Chapter 34 (Patreon)

After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally picked up the documents and slipped them into his robes.

Minato stared at him in disbelief.

He was just going to ignore it?

“Lord Third, those documents…” Minato said quietly.

Before he could finish, Hiruzen cut him off.

“Minato, I’ve already sent people to investigate this matter in secret,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a heavy voice.

“So don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”

Sent people to investigate in secret?

Minato’s brows tightened.

Why didn’t I hear anything about that?

If the ANBU were carrying out a confidential mission, it would still have to pass through him.

That meant one of two things.

Either the Third Hokage had never investigated it at all…

Or he had used his own private forces.

And if Sarutobi Hiruzen claimed he didn’t know who was behind these disappearances, Minato wouldn’t believe it for a second.

That person was his disciple.

As his teacher, how could he not know?

At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed in Minato’s mind.

“You’re the Hokage.”

That voice belonged to Yujiro.

“Lord Third,” Namikaze Minato said, his expression slowly calming, “this matter must be investigated thoroughly.”

“Thirty-seven people have disappeared mysteriously this month.”

“And several of them were children.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

What happened to Minato today?

Why was his attitude so firm?

“Don’t worry. I’ll look into it,” Hiruzen said, clearly displeased.

“In that case, I’ll also send an elite ANBU team to investigate alongside your people,” Minato replied.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Minato in silence.

For a moment, he felt as though the young man standing in front of him was no longer the Minato he knew.

After a long while, Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh.

“Fine. I’ll leave this matter to you.”

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.

This matter was, in truth, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s responsibility.

Perhaps he also wanted to see whether Minato could stop his former disciple.

More importantly, today’s Minato felt different.

After watching the Third Hokage leave, Minato spoke calmly.

“ANBU.”

The moment his voice fell, two ANBU appeared before him.

“Take an elite squad and investigate this matter immediately.”

“Pay special attention to the underground bases Orochimaru left behind.”

The two ANBU lowered their heads at once.

“Yes, Lord Hokage!”

Minato had already made his decision.

As long as he found enough evidence, he would act.

Even if Orochimaru was the Third Hokage’s disciple, he would not hesitate.

Just as Yujiro had said—

He was the Hokage.

Both Hiruzen and Yujiro had told him that.

But the meaning behind their words was completely different.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted him to restrain himself and avoid standing out too much.

Yujiro, on the other hand, was reminding him who the Hokage of Konoha was now.

Thinking of that, Minato’s eyes grew firm.

“That’s right.”

“I am the Hokage now.”

…

The next morning.

Today was the first official day of enrollment.

Yujiro and Yugao Uzuki arrived at the Ninja Academy together.

The moment Yujiro entered the classroom, the room immediately erupted with excited cries from the girls.

Yujiro ignored them completely.

He casually found a seat and sat down.

Yugao naturally sat on his right.

Yujiro placed his black blade on his left side and leaned back in his chair.

Then, a shadow suddenly fell over him.

Yujiro glanced sideways.

Dull eyes.

A long senbon-like toothpick held between his lips.

Hayate Gekko.

So he’s in this class too.

Yujiro had never cared much about side characters like this.

“Hey. Move,” Hayate said in a low voice, glancing at Yugao beside Yujiro.

Yujiro looked at him once, then immediately lost interest.

Back when he watched the original story, he thought this guy had some mysterious master vibe.

In the end, he just died.

What a waste of the Transparent Release.

“Your name is Yujiro, right?” Hayate said, his tone growing more arrogant when Yujiro stayed silent. “I’m Hayate Gekko. Move already. I chose this seat first.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Yugao with a proud look, as if waiting for her to admire him.

Yujiro’s expression didn’t change.

“Is your name written on this desk?”

“Uh… no.”

“Is your name written on this chair?”

“Uh… no…”

“Then get lost.”

“…”

That was Yujiro’s personality.

If someone was polite to him, he would naturally be polite in return.

But if they came looking for trouble, he would not give them even the slightest face.

By now, several students had gathered around to watch.

After seeing Hayate’s behavior, a few girls immediately began pointing at him angrily.

“Hayate Gekko! What’s wrong with you? Why should Yujiro give up his seat?”

“Exactly! Have you even looked in a mirror?”

“Look at his pale face. My nee-san said boys like that are usually weak, so girls should stay away from them.”

“Right! We should stay away from Hayate Gekko!”

“Stay away from Hayate Gekko!”

Hearing the voices around him, Hayate’s face darkened.

He turned toward Yugao beside Yujiro.

“Yugao…”

“Stop.” Yugao frowned in disgust. “Don’t call me that. Use my full name.”

She had thought Hayate was decent before.

Now, he was just annoying.

“Fine… fine!” Hayate laughed in anger, his expression gloomy as he turned and walked away.

Yujiro could clearly sense the anger flaring inside him.

With that kind of mindset, he still wants a wife?

Yujiro shook his head.

Just then, a clear voice sounded nearby.

“Yujiro, can I sit on your left?”