The atmosphere at Konoha's high-level regular meeting was somewhat somber.
A window in the Hokage's Office stood slightly open, but the cool morning breeze did nothing to dispel the oppressive weight of the documents piled on the table.
Baishi sat at the head of the table, reviewing a progress report on the joint patrols conducted by the Konoha Military Police Force and the Medical Department. He said nothing.
Shikaku Nara sat to his left. The teacup before him was already empty, but he showed no intention of refilling it.
The department heads present all kept their eyes lowered, maintaining a delicate silence.
Everyone present was cleared to know the broad outlines of what had happened late last night. Yet no one brought it up, because the Hokage's Office had not issued an official explanation.
Just then, the meeting room's heavy wooden door was pushed open from outside without warning.
Bang.
Everyone looked up.
Jiraiya stood in the doorway, still bearing the dust of his journey. Instead of his signature red Jonin Flak Jacket, he wore a white advisor's haori with red patterns, a mark of the special status the Lord Third had granted him while he was alive.
That status entitled him to attend any high-level meeting in Konoha.
But he had not followed procedure.
Jiraiya's gaze passed over the department heads and locked directly onto Baishi at the head of the table.
"I need an explanation."
His voice was quiet, yet it landed like a stone dropped into a still pond. Everyone present could feel the anger simmering beneath it.
Several department heads instinctively shifted in their seats, avoiding Jiraiya's gaze.
Baishi set down his report, raised his head, and regarded him calmly.
"Advisor Jiraiya, welcome back to the village. The meeting will end in fifteen minutes. You can