Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer - Chapter 696

Upon hearing Nagato’s words, Minato Namikaze grew even more perplexed. He couldn’t help but take a deeper look at Nagato.
“You’re saying you want to live in Konoha?”

Minato stared at the three individuals suspiciously, repeating his question as if he had misheard.

It was hard to believe his ears, especially since all three wore headbands from other villages, each marked with a deep slash—a clear sign of being rogue ninjas.

Given that they were rogue ninjas…

Konoha had no reason to harbour rogue ninjas.
Even if Minato weren’t Hokage yet, and even after becoming Hokage, he couldn’t take them in!

This was an unspoken rule of the ninja world.

Harbouring rogue ninjas was akin to opposing the village they defected from. Multiple villages often wanted rogue ninjas, as their betrayal was seen as unforgivable…

Minato had no intention of allowing these people into Konoha.

Even setting aside the question of whether they were indeed Jiraiya-sensei’s disciples—something that still needed to be verified—even if they were, it had no direct bearing on him.

It would have been a profoundly unfavourable situation if he had helped them enter Konoha and later found himself in a difficult position—potentially criticised or even attacked by the Third Hokageation. Minato had no desire to put himself in such a vulnerable position.

It was for this reason that Minato grew silent.

He didn’t show any warmth or familiarity, instead deliberately distancing himself. The aura he projected was cold and unapproachable, signalling to the trio that their request was unreliable.

“Yes, we wish to live in Konoha, and I’ll even bring the Akatsuki organization with us. If that’s unacceptable, we can disband Akatsuki, and only the three of us will join Konoha. Of course, if you feel we’re not qualified to become Konoha ninjas, we can retain our original village affiliations. We simply want to live in Konoha,” Nagato explained, his tone calm but still carrying an unintentional air of pride.

After discovering his lineage as a ?tsutsuki, Nagato’s decisions had been imbued with a sense of superiority, seeing himself as someone of exceptional bloodline.

“Why?”

Minato asked coldly, his expression almost indifferent.

He wanted to clarify his stance, hoping the trio would understand and withdraw, leaving the situation without further conflict.

Minato wasn’t an icy person. He retained his warmth and kindness, but given the current political climate, he had to suppress those traits when dealing with uncertain situations.

“Why should I let you live in Konoha?”
“Give me a reason that convinces me.”
“If your only justification is that you are Jiraiya-sensei’s disciples, don’t waste your breath. If you want to stay in Konoha because of that relationship, go speak with Jiraiya-sensei directly, not me.”

Minato’s voice was steady, and his mind was filled with doubt while watching the three.

While they weren’t particularly attached to Konoha, they were determined to stay there. This contradiction puzzled him.

Why were they so insistent on staying in a place they didn’t like?

Their determination made them feel as though they were on a mission, and staying in Konoha was part of their goal.

Minato wasn’t foolish; quite the opposite—he was brilliant. He could sense that these three were hiding their true motives, and their reasons for staying in Konoha were likely more complex than simple nostalgia for Jiraiya-sensei.

Minato didn’t want to assist them, suspecting their intentions might put him in a precarious situation. It could lead to significant complications if he agreed to let them into Konoha, either as ninjas or temporary residents.

If the Third Hokage learned of this, it could be used against him during the inauguration, jeopardising his chances of becoming Hokage.

This was too significant a risk to take lightly.

While Minato was a deeply empathetic person, he wasn’t someone who let emotions override his judgment. He knew that making an emotionally driven decision now could further complicate his delicate political situation.

He also had a suspicion—what if these three were sent by the Third Hokage or Danzo to trap him, just like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen from Kirigakure?

If he welcomed these rogue ninjas, the Third Hokage could easily expose this during the Hokage ceremony, painting Minato as someone who harboured traitors. This would be a concrete reason to remove him from contention for Hokage.

Such a mistake could lead to a permanent loss of opportunity. There would be no second chance.

As Minato rapidly processed these thoughts, considering all the risks, he decided.

“I cannot allow you to enter Konoha!”

Minato shook his head firmly, looking at the trio with unwavering determination. There was no room for negotiation.

“We won’t cause any trouble…”
Nagato persisted. He had anticipated resistance before coming and was mentally prepared for Minato’s refusal, but he continued his attempt to negotiate.

Minato, however, still harboured too many concerns. Letting them into Konoha carried immense risks that couldn’t be easily explained.

Their status as rogue ninjas from Amegakure, with the slashed headbands marking them as defectors, only deepened Minato’s suspicion.

Even if they were Jiraiya’s disciples, why would they all be rogues? This odd fact made Minato wonder if this was some sort of trap.

Given the sensitive timing of Konoha’s leadership transition, Minato couldn’t afford to be careless. The Third Hokage could use any misstep to oust him at the inauguration.

One wrong move and his dream of becoming Hokage would vanish.

“This is the only chance I’ll get,” Minato thought, his mind racing with the implications of every decision.

“I can’t let you into Konoha,” he repeated firmly, his expression resolute.

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