Chapter 10: Chapter 9 – A Surprising Confession

Minato’s group had left the village, arriving in the forest. From there, they were promptly joined by a patrol.

“Yondaime Hokage,” one of the ninjas greeted. “We spotted a huge snake. All our teams have been alerted and the security of the village reinforced.”

Manda... Hiruzen thought.

The snake was clearly visible now, its terrifying and majestic form towering above the trees.

Danzo, meanwhile, had stopped at the entrance to the village. Two Root members joined him, including the one accompanying him during his last visit to Minato.

“We suspected that we would find you here, Lord Danzo. We've intercepted the ANBU’s communications. A giant snake was reportedly seen outside.”

“Let's go.”

The three shinobis began running in the direction of the snake.

Maybe I should go home. I don't want to leave Sasuke alone for too long. Itachi thought to himself, wandering the streets of Konoha alone after his practice.

Minato could see the snake's colossal body looming through the trees. In the distance, two bodies were lying on the ground. He frowned as he spotted chakra chains on the ground, as well as a tree in the distance that seemed to be nothing but black flames.

Suddenly, the snake disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Minato finally arrived in the small clearing, where the confrontation had taken place, followed by his group. The Yondaime then recognized the bodies of Mikoto and Hizashi. Hiashi immediately ran toward him when he saw him, followed by other Hyugas. Minato also saw Kushina's body with Naruto behind her. Next to the Uzumaki was a man, his Sharingan glowing in the dark…

“It's over,” he said in a calm voice.

Focusing more on the man's face, lit by the moonlight, Minato recognized him.

“Fugaku!”

“Hizashi!” Hiashi suddenly exclaimed, shaking his late brother in his arms.

Hiruzen approached him, putting his hand on Hizashi’s neck.

"He’s gone," he whispered sadly. “Burnt to death.”

“Oh really? What burned him?” Danzo, who had just arrived, suddenly asked. “His burns are not normal. An ordinary Katon wouldn't do that.”

He remained calm but barely concealed his pleasure from the sudden interest of the Hyugas, who were staring at him intently.

“On the other hand, these flames there... “ Danzo added, showing the black flames in front of which Minato was, a scroll in the hand. “These flames are special.”

Minato waved some hand seal before slapping his hand on the open scroll.

“Fuinjutsu, Fire Seal!”

Smoke rose from Minato's scroll and attracted the flames which got instantly sealed away.

"What’s this technique?" The Sandaime asked by curiosity and also taking the opportunity to change the subject.

“It’s an Uzumaki sealing technique that Kushina taught Jiraiya-sensei and me.”

The Yondaime turned to his wife, and his son, whom the chakra chains still protected despite Kushina's condition. Naruto had started crying again.

“Thank god, you are safe, Naruto.”

Minato approached Kushina, but a young ANBU woman also came to her to perform first aid. Another individual did the same with Mikoto.

“Her condition is stabilizing,” the ANBU explained. “She is not in great shape, but her injury is not fatal. She hasn't lost much blood. It seems that she is very fatigue.”

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Minato glanced at the barrier protecting Naruto again.

"So that's it... You gave all your energy to protect Naruto... Kushina..."

He went to join the others around the two bodies.

“She'll be fine with some rest,” the ANBU treating Mikoto explained.

Relieved, Minato knelt next to Hiashi and placed a brotherly hand on his shoulder.

“Why?” The Hyuga said, in tears. “You had a wife and such a young son…”

Everyone remained silent before the poignant scene. Everyone except one.

“The reason is simple,” Danzo explained, without showing any compassion. “Hizashi was murdered.”

“Who?” Hiashi whispered, the pain giving way to a growing rage.

Minato had long understood, as had Hiruzen. But both could not interrupt Danzo. The situation wasn’t ideal. Hiashi stood up and approached Danzo, who was not far from Mikoto's body.

“Those black flames are very rare. Only a few exceptional ninjas can use them.”

“Orochimaru will pay for it! A Hyuga shouted, tears in his eyes.

Hiruzen lowered his head sadly. Minato remained silent.

“Orochimaru can't use them. It’s not a question of power. You must possess the right genes…”

“Be more explicit, who killed Hizashi?”

Minato could have sworn he saw the shadow of a smile on Danzo's face.

“An Uchiha.”

The shock of the revelation was visible on the faces of the Hyugas. Kakashi frowned as Hiruzen looked down in silence. He expected the old man to refute Danzo’s statement.

People turned to Mikoto's body. The Hyugas were looking at her with rage.
They were renowned for their calmness and respect for the laws. However, the death of the most powerful shinobi of the branch family and the clan leader's twin brother seemed to have united the whole clan with the same goal, to avenge Hizashi. Minato had predicted it. A fraction of a second later, he was next to Hiashi again, on whom he had placed a seal on his shoulder earlier.

“Let’s not make any hasty conclusions. We know nothing about what happened.”

“Minato,” Hiashi answered, in a calm and serious voice but gnawed by grief. “I think it's clear enough as it is. My brother died in battle, killed by a powerful Uchiha. And it just so happens that next to his body is an Uchiha.”

Minato sighed.

“How can you say that? You, her comrade and friend…”

“Minato, open your eyes, dammit!”

The Yondaime didn't answer.

“It's not her.”

Everyone turned as one toward the source of the voice. Fugaku, who had remained quiet and withdrawn, seemed not to have been noticed by the Hyugas until now. All their attention was on Hizashi’s corpse.

“It's me,” Fugaku announced.

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