Chapitre 685: Combination Punch
"That's exactly the case!"
"In this world, there is no one capable of such terrifying feats."
"I don't know what kind of power would be needed to control both Orochimaru and Danzo simultaneously."
"But I am certain that, across the entire world, no one possesses such power."
"This issue is beyond what normal ninjas can achieve."
"So, I think your third possibility is completely non-existent."
"Therefore, our discussion should only focus on the first and second possibilities, and I believe the truth lies within these two possibilities. There are no other options."
Minato Namikaze spoke firmly, analyzing the situation with a calm mind. He thought about his own views and considered Aoba's points, further analyzing them.
One must admit that Minato's thinking was very tight-knit. If Aoba hadn't skillfully steered the conversation, it would have been difficult to find a way to influence Minato's thoughts, potentially exposing flaws and leading to the unraveling of Aoba's plans.
This demonstrated that Minato's logical thinking far surpassed that of Uchiha Fugaku and Zabuza Momochi. When dealing with them, Aoba didn't need to expend as much effort or consider as many possibilities as they quickly followed his lead.
As long as Aoba's logic made sense to them, they wouldn't question it during the conversation or reflect on it later either, fully accepting his narrative.
This kind of control was quite remarkable.
People often fall into such traps.
Aoba had vast intelligence, enabling him to manipulate situations by knowing his opponents well. Once he led others to follow his logic, they would find it hard to spot any issues, and if they couldn't see problems, they would accept the results, even in retrospect.
It's not easy for people to recall such manipulative tactics. Even if Aoba and Minato tried to remember their reasoning process, Minato's detailed notes would guide their memories, allowing them to retrace their logical steps.
This method demonstrated Minato's strength—he used paper and pen to visualize his thoughts, ensuring no missed steps and helping identify any overlooked details.
This quality was rare and made it challenging for Minato to deceive.
Unlike previous encounters where people followed Aoba's lead without much resistance, Minato's swift and thorough thinking required Aoba to steer the conversation subtly.
Though Aoba didn't need to correct Minato's thought process this time, as Minato's rapid mental leaps often resolved points before Aoba could intervene, he still indirectly influenced Minato's thinking.
Minato's swift conclusions often aligned with Aoba's intentions, reducing the need for direct intervention. This time, things were progressing as Aoba had hoped.
Minato had logically deduced the situation, recognizing two possibilities:
I completely agree with your two possibilities.
"Whether it's the first scenario."
"Or the second scenario."
"Where Orochimaru and Danzo's claims about the Third Hokage are true."
"Or they are collaborating with the Third Hokage."
"Both scenarios indicate that the Third Hokage has issues."
"Can we agree on that point?"
Minato's gaze settled on Aoba, his expression softening as he sought mutual understanding. Without this agreement, further discussion would be impossible.
Minato knew better than anyone that the Third Hokage had pursued him relentlessly. Despite once having a favorable view of the Third Hokage, he now saw the darker side due to personal experience.
"Yes, we can agree on that."
Aoba nodded without hesitation. There was no need to hide anything anymore. Minato's new perspective was unexpected but aligned perfectly with Aoba's objectives.
"Now, if the first possibility is true, then the Third Hokage is genuinely at fault. However, without Orochimaru and Danzo, we can't understand their motivations for disappearing, as you previously analyzed. This makes the first scenario less likely."
"If that's the case..."
"The second possibility becomes the most plausible."
"The Third Hokage is indeed in league with them, as you suggested."
"But..."
"One thing I don't understand is..."
"Why?"
"What benefit do they get from doing this?"
"Why tarnish their reputation and relinquish the Hokage position?"
"Is there really a necessity for this?"
Aoba posed several questions, forcing Minato to answer and thus reinforcing his own belief in his deductions.
People often understand better when they articulate their thoughts. Hence, asking questions usually yields better results than simply providing answers.
Minato had already committed to believing that the Third Hokage was the mastermind, and Aoba's questions further solidified this conviction.
"I suspect the Third Hokage and his accomplices because their actions show motive, unlike other scenarios where motives are unclear."
Minato explained, emphasizing the importance of motive in any action. Without it, Orochimaru and Danzo had no reason to engage in such drastic measures.
"Based on my understanding, the Third Hokage's goal was to retain his position. He didn't want to relinquish the Hokage title, so all his actions were aimed at securing this."
"Given this premise, we can deduce that if Orochimaru and Danzo shared his interests, their actions aimed to protect his position."
"At this point, you might wonder why they would tarnish their own reputation, seemingly contradictory actions, right?"
Minato continued, prompting Aoba to think deeper, intensely wanting to explain his reasoning.
"But I can tell you there's a connection here."
"This is a multi-layered trap."
"Before coming here, I hadn't seen it clearly."
"Through our discussion, I realized the pattern."
"The Third Hokage and Danzo set a combination punch for me."
Minato's expression grew serious, but a confident smile emerged, revealing his resilience.
Due to their conversation, he remained his usual self and was now more transparent about the situation.
"How?"
Aoba asked earnestly, eager to understand Minato's detailed thought process.
"Here's my hypothesis."
Minato began.
"Based on my achievements in the ninja war, the Third Hokage realized I could be a strong candidate for the Hokage position, like Hatake Sakumo once was."
"This posed a threat to his position, prompting a series of actions."
"Initially, I underestimated the Third Hokage's obsession with his title."
"Looking back, I was too careless."
Minato paused, reflecting on his past actions with regret and realization.
"On my way back, three obstacles were set before me."
"Calling them obstacles is generous. They were combination punches."
"Each punch aimed to knock me out of the running for the Hokage position."
"First, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and Danzo's Root ninjas attacked, intending to kill me. If they succeeded, the threat would be gone."
"This was a straightforward, one-time solution."
"Fortunately, they failed."
"Maybe they knew this wouldn't work, so they prepared other obstacles."
"Second, the Third Hokage personally waited at the gate, offering me a half-sleeved Hokage robe. I didn't accept it."
"If I had, it would have capped my achievements, making it impossible to use them to claim the Hokage title."
"This was a soft approach."
"After I refused, the Third Hokage initiated the third punch."
"The exposure event."
Minato's clear logic resonated with Aoba, who listened intently and was curious about Minato's conclusions.
"After surviving the first two punches, I returned to Konoha with the reputation of a Hokage candidate. The Third Hokage had to act to retain his position, hence the third punch."
Minato continued, now sure of his deductions.
"This third punch involved collaborating with Orochimaru and Danzo to tarnish his own image."
"If the first punch was direct and forceful, and the second was soft and subtle, the third was a retreating punch, appearing as a defeat."
"You might not fully understand yet, but you'll see once I explain."
"Initially, I didn't see this clearly. Now, thanks to our discussion, it all makes sense."
"The Third Hokage is indeed a cunning old fox."
Minato sighed, admiring the intricate plan he believed the Third Hokage had orchestrated. He felt relieved to have realized it now rather than facing it unprepared.
"Orochimaru and Danzo's accusations lacked concrete evidence, implying they could have fabricated their claims."
"Thus, they put the Third Hokage in a difficult position through false accusations, forcing him to step down."
"But..."
"The Third Hokage never admitted guilt."
"As long as he hasn't admitted, there's still a chance for reversal."
"During my inauguration as Hokage, the Third Hokage could reappear, claim innocence, and present evidence to clear his name, reversing public opinion."
"This wouldn't just threaten me. If Orochimaru and Danzo also return, blaming me for instructing them to defame the Third Hokage, I would be unable to defend myself."
Minato's detailed analysis sent shivers down Aoba's spine. Minato had devised a scenario that was even more comprehensive than Aoba's initial plans.
In light of this...
He decided to leverage Minato's conclusions.
"Is there a possibility?"
Aoba's eyes lit up, seizing the moment.
"That Orochimaru and Danzo's accusations are true?"
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