Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer

As soon as Minato Namikaze spoke, everyone present, including the gatekeeper ninja, was taken aback. Even Aoba hadn't expected Minato to speak so bluntly.

And, of course, Konan was even more surprised.

"I... I... I..." The gatekeeper ninja was dumbfounded, staring at Minato in shock, completely at a loss.

Was this a matter he had any say in?

Not!

The gatekeeper ninja was stunned after hearing Minato's words. He certainly wouldn't want his memory to be read if given a choice. It wasn't that his memories contained anything incriminating, but the process felt humiliating.

However, he understood that, at this point, the only way to clear his name was through this method. It wasn't that Minato was being particularly cruel in demanding this. The gatekeeper knew he was in this situation because of his actions.

If he hadn't taken the chance and brought Konan into Konoha, sneaking her into Ichiraku Ramen and being caught by Minato, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

But now...

It wasn't that the gatekeeper was particularly attached to his position. Rather, he understood that being mistakenly labeled a traitor would permanently stain his ninja career. As a ninja, he couldn't tolerate such a mark.

"I agree," the gatekeeper finally said weakly. He didn't want to, but he knew it was his only option. It wasn't a choice—he had no other way to prove his innocence.

And if having his memory read could clear him, why not?

Still, despite all the rational arguments, the gatekeeper couldn't shake a deep sense of humiliation. It wasn't just about proving his innocence but about losing control over his thoughts and memories.

"Good," Minato nodded approvingly. The gatekeeper's willingness reassured him that this approach was the right one.

Minato believed Aoba's suggestion was sound. At this critical moment, if he had personally read the memory of Konan or any of the members of the Akatsuki trio, it would have created a much more precarious situation. They claimed to be Jiraiya's disciples, and Minato was Jiraiya's. If Minato had forcefully read the memories of his master's students, it could have easily become a scandal.

No matter what Minato might have discovered or not, the outcome would likely have been unfavorable, especially if the Third Hokage got wind of it. The ensuing scandal could spread through Konoha, fueled by gossip and speculation.

From the recent incidents involving Orochimaru and Danzo, Minato had learned how expertly the Third Hokage could manipulate public opinion. He realized that similar tactics might have been used, such as in the case of Sakumo Hatake's disgrace.

Minato realized that if he wasn't careful, he could easily fall into a trap set by his enemies. However, the gatekeeper ninja was a different case altogether.

The gatekeeper was a low-ranking ninja of Konoha, and with Minato soon to be the Fourth Hokage, it would be perfectly reasonable to investigate him to ensure he had no connections to outside threats. Even if the Third Hokage or others tried to stir up controversy, they couldn't make much of a case against such an investigation.

There had been precedents for such actions, such as when spies had infiltrated Konoha's ANBU forces. At that time, a large-scale investigation, including memory readings, had been conducted, and no one had objected.

Reading the gatekeeper's memory wouldn't cause much trouble in this case. Moreover, Minato ensured the gatekeeper would voluntarily agree to the memory reading. Even though the "voluntary" aspect wasn't entirely genuine, having the gatekeeper's consent would further mitigate any potential backlash.

Minato found this solution practical and safe. Minato felt more confident in navigating the tricky political landscape with Aoba's guidance.

The more Minato thought about it, the more he appreciated Aoba's help. Aoba had quickly identified the core issue: the problem wasn't necessarily with Konan or the Akatsuki trio but with the timing and circumstances surrounding their arrival.

Minato began to realize that there was something very suspicious about the whole situation. The trio could have sought entry into Konoha through other, more discreet channels, especially since the Third Hokage was still in power and could have granted them access without any issues.

Yet, they had approached Minato, asking for his help settling within Konoha. This had placed Minato in a difficult position from the outset. If he had accepted, it would have been seen as granting asylum to rogue ninjas from the Land of Rain. If he had refused, it would have seemed like he was snubbing his master's students.

Either way, it was a lose-lose situation.

Fortunately, Minato had refused, and now he saw that this had likely been part of a larger trap designed to undermine him.

The realization hit Minato: Konan was probably part of a second phase of the plan, sent to test him further. But thanks to Aoba's intervention, he had avoided making a disastrous mistake.

Minato's mind began to race even faster as he pieced together the various clues. With Aoba taking charge of the larger strategic framework, Minato could focus on the smaller details, refining the plan even further.

His respect for Aoba grew. After becoming Hokage, Minato knew he would face many more complex and unexpected challenges. He would need someone who could be trusted completely without conflicting loyalties.

That person was Aoba.

Among his peers, Minato recognized that Aoba stood out. Unlike others bound by their clans and families, he had no deep familial or political ties. This made Aoba uniquely trustworthy.

"Great," Minato nodded at Aoba, satisfied with how things were progressing. Aoba's ability to read memories was a unique and valuable asset that would prove critical in the future.

"Yes," Aoba responded, stepping forward. The ramen he had ordered earlier had not yet arrived.

"Minato," Aoba addressed him casually, still calling him by name rather than using a formal title like "Lord" or "Hokage."

Aoba raised his left hand and extended a finger toward Minato's forehead.

"I can transmit the memories I read to you as well," Aoba explained. "That way, you can see the same images as I do, and we can analyze them together."