NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 28: Leaks and Targets
There were five people in the conference room:
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen
Hokage advisors: Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu
Root leader, Shimura Danzo
This was the core top management currently in charge of Konoha. Except for independent ninja clans and the Jōnin Council, all other departments and forces in Konoha were scattered in the hands of these five.
Hiruzen currently controlled the Directly Affiliated ANBU, the City Defense Close-Range Force, the Medical Department, the Interrogation Department, and the Intelligence Department, wielding immense power.
Koharu and Homura jointly managed the Administration Department, responsible for assisting the Hokage, contacting the Land of Fire, and receiving financial expenditures allocated to the village by the country. This was equivalent to controlling a portion of the decision-making power, diplomatic power, and financial power. Their status was very high, comparable to an elder.
Danzo himself controlled Root and also enjoyed certain financial control rights.
Minato only managed the Education Ministry, some directly affiliated ANBU still formed, and the main affairs of the Hokage's government.
This was the current power distribution at the core level of Konoha. The Fourth Hokage might sound great, but in reality, the power he could control was very limited. Even Danzo didn't have much.
However, Minato wasn't in a hurry when he arrived. His position as Hokage didn't depend on anyone's charity, but entirely on his own reputation in the Third Great Ninja War. Although he had only ascended to the Hokage throne recently, he had already used his own methods to change Konoha and his village. What he lacked was time.
After turning around, Koharu took the lead and asked, "Have the casualty statistics from last night been released? When a major disaster like this happens, the daimyo can't hide it, and a response must be given as soon as possible."
Minato had already finished calculating: "The initial statistics are out. There were 638 ninja casualties and 2,845 civilian casualties. The number of wounded is still being revised."
"Are the casualties so high?"
"The war just ended, and the village's vitality has been severely damaged."
"Now we've been hit hard again, we're in trouble now. Other villages will likely take this opportunity to take action!" Homura said anxiously, finally fully understanding the terror of the Kyuubi.
The only good news was that the Kyuubi had been resealed. Besides, Minato was still there, and his reputation as 'the Yellow Flash' was enough to deter most enemy forces from coveting him.
"I've ordered border guards to increase patrols and send out several reconnaissance teams. If there are any traces of enemy village operations, the traces will be found in a timely manner."
Minato's fighting talent and governing talent were both excellent, and he had arranged appropriate strategies. If any village really wanted to take advantage of the situation and rob them, Minato would definitely let them eat as many 'balls' as they wanted!
With Minato's guarantee, the others felt more comfortable. They might not believe in the various abilities of the Fourth Hokage, but they didn't doubt his combat abilities.
"Anyway, how did the enemy masked man who released the Kyuubi know the time of the Jinchuuriki's childbirth? And how could he sneak into the highest level of the barrier?" Koharu frowned and asked.
Minato quickly explained: "That person has very advanced Space-Time Ninjutsu, and he probably relied on that movement to pass through the barrier. As for how he knew the time of Kushina's childbirth, it's still unknown."
At this moment, Danzo spoke: "The time and place of the Jinchuuriki's childbirth are kept top secret."
"Generally, only the Third and Fourth Hokage and a few people know. The enemy's attack time was very precise, so the information must have been obtained beforehand."
"Hiruzen, Minato, can you explain this?"
Danzo's accusation was very sharp, and it almost seemed obvious that someone was cooperating with the enemy and leaking secrets.
"I can't confirm yet if anyone leaked the secret."
Minato could only explain it this way, even though he was also very confused. Because only a few people knew the secret of Kushina's childbirth, and it was impossible for any of them to betray the village!
Did Kakashi also seem to know? Did Kakashi tell Obito? Did Kakashi also rebel against the village? No, no, no, this was absolutely impossible!
The more Minato thought about it, the more confused he became, and he really didn't dare to make any random conclusions. And it was difficult for him to tell him directly. After all, the information that the masked man was Obito couldn't be confirmed yet.
It was impossible for him to claim now that his student alone caused the Kyuubi Rebellion disaster, right?
Of course, Danzo wasn't satisfied with Minato's answer and immediately pressed towards Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, what about you? It's said that the two people responsible for the baby's delivery at that time, Biwako and her student, were both your people."
However, Hiruzen sat in his chair with his head bowed and remained silent the entire time.
"Hiruzen?"
"Danzo! You shouldn't be asking that. Lady Biwako was also killed at that time."
"What, Biwako is dead too?"
Danzo was shocked, unaware of this.
Overnight, Hiruzen also lost his wife. No wonder he was so depressed now.
Thinking about this, Danzo couldn't force Hiruzen anymore. So he pointed his finger at Minato again.
"Whoever leaked the secret must be investigated thoroughly."
"Also, the village has repeatedly emphasized the threat of the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki."
"Minato, as the Fourth Hokage, you actually caused the Kyuubi riot and caused so much damage to the village. As Hokage, you must be responsible for this!"
Danzo in Parallel World 4 was no longer the passionate young man in Parallel World 2. Now, all he saw was power and the position of Hokage. At this moment, if he could seize this opportunity and reprimand Minato for his negligence, he certainly wouldn't be lenient. It would be even better to use this to force him to step down from the Hokage position, that would be even better!
Initially, one of the reasons Hiruzen abdicated to Minato was because as the ruling Hokage, he had to be responsible for the large number of casualties caused by the Third Great Ninja War.
Facing Danzo's accusation, Minato frowned slightly. He actually didn't want to break with Danzo. Moreover, the other party also had a good reason now and was on the side of justice.
No matter what the reason, Kushina, as the Jinchuuriki, and he, as Hokage, had to be responsible for this Kyuubi chaos.
"Am I wrong? As Hokage, shouldn't you be responsible for this?"
"Homura, Koharu, what do you think?"
The two advisors hesitated. But there was a slight movement in their hearts. After all, if something happened, someone had to be blamed. Except for the people involved who had already died.
If Minato didn't take it, should they?
"Let's talk about the issue of responsibility later. The top priority now is to do a good job after the incident, repair the village as soon as possible, treat the wounded, and bury the dead."
Hiruzen finally came to his senses and spoke with a peaceful attitude.
"Hiruzen, you're covering for him!"
"Danzo, if you really want to be responsible, can you tell me where you and Root were last night?"
Hiruzen's tone suddenly became sharp, and he asked directly.
"Hiruzen, are you questioning me?"
"I just hope everyone can come together, especially at this time."
Hiruzen stared at Danzo deeply.
He opened his mouth to reveal something, but in the end, he held back. It was impossible for him to say that he met with the First and Second Hokage last night and was scolded by Tobirama for more than ten minutes. Even if he said it, Danzo wouldn't believe him!
Danzo would only think that Hiruzen was lying to him, and wanted him to be blamed, or wanted to reduce his power. After all, both of them had gone too deep!
Just like himself, wasn't this the time to relinquish some authority?
As the two faced each other, an ANBU ninja suddenly knocked on the door and entered, silently reporting something to Minato.
Minato was delighted to hear this and immediately stood up to leave.
"Excuse me, I have to leave for something very important."
"If you've all discussed it and have any important decisions, just have someone tell me."
With a whoosh, Minato activated Hiraishin no Jutsu and disappeared.
He hurried back after learning about Lux's visit.