Naruto, born from the world of his parents.

"What did you say?!"

Ohnoki was so shocked by this earth-shattering news that he completely lost his mind, and without regard for his dignity, he leaned on the table and let out a roar that was almost deafening.

"Do you remember the Five Kage Summit in Konoha 55?"

Minato Namikaze did not answer Onoki's question, but instead began to talk about the past.

"I remember it very clearly."

Minato's expression was neither sad nor happy, as calm as a vast ocean.

"That year, after seeing Konoha prosper through the Konoha Development Group project, you facilitated a meeting. At that meeting, in order to maintain stability, I agreed to the proposal of several Kage, represented by you, that Konoha take the lead in organizing the project and that the profits be shared by the major ninja villages."

"That was a wonderful time."

At this point, a hint of longing flashed in Minato's eyes.

"For the first time in a year, the ninjas of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, Kazegakure, and Konoha stood together, not to fight, but to cooperate."

"It's also the first time that there hasn't been any friction between the ninja villages for a whole year, just like the war that has been like a curse since the ninja clan era and continues to this day has disappeared from the ninja world."

"That was a wonderful era, wasn't it, Ōnoki-senpai?"

As he spoke of the good old days, Minato's voice softened, but this gentle tone caused a fine layer of sweat to appear on Onoki's forehead.

He nodded, forcing himself to remain calm, and said in a deep voice, "That was indeed a wonderful era."

After saying that, he looked at Minato: "So, why did you just say something that would destroy this beautiful thing?"

Hearing Onoki's counterattack, Minato Namikaze's expression remained unchanged. He simply looked into Onoki's eyes and then suddenly laughed.

Onoki felt a chill run down his spine at that smile. He was about to speak when he saw that Minato completely ignored him and turned to walk straight out the door.

Itachi was taken aback by this sudden scene and didn't have time to think it through. He quickly followed, but after taking only two steps, he heard Onoki speak again from behind.

"etc."

Itachi instinctively stopped, but the Hokage in front of him seemed not to hear him and continued walking briskly.

Seeing this, Itachi didn't hesitate and followed closely behind.

The courtyard wasn't very big, and in just a few breaths, Minato reached the entrance.

Just as his hand was on the door, about to push it open and step out, countless dark figures suddenly appeared, completely surrounding the small courtyard.

Itachi stood among the group of ninjas wearing headbands with the Konoha insignia, holding a kunai, his eyes turning bloodshot and revealing an eerie windmill shape, staring straight at the Third Tsuchikage who had suddenly appeared next to Minato Namikaze.

What do you want?

Onoki's already frail body was now even more hunched over. He struggled to lift his head, but his eyes became increasingly cloudy.

Minato watched Onoki's defeated appearance silently, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Three days."

Minato raised three fingers: "Within three days, I want to hear Iwagakure provide an explanation to the world regarding the numerous acts of sabotage by ninja over the years."

Upon hearing this, Onoki's expression froze, and he took a deep breath: "You know, it's not just Iwagakure..."

"I've already reached an agreement with the Kazekage and Mizukage."

"And them?"

"They promised that such a thing would not happen again, and they would give me an explanation and prove to me that they are harmless to Konoha."

"Shall I give you an explanation?"

Onoki was taken aback by the answer, but then a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. He quickly said, "I can talk! I can be harmless to Konoha too!"

"Ohnoki-senpai."

Minato coldly interrupted him, looking at the old man who appeared strong on the surface but was cowardly at heart.

"The Kazekage and Mizukage approached me on the second and third days after I became their guests, and they are both Kage."

Minato Namikaze's words were like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing the hope in Onoki's eyes.

He stared at the young man, his hands clenched tightly: "Do you really want war?"

"Wasn't I clear enough?"

After saying that, Minato ignored Onoki, who was standing there gritting his teeth, pushed open the door, and strode out.

The moment his feet touched the street, he heard a thud behind him.

Itachi, who was following behind Minato, turned his head in surprise and saw that the Tsuchikage, who always appeared in front of people with a dignified demeanor, was now sitting helplessly on the ground.

"You win, Fourth Hokage."

The frail old man seemed to have lost all vitality at this moment, his head hanging limply as he uttered these words in a weak voice.

Upon hearing this, Minato paused in his tracks. He didn't turn around, but simply said, "A wise choice," before disappearing from the spot.

……

"Lord Hokage."

Inside the office, seeing Itachi finally unable to hold it in any longer, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought you would stay quiet like this forever."

Hearing Minato's teasing, Itachi chuckled softly, his usually calm and collected face flushed with excitement from the very beginning.

"You were really amazing just now."

Although he was used to hearing the legend of Minato Namikaze, Itachi had to admit that the side of this always gentle and kind Hokage that he had just revealed gave Itachi an indescribable sense of admiration.

"How did you determine that Onoki would definitely give in?"

This was the most shocking thing for Itachi, because the conditions Minato mentioned were undoubtedly a suicide for the Tsuchikage.

Although Itachi did not experience the Five Kage Summit, which was destined to be recorded in history, he knew what significance it had for the world.

It was because of this meeting that the entire ninja world united as never before, using the extraordinary power of chakra to launch a massive transformation across the world.

Whether it's the joint desert transformation project of the Land of Wind by Kirigakure and Konoha, or the large-scale canyon transformation project of the Land of Lightning by Iwagakure, Konoha, and Kirigakure.

In these grand movements, ninjas reaped unprecedented benefits and status, while the lives of ordinary people became increasingly rich and colorful.

However, in this vibrant and thriving state, the occasional attacks by ninjas are a source of frustration and unease for everyone.

Since the five great ninja villages began to jointly utilize chakra for development in various fields, including commerce and people's livelihood, there have always been many unknown rogue ninjas launching attack projects and committing acts of terror against civilians.

This behavior has become a major hidden danger to global security and peace.

As the Hokage's assistant, Itachi knew very well that these rogue ninjas were backed by other ninja villages, with the aim of pulling Konoha down from its aloof position in the ninja village alliance.

To avoid conflict, Konoha has always adopted a policy of forbearance.

This tolerance emboldened the ninja villages' ambitions and transformed the threat of the roaming ninjas from a thorn in their side to a thorn in their back.

In such a situation, if Iwagakure reveals its identity as the mastermind, Onoki, as the Tsuchikage, would be the first victim.

Therefore, for Onoki, agreeing to this condition was tantamount to suicide.

Hearing Itachi's question, Minato smiled and countered, "Why should I care whether he agrees or not?"

"what?"

"Peace is something you won't crave unless you've been hurt."

"So I was prepared for war from the very beginning."

"but……"

"Itachi".

Minato interrupted Itachi, speaking with undisguised dominance.

"We are Konoha. Konoha does not crave war, but Konoha will never tolerate provocation."