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Qianyu left home and followed Minato Namikaze to the Hokage Building.
There was nothing much to say between Minato and Qianyu. They walked in silence, arriving directly at the building.
Inside the conference room, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were already waiting.
The moment Qianyu stepped inside, a gaze landed on him.
It was, of course, from Danzō.
Root agents had informed Danzō of Qianyu's return the moment he set foot in the village the previous night. Danzō had waited in his office all day, but Qianyu never showed.
Now, here Qianyu was, walking in with the Fourth Hokage. It was a blatant show of disrespect, and Danzō's displeasure simmered.
Qianyu glanced over. Danzō's face practically screamed 'I am not happy.' Qianyu nearly snorted out loud.
He gave Danzō a brief, almost imperceptible nod—that was the greeting—then ignored everyone else and found an empty seat.
Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura bristled at his arrogance. Sure, Qianyu's reputation was immense now, but they were the village elders, the governing council. To be so openly ignored, acknowledged only by that dismissive nod to Danzō… it was infuriating.
But Danzō's own fury had reached a boiling point. In the past, Qianyu would have offered him a respectful bow. Now? A casual tilt of the head. The message was clear: Qianyu no longer considered him a master to be obeyed.
It was now painfully obvious to Danzō. Qianyu was completely beyond his control.
Once Minato took his seat, he announced, "Let's begin the meeting."
Hiruzen spoke first. "Miyuki Uzumaki is due to give birth in approximately three months. During pregnancy, the energy used to suppress the tailed beast within a female jinchūriki is diverted to nourish the fetus, weakening the seal. When Lady Mito gave birth, the seal nearly broke. We must prepare thoroughly. Does anyone have suggestions?"
Danzō's voice cut through the room. "The defenses of Root are comprehensive. The delivery could be conducted there."
For once—he swore on his honor—Danzō wasn't trying to scheme. Miyuki wasn't just any jinchūriki; she was the wife of the Fourth Hokage. Even if she weren't, Hiruzen would never let him meddle with a tailed beast container.
His suggestion was genuine, made with the village's security in mind. Root's location was remote from the village center, and its defenses were among the best in Konoha.
Still, a tiny, selfish part of him hoped to collect a sample of Nine-Tails' chakra during the event.
But his credit with Minato and Hiruzen was nonexistent.
Minato rejected the idea without hesitation. "Advisor Danzō's proposal has merit, but I believe there may be better alternatives."
Politely phrased, but everyone understood: a firm, unequivocal no.
Danzō snorted and fell silent. He'd expected this. His presence here was merely procedural.
Koharu and Homura offered a few suggestions, but none significantly reduced the risks.
Then Hiruzen laid out a plan. "I propose we set up the delivery room outside the village. Secure it with a tight barrier and guard it with ANBU. My wife, Biwako Sarutobi, and the ANBU kunoichi, Taji, will assist with the delivery. During the process, Minato will remain by Miyuki's side to reinforce the seal and prevent a breach. And Qianyu," Hiruzen's eyes shifted, "will act as the final safeguard. Should the seal fail and the Nine-Tails threaten to emerge, you will use your Mangekyō Sharingan to subdue it."
Minato considered for a moment, then nodded. "The plan is sound. It keeps the village safe. With both myself and Qianyu present, we can ensure the Nine-Tails remains docile."
Koharu and Homura voiced their agreement.
The plan was settled.
Qianyu sat in his chair, his face a mask of pure annoyance.
So… what did this have to do with him?
Seriously?
The meeting dragged on, dissecting the minutiae of Hiruzen's plan. What barrier to use? How many ANBU to deploy?
Qianyu shifted in his seat, restless. He wanted to go home. Were these old men ever going to shut up? He had places to be!
Just as his last shred of patience vanished, the meeting finally adjourned.
Qianyu stood up immediately, ready to bolt.
Danzō blocked his path, his expression icy. "Qianyu. Accompany me to Root. We need to discuss matters concerning the Leaf Village Defense Force."
Qianyu frowned. Was this old man really this clueless?
"Lord Danzō," he said, voice flat. "I have no interest in managing the Defense Force at the moment. Kakashi is handling it perfectly well. Let him continue. I have other matters to attend to. Good day."
"Qianyu!" Danzō barked. "Are you going to neglect your duty for some trivial personal matter?!"
Qianyu stared at him, a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
He knew exactly what 'trivial matter' Danzō was referring to: Kushina's pregnancy.
But had Danzō lost his mind? Qianyu had joined Root, submitted to the Tongue Eradication Seal, all for Kushina's sake. Shouldn't it be obvious that nothing took priority over her?
Danzō was supposed to be shrewd. Right now, he seemed anything but.
"Lord Danzō," Qianyu said, his tone dripping with exasperation. "I'll judge what's trivial and what's important myself. If you require an explanation, I will visit Root tomorrow to provide one. But right now, I'm going home."
He brushed past Danzō, whose face had contorted with rage, and strode out of the Hokage Building without a backward glance.
Minato and Hiruzen had overheard the entire exchange.
Their eyes met, sharp and calculating.
A rift between Qianyu and Danzō. This was excellent news.
Hiruzen's mind raced with possibilities. Could Qianyu be swayed to their side?
Minato was more realistic. Getting Qianyu to work for him was a fantasy. But if Qianyu stopped working for Danzō, that alone was a major victory. It stripped a powerful weapon from the old hawk's arsenal.
And dealing with Root was a problem for the future—a problem Minato, as Hokage, would have to face.
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