Koharu Utatane also wore a look of righteous indignation, while Mitokado Homura stood to the side with an expressionless face.
"Advisor Danzo, everything I've done falls within the Hokage's jurisdiction, doesn't it?"
"Signing an alliance with the Land of Water aligns with the path of peace, and the abundant seafood resources from the Land of Water will greatly benefit our nation's economic development."
"As for the Akatsuki member rumored to possess the Sharingan, that information hasn't been confirmed yet. Even if someone does have the Sharingan, it doesn't necessarily mean they're from the Uchiha Clan, does it?"
"And regarding the Anbu, it is directly under my authority. Who I recruit and appoint has nothing to do with the advisors' responsibilities, does it?"
"Don't forget, you're merely advisors."
"I am the Hokage!"
Minato Namikaze's face still carried a polite smile, but within that smile was a faint trace of coldness.
One had to admit, Minato was still courteous even in confrontation.
If something like this had happened in Sunagakure, any elder daring to speak to Sōmi in such a tone...
"Fourth Hokage!"
Danzo's single eye glared coldly at Minato, his gaze sharp and menacing.
"The role of the advisory council is to prevent the Hokage's decisions from being flawed!"
"And now, all three of us elders unanimously believe that as the Fourth Hokage, you have not prioritized the village's best interests. Instead, you've allowed personal bias to favor the Uchiha Clan!"
"The Uchiha Clan might already be colluding with external enemies, waiting for the right moment to overthrow Konohagakure. Yet, instead of imposing strict control over them, you've entrusted them with significant responsibilities. Isn't this akin to raising a tiger only to invite disaster?"
"Have you forgotten what the Land of Water did during the Third Great Ninja War?"
"And now you've even agreed to help them capture and seal the Three-Tails?"
"Is such blatant support for an enemy really what a Hokage should be doing?!"
"If you continue to act on your own whims, the advisory council will exercise its right to impeach you and propose a motion of no confidence. Then you can explain your actions directly to the Daimyō!"
Danzo pressed on relentlessly, slamming his left hand onto Minato's desk for emphasis.
Although Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane remained silent, their expressions made it clear that Danzo had already persuaded them before coming here. The three elders had clearly formed a united front.
"Advisor Danzo!"
"If we're talking about responsibilities, Root is technically under the Anbu's jurisdiction. I could revoke your command over Root and reassign all its members back into the Anbu."
"As for decision-making errors, I don't see it that way. I believe every step I've taken is the right one."
"If I ever encounter a situation where I truly can't make a decision, I will, of course, seek the advice of the three of you."
"And if I need to meet with the Daimyō, then let the Daimyō's office issue an official notice. When that time comes, I'll personally explain the reasoning behind my actions to the Daimyō."
"I'm confident the economic benefits from trade with the Land of Water will be easy for the Daimyō to calculate."
"And regarding the Tailed Beasts, it was the First and Second Hokage who originally devised the allocation plan. Unless, of course, you think there was something wrong with their decisions back then?"
Minato's smile faded as he placed a document on the desk, his demeanor exuding a sense of diligence and authority.
"If the advisors have no further matters to discuss, please leave."
Minato spoke without even looking up.
"Fourth Hokage!"
"You'll regret this!"
Danzo, clearly infuriated, spat out the classic line before storming out.
Koharu Utatane shot a resentful glare at Minato before following Danzo out.
Once the three elders had completely disappeared from the office, Minato glanced in the direction they had left and let out a long sigh.
Over the past year, he had been quietly reclaiming power, gradually sidelining the advisory council.
But these individuals seemed to have an almost pathological obsession with power!
The moment their vested interests were touched, they acted like rabid dogs, snapping and biting at anything in sight.
Even the Third Hokage, who now spent his days drinking tea, smoking, and practicing calligraphy with his wife, occasionally demanded that Minato send certain documents to his home for "assistance."
His reasoning? He couldn't stand idleness and wanted to share some of the burden with his "grand-pupil."
This arrangement had left part of the Anbu's command still under the Third Hokage's control.
As the Fourth Hokage, Minato appeared to be the village's supreme leader, but in reality, he was constantly constrained. It seemed every decision he made required their approval to be deemed "correct."
What they cared about wasn't the results but the process.
At a time when the ninja world was rife with turmoil, surrounded by powerful enemies and hidden dangers, the village couldn't even unite during such a critical moment...
Thinking about this, a shadow of gloom clouded Minato's otherwise handsome face.
"Could it be that Sunagakure and Kumogakure's approach is truly the right one..."
Minato muttered softly. He, of course, knew the truth behind the infamous "Daimyō Mansion Massacre" in those two nations.
Moreover, their Kage were figures whose commands were absolute, their orders executed without question...
Outside Sunagakure, the once barren wasteland had undergone a dramatic transformation.
The previously sunken desert terrain had been replaced by a clear, flowing stream.
The fine sand that once covered the area had vanished, revealing a deeper layer of rock beneath.
The stream seemed to originate from an underground current. Though not abundant, the water was a miraculous sight in the desert.
Beside the stream, a patch of lush green grass had sprouted, replacing the lifeless scenery with vibrant vitality.
If an ordinary traveler passed by, they would notice that a large area was enveloped by a faintly shimmering transparent barrier.
As for breaking through the barrier? They wouldn't dare.
For in the past year, this area had been known throughout the Land of Wind as the "Divine Domain."
It was said that their guardian deity resided within.
According to eyewitnesses, the guardian deity, resembling a tanuki (raccoon dog), wasn't alone but part of a group.
They would occasionally emerge from the Divine Domain to roam the Land of Wind, pushing back the desert sands.
In many parts of the Land of Wind, temples had been erected to worship these deities.
Some merchant caravans had even begun carrying small statues of tanuki-like figures, praying for safe passage through the desert.
And this so-called guardian deity was none other than Shukaku, who diligently ventured out to "play" every day.
Once considered a calamity by the village, Shukaku was now revered as a god—a truly ironic turn of events.
Ordinary people didn't worship gods or Buddhas; they worshipped their own desires.
As for Shukaku, it now stood trembling, gazing at Sōmi within its sealed space.
Sōmi stood to Shukaku's right, but the peculiar thing was that he was confined within a black cage.
Upon closer inspection, the black cage was intricately formed from dense runes, with faint silver lightning flickering across its surface.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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