Chinya left his home and followed Minato Namikaze toward the Hokage Tower.
Since there wasn't much to say between Minato and Chinya, they remained silent all the way until reaching the Hokage Tower.
When they entered the meeting room at the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were already waiting inside.
The moment Chinya stepped into the room, he felt a pair of eyes fixed on him.
That gaze, naturally, came from Danzo.
After Chinya returned to Konoha the previous night, Root ninja had already informed Danzo of his return.
Danzo had waited in his office the entire day but never saw Chinya come.
Now that Chinya had walked in with Minato Namikaze, Danzo was furious.
Chinya looked at Danzo and saw his anger plain on his face — it was almost too easy to read — and barely held back a smirk.
Chinya gave a slight nod toward Danzo as a greeting and then, without acknowledging anyone else, went straight to an empty seat and sat down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu, and Homura were also very dissatisfied with Chinya's arrogant behavior.
Although Chinya indeed carried great prestige now, they were the top-ranking officials managing Konoha. To completely ignore them and only acknowledge Danzo clearly showed insufficient respect.
However, Danzo's dissatisfaction with Chinya had reached its peak.
Previously, Chinya would always bow respectfully toward him. Now, Chinya merely nodded casually as a greeting — an obvious sign he no longer held any real respect for Danzo.
Only now did Danzo truly realize that Chinya was completely beyond his control.
After Minato took his seat, he announced, "Then let's begin the meeting."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first, saying, "Minato's wife, Uzumaki Miyuki, will give birth in about three months. During pregnancy, female jinchuriki redirect chakra used to seal the tailed beast toward fetal development, causing the seal to weaken. The same happened when Mito gave birth — the seal nearly broke. So this time, we need to be fully prepared. Does anyone have good ideas?"
Danzo spoke up, "The defenses of the Root Division are excellent. We could allow Uzumaki Miyuki to give birth directly within the Root Division headquarters."
This time, it truly was out of sincere intentions — Danzo wasn't trying to cause trouble.
Putting aside the fact that Uzumaki Miyuki was the jinchuriki and also the wife of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, even if she weren't his wife, Hiruzen would definitely not tolerate Danzo interfering recklessly regarding matters involving the jinchuriki.
Danzo's proposal genuinely came from the perspective of Konoha's best interests this time.
After all, the Root Division headquarters lay far from Konoha's central district, and its defense system was among the best within the village.
However, Danzo still had a slight personal motive.
He wanted to harvest some of the Nine-Tails' chakra while Miyuki was giving birth.
But Danzo had too poor a reputation with both Minato and Hiruzen.
Without even considering it, Minato rejected Danzo's suggestion, "Your assistant Hokage's proposal might sound reasonable, but I believe there might still be better alternatives."
Minato spoke politely, but everyone in the room understood his meaning clearly—it was a clear refusal to Danzo's proposal.
Danzo let out a "Hmph" and fell silent.
He'd expected this result already, so it didn't surprise him at all. To him, this meeting was just a formality anyway.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado each offered a few suggestions, but none that significantly reduced the risks involved.
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed a plan: "I suggest we set up the birthing location outside the village, protected by strong barriers and guarded closely by Anbu ninja. Biwako Sarutobi and Anbu kunoichi Tajima will assist Uzumaki Miyuki during childbirth.
During delivery, Minato will be present to protect Miyuki, ensuring the seal remains intact. As a backup plan, if an emergency occurs and there are signs of the Nine-Tails breaking free from its seal, Chinya, you'll use your [Mangekyo Sharingan] to control the Nine-Tails."
After thinking it over, Minato nodded in agreement: "I believe this plan is feasible. It won't pose any threat to the village's safety, and with both me and Chinya present, we can guarantee the Nine-Tails won't cause trouble while Miyuki gives birth."
Koharu and Homura also agreed to Hiruzen's suggestion.
The plan was thus finalized.
Chinya sat in his seat, his face twisting into a deep frown.
What did he have to do with this meeting anyway?
That's ridiculous?
The meeting hadn't ended yet; they were still discussing the details of Hiruzen's proposal.
What kind of barrier to use, how many Anbu ninjas to dispatch...
Right now, Chinya was itching to leave. He wanted to get home already—were they gonna talk forever? He really needed to go!
Just as Chinya was losing his patience, the meeting finally ended.
Chinya immediately stood up, preparing to head home.
Then again, Danzo stepped in front of Chinya, emotionlessly looking at him and said: "Chinya, come with me to the Root Division. I need to talk to you about matters concerning the Konoha Defense Unit."
Chinya frowned as he looked at Danzo. This old man truly lacked situational awareness.
Chinya said to Danzo: "Lord Danzo, I'm not interested in handling affairs related to the Konoha Defense Unit right now. Kakashi has been doing quite well in that position. Let him continue. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
Danzo rebuked angrily: "Chinya! Are you willing to neglect major concerns because of some trivial matter?!"
Chinya looked at Danzo with an odd expression.
He naturally understood exactly what "trivial matter" Danzo referred to—the pregnancy of Kushina Uzumaki.
But had Danzo lost his mind? Earlier, he'd willingly joined the Root Division and accepted the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence for Kushina Uzumaki. Nothing came before Kushina Uzumaki as far as he was concerned.
Danzo usually seemed sharp-minded—why did he appear less clever now? Couldn't he see this?
Sighing helplessly, Chinya said to Danzo: "Lord Danzo, whether something is trivial or important is something I'll judge for myself. If you wish for me to explain further, I'll visit the Root Division tomorrow to clarify everything. But right now, I must go home."
Chinya didn't even glance at Danzo, whose face had twisted into an expression of utmost fury, and walked straight out of the Hokage Tower.
Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi both overheard what Chinya and Danzo had said to each other.
Minato and Hiruzen exchanged a sharp glance at the same time.
So Chinya has a conflict with Danzo? That's great news!
Hiruzen considered whether Chinya could be used for his or Minato's advantage.
Minato, however, was well aware of his own limitations—he knew it was impossible to win Chinya's loyalty. But at the very least, if Chinya wouldn't help Danzo, then Danzo lost a powerful ally—and that alone was good enough.
Because in the future, dealing with Root would also be an issue Minato, as Hokage, needed to resolve.
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