There were five people in the conference room: Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hokage advisors Mito Katoen and Kaden Koharu, and root leader Shimura Danzo.
This is Konoha's core leadership, responsible for nearly all village affairs, aside from the independent ninja groups and the Jōnin Conference. The power and departments of Konoha rest largely in the hands of these five people.
Sarutobi Hiruzen controls: Anbu, City Defense Melee Force, Medical Department, Interrogation Department, and Intelligence Department—making his influence substantial.
Mito Katoen and Kaden Koharu co-manage the Administration Department, assisting the Hokage, liaising with the Land of Fire, and handling the village's financial allocations. They have considerable decision-making, diplomatic, and financial power.
Shimura Danzo alone controls Root and holds certain financial authority.
Minato currently manages the Ministry of Education, parts of Anbu, and the Hokage's main responsibilities, though many directly affiliated Anbu units are still being formed.
Other units like the Corpse Disposal Unit, Animal Training and Rehabilitation Unit, Barrier Unit, and Sealing Unit are independent, acting only in special situations.
This is the current structure of power in Konoha. The title of Hokage may sound prestigious, but in reality, Minato's authority is limited—he has less direct control than even Danzo.
Yet, Minato is in no hurry. He earned his Hokage position through his reputation in the previous wars, not by anyone's favor. Although he is new to the role, he has already begun working to change Konoha in his own way. All he needs is time...
---
After a pause, Koharu spoke first: "Are the casualty reports from last night finalized? The daimyo won't overlook such a tragedy and will expect a swift response."
Minato nodded. "Preliminary numbers are in. We've lost 638 ninjas and 2,845 civilians. The injured count is still being updated..."
"So many casualties?" Koharu asked, surprised.
"After the Third War, the village is already struggling. With this new blow, we're vulnerable. Other villages may try to exploit the situation!" Mito Katoen said, sounding worried as he realized the Nine-Tails' destructive power.
The only silver lining is that the Nine-Tails has been resealed. Plus, with Minato's reputation as the Yellow Flash, he's enough to deter most hostile forces.
"I've ordered the border guards to increase patrols and sent out reconnaissance teams. If there's any enemy activity, we'll know in time," Minato reassured them.
His combat and strategic skills had led him to take quick action. Should any village attempt to raid Konoha, Minato would be ready to unleash his Rasengan without mercy.
His confidence reassured the others. While they may have doubts about his overall capabilities, they trusted his strength as a fighter.
"Still," Koharu said with a frown, "how did the masked enemy who released the Nine-Tails know about the timing of the Jinchūriki's delivery? And how did he bypass the highest-level Barrier?"
Minato replied, "He used a highly advanced **Space-Time Ninjutsu** to get through the Barrier. As for how he knew Kushina's delivery time, that part is unclear…"
Danzo chimed in, "The time and place of the Jinchūriki's delivery are top-secret, known only to a select few, including the Third and Fourth Hokages. The enemy's timing was exact, so he must've had inside information."
His accusation was sharp, implying someone in the village leaked the information. An explanation was needed from the Third and Fourth Hokages.
"This… I can't confirm if there was a leak," Minato responded. He was just as confused. Only a handful knew about Kushina's delivery; it was unimaginable that any of them would betray the village.
Wait… could Kakashi have told Obito? No, that's impossible. Kakashi would never betray Konoha!
The more Minato thought, the more uncertain he felt, but he couldn't jump to conclusions, especially since the masked man's identity as Obito was unconfirmed.
There was no way he could say his apprentice might have led to the Nine-Tails Night disaster…
---
Danzo, unsatisfied with Minato's response, turned toward Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, how about you? The two people helping with the delivery, Biwako and Tenji, were under your command…"
Sarutobi stayed silent, head lowered.
"Hiruzen, answer me!"
"Danzo, you shouldn't ask that. Lady Biwako died that night as well."
"What? Biwako too?" Danzo was surprised, not knowing this. Overnight, Sarutobi Hiruzen had lost his wife, explaining his quiet grief.
With this in mind, Danzo refrained from pressing Sarutobi further and instead focused on Minato.
"Regardless of who leaked the information, it must be investigated thoroughly. And as Hokage, Minato, you must take responsibility for the Nine-Tails' rampage and the resulting damage!"
Danzo, now primarily driven by his ambition for power, saw an opportunity to criticize Minato's leadership and possibly push him out of the Hokage role. Sarutobi had partly abdicated because of the casualties caused in the Third War. Now, if Minato could be faulted for negligence, Danzo might advance his own position.
"Am I wrong? As Hokage, isn't it your responsibility?" he continued, looking to Koharu and Katoen for support.
The two advisors hesitated, silently agreeing. Someone had to take the blame, and it was convenient if it wasn't them.
But Sarutobi intervened. "Let's address responsibility later. Our priority is to care for the injured, rebuild the village, and honor the fallen."
"Covering for him, Hiruzen?"
"Danzo, if you really want accountability, perhaps you could explain where you and your Root agents were last night," Sarutobi said pointedly.
"Hiruzen, are you accusing me?"
"I only wish for unity, especially now."
Sarutobi looked at Danzo thoughtfully. He seemed ready to say more but held back. He couldn't reveal that he had been visited by the First and Second Hokages the previous night and scolded by Tobirama for over ten minutes. Danzo wouldn't believe him and would only think he was lying to shift blame or reduce Danzo's power.
Sigh… My old friend, we're both in too deep…
Perhaps, he thought, it was time to relinquish some of his authority…
---
Just as the two men were about to argue further, an Anbu ninja knocked on the door and discreetly whispered something to Minato.
Minato's face brightened, and he immediately stood up. "I'm sorry, I have to go. If there are any important decisions, please inform me."
And with that, Minato used Flying Thunder God to teleport away, leaving the others in silence.
He had just learned that Wakato had arrived.