Namikaze Minato Wants to Leave Work on Time [4]

“…Hokage-sama, perhaps we should discuss official matters first.” After a long hesitation, Fugaku chose to change the subject.

“Alright.” Minato nodded.

Though he refused to work overtime, Minato was still a responsible and conscientious Hokage.

Finding a girl could wait until after work—now it was time to focus.

“The Third Great Ninja War is nearing its end, and the mission system has resumed,” Fugaku began. “But Konoha’s available manpower is far below prewar levels.”

The first mess Minato faced as Hokage was the legacy the Third had left behind.

Konoha had lost too many shinobi. Huge sums were owed in compensation to their families.

If Iwagakure had paid reparations, the village’s finances might have recovered—but the Third had unilaterally abandoned the claim.

Now, Konoha’s only economic lifeline was the mission system.

But with so many casualties—even children forced to graduate early—there simply weren’t enough shinobi left to meet demand.

Technically, if the remaining ninja followed a brutal “007” schedule—working nonstop all week—they might scrape by. But Minato, who despised overtime with every fiber of his being, would never allow that.

So, he turned to the Uchiha.

They were still the strongest clan in the world, and because they’d joined the war late, their casualties were light.

With their help, the workload on other shinobi could be eased, allowing Konoha to recover faster.

“I understand your intentions, Hokage-sama. For Konoha’s sake, the Uchiha are willing to lend our strength. It’s just that the Third Hokage…” Fugaku’s voice lowered, his expression cautious, like a mistress subtly hinting to the wife about her husband’s affair.

Minato understood immediately.

The Third’s suppression of the Uchiha had been relentless, bordering on paranoia. If Minato intended to reconcile with them, he’d have to confront the old man sooner or later.

“Relax, now that I’m—”

“Clan Leader Fugaku! Something’s happened!”

Before he could finish, a panicked shout came from outside.

Several dark figures landed in the courtyard, each wearing a Konoha forehead protector and flaring scarlet Sharingan. Between them, they dragged a masked Anbu operative.

“This is…” Fugaku broke into a sweat.

Surely his men hadn’t just captured one of the Fourth Hokage’s Anbu?

“This is an Anbu under the Third Hokage. He tried to sneak in and disrupt your meeting, so we captured him,” one Uchiha reported.

Hearing that, Fugaku exhaled in relief.

Looking closer, he noticed the Anbu’s dazed eyes—clearly under genjutsu.

Once a Sharingan user met your gaze, genjutsu was almost unavoidable. Masked or not, even trained Anbu couldn’t escape it.

“Release the genjutsu,” Fugaku ordered.

When the illusion lifted, the Anbu blinked back to awareness. Seeing Minato, he immediately knelt. “Fourth Hokage-sama, your aide Orochimaru is massacring Root operatives. The Third demands an explanation!”

Minato paused.

Ah, right. Yesterday, he’d told Orochimaru to begin the operation against Root at exactly 8:30.

Apparently, Orochimaru had followed the order to the minute—neither early nor late. Truly a model subordinate.

“Where’s the Third Hokage now?” Minato asked.

“He’s waiting in the Hokage’s office,” the Anbu replied. “Elder Danzō and the two advisors are also present.”

Minato’s brow furrowed. “I’m working right now. Tell them to wait outside the Uchiha compound.”

The Anbu’s eyes widened.

The Third had been in power so long that most forgot it was possible to defy him.

“Right now, I’m the Hokage,” Minato said coldly.

“…Understood.” The Anbu vanished instantly to deliver the message.

Given shinobi speed, word spread from the Hokage Building to the Uchiha district in minutes.

Before long, Uchiha guards reported that the Third Hokage and his entourage had arrived.

Minato rose. Fugaku immediately stood as well. “Hokage-sama, allow me to accompany you.”

“How considerate,” Minato said with a faint smile.

Fugaku froze, thunderstruck.

Damn it—yes, you’re my boss, but I’m older than you! Why speak like you’re praising a child?

Still, for the sake of the Uchiha’s future, Fugaku swallowed his pride.

If not for the Third’s existence, Fugaku himself might’ve earned the title of “Hero of the Shinobi.”

When they reached the entrance, four stern, aging figures awaited them.

Shimura Danzō’s expression was the darkest of the group—so sour it could curdle milk.

As Minato approached, Danzō opened his mouth to speak—but froze, unable to move.

Minato had immobilized him with a paralysis jutsu.

“You elders, standing beside Shimura Danzō—a criminal of Konoha—are you planning to betray the village too?” Minato asked evenly, as if commenting on the weather.

The hot-tempered Utatane Koharu snapped, “Fourth Hokage, what are you implying?”

“Orochimaru discovered Root operatives colluding with the enemy and is now investigating,” Minato said calmly. “Danzō may well be a traitor to Konoha.”

“You’re just using that as an excuse to eliminate us!” Mitokado Homura barked.

“Oh, don’t put it that way, Advisor-sama,” Minato replied lightly. “Tell you what—let’s summon all the clan heads. They can decide whether Orochimaru’s investigation into Root and Danzō is justified. That seems fair, doesn’t it?”

“I…” Homura fell silent.

He knew perfectly well what would happen if all the clans gathered.

Most Root members had been recruited directly from those clans. Their resentment toward Danzō was bone-deep.

If Minato called for a vote, every clan would side with the Fourth Hokage without hesitation.

No matter how flimsy Minato’s reasoning was, they’d only say, ‘Sounds right!’

Danzō couldn’t speak, and the two advisors were speechless. Their last hope was the Third Hokage himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked decades older as he gazed at Minato—young, bright, unyielding—and forced a weary smile.

“Fourth Hokage, I’ll personally investigate Danzō’s case and give you a full explanation. But regarding Orochimaru…”

Though Orochimaru had once been his student, they were strangers now. The man was Minato’s aide.

Minato smiled politely. “Orochimaru acted for the good of the village. Perhaps his methods were… imperfect. Rest assured, Third Hokage, I’ll investigate thoroughly and give everyone a satisfactory explanation. As for Danzō—he’ll be imprisoned under Uchiha supervision, pending judgment.”

Sarutobi froze—not because Danzō was being arrested, but because Minato’s words were exactly the same ones he himself had once used to placate the clans.

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This is a fan translation of 波风水门想要按时下班 by 破空蛇龙 rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!