"Wait!"
Just as his grand plan to gain control of the Three Tails was crumbling before his eyes, Danzo could no longer remain seated.
"Words alone aren't enough. How do I know you're not just spinning a tale to protect your little student?"
Danzo's voice was cold, his one visible eye narrowed as he tried to pick apart Minato's expression like a hawk watching for weakness.
"Yes! Who knows if you're telling the truth?"
Utatane Koharu chimed in quickly.
"Indeed, it's hard to believe anyone could become a perfect Jinchūriki so quickly."
Mitokado Homura followed suit, dutifully echoing like the backup dancers of hypocrisy.
Kakashi mentally scribbled the two of them into his "To Handle Later" bingo book.
Step 1: Mild annoyance.Step 2: Tactical trolling.Step 3: Genjutsu-induced vacation.
Seriously, were these two attached to Danzo with chakra threads like old man Chiyo's puppets?
"Rin, please demonstrate it for the elders," Minato said confidently, turning to his student.
"Yes, Minato-sensei."
Rin's tone was calm, but cold enough to flash-freeze the room.
She had heard enough. These people were not here for discussion—they were predators in council robes.
No wonder Kakashi had warned her and Obito even back in the Academy that some topics should never reach the ears of certain "village elders."
Ah. These three. The Holy Trinity of "Do As I Say, Not As I Do."
Now that she thought about it, Kakashi had always seen through them—truly worthy of being her sweetheart.
As that thought crossed her mind, she glanced at Kakashi with a warm look in her eyes.
He had openly mocked three council members just to protect her. Honestly? Swooning.
"Rin, I've detected three hostile chakra sources aimed directly at you. Would you like me to clean them up?"
The voice of Isobu rang out from behind her, like a summoned guardian beast with a grudge.
He glared at Danzo and the two elders with disdain, his massive chakra curling like a tide behind Rin.
"Ah? No need, Isobu. They're important elders of the village."
"Why would such distinguished elders ever target a harmless little medical-nin like me?"
"Anyway, stop saying such scary things. What if our dear hospital staff hears you?"
"They might forget to double-check the chakra-monitoring seals next time these VIPs come for a checkup..."
Boom. That was a clean hit.
Kakashi let out an involuntary smirk. Well played, Rin. Her sarcasm might still be in its rookie arc, but the potential? Stunning.
She even threw him a ξ( ✿＞◡❛) look.
Kakashi, not to be outdone, gave her a casual (ゝ∀･)⌒☆ back.
"Ahem."
Minato's cough cut through their telepathic flirting session.
This was a war council, not a date.
Though honestly... Kushina used to pull the same thing in meetings. Must be genetic.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, however, were not amused.
No—they were horrified.
Danzo, that scheming fossil, hadn't done his homework. They were now not only facing a Kage-level perfect Jinchūriki but one beloved by Konoha Hospital staff—and probably Tsunade herself.
And that hospital wasn't just a place for shinobi. It was the place they frequented.
Even the best schemers can't outwit a slipped IV or a delayed antidote...
Cold sweat formed on their backs.
Kakashi could see it. Delicious.
Sure, they didn't care if someone like White Fang was thrown to the wolves—he had Kage-level strength and still got crushed by their whisper campaign.
But Rin? Rin was the treasure of Konoha Hospital.
Bright, polite, diligent. Loved by every medic and civilian staff alike.
If she wanted to, she could get a shinobi's chart "lost" before the next chakra exam.
The old duo had seen enough battlefield sabotage in their prime—they knew the value of medical power.
Utatane Koharu suddenly leaned forward with the warm smile of a fox in granny's clothing.
"Rin-chan, right? What a sweet child. So diligent, such good chakra control. We were never hostile—just concerned."
"All a misunderstanding, really!"
"You're always welcome to come visit grandma Koharu's home anytime."
Mitokado Homura matched her, his voice thick with fake grandfatherly charm.
"Yes, yes, Rin-chan. Anytime you want to stop by for tea or dango, you're more than welcome. Grandpa Homura will make sure you're treated like royalty."
Rin forced a smile. It was the kind of smile that said, I'd rather walk into a den of Akatsuki than have lunch with either of you.
But she knew better than to provoke more conflict—for now.
Kakashi, meanwhile, made another mental note.
Two snakes playing house, huh? Do we send an invitation to Danzo or just slip him a guest pass to witness the disaster?
Oh—and wasn't there a rumor Koharu had a thing for Hiruzen back in the day?
I wonder if Biwako knew? No—more importantly, did Danzo know?
The mental fanfiction practically wrote itself.
But just then, Danzo made his next move.
If the Three Tails couldn't be weaponized, then—
"I heard Uchiha Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during the last battle?"
Danzo spoke again, this time directing his sharp gaze toward Minato.
"As we all know, the Uchiha only gain such power through great trauma."
"And with that power comes danger—every Uchiha who awakens the Mangekyō changes."
"To prevent disaster, I propose that Obito be transferred into the custody of Root. I will personally train him to be an unshakably loyal blade for the village."
Before anyone could interject, Danzo continued, voice sharpened like a kunai.
"Hiruzen, don't forget—Uchiha Madara!"
The room fell deathly silent.
That name could shut down even the rowdiest tavern.
Uchiha Madara—the co-founder of Konoha, the legend turned traitor, the man who fought the First Hokage to the death.
If Obito were to walk the same path…
Minato's hand clenched.
The Third Hokage's expression was clouded. Danzo's argument was calculated. Ruthless—but calculated.
Danzo, sensing the pause, suppressed his glee.
If Obito fell into his hands, everything would be within reach.
He wouldn't even need to keep him alive.
One solo mission. One "regrettable" ambush. One clean extraction of the Mangekyō.
Then the right eye that once belonged to Uchiha Kagami would be obsolete.
Why settle for a three-tomoe Sharingan when the real prize was within reach?
All he needed was the Hokage's approval...
And maybe, if luck smiled on him—
The next Madara wouldn't be a threat to Konoha…
He'd become Konoha.