Chapter 18: Chapter 17 – Secret Meeting

“Apparently, we have been forgotten!” Jiraiya said with a deceptively naive air.

Minato understood that Jiraiya was thinking the same as him and judging by others’ looks, everyone had understood the message.

Jiraiya, very comfortable, went to take two chairs, which he placed next to Hiruzen and Danzo respectively. He sat on one. Danzo, looking down at his papers, ignored him, but a certain embarrassment seemed to invade him.

“Don't be shy, Minato,” Jiraiya said loudly. “Sit down. Make yourself at home, especially since you're a bit at home here… as the Hokage.”

Minato sat down next to Hiruzen and cast Danzo an intense gaze.

“Good,” Jiraiya continued. “What are we talking about?”

“You have nothing to do here,” Danzo intervened, without even looking at him.

“Really?” Jiraiya wondered. Minato felt the Sanin becoming more and more annoyed. “Why?”

"As a jonin, you can’t attend this type of meeting," Homura replied.

“I am a Sannin, my dear sir!”

“That title is only symbolic,” Koharu corrected. “If it gives you an undeniable influence on the villagers and the Shinobi world, it does not give you additional rights here.”

“That, I had understood,” Jiraiya got angry. “I realized it the day the young Kushina arrived in Konoha, which was a total secret…”

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes. Danzo finally looked at Jiraiya.

“We are not here to discuss the village affairs with you,” Danzo said categorically. “This is a secret meeting.”

"Secret enough to keep the Yondaime Hokage out of it?"

Minato saw that Jiraiya wouldn’t back down. He met his gaze and made him understand that it was useless. The Sannin suddenly calmed down, winked at Minato, and stood up.

“Well, good meeting then, ladies and gentlemen of the Konoha Council. Just remember when you need something from the Sannin Jiraiya in the future that my title is just honorific…”

With those words, he left the room. Minato was relieved. His sensei staying longer would only cause trouble, and the priority was to get answers.

“I believe we can resume the meeting. By a happy coincidence, it seems that I arrived just in time.” Minato said.

“Of course,” Danzo replied, looking the Yondaime in the eyes. “The professional secrecy to which each of you is subject stipulates everything that will be said here will not leave this room. As a reminder, the Council has the power to disband any position, including that of the Hokage, if it can prove that a fundamental rule like this has not been respected. It is of course for the village safety.”

“However,” Minato continued, completely ignoring Danzo's remark. “In the future, I would like to be informed when an important meeting takes place here.”

Jiraiya, approaching the exit of the building, passed an ANBU who was heading towards the room where the meeting was held.

Maybe I'll find out more about what's going on there soon… He thought.

“First of all, who is behind this meeting, I was not invited to?” Minato asked, staring at Danzo more intently than ever.

“It's me,” Hiruzen replied.

Minato opened his eyes wide, surprised by the news. The Sandaime was the one who orchestrated this secret meeting without him.

“You? But... Why... Why did you keep me away?”

“You're too involved, Minato!” Hiruzen replied grimly.

“Too involved?” Minato wondered. “What do you mean?”

“What Hiruzen wants to say is that we must make difficult decisions. And that total objectivity is essential, for the greater good.” Danzo added.

Minato frowned.

“Just speak your mind. What are you talking about?” Minato asked, but he had his idea on the matter.

“The Uchihas,” Danzo replied, confirming Minato's fears.

“What else is going on with the Uchihas?”

Hiruzen sighed.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Come in,” Danzo and Minato said with the same voice. The latter glared at him.

The ANBU that Jiraiya had encountered opened the door and bowed to the members of the Konoha Council. Behind his mask, his gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on Minato.

“It's in progress.”

He then withdrew, closing the door with a snap.

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“What is in progress?” Minato asked.

Everyone was silent. It was Hiruzen who first broke the silence after a sigh.

“The Uchihas and especially the Police have noticed some of your absences.”

Minato raised his eyebrows, waiting to hear more. It was no secret that he leaves the village from time to time.

“The important thing is that they noticed that these absences coincided with those of other members of the village.”

“Keep talking…” Minato said.

“Mikoto Uchiha,” Hiruzen replied. “As well as your wife, Kushina Uzumaki.”

Minato frowned.

“Why does the jinchuriki of Kyubi leave the village? We don't know; we only found out recently,” Danzo added.

“An investigation will be carried out,” Koharu said.

“The jinchuriki of Kyubi belongs to the village of Konoha,” Homura added.

Minato gave him a brief look that silenced him.

“Well, that's not the topic of this meeting, Hiruzen said hastily, trying to break this new emerging tension. “This is not about Kushina Uzumaki, but about Mikoto Uchiha.”

“So the Uchihas know that the absences of the Yondaime Hokage coincide with those of Mikoto Uchiha, Danzo summarized. “Knowing this and being able to predict in advance the days of absence of the Yondaime Hokage, they then took the opportunity to hold secret meetings.”

“Secret meetings? Minato repeated, unconvinced by Danzo's words. “How do you know that?”

“Well... We have a spy.”

"And who is your spy?"

Jiraiya was leaning against the Hokage building, at the entrance, waiting for the ANBU to come out.

I should be able to get some information from this ANBU. Minato will probably receive a gag order and won’t be able to repeat anything to me. Let's hope my influence will be enough to loosen the ANBU’s tongue… The Sannin thought.

The ANBU exited. Jiraiya grabbed him by the neck and pinned him against the wall.

“Good morning, dear friend. I would like to know what is going on in there.”

“I have no right to tell you,” the ANBU answered calmly.

“Really? Do you know who I am?”

“Jiraiya, one of Konoha's three Sannin,” the ANBU promptly replied.

“Good,” Jiraiya said, proud to be known by a rather young-looking ANBU. “And do you really think that an ANBU is a match to any of the three Sannin?”

The ANBU did not answer.

“Don't be a fool,” Jiraiya continued. “It would be a waste of time if I had to use the hard way.”

“I know that you are acting in the interest of the village. That's why I won't hurt you.”

"How arrogant..."

Jiraiya was amazed and offended by the young shinobi’s words. He was thinking of showing a little bit of his might. However, he did not have time to do anything. The individual turned into several crows that flew in all directions.

With only his head visible, Jiraiya clearly saw the eyes behind his mask turning bright red.

“Stay out of it.” The shinobi said before he disappeared.

“Itachi Uchiha?” Minato wondered. “Impossible... I was with Itachi most of the days I was away; I trained him. He couldn't at the same time spy on the…”

He broke off suddenly. He had just understood.

“You figured it out? Danzo asked, who had trouble concealing a triumphant air. “You have a sharp mind. Yes, the one you were training with was just a clone. Itachi Uchiha was able to trick his clan into thinking he was leaving the village with the Yondaime Hokage. It would seem that even the yellow flash didn't see through it.”

A simple clone... Minato thought. He was strong though, exceeding my expectations in every training...

“We just got word that our secret meeting is not the only one currently taking place in Konoha.”

In the Nakano temple, under the seventh tatami, another meeting was being held by the Uchihas…

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