After Jiraiya left, the tense atmosphere that had been forcibly held together in the Meeting Room did not immediately dissipate.
The ministers in attendance looked as though they had been pardoned from death. After exchanging a glance with Shikaku Nara, they lowered their heads and hurried out of the office.
The door was gently closed, cutting off the sounds outside.
Baishi remained seated in the main chair. His finger unconsciously traced the qualitative report on Namikaze Minato spread across the table, producing a faint rustling sound.
Shikaku Nara had not left. He stood where he was, staring at the enormous statue of the First Hokage outside the Hokage's Office window, his expression grave.
"Hokage-sama."
Shikaku turned around, breaking the silence.
"Advisor Jiraiya's intelligence network is different from every system currently in use by the village. It is more like a vast private network of relationships, rooted in his decades of prestige from traveling throughout the Shinobi World, as well as his special connection with Mount Myoboku. ANBU will find it difficult to monitor or interfere with it effectively."
He did not mention Jiraiya's anger. He spoke only of the problem.
"I know."
Baishi's voice was calm.
He picked up the tea on the table, which had already gone cold. He did not drink it, merely watching the tea leaves rise and sink in the water.
"An intelligence channel beyond regulation is an extension of the village's reach in peacetime. But in the current situation, it is an Explosive Tag whose detonation could come at any time."
Shikaku nodded. This was precisely what he was worried about.
"Advisor Jiraiya has always acted unconventionally. If he insists on investigating in his own way, he may come into direct conflict with the Akatsuki or other forces within the Land of Rain. When that