The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Not to mention, back in the Chunin Exams, when he saw Menma being manipulated by Orochimaru and defecting, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that his choice 12 years ago was wrong. He shouldn't have hidden Menma's identity, and he should have let Menma and Naruto live together. No matter what problems they encountered, as the Hokage and Minato's mentor, he needed to protect the two boys.

Therefore, at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi also followed the example of his First Hokage and solemnly knelt down in the dogeza posture.

"Although I know that such behavior can't undo anything, this is the only way I can express my apology now. Minato, Kushina, I'm sorry."

Hiruzen Sarutobi is not Hashirama Senju.

Although it may not be the most appropriate way to put it, Hashirama was the type of person who would frequently dogeza (bow) to ask for favors, including but not limited to friends and family, leaders of opposing forces, and juniors. Whenever Hashirama felt the need to express his sincerity, he would dogeza.

In terms of status, the two are certainly not comparable.

However, in terms of personality and style...

Hiruzen Sarutobi's act of bowing in reverence truly conveys a lot.

At almost the same time, Jiraiya, who was in one of the positions, also assumed the dogeza posture.

"Minato, Kushina, I'm sorry too. As your teacher, I failed to take good care of Menma. It's my fault."

Hiruzen Sarutobi is wrong.

As Minato's teacher, he was affectionately called "Grandpa Jiraiya" by Naruto. He was also at fault. From the moment Menma defected, Jiraiya had been regretting why he hadn't persevered, argued his case, and taken care of Menma and Naruto together.

It can only be said that it was too late for everything. Based on this, on the day he died at Menma's hands, Jiraiya actually felt a sense of relief. He felt that his death might eliminate a small part of the resentment in Menma's heart. It was up to Naruto to see if he could really turn things around.

"Please rise, Third Hokage, Jiraiya-sensei. Kushina and I have already said that everything is in the past. Just as the First and Second Hokage said, it's just a matter of different positions now. My wife and I won't say or do anything more. It's all up to you and Menma. This is our promise."

Minato quickly stepped forward and helped Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya up, then sighed softly.

Kushina, who was sitting to the side, was initially giving the two cold looks. This was a completely different matter from Hashirama. These two were the direct people responsible for causing her children to turn against each other. Kushina was now suppressing her anger very much.

A simple apology and you can get rid of everything?

What a joke!

"Kushina..."

Minato could clearly see his wife's anger, and a pleading look appeared on his handsome face as he softly called out her words.

This also softened Kushina's heart.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 503 Forks in the Road

Ultimately, it's all in the past and a thing of the past.

Not to mention that her husband was actually in a bit of a dilemma. Since she had already said that she would not get involved in this matter anymore, she should give her husband some face.

Of course, another equally important point is that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya are both dead, so there's nothing to be attached to anymore.

"Hey, get up, Third Hokage, Jiraiya-sensei. Just like Minato said, it's all in the past anyway, let's just leave it at that."

Kushina sighed softly to herself. Although her expression remained unchanged, her tone did soften slightly.

"Kushina..."

Jiraiya, who had been helped up by Minato, wanted to say something.

"Alright, since all of you seniors have agreed on this point, there's no need to say anything more. What you do next is your own business, and my wife and I won't get involved. Lady Tsunade, please tell us, where is Naruto now? We need to take Naruto away first."

Kushina waved her hand, interrupting Jiraiya.

Kushina's unwillingness to continue dwelling on the matter doesn't mean she will forgive Jiraiya and the others; it simply means she feels it's pointless.

She didn't want to waste any more time here.

The most valuable thing is to leave here as soon as possible and go find Naruto and Menma, spending more time with their family.

"Huh? Naruto went to Mount Myōboku and hasn't come back yet."

Tsunade was taken aback at first, but then immediately responded.

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

For Tsunade, who also bears no responsibility or obligation.

Kushina maintained basic respect, bowing slightly before glancing at Minato.

"Well then, gentlemen, Kushina and I will excuse ourselves from our rudeness."

Minato, still with a gentle expression, bowed to Hashirama, Tobirama, and the others before taking his wife's right hand.

"Whoosh!"

A flash of golden light.

The two of them then disappeared.

Watching the Minato couple leave.

Hashirama, who was standing on the spot, also sighed deeply, glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, and his eyes were full of disappointment.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was Tobirama's disciple, he was different from Danzo and others.

Hashirama once personally taught Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he could be considered half of his disciple. At that time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was full of vigor, courage, and boldness, and he had a heart that could warm the hearts of all his companions in the village.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hashirama saw a descendant who perfectly inherited the Will of Fire, and he saw the future that belonged to their Hidden Leaf Village.

In fact, Hashirama's intuition at that time was correct.

Tobirama chose Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor, personally covered his retreat, and appointed Hiruzen as the Third Hokage. At least at that time, it was the right decision.

Don't forget, the First Shinobi World War was caused by Hashirama's death, which unleashed the ambitions of the other ninja villages that had been suppressed for so many years.

Then Tobirama, the Second Hokage, died at the end of the First Shinobi World War.

At that time, Konoha was facing a difficult situation, with dissent from within and numerous external threats, making the pressure immense.

Despite this pressure, Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually stabilized the ninja village, leading to victory in the Second Shinobi World War.

It also nurtured countless outstanding ninjas.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade are prime examples.

If we don't count Hashirama, that extraordinary guy.

In fact, Konoha Village reached its peak during the reign of Hiruzen Sarutobi. At that time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was hailed as a ninja hero by the entire ninja world, a title he earned through his own strength and ability.

It's just a pity that this peak period was too short.

It seems that with the end of the Second Shinobi World War, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered a period of foolishness, making one blunder after another.

Although there is no basis for comparison between them.

But looking at the changes before and after...

To put it in Menma's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi really is a guy like Emperor Xuanzong of Tang or Emperor Wu of Han.

His early actions were wise and decisive.

Later, various illnesses recurred.

This dividing line is the death of Sakumo Hatake.

It was as if from that moment on, Hiruzen Sarutobi was possessed, becoming incredibly stupid.

Hashirama didn't say much, just gave him a look.

That alone would be enough to make Hiruzen Sarutobi feel ashamed.

In fact, during the Chunin Exams three years ago, when he faced Orochimaru, on the verge of death, Hiruzen Sarutobi already regretted many of the things he had done, as many fragments flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

He always felt that if Sakumo hadn't died, if Minato hadn't died, if Tsunade and Jiraiya hadn't left the village, and if he had been able to properly address Orochimaru's development back then, wouldn't Konoha have embarked on a brighter future?

Otherwise, things would have come to this point, with him becoming a sinner against the village.

"Come on, monkey, and you two too, come with me and tell me everything clearly!"

Tobirama snorted coldly and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

If you've raised a rebellious student, then you should discipline him yourself.

Of course, everything will have to wait until the threat of Menma is resolved.

"Yes, Second Generation Lord."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane all responded immediately. The latter two had long lost the composure of being village Hokage advisors, and instead showed only boundless fear.

This is their Hokage mentor.

"Tobirama, later send an invitation to that kid named Menma in my name. If possible, try to sit down and have a proper talk. The road to peace is very difficult, but we must still try."

Hashirama looked at Tobirama and said.

"Yes, Aniga, I understand. Don't worry, you three, come with me!"

Tobirama nodded slightly, then gave his three traitorous disciples a stern look before leading the way out of the secret chamber.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions immediately followed suit.

The four of them left one after the other.

"Tsuna, and this one is Sakumo, right? You two can come with me for a walk around the village. The last time I was summoned back, it wasn't long before my consciousness was erased. Now let me see what Konoha will be like decades from now."

Hashirama, with a gentle expression, looked at Tsunade and Sakumo, who hadn't said a word the entire time, and said with a smile.

The affairs of the village will be left to Tobirama to handle.

In this regard, Hashirama always trusted Tobirama. He was certain that Tobirama could handle things in a well-organized and orderly manner. Even before the founding of Konoha, although Hashirama was the head of the Senju clan, Tobirama actually handled the clan's internal affairs.

On this point.

The Uchiha clan is the same. Madara is just a nominal clan head who rose to power through strength, but in reality, it's Izuna who handles all the internal affairs of the clan!

This is why Madara Uchiha couldn't take his clansmen with him when he left Konoha.

Profit is naturally the most important aspect, but it is also closely related to Madara's low prestige within the clan. If you were Izuna and still alive, try it and see.

If Izuna said east, no one in the clan dared to say west.

Even Madara obeys his younger brother's every word.

Izuna and Tobirama are truly 'other selves in this world'!

"Yes, Grandpa."