Starting Over As Minato

Orochimaru loosened his clenched fists, his sharp nails retracting slightly as he let out a slow breath. His expression smoothed over, regaining his usual eerie calmness as he approached the barrier's edge. Then, in a low, raspy voice, he spoke.

"But I still hope you can give him a perfect ending."

His golden snake-like eyes flickered as he glanced at the unconscious Sarutobi Hiruzen lying on the ground.

Minato's smile remained, but there was a cold edge to it. "I will. But you understand, don't you, Orochimaru? There's always a price to pay for one's mistakes."

Orochimaru stopped in his tracks, his face darkening. His gaze locked onto Minato's, trying to decipher the change in him. The once warm and approachable man—the Hokage known for his kindness—was gone. Instead, standing before him was someone different. Someone colder. Someone who, despite still wearing that same gentle smile, radiated a suffocating sense of danger.

Minato had become a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Orochimaru's lips curled slightly. *"Yes… people must pay for their mistakes."*

He murmured the words, nodding almost absentmindedly, as if reaffirming something to himself.

*"But not everything is so easily divided into right and wrong,"* Orochimaru continued. *"Just like my choices… just like yours."*

Minato's blue eyes sharpened, his presence pressing down like a storm about to break. *"You misunderstand something, Orochimaru."* His voice remained calm, but his tone carried undeniable authority. "I am the Fourth Hokage of Konoha. My decisions are final. No one can challenge them. No one can defy them. And if they do—" His smile widened, but the warmth never reached his eyes. "—I will send them to the Pure Land personally. I doubt anyone is eager to meet the Sage of Six Paths so soon."

The weight in Minato's words sent another shiver down Orochimaru's spine. The confidence, the absolute certainty… it was both terrifying and exhilarating.

"Yes, because you are the Fourth Hokage."

Orochimaru exhaled softly and signaled to his subordinates. In an instant, the barrier around them dissolved. The four Otogakure shinobi took their place behind him, standing rigidly like well-trained hounds.

Among them, a white-haired young man wearing glasses—Kabuto Yakushi—stood slightly apart.

Minato's gaze landed on him for just a moment.

Kabuto's entire body stiffened. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as if an invisible blade had pressed against his neck. His hands clenched into fists, but the moment Minato looked away, he let out a shaky breath, feeling as though he had just survived an execution.

Minato took a step toward Orochimaru.

Orochimaru immediately shifted, his muscles tensing in preparation to strike.

But Minato merely shook his head. *"I already told you—I'm letting you go. But not just yet."*

At that moment, the system's familiar mechanical voice rang in Minato's mind.

**[Target detected: Kabuto Yakushi. Sign-in available. Would you like to proceed?]**

Minato's lips curled slightly. *"Sign in."*

**[Sign-in successful. Reward: Basic Palm Healing Jutsu.]**

Minato blinked, momentarily unimpressed. *Palm Healing?* And *basic* at that? He had been hoping for something more useful, but then again, this was still the weak version of Kabuto, not the monstrous Sage he would later become.

Shrugging it off, Minato turned back to the scene at hand.

A crowd had gathered—Anbu operatives and even some civilian ninjas, all surrounding them in a tightening noose. The moment Orochimaru's barrier had dropped, they had moved in, their eyes burning with determination.

Minato sighed internally. *Troublesome.*

*"Fourth Hokage-sama!"*

One of the Anbu stepped forward. *"Orochimaru is a traitor—we can't let him escape!"*

*"He seriously wounded the Third Hokage! We must capture him!"*

A chorus of agreement echoed from the crowd. They were pushing for blood.

Minato's gaze swept over the assembled shinobi. Many were familiar—loyal subordinates, former comrades, young warriors looking for justice. He could understand their anger. But they were missing the bigger picture.

*"Kakashi. Genma. Iwashi."*

The three shinobi straightened as their names were called. Kakashi hesitated, his visible eye narrowing slightly before he finally sighed and stepped aside.

He had his doubts, but ultimately, Minato was his sensei. If there was one person he would follow without question, it was him.

As for the others...

Minato turned back to the remaining Anbu and the eager young shinobi.

*They won't listen to words alone.*

*"Boom—!"*

In an instant, Minato released his chakra.

The force of it hit the gathered shinobi like a tidal wave. The sheer pressure brought them to their knees—some struggling, others collapsing outright.

Orochimaru, though weakened, managed to hold his ground, crossing his arms defensively. Still, beads of sweat formed on his pale face as he fought against the overwhelming force. His golden eyes narrowed.

*"This power…!"*

Even at half strength, Minato's presence alone was enough to render most shinobi utterly helpless.

*"Minato,"* Orochimaru rasped, *"just how much of your strength are you using right now?"*

Minato tilted his head thoughtfully. Then, with a faint smirk, he raised a hand and casually said:

*"About fifty percent."*

A tense silence followed. Then—

Orochimaru let out a low chuckle, though there was no humor in it. *"Only fifty percent, huh?"*

Minato sighed. *"If I used seventy percent, even you wouldn't have been able to stand."*

Orochimaru's lips quirked upward. This Minato… he had changed indeed.

Without another word, Orochimaru turned on his heel, motioning for his subordinates to follow. They moved quickly, disappearing into the shadows of the village.

As the tension finally began to ease, a sudden gurgling sound caught Minato's attention.

*"—Khak!"*

From the ground, Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed violently, a spray of dark blood escaping his lips. The sound drew every Anbu's attention instantly.

Minato remained silent, watching as the once-proud Third Hokage struggled for breath.

And for just a moment, he considered finishing what Orochimaru had started.

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(A/N: Advance Chapters Are Uploaded On My Patreon)