Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer

Minato Namikaze directly shared with Aoba the most bizarre event he had experienced recently. He never imagined that one day he would be targeted for assassination by people from Konoha.

When the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist arrived, he thought they were from the Hidden Mist Village, but the truth shocked him.

As Minato recounted these events, he felt a wave of emotion. Remembering the scene still evoked complex feelings.

"Are you sure?" Aoba appeared visibly shocked, but his expression quickly returned to calmness, reflecting his usual demeanour of processing surprising information.

This aligned with his usual approach. When he and Minato were together, they could calmly discuss problems and mutually understand many topics, especially during the impending ninja world war when Minato had sought Aoba's advice.

In many ways, they were kindred spirits. Minato had a particular image of Aoba—someone who was always composed.

Thus, Aoba needed to react as if he were hearing this for the first time, analysing it from an outside perspective.

"Minato, could there be a misunderstanding here?" Aoba asked, his expression calm as he looked into Minato's eyes with a questioning gaze. When Aoba immersed himself in the role, he naturally felt the oddity of the situation.

Of course, the incident itself was his, so it was inherently unusual. Aoba's idea and execution of the plan to frame the Third Hokage were a scheme most wouldn't think of.

"Actually, I thought so too at first," Minato sighed deeply. He saw that his friend engaged with the story, easing his tension. He needed this acknowledgement.

"However, the subsequent events made me reconsider. While I was still doubting whether what I heard was true or a ploy to create discord between me and Konoha, more shocking things happened."

"Wave after wave of Konoha's Root ninja confronted me. They radiated killing intent with no intention of talking. Their only mission was clear—kill me."

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"You can't imagine the sense of betrayal I felt when I realized this."

Minato's voice grew cold. His usually warm demeanour was rare to see with such sadness. He had never imagined Konoha could be so chaotic or that he would lose faith in its leadership.

Recounting the story to Aoba felt like reliving the pain.

He looked at Aoba, seeking some form of validation.

"Root ninja? Aren't they under Danzo's command? This situation is indeed complicated. Could it be confirmed that the Third Hokage was involved?" Aoba frowned, considering the situation from Minato's perspective.

He placed himself in ignorance, reacting naturally to the scenario.

"Minato, are you sure those were Root ninja? Could they have been impersonators from another village?" Aoba suggested. He wasn't defending the Third Hokage but exploring other possibilities.

"I'm not excusing the Third Hokage," Aoba quickly clarified. "But could someone be framing Konoha? Could another force be behind this?"

Aoba wanted to guide Minato in thinking about other possibilities without making them obvious.

"There's indeed such a possibility," Minato's face darkened as he considered Aoba's points. He had thought of it before but was too emotionally entangled to see clearly.

"But if there's such a force, who could it be? Do you think it's the Mist Village? After all, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen could have been acting under orders to deceive me."

Minato pondered deeply. The betrayal he felt clouded his usual logical thinking. He struggled with the idea that someone within Konoha could be behind it.

"If it's the Mist Village, they would need a strong motive. Why would they go to such lengths just to disrupt Konoha's leadership?" Aoba said, shaking his head. "What would they gain from this?"

"I can't think of a reason either," Minato admitted. "So I don't believe it's the Mist Village."

"If not the Mist Village, could it be someone else within Konoha? Someone working behind the scenes?" Aoba asked, pushing the conversation toward an analysis of other potential actors.

"Exactly," Minato nodded. If someone is orchestrating this, they must have significant influence and resources."

"Could it be that another force is framing Konoha to cause internal strife?" Aoba suggested, continuing to steer the conversation. "Someone might want to weaken Konoha from the inside."

"That's possible," Minato agreed, his mind racing through the implications. "But who would benefit from such a scheme?"

"Could it be that another village is involved? The other three great ninja villages?" Aoba asked.

"Let's consider the possibilities," Minato said. "Iwa would have no reason—they could have killed me on the battlefield. Suna is too weak to organize such a complex plan. Kumo and Kiri are fighting each other; they wouldn't collaborate on this."

"So, if it's not Konoha, I don't see another likely candidate," Minato concluded, reaffirming his belief. "This has to be an internal issue."

"Minato, could there be someone in Konoha trying to manipulate things from behind the scenes, creating this discord for their own gain?" Aoba asked, probing deeper.

Minato hesitated. "That could be the case. But who in Konoha would have the motive and means to pull this off?"

"Is it really the Third Hokage?" Aoba asked, his face serious. "I find it hard to believe."

"I understand, Aoba. It's difficult to accept, but all evidence points towards it," Minato said, his resolve hardening.

"Are you sure it was the Third Hokage?" Aoba asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

"Yes, Aoba. I'm sure. It's painful to accept, but I have to," Minato said, his eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and determination.