"So, they still got away in the end. But anyone who could escape from the two of you must be a rare expert."
Inside the Hokage Office Building in Konoha, Minato Namikaze looked over the battle report in his hand. Shisui Uchiha and Itachi stood side by side before him.
Hearing Minato's words, Itachi promptly lowered his head. "I am deeply sorry about this."
Minato waved his hand with a smile. "I wasn't blaming you, Itachi. You discovered their movements in advance and stopped them, which was already a merit. Otherwise, with their strength, if they had disrupted the Chunin Exams, it would have dealt a tremendous blow to Konoha's reputation."
Shisui Uchiha added from the side, "That's right, Itachi. There's no need to blame yourself. Even with me there, didn't they still get away? More than that, I'm curious how they infiltrated the village without making a sound. Our defenses have been strengthened considerably lately, and they don't seem like the kind of ninja skilled at concealment."
Minato set the battle report aside and pondered for a moment. "I'll have the Anbu investigate that matter. As for the two of you, I'll have to trouble you to strengthen the defenses in the coming days. Everything must be centered on safely getting through these Chunin Exams."
"If someone truly betrayed the village's interests, then no matter who it is, I will not let them off lightly."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Shisui and Itachi nodded at the same time, then turned and left. Looking at the Hokage's office as it returned to silence, Minato took out the list of Konoha personnel who had entered and exited the village over the past week and began comparing them one by one without impatience.
No matter who had tampered with this matter, no matter how flawless