Chapter 49: An Exchange of Information

In truth, Minato Namikaze was overthinking things—or perhaps Hikaru's ability to perform was simply too good.

The Senju clan had once possessed its own intelligence network, but by now it was little more than a hollow shell.

Back then, Senju Tobirama had created ANBU to keep the Uchiha in check, and then Root to counterbalance ANBU. In the process, nearly all of the Senju clan's information channels had been folded directly into the village's power structure.

What remained of the Senju's independent intelligence network was pitifully small.

The intelligence Hikaru had handed over—aside from a few clearly labeled speculations—was information he had painstakingly gathered himself over time.

But that hardly mattered.

Konoha could never know the Senju clan's true internal condition with absolute certainty.

And that uncertainty gave Hikaru a perfect opening.

He could say almost anything.

After all, Minato could never be one hundred percent sure, could he?

Watching Minato's heavy, contemplative expression, Hikaru maintained his gentle smile. He could clearly sense the hesitation and inner conflict churning within the Fourth Hokage.

And that was exactly what Hikaru wanted.

He had never expected to sway Minato with Naruto-like emotional resonance. From the very beginning, Hikaru had been carefully crafting a different image—reliable, courteous, trustworthy.

But time was short.

And more importantly, he was ANBU.

Minato's hesitation meant he was thinking. And once Minato started thinking, Hikaru's chances rose dramatically.

Even if Minato wanted to trust Sarutobi Hiruzen—the man who had promoted him, supported him, and helped him achieve his lifelong dream of becoming Hokage—reality forced him to reconsider.

Hikaru had simply seized the one opening Minato couldn't ignore.

After a long while, Minato finally nodded.

"I understand. Thank you for this information."

"This is my duty, Hokage-sama," Hikaru replied with a smile.

"But I still have some questions."

Minato fixed his gaze on Hikaru, speaking slowly and carefully.

"You handed over clan intelligence like this—are you certain that won't cause problems?

And the ANBU captain you marked as loyal not to the Third Hokage, but to a mysterious individual… do you have more details?"

"Hokage-sama, please don't worry," Hikaru replied calmly. "I didn't report this to the clan, but for them, this may actually be good news."

He deliberately kept his explanation vague, but he knew Minato would understand.

And indeed, Minato nodded slightly.

Hikaru had already stated this was his personal action, separate from the clan. Whether that was truly the case was another matter—but from Minato's perspective, even if the clan knew, they would likely pretend not to.

Information would still be shared.

Certain questions would never be asked.

It was a classic case of hedging bets—placing eggs in multiple baskets. Nothing unusual about that.

Unless you had no choice.

After a brief pause, Hikaru continued, his voice unhurried:

"As for that ANBU captain whose allegiance is unclear… I believe Hokage-sama has heard of one man."

"Who?" Minato asked immediately.

Hikaru smiled faintly.

"Shimura Danzō."

Minato froze.

That name was far too familiar.

Danzō was one of Konoha's true power holders, a man who had never hidden his ambition to become Hokage.

Every shinobi dreamed of that seat—Danzō was simply more honest about it.

But what confused Minato was why Danzō would reach into ANBU.

ANBU was still firmly under the Third Hokage's control. That arrangement had long been tacitly accepted.

Was this an authorized move? Or a private one?

Danzō already controlled Root. Why would he want ANBU as well?

"Could this be a mistake?" Minato frowned. "Or is there something more behind it?"

"Hokage-sama, that's not a question I can answer."

Hikaru spread his hands slightly, looking utterly innocent.

"I'm just an ANBU squad leader. I don't have access to that level of truth.

But I can tell you this—the captain in question aligned himself with Danzō before you were appointed Hokage."

Before his appointment?

That would place it during the period when Minato had been nominated and was competing with Orochimaru.

Suddenly, fragments of information snapped together in Minato's mind.

At one point, Danzō had not openly supported Orochimaru. Rumors of Orochimaru's human experiments had been circulating widely throughout the village.

Then something happened.

Root was forced into reorganization.

Those rumors faded.

And Danzō shifted to support Orochimaru.

"Was it because of Root's restructuring?" Minato thought grimly.

"Did Danzō attempt to secure control over ANBU as leverage, betting on Orochimaru's victory?"

The more he thought about it, the colder his spine felt.

Konoha's internal power struggles were far deeper—and far uglier—than he had ever imagined.

Was this truly the Hokage's position he had dreamed of?

Taking a slow breath, Minato forced himself to calm down. He looked at Hikaru again, his expression complicated.

If this intelligence was true, its value was immeasurable.

If it was false… then Hikaru—or perhaps the fallen Senju clan itself—was attempting to destroy Konoha from within.

"I need to verify all of this personally," Minato decided. "Every detail."

The village that had always felt warm now seemed, for the first time, unbearably cold.

After steadying his emotions, Minato spoke again:

"I understand. Thank you. This information is extremely valuable."

"Hokage-sama, there's no need for thanks," Hikaru said seriously, no longer smiling.

"These matters should be verified by you personally. Some things… none of us can be absolutely sure about."

Minato nodded.

He placed the scroll on the ground, formed a seal, and released a Fire Style technique. The scroll ignited instantly, burning to ash.

Thin smoke drifted upward.

Watching the embers fade, Minato spoke calmly:

"Now then. It's time to begin. I'll personally teach you fuinjutsu—and the Flying Thunder God Technique. Are you ready?"

"Of course," Hikaru replied with a warm smile.

"Then… please instruct me, Hokage-sama."

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