"Click."
Uzumaki Jun turned off the television on the desk and smiled as he looked at Minato in front of him. He said, "You see, we always report based on facts. Since the establishment of the broadcasting station, we have always adhered to seeking truth from facts. There has never been any fabrication or falsification."
If there are any false parts, please point them out?
Otherwise...
"How can a Kage, as the leader of a village, unjustly slander someone's reputation for no reason?"
"This..." Hearing Uzumaki Jun's words, Minato was momentarily stunned and let out a helpless sigh. "But you exaggerated the facts!"
All unconfirmed matters were reported using phrases like 'according to informants,' 'possibly,' 'perhaps'...
Doesn't this lead to misunderstandings?
Especially since that Uzumaki Nagato placed a large television right in the center of Konoha, accessible to everyone. As a result, now...
The Third Hokage's reputation is as foul as a sewer, and Advisor Danzo too...
When he first arrived, a large crowd of villagers had gathered at the prison entrance, demanding he compensate them for their houses and money. He even heard that a few civilians had managed to discover the supposedly very secret, massive base of Konoha's Root organization. Then, they led a group of people and... emptied it, and razed it to the ground!
Now, Root ninja dare not even say on the streets that they used to work under the great Lord Danzo. Otherwise, a group of people would jump out, pin them to the ground and beat them up. After beating them, still unsatisfied, they'd even strip them naked...
And then there's the private army the Third Hokage secretly built for his family to protect Konoha...
All the villagers believe that Sarutobi Hiruzen misappropriated public funds from the village to enrich his own clan. They demanded that he, the Fourth Hokage, immediately confiscate all assets of the Sarutobi clan and use all the funds for Konoha's reconstruction.
So, during this period...
The gates of the Sarutobi clan have been tightly shut, not daring to go out casually. If they absolutely must go out, they carefully hide their clan emblem and deny being from the Sarutobi clan. Otherwise...
They would definitely return home injured and naked.
Although he was very dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's actions during the war, still...
He, the Fourth Hokage, could still feel the Third Hokage's sincere heart dedicated to protecting Konoha.
Indeed...
At that time, the options were either to beat the Nine-Tails until it returned to Kushina's seal, or to find another container to seal the Nine-Tails.
But at that time, Kushina was already unconscious, and physically weak, so she couldn't seal the Nine-Tails. And the child...
Having Uzumaki bloodline, it was indeed the most suitable!
Perhaps he, the Fourth Hokage, facing that situation, might have made the same choice. But that doesn't mean others could treat his family that way, even for the sake of protecting Konoha!
"Lord Third has already passed away."
Minato sighed and shook his head...
"After discussions among Konoha's senior leadership, we also hope that Lord Third can depart as a hero of Konoha, rather than bearing accusations..."
No matter what, Lord Third ultimately died for Konoha.
"What's the matter?" Hearing Minato's words, Uzumaki Jun was momentarily stunned, then said, "Those accomplices who colluded with the old monkey, formed cliques, engaged in factionalism, conspired together, and acted in cohort... they still dare to pop out and cause trouble?"
The Konoha villagers actually didn't lash out at them to death? This generation of Konoha villagers is really becoming less and less effective!!!
Back then, just because Naruto had whiskers exactly like a fox, they implicated a parentless, motherless little kid who didn't have enough to eat or wear, and even bullied him. Why aren't they now implicating Sarutobi Hiruzen's few good friends?
He sighed inwardly, lowered his head, and muttered, "It seems the propaganda isn't enough yet!"
"Huh?" Hearing Uzumaki Jun's words, Minato was stunned, a dark line appearing on his face. He said, "Right now, Lady Koharu and Lord Homura indeed dare not go out. It's only because of Lord Third's passing and Lord Danzo's arrest that they were forced to come out this time."
What else do you want to do?
Lock them up to keep Lord Danzo company?
"You don't understand them." Uzumaki Jun shook his head, looking at Minato with an expression of 'the world is drunk, I alone am sober,' and said helplessly, "As long as there is the slightest chance, they can continue to endure and survive."
Seriously, if it weren't for the old monkey and Danzo, these two unlucky fellows—one killed by his disciple who attacked the village, the other killed while attending a meeting—they would definitely have survived until the end, leading Naruto to push the boss.
This team...
Except for those who shouldn't have died, and those who died by accident, basically all the others managed to survive until Naruto's children appeared.
So, they probably plan to lay low for this period, and after the uproar dies down, sneak out again. After all, they are Konoha's senior advisors!
"Perhaps!" Minato smiled wryly and shook his head, saying, "But they did it all to protect Konoha."
He sighed...
"If they are truly helpful to Konoha, what harm is there in letting them continue as advisors?"
What he wants is to lead Konoha towards prosperity and strength, not just focus on immediate power. Moreover...
What the reformed Konoha will become in the future, no one knows!
Minato looked at Uzumaki Jun with a serious expression...
"I still remember the words you said to me back then..."
"To bring peace to the entire shinobi world!"
"I..."
Hearing Minato's words, Uzumaki Jun was immediately stunned...
I only said that back then to persuade you and recruit you.
I had almost forgotten it myself, I didn't expect you to still remember...
Uzumaki Jun's face showed emotion, he sighed, nodded, and said, "We... are all for the peace of the shinobi world!"
That's right...
Deep down, he, like Minato, always thinks about peace, just...
He happened to forget about it!
You must know...
He has always been a person with such lofty ideals!
"In that case, I will have the people over there pay more attention." Uzumaki Jun nodded, a smile on his face as he said, "No matter what, Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools are allies for generations. The Uzumaki clan has never forgotten that."
He must remember to tell them to write more discreetly next time they draft reports!
If the Konoha villagers aren't angry, how can they push forward their reforms?
You know...
The Five Great Shinobi Countries of the shinobi world are, after all, not famous for nothing.
"Thank you!" Hearing Uzumaki Jun's words, Minato nodded gratefully and said, "If that batch of supplies could be priced at the normal rate, Konoha will definitely not forget the kindness of the Land of Whirlpools."
"This... I will propose it to the higher-ups." Uzumaki Jun averted his eyes, let out a laugh, and said, "As for the result, it might take some time."
Frowning, as if remembering something...
"By the way, do you remember the two Deva Path Pains that Kirigakure suddenly encountered? It was really miserable."
He shook his head...
"They were already preparing to return to the village to change the Fifth Mizukage."
"..."
So...
What does this have to do with the current matter?
Minato wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, sighed, and said helplessly, "Alright then!"
Indeed, the Land of Whirlpools is just as those people say...
When it comes to money, definitely not possible!!!
He fell silent for a moment, looking at Uzumaki Jun who was squinting at him...
"I came here this time for one more thing..."
His expression returned to calm...
"I wish to redeem the Konoha prisoners in the Land of Whirlpools in the name of the Fourth Hokage!"
"Money!" Uzumaki Jun rolled his eyes, still with a calm expression, and said, "Once the ransom is paid, you can take the people away!"
Do you think your imposing manner as the Fourth Hokage can scare me into releasing people for free?
That's simply a joke. Don't even think about free, not even a discount. And even if I agreed, Kakuzu wouldn't agree!
"You know." Minato smiled wryly and shook his head, his face again showing helplessness, "Konoha really has no money right now."
Rebuilding the village, restoring order, and providing compensation and aid to villagers who suffered severe losses...
Right now, Konoha not only can't afford to ransom the prisoners, but probably doesn't even have enough funds to rebuild Konoha!
Seeing Uzumaki Jun's expression turn cold again...
He sighed...
"I'll use this to exchange!"
He took out an exquisite small box from his bosom, pushed it over, and said in a serious tone...
"This is something I, the Hokage, personally withheld."
"This..." Uzumaki Jun was stunned, opened the box, looked at the scarlet eyeball lying quietly inside, curled his lips slightly, and said, "This does not belong to Konoha, nor does it belong to the Land of Whirlpools. It..."
"Belongs to the Uchiha clan!"
His face wore a righteous expression...
"Therefore, it cannot offset the amount Konoha owes."
A transaction?
He looked meaningfully at Minato...
Planning to have Danzo take all the blame in the name of the Fourth Hokage?
"But..."
Just as Minato frowned and was about to say something, Uzumaki Jun smiled, squinted at Minato, and said, "I can make the decision to let you take the prisoners away first. As for the debt in the future..."
"Wait until Konoha has money, then repay it slowly!"
"This... Thank you!" Hearing Uzumaki Jun's words, Minato was momentarily stunned, then stood up, looked seriously at Uzumaki Jun, and said bitterly, "When can I take them away?"
Konoha needs them back now to calm the people's hearts.
"Anytime~" Uzumaki Jun gestured with his hand, smiling as he said, "I believe they must be very homesick too."
They've been trapped in the Land of Whirlpools for so many years...
If they weren't still alive, their wives would probably have remarried by now.
"Yes! So much time has passed already."
Minato's face showed emotion...
If he hadn't been ransomed early by Lord Third, he would probably still be in the Land of Whirlpools now. And as for Kushina...
So...
Whether intentional or not, he indeed owed Lord Third a favor!
He turned around, walked to the door, and as he opened it, seemed to remember something. He suddenly stopped, turned his head, squinted, smiled at Uzumaki Jun...
"Please relay a message to that Uchiha Shin for me..."
His eyes widened...
"Don't let me see him, otherwise..."
With anger...
"I will kill him!!"
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