Naruto: Flash Reborn — Minato’s Second Life

For Fuu Akimoto, Oshima Reina had always been like family—someone he'd grown up with since childhood.

Yet now, the person standing before him was holding his mother hostage, her eyes cold and unfamiliar, like a total stranger.

"Fuu Akimoto, don't look so shocked. I'm only pressing a blade to your mother's neck—I haven't said I'll take her life yet."

Oshima Reina spoke coldly. This woman had done things far worse than what Reina was doing now.

"Reina… sigh."

Kato Eirei wasn't panicked by being taken hostage. Instead, she sighed softly, realizing from the other's expression that no explanation would be heard.

There were things Fuu didn't know, but seeing the corpses of Evil Cultists scattered on the ground and Sakumo glaring fiercely at Tachiyama Shinsaburo, Fuu could easily guess what was going on.

The one he trusted most had betrayed him—kidnapping his mother—and judging from the current situation, Sakumo was threatening someone as well.

Both sides stood off here, and in terms of power, their side clearly held the absolute advantage.

"Sakumo Hatake!"

At this moment, an enraged voice shattered the stalemate. A lightning bolt, too fast for anyone to follow, shot toward Sakumo, its speed creating a roaring sound as it tore through the air.

Sakumo's eyes flickered. His Chakra Tanto erupted outward, wreathed in brilliant arcs of lightning.

"Boom!"

Upon impact, the ground beneath them instantly collapsed, jagged lines of lightning entangling everything, filling the area with blinding light.

From their last battle, Sakumo's actions had dealt a heavy blow to Ryo Yagura's pride, so this strike had been brewing ever since.

Still, Ryo Yagura had to admit that his greatest strength—speed—was practically useless against Sakumo, and his Taijutsu power had met defeat for the first time.

The Chakra Tanto in his hand looked like the sharpest blade ever forged, capable of tearing through anything.

The clash between these two powerhouses temporarily left both sides motionless, everyone afraid of getting caught in their fight.

"What? Still want to keep fighting? Then you won't be leaving the Hidden Hot Spring Village alive today—that I can promise."

As Sakumo and Ryo Yagura tested each other, Sakumo's gaze flicked toward Tachiyama Shinsaburo, whom he considered nothing more than a hired thug.

Tachiyama frowned. After all, Fuu Akimoto led an entire village and indeed possessed extraordinary abilities. His sharp eyes were locked firmly on Tachiyama within the crowd.

It wasn't only him; many Hot Spring Village Ninjas, including Junko Watanabe—who had fought him before—also had him in their sights.

Just as Sakumo had said, without Reina's presence as leverage, the force he wielded would barely stand a chance today.

Kato Eirei was his only bargaining chip.

So without another glance at Sakumo, he turned his gaze toward Fuu Akimoto and gave a faint smile. "Commander Akimoto," he said with a smirk, "our first meeting couldn't come at a better time…"

Fuu Akimoto sneered coldly, his face dark with anger. "Tachiyama Shinsaburo! You're a Konoha rogue ninja, yet still dare to hold my mother hostage? Do you really think your life is too long?"

"You dare threaten me when your mother is in my hands?" Tachiyama Shinsaburo replied, his eyes flickering.

"Hehe, but your life is now in our hands too. Would you really release my mother if I showed weakness toward you?"

Fuu Akimoto saw through the current situation clearly and showed absolutely no sign of backing down.

Even though Tachiyama had taken his mother hostage, as a village leader he would never bow to members of the Evil Cult.

Still, he kept observing Kato Eirei's expression. The latter gave him a faint smile.

Fuu Akimoto's mother felt delighted her son was no longer a lamb who needed constant protection.

Now, he was the leader who ruled over the entire Hidden Hot Spring Village.

Behind Fuu Akimoto stood Minato, carefully analyzing the current situation. He honestly asked himself—if he were a village leader now and someone had taken his parents or close ones hostage, he wouldn't have been able to stay composed like this.

The gap between himself and Hokage wasn't just about strength.

However, there was a voice within telling him he'd never allow such a situation to happen to him in the first place.

"Now that's truly worthy of being the leader of the Hidden Hot Spring Village..."

Initially, Tachiyama hadn't taken Fuu Akimoto seriously. In his mind, the most troublesome person here was simply Sakumo Hatake.

It was his mistake—no matter how small a Hidden Village might be, its leader still deserved respect.

"So let's speak plainly then," Tachiyama said, slightly lifting his eyelids. "Hand over what doesn't belong to the Hidden Hot Spring Village."

"Return the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons to the Evil Cult—it is our cult's divine artifact."

Tachiyama Shinsaburo attempted to incite the surrounding Evil Cultists. With their side already at a disadvantage, morale mustn't fall further.

Indeed, after hearing his words, those fanatical Evil Cultists became even more frenzied.

The Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons was an essential item for completing the Evil Cult's Immortal Ritual. It also played a critical role in verifying the existence of an Immortal Body.

The ultimate goal for many who joined the Evil Cult was naturally achieving immortality itself.

Seeing this, Fuu Akimoto's gaze gradually hardened. He turned toward Reina Oshima and spoke, "Reina Oshima, even if you have conflicts with the village, why ally yourself with these madmen?"

His tone had turned cold. Whoever did something like this would certainly become a wanted criminal of the Hidden Hot Spring Village.

"Conflicts? Heh, great village leader, you sure do speak lightly..."

Reina Oshima narrowed her eyes slightly, her smile turning colder. She didn't bother with more words and instead directly stated her purpose.

"A village that preaches peace and justice on the outside while pulling sneaky underhanded tricks behind closed doors—why should something like that even exist?"

"With only my own strength, I couldn't possibly destroy it. But with the help of those very 'madmen' you mentioned? That's another story."

Those from the Hidden Hot Spring Village and Sakumo both instinctively shrank back in shock.

Her goal...was actually to completely destroy the Hidden Hot Spring Village? How utterly insane!

At the same time, Reina's words invited deep reflection—exactly what did she mean by that?

What kind of situation would drive her to destroy her own homeland with her own hands...

Sakumo's eyes darkened. Beneath that so-called peace, countless lives would surely be sacrificed.

Whether it was Hot Spring Village Ninja or Konoha, they were all the same.

The peace Konoha enjoys today wasn't solely the result of their efforts.

Within Konoha existed a secret department unknown to the general public. The missions they handled were all things that couldn't be made public.

That was... Root.

They embodied Konoha's darkness. And as for the Hot Spring Village, even without an official organization like Root, there must be individuals carrying out the exact same duties as Root Chunin.

Wherever there was light, darkness would always follow.

All things in this world are connected...

...

...

Someone said I've been sounding more like a wuxia writer lately—I hadn't really noticed. Could it be the plot?

Truth be told, I think about the plot progress daily. Though I know it's even tougher for you all, waiting patiently through my painfully slow updates.

However, this won't last much longer. I'll only post one chapter today—since I'm already behind by four chapters. It's high time I started paying back my debt.

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