Minato with a Gacha

Hiruzen Sarutobi's POV

The council chamber was unusually dim, the usual sunlight blocked by thick blinds drawn tightly across the room's windows. I glanced around the meeting table at the faces of the three council members seated across from me—Homura, Koharu, and, of course, Danzo.

They were all silent, watching me expectantly. Even Danzo's face was unreadable, his single visible eye watching me with cold intensity. I'd summoned them here under strict orders, giving only the barest information about what had happened. Now, as they awaited my explanation, I could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on me.

I took a deep breath. What I was about to reveal could never leave this room.

"I appreciate you all gathering here on such short notice," I began, folding my hands in front of me. "Before we continue, I must ask each of you to agree to the terms of this seal." I produced a small scroll, placing it on the table. "This seal will ensure that none of us can speak of what I am about to disclose to anyone outside of this room."

Homura's eyebrows shot up, but he nodded without objection. Koharu looked at me with wary eyes, but her loyalty to Konoha outweighed her concerns. Danzo, however, narrowed his eye.

"A seal?" he said, voice tinged with suspicion. "Hiruzen, what's so vital that you would risk binding the council's tongues?"

"Only something of utmost importance, Danzo," I replied, meeting his gaze with as much calm authority as I could muster. "What I'm about to tell you isn't merely a sensitive matter—it's a secret that could shake the village to its core if mishandled. Konoha's very stability depends on it."

Danzo studied me for a moment, his face unreadable. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "Very well."

I moved around the table, touching each of their shoulders as they murmured their consent. The seal glowed faintly as it took effect, and I returned to my place, feeling the weight of my words settle heavily on my shoulders.

"The events of last night… you all know of the Nine-Tails' attack," I began slowly, carefully. I glanced at each of them, gauging their expressions. "In the battle, our Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sacrificed his life to protect this village. He performed the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, giving both his soul and his body to the Shinigami."

Silence fell over the room. Koharu's face grew ashen, while Homura looked stricken, his hands trembling slightly on the table. Danzo's face remained expressionless, though a shadow of something flickered in his eye.

"Then the rumors are true," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "Minato Namikaze… is dead."

"Yes," I replied, allowing myself a rare pause as the truth settled in. "Minato sacrificed everything for Konoha. We all owe him a debt we can never repay."

Koharu pressed her hand to her mouth, eyes glistening. "To lose the Fourth Hokage… Hiruzen, this loss is unthinkable. The village will be shaken to its very foundation."

Homura was nodding, face drawn. "Minato was a symbol of hope, a strength that reassured our people. If the other villages learn of this…"

Danzo leaned forward, fingers steepled under his chin. "If they learn of this, Konoha will be a target. The other villages won't hesitate to strike while we're vulnerable."

I nodded. "That is why I called you here. Because the truth, while devastating, is not the whole story."

They exchanged wary glances, and I could feel their anticipation intensifying. I took a slow breath, steeling myself for the final revelation.

"Last night," I continued, choosing my words with care, "something else happened. Shortly after Minato's death, Kushina Uzumaki, his wife, was with his body. It was then that his body… reanimated."

"Reanimated?" Homura echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yes," I replied grimly. "Minato's body regained life, but the entity within him… is not Minato Namikaze."

Koharu leaned back in her chair, horrified. "Then who… or what is it?"

"The being claims it doesn't know its origin," I said. "Kushina reported that it woke in confusion, unfamiliar with the world around it and speaking in a manner unlike Minato. We suspect it is some remnant of the Shinigami itself."

A cold silence settled over the room as they absorbed the implications.

Homura shifted uncomfortably. "So, this entity, this… being… What are its intentions?"

"Strangely," I said, leaning forward, "it has shown no hostility. It expressed genuine confusion about its existence, even expressed a willingness to help us. Kushina spoke with it, and she believes it poses no immediate threat."

Danzo's eye narrowed. "Immediate threat, perhaps. But you're speaking of an unknown entity occupying the body of one of our strongest shinobi. We know nothing of its true capabilities or what its goals may become. And it has our Hokage's body and face."

I met his gaze steadily. "I understand the risks, Danzo, which is why I am here now—to seek your counsel. This entity has agreed to adopt Minato's identity. It will publicly act as the Fourth Hokage, minimizing the risk of Konoha appearing vulnerable."

"You would ask this… entity to pretend to be Minato?" Homura asked, his voice thick with skepticism. "How can we trust it to carry out such a ruse?"

"We have few choices," I said, voice heavy with the responsibility of my decision. "If we reveal Minato's death, the other villages will sense weakness, and Konoha could be plunged into war. As long as the Fourth Hokage appears alive, our enemies will think twice before moving against us."

Danzo's fingers drummed against the table, his gaze thoughtful yet sharp. "Hiruzen, this is a dangerous path. One misstep, and we could find ourselves sheltering a threat from within. But if this creature is truly willing to protect Konoha… then perhaps it's worth the risk."

Koharu shook her head, visibly distressed. "And what about Kushina? Will she be able to live with this… imitation of her husband?"

I lowered my gaze. "That is a personal matter for Kushina to come to terms with. But she has agreed to keep the secret. Her loyalty to Minato, and to Konoha, is strong."

Homura leaned back, exhaling slowly. "This entire situation… is unprecedented. But if it will protect the village…"

Danzo nodded, though his expression was calculating. "I will, of course, keep an eye on him. If this entity, this… imitation… shows any signs of deviating from its stated intentions, I will personally ensure Konoha's safety."

I expected no less. Danzo had always viewed the village's security as a duty that justified any measure, and now, more than ever, I needed his vigilance.

"Agreed," I said firmly, allowing none of my own reservations to show. "We will maintain our watch over the Fourth Hokage's 'reappearance.' This entity will remain under observation. But as far as the village, and the world, are concerned… Minato Namikaze still lives."

For a moment, the room remained silent, each of us weighed down by the gravity of our choice. Despite their hesitations, the council members seemed to accept my decision. Koharu's mouth was set in a firm line, Homura's face drawn, but both nodded.

Danzo spoke last, his voice a cold whisper that carried through the dimly lit room. "May we not come to regret this decision, Hiruzen."

"I pray for the same," I replied solemnly.

With that, the meeting was adjourned. As the others rose and filed out, I lingered for a moment, my mind awash with the weight of what lay ahead. There was no precedent for what we'd just decided, no telling where this new, unpredictable future would lead.

But one thing was clear: Konoha's survival now depended on an enigma cloaked in the face of its fallen hero.