Zenkichi's face.

From the moment Namikaze Minato chose to act, there was no going back. Their relationship would never be the same.

And Minato's earlier hesitation would leave a poor impression on the people of Konoha.

This was not the behavior of a true Hokage.

Compared to the Third Hokage, Minato was lacking.

Hiruzen had been willing to sacrifice his closest friend, Shimura Danzō, without hesitation. He'd let his best friend die for the village.

And Minato? He hesitated to attack Uzumaki Kushina.

Clearly, Minato placed personal feelings above duty.

Even in the original timeline, his behavior wasn't what one would expect from a Hokage.

He didn't have to die—but he chose to.

Don't say it was the Nine-Tails' sneak attack. He willingly used the Reaper Death Seal, sealing the beast inside himself, then dying in the process.

Why?

Because he didn't want Kushina to die alone?

What a joke.

Once you're dead, how do you "go on the road" together?

Unless it was plot armor, he simply couldn't bear the pain—dying out of sorrow and attachment.

If his wife died, he couldn't go on.

And the son? Just an afterthought.

"Uzumaki Kushina's future is going to be difficult."

"If you don't become the next Hokage, her status will drop quickly."

"Jiraiya is injured. His influence will fade too."

"You won't be able to help her."

"And after what you just did… will you two even stay together?"

"I'm really looking forward to the fallout."

Zenkichi murmured, glancing at Tsunade in the distance.

Once he reveals his fifth option, Konoha's countdown begins.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others destroy the last remnants of the First Hokage's legacy and shatter the people's faith in Konoha…

That will be the day he rises, with his ambitions laid bare and the world watching.

A cold light flashed in Zenkichi's eyes.

He may have imitated Kizaru—but he was not Kizaru.

He could be carefree in life, even in battle.

But when it came to his goals, he was anything but passive.

Why time travel, if not to change the world?

"One minute is up."

Namikaze Minato backed away, smiling in relief.

Uzumaki Kushina had easily withstood his attack.

As an assassin-type fighter, Minato's blows didn't cause much damage—he specialized in speed and stealth.

Kushina, using part of the Nine-Tails' chakra and forming a tailed beast cloak, blocked all his attacks.

Minato looked pleased, oblivious to Kushina's complicated expression.

"Fifth choice."

Zenkichi announced lazily, glancing at the Third Hokage and others.

"If you hadn't betrayed me… none of this would be happening."

"Konoha's credit is worthless to me. I need insurance."

"I want a Konoha ninja as a hostage, to make sure you never pull something shameless again."

"The granddaughter of the First Hokage, princess of the Senju clan—Tsunade. She's the perfect hostage."

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