"So what do you want to do?"
"We're just proposing a solution. The final decision will be made by a vote among the higher-ups." The bearded man spoke in a neutral voice, and his words sounded righteous and stern.
"Nohara Rin will undergo strict investigation, and her movements will be temporarily restricted."
Kakashi frowned and looked at the man.
"Life imprisonment?"
"Hokage-sama, you can't phrase it like that." The bearded man still kept his righteous expression, "This is for the village's sake. The moment Nohara Rin's suspicions are cleared, the restrictions will be lifted immediately."
"Besides, there are different levels of confinement. She just won't be able to go far."
"How many of you agree?" Naruto suddenly asked.
They had already moved into the voting phase, but it can't be called a formal vote, as it's just a simple show of hands. There are not many people sitting here, and the Clan Heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans didn't come.
Neji was there, sitting silently in the middle seat. He didn't react when the vote was called, as if he was just going through the motions, completely indifferent to the others' theatrics.
As a result, the result of the show of hands on the scene was almost overwhelming. Except for those who stood on Hokage's side and a few neutrals who abstained, the rest of the people here all raised their hands to express their approval.
The result was clear, but…
Kakashi was eerily silent. Even Naruto stayed quiet, the atmosphere thick with tension. The bearded man was smug at first, but as the silence dragged on, unease crept in.
The entire meeting seemed frozen, like a river locked in ice. Not a sound could be heard… only the biting cold wind sweeping through, leaving everyone trembling in fear.
A bad premonition surged in the bearded man's chest, his eyelids twitching.
Sure enough, the door of the conference room was pushed open.
Just like six years ago, when Tsunade had pushed open that door, blinding sunlight ruthlessly pouring in.
Now it was Sakura's turn, but she was not here to cause trouble.
With a bang, she unceremoniously tossed two files onto the table.
"Here is Nohara Rin's medical examination report, which is conducted by me personally." When Sakura said this, she paused deliberately and observed the higher-ups' expressions.
Most of their faces remained unchanged. They were still indifferent and calm, like paper puppets.
"I stake my entire career on this. There is absolutely no problem with Nohara Rin's body, and there's no sign of tampering or body-swapping." She said, then pointed at the other file.
"The other one is my resignation letter. Today, only one of these reports is leaving with me."
"If any of you think I, the head of the Medical Department, would falsify reports, I will quit. You can find someone else to do the job."
"If you want a compromise, then I'll say this much…"
"I'm done! "
The conference room fell dead silent again. Sakura's words were like a heavy hammer, leaving no room for retreat. What had started as an attempt to pressure Kakashi using Rin's situation had spiraled into a far bigger mess.
If Sakura left the Medical Department, it wouldn't collapse immediately. But Konoha's Medical Ninjutsu will also stop advancing, and the village's overall strength would decline.
The conference room was thick with tension, and this group of people didn't know what to say.
At this time, Naruto spoke up to break the silence.
"I'm the one who brought Rin back. If you think there's something wrong with her, then there must be something wrong with me too. Fine, I don't want the title of the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan. Oh, and one more thing."
"Konoha no longer has a Jinchuriki. Maybe it did before, but starting today, it doesn't. Do you understand what I'm saying? From now on, there's only Uzumaki Naruto, no Kyubi's Jinchuriki."
"Other Shinobi Villages may have it, but the power of Biju will not appear in Konoha. This has nothing to do with the village. Is that clear enough?"
"The Will of Fire that the Sandaime Hokage fought so hard to uphold will now be destroyed in your own hands! Ignoring the heroes, doubting your companions… isn't that a betrayal of everything Sandiame stood for?"
"Is this your Will of Fire? Or is it just the 'Will of Orgy Parties' handed to you by the nobles of the Land of Fire?"
Naruto stood up, his face screaming, 'I'm done with this bullshit'. He wasn't playing their political games anymore. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the conference room.
Sakura followed him out, taking Rin's medical examination report with her and leaving the resignation letter behind.
"I've wanted to quit for a long time anyway. This was the perfect excuse." She muttered under her breath as she caught up to Naruto, "Now I can finally do what I actually want. Hehe."
"What do you want to do?" Naruto suddenly glanced at her, his eyes drooping and his face a little cold.
Sakura had long been accustomed to this expression of his, knowing that he was talking to her while thinking about something, and there was no real emotion behind the question.
"A lot of things. "She replied with a sly grin.
…
Back in the meeting room, Kakashi remained seated, calmly staring at everyone present.
"Is there anything else you want to add?"
He was too calm, like a detached observer. It was as if Rin's fate didn't concern him at all.
He was just performing his job obligations as the Hokage and asking for the opinions of those present.
"Well, if there is no opinion, then the earlier vote stands."
"Rokudaime, wait a minute…" One of the higher-ups suddenly stood, scratching his head awkwardly, "I think the previous proposal might've been a bit biased. Maybe we should… discuss it again?"
"Sure. Let's discuss it again." Kakashi rubbed his temples.
…
"That's probably what happened. Kakashi is probably still soaking in the conference room. " Naruto sat across from Rin, laying out everything that had happened.
He was indeed helping Kakashi, but he didn't intend to spoon-feed him. Whatever was between Kakashi and Rin was their business, and Naruto didn't want to meddle too much.
Besides, by taking this opportunity, he also smoothly completed the semi-disconnection from the village.
While the bonds he had cannot be completely severed, Naruto was now freer than even Tsunade had been. With the cards were on the table, it will be no problem for him to live in other villages in the future.
"If we hadn't disrupted the rhythm of the high-level meeting in advance this time, perhaps Kakashi would have resigned directly to save you. Well, based on my understanding of him, he will most likely do so."
Rin kept her head down, holding her skirt tightly with her hands, it is unknown what she was thinking.
Naruto did not stay for too long, and left directly after saying what he had to say.
As he walked back through Konoha Street, he spotted a few higher-ups heading his way.
He paused for a moment, then turned sideways and hid in the corner.
The closer the footsteps of those people came, the clearer their voices became.
"That Uzumaki Naruto is getting way too arrogant. The village has been very kind to him, maybe he should reflect on himself for once. Since no one likes him after all these years, has he ever considered if he's the problem?"
As he hid in the corner, the corners of Naruto's mouth twitched.
When those people passed by, he walked out directly. He slapped each of them across the face before beating them to the ground.
"Reflect on this, you bastards!"