A week passed in a flash.

Konoha was still in the midst of cleaning up the aftermath, as many buildings were damaged and needed to be rebuilt.

Of the four rock statues on the Hokage Rock, only Minato Namikaze's remained; the statues of Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had been destroyed.

Everyone in Konoha now felt extremely uneasy.

This was because the commands issued by Minato Namikaze were somewhat overly heartless.

The Minato Namikaze from before was clearly not like this.

Today, almost all villagers and Ninja of Konoha gathered beneath Minato Namikaze's rock statue.

Minato Namikaze stood atop the Hokage Rock, looking down at the crowd below.

Behind Minato Namikaze stood Jiraiya, Hyuga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and other clan heads.

In front of Minato Namikaze knelt Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and several other Konoha Advisors who were not core high-ranking officials.

Minato Namikaze announced, "Today, as the Fourth Hokage, I will pass judgment on these Konoha Advisors before me, and also issue several commands.

Led by Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, they abused their authority, sought personal gain, and caused irreparable losses to Konoha. Today, they are being judged. Do any of you have anything to say?"

Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and the other Konoha Advisors remained silent. Over the past week, various Ninjutsu for memory probing had been used on them, pushing their minds to the brink of collapse, making them almost incapable of thought.

Minato Namikaze's gaze, devoid of emotion, swept over Utatane Koharu and the others: "Nothing to say? Then, the verdict: immediate execution!"

Behind each of Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and the others, an Anbu Ninja appeared, holding a Ninja Sword.

The villagers below the Hokage Rock stared at Minato Namikaze, dumbfounded.

He's just going to kill them?!

"Fourth Hokage..."

Asuma Sarutobi wanted to plead for them.

Minato Namikaze looked sharply at Asuma Sarutobi: "You people should be very clear about what they did. Asuma Sarutobi, I gave your father, the Third Hokage, a dignified end. If you wish to plead for them, I don't mind stripping your father of that dignity!"

Asuma Sarutobi said no more.

The clan heads here all looked at Minato Namikaze with unfamiliar eyes; the current Minato Namikaze was completely opposite in personality to his former self.

Many people looked towards Jiraiya, hoping he could say a few words to persuade Minato Namikaze.

But Jiraiya's eyes were vacant, and he looked dejected.

The Anbu Ninja moved in unison, drawing their Ninja Swords across their necks, killing them.

Many people turned their heads away, unable to bear the sight.

At this moment, they clearly realized that the current Minato Namikaze was no longer the tolerant and gentle Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze ordered these Anbu Ninja: "Take these bodies out of Konoha for cremation."

The Anbu Ninja left with the bodies of Utatane Koharu and the others.

Minato Namikaze then announced: "Next, I will announce something. My wife, Miyuki Uzumaki, and my son, Naruto Uzumaki, were persecuted by Danzo Shimura and others, leading to Miyuki Uzumaki's current disappearance, and Naruto Uzumaki suffered unfair treatment in Konoha."

The villagers who were unaware of this widened their eyes, looking at Minato Namikaze in disbelief.

Naruto Uzumaki was the son of their Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze?

Then... would Minato Namikaze settle scores for what they had done before?!

Minato Namikaze continued: "This matter ends here. I will not hold you responsible for your ignorance, but from now on, if anyone spreads rumors behind my back, they will be arrested directly for inciting the division of Konoha!

And next, I will issue several commands to change the current state of Konoha!

First, from now on, there will be no Hokage Advisor position. The Advisor position will remain, but Advisors will only have the power to offer suggestions, not to directly participate in decisions. All matters will be decided solely by the Hokage.

Second, the current Anbu assassination tactical special forces will be disbanded and a Hokage Guard Unit will be re-established. The Hokage Guard Unit will only execute my commands, and its members will possess the highest authority besides myself.

Third, all children aged 6 and above must enter the Ninja Academy to receive Ninja education. They will have three chances to pass the graduation assessment. If they fail to pass the graduation assessment three times, they will be unable to receive a portion of Konoha's benefits!

Fourth, Konoha will enter a full state of war preparedness. All actions will be in preparation for war! I know some Ninja clans have internal rules; these rules are your rules, not Konoha's rules. In Konoha, you must obey me. Whoever is assigned, regardless of who it is, must fight, no exceptions!

These four commands are effective immediately. Next week, Konoha will formally declare war on Sunagakure. All Ninja will be registered and reported, then coordinated, ready for the war to begin at any time!

That is all for this announcement. Everyone is dismissed!"

After Minato Namikaze finished his announcement, he turned and walked past the crowd behind him.

Everyone watched Minato Namikaze's retreating back with fear in their eyes.

Was the current Minato Namikaze trying to be a dictator and rule Konoha?

Among this group, Hyuga Hiashi was the most nervous.

Because Minato Namikaze's fourth command very likely meant that the Hyuga Main Family would also have to go to the battlefield!

Hyuga Hiashi really wanted to talk to Minato Namikaze, but who dared to talk to the current Minato Namikaze?

...

At this time, Chiba, already in Hidden Sound Village, watched Minato Namikaze's announced commands with Orochimaru in Orochimaru's base.

Chiba sighed, "I thought I guessed correctly, but I was wrong. Minato Namikaze didn't forgive Konoha; instead, he wants to rule Konoha as a dictator. He really has it in him."

Orochimaru said to Chiba, "Actually, this is the correct approach. If Minato Namikaze chose to destroy Konoha, he would have nothing, and it would not benefit him at all. He is already the Hokage, and as Hokage, he is the supreme ruler of Konoha.

Minato Namikaze can use this identity to control and rule Konoha; there's no need to destroy Konoha to get revenge."

Chiba nodded: "Mm, that's true. My thinking was a bit one-sided then. Sunagakure is going to have a terrible time, but they probably won't let this war start. After all, Rasa is dead, and the Jinchūriki is controlled by Minato Namikaze. Sunagakure, without a leader, won't be a match for Konoha."

Orochimaru said with interest, "Indeed. Now we'll see what price Sunagakure will pay to appease Minato Namikaze's wrath, and what Konoha will become next. Will it become the next Village of the Bloody Mist, like Hidden Mist Village before?"